March 8, 2023 -- I Peter 5:6 - 14 -- Living out loud under the Father's Mighty Hand

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

I Peter 5:6-14 ESV

You write letters?! Like ‘snail mail’ letters! Is that what you mean?! That is the shocked reply I get when people ask me what I do for my work. A part of my work is writing notes and letters of encouragement to those who are incarcerated. I smile. People write tons of texts and emails and messenger and app notes to one another each day. This is not considered "letter-writing" in our day and age. As if somehow such communication doesn't matter.

What is the content of such communication? Is it seasoned with the grace of God? Do you have a sense that every email and text, all TikTok and every Tweet is an opportunity to encourage others to stand firm in the grace of God? More darkly, perhaps your last blast of communication gives evidence you are drifting from the truth of the Gospel and you are in fact pursuing a path unworthy of a Christian.

I challenge you today, decide right now that you will intentionally use every communication to declare the grace of God. Recognize that you are a Christian whose citizenship is in heaven, but whose life is now lived in the Babylon of the world. The stench and stain of the world so easily infects everything Christians do. Recognize that the Devil, that roaring lion, wants to take a bite out of your witness so that your public face might be Christ-like, but your social media is definitely not. Resist the Devil. standing firm in your faith. Live now, in every aspect of your life knowing Jesus Christ has the dominion, the power and the glory. The Spirit is strengthening you to live in a way that is counter-cultural. The reputation of our Father in heaven is affected by what you choose to do, or choose not to do. The peace of Christ is here. Walk in it.

Our Father in heaven, in every part of the day and night, hallowed be Your Name. Let Your praise and our declaration of Your goodness touch every word we speak, write, type, text, and think. Thank You for the peace and reconciliation You have given us in Christ, our King. By the indwelling presence of Your Spirit, direct all we say and do, and help us to put a stop to all the wrong things we might engage in so that these are left undone. Let our lives be filled with the fragrance of Your goodness and peace. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Y2SGjX3iHK4
Tim Hughes -- The Beauty of Your Peace

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