Easily Forgotten

There are a couple of things that I believe are so easily forgotten. That is why I titled this post 'Easily Forgotten." To be honest, I think that we forget too much too easily. Do you remember what the last thing you read in your Bible was about? I struggle with remembering things that I read just as much. It's tough. We all go through it. We spend a lone time digging into the Word and as soon as we are done, we are immediately consumed by things of this world. We are ambushed with things that Satan uses to get our minds off of God and the things that we are learning. As I mentioned in my post yesterday, I have began reading the book of 1 Peter and there are three topics that I want to touch on and refresh your memory with and hopefully I can relate it to our lives and the things we go through on a daily basis. The three topics are; Suffering for Doing Good, Living for God, and Suffering for being a Christian.

Suffering for Doing Good. 

Do ever feel a little cautious about doing something that is right? The feeling that I am talking about isn't a feeling about being right or wrong it's more of a conscious conflict. I think that we understand that the right opportunities are in front of us but there are things that hold us back. One of them being what other people think. A story that comes to mind is of course in area where I messed up. I was sitting in the dining commons eating lunch with my buddies one afternoon as we usually do. We were eating and carrying along with our conversations and a lady with a full tray of food was getting a drink and she dropped her tray all over the floor. I could tell she was embarrassed because I know that I would've been. As I sat there in the midst of making a decision on whether or not to help her, the 30 seconds it took to make a decision seemed liked it lasted an eternity. I told myself that I needed to help her and I thought that it was the right thing. Unfortunately another voice was deceiving me telling me that I shouldn't help her and that someone else was. Well, I was deceived and sat there and watched. It was terrible. My gut hurt and I felt terrible that I didn't help her. What made it even worse was that nobody helped her. I don't really want to say that worrying about what other people say is suffering but for some people it is. We as Christinas, who are supposed to love one another are going to suffer in order to do good things.

1 Peter 3:13-18 Who his going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reasons for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

Nobody will ever harm you for doing good. When you do good and other people just happen to see you doing that, it will/should encourage other people to do good as well. It's like a cause and effect situation. One thing that really sticks out to me from that passage is the verse that says, "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reasons for the hope you have." I think that is such a great reminder. If you are doing good and people see you, they're going to wonder why you did what you did. More than it being the right thing to do. One thing that encourages me to do good is knowing the suffering that Christ went though when he was doing good for God. He was embarrassed and mocked in front of so many people and he trusted God's will. Without Christ's suffering we would not be here today. Without us doing good, and sharing Christ's love, we cannot advance the kingdom the way that God wants it to be.

Living for God

What does living for God look like to you? For me a big part of that is showing his love. If your strong suit ins't speaking to people about God's love you can fully show God's love and presence through the things that you do. When I was in China this past summer that is what we had to do. Being in a closed country where you can't say words like; Jesus, God, Lord, Christ, Prayer, Holy Spirit, Christians, etc. we had to show his love though the way we loved his people. The Chinese people are amazing. Although we met very few who spoke English, they showed love and respect to us in a country where they hardly know who God is. Since we couldn't speak of Jesus we showed Jesus through our love. Through that situation the Spirit taught me one of the most important lessons that I have ever learned. I was taught not to take talking about God for granted. All I wanted to do was say all of those words we were not allowed to say so that we could witness to people. I want to see the people we interacted with in heaven some day. It will forever amaze me that when those words we often hesitate to talk about here get taken away from us, I so badly wanted to use them.  We are fully able to live for God through the things we say and the things that we do.

1 Peter 4:7-11 They end of all things is near. Therefore be alerted and of sober mind mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various farms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.

There are a couple of things that stick out to me. We are reminded to pray at all times and to love each other deeply. Living for God is simply loving others. That is the greatest commandment and when we love He is pleased. I want to remind you that we all have gifts. We were given those gifts so that we may glorify God through those things. God blessed me with the ability to play basketball and I believe he used that gift to lead me on a trip to China in order to glorify him through the my gifts. Never forget that God gives you the strength to do all things. When you think it's hard or tough to live for him. Remember that He has given you the strength and everything that you need in order to do so.

Suffering for Being a Christian

As Christians we suffer. Sometimes more than others and at some times more than we do at other times. It's just a thing that we go through. I know that I do, and I am sure that you do too. I go through states where I feel am isolated just like Jesus was isolated. I believe that happens when you have a very disciplined relationship with God. When I feel isolated it's because I feel like my heart is in a different place than the people I am close to. I am still trying to understand that feeling. It's happened a couple of times over this year. The first time I remember talking to my coach about the way I was feeling and he reminded me that Jesus also isolated himself and that it was not a bad thing at all. I will never forget him telling me that because it was very encouraging. If you have not felt the suffering you feel for being a Christian, than can you even call yourself a Christian? Maybe that is a little cynical to say, but I think it's a valid.

1 Peter 4:12-19 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer of thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

What sticks out to be in that passage the most is that we are supposed to rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when the glory of God is revealed. So when you suffer, rejoice!!! It is a blessing to bear the name of Christ and we should never be ashamed about it. As a Christian you will suffer, endure the suffering, and be thankful that you are suffering. Because some day, all the glory of God will be revealed and it will be the most amazing thing that I cannot even begin to describe.


I want to leave you with this. As a Christian, you are going to suffer for doing good and you are going to suffer for being a Christian. Never ever be discouraged by that. Be encouraged because it is a blessing to bear the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. Never forget to love. Love one other, and live for God and only for him. The things of the world are temporary and our God is eternal. Focus on what lasts for ever.