BRP 1 Peter 2: 18

This verse as an American is troubling to me, it says that slaves should submit with fear to their masters, not just the good masters but to cruel masters too.

I have seen documentaries and heard tales from people that were African American slaves. Some have stated how the “white masters” would quote and with misrepresentation use the Bible’s verses dealing with slavery. The African Americans were severely mistreated, beaten, raped, torn from their families and who knows what all other kinds of humiliation and troubles they dealt with. We know from History class they were murdered, had their homes, and churches burned. Even after slavery was abolished they still dealt with a lot, and were not treated as equals to the whites. There are some places still that are very cruel to minorities.

Can you imagine having to submit and standby and/or serving a master that had murdered your child or spouse? I can’t! I have had a couple of unfair bosses in my day, but none compare with what these slaves dealt with. When we read the word of God there is a reason for all words spoken or given. Even if the words we read are hard to swallow, it is our duty to understand the reasoning, the context and outcome. You see when we face trials and have to submit we are in good company as the Lord, Jesus submitted to the authorities of the day, which in the end made for His death upon the cruel cross. Now, He submitted even though He could have called legions of angels to His rescue, or had God take it all away and curse us all to Hell. Yet, he humbled Himself as a servant, His captors and killers didn’t know the end of the story and how God would ultimately WIN. We know the rest of the story, death did not keep Jesus, He conquered death and came alive again. We never know either how God will use our trials to bring Him honor and glory. So, whatever you are facing remember God is with you in all things.

Respect to all/freedom and more me

 BRP is from 1 Peter 2: 16-17

    When we here free a lot of times we are like, “WOO HOO!” “I can do whatever I want, when I want and how I want! YES!” But! Rewind… wait… stop! Before you go having those woohoo thoughts and moments there are things that need to be considered. Our freedom ends, where someone else’s begins. A professor of mine Mary Lewis, demonstrating this in our class and quite frankly shocked the room. She stood in front of a very tall, muscular basketball player and stated “Your freedom ends, where someone else’s begins” as she made the statement she seemed as if she was going to hit that basketball player right in his face, she stopped very close to his nose. Though we were shocked, it drove the point home, I still remember it today and that was 20+ years ago. Our freedom has boundaries, our freedom has consequences, our freedom is a gift.

    We are all grins and giggles about being free, which to a certain extent is great. We should, to a point, rejoice in our freedom as they came at heavy costs. Maybe not to you specifically, but freedom is not free, it has/had a cost. Jesus lost His life, and was beaten- nearly beyond recognition- so that we can be free from our sin. Does that mean that we should take the gift of Freedom, that He gave us and hide behind it our “secret” sin or our un-confessed sin? No! God wants us to live lives above reproach. He does not want for us to hide behind the cross our short comings. I guarantee someone already knows the sin, or it will come out. I can also tell you God does not sit on His throne with a smite button to strike you down each and every time you or I fall. He has love and understanding, grace and mercy, because the price that His Son Jesus paid was very costly.

    We are called to be servants of God. Which means we must show the proper respect that is due. That means to EVERYONE, not just our mom and dad, He says to EVERYONE. I can tell you from experience that this can be very hard. I know for those who love me, it has been very hard and at times very costly. (I will explain more about that in a second). We must respect everyone our siblings in Christ, our fellow believers. We are called to fear God, yes, fear Him, reverent, formidable and yet reassuring fear. GOD is Love and therefore He Loves Jealousy. As a husband loves His wife. As a mother loves her children. He longs to keep us near and protected, but He allows us free will to choose. Now we must decide what we will do with our Freedom. Live to grow closer to God and honor Him with our words deeds and actions or turn from Him.

Okay, here is something about me.

    I have been on this Earth for more than a couple decades. Yet, I am just now seeing me. Not the me I hope to portray, but the real me. I mentioned a moment ago that it is/has been hard for people that love me to love me. That is because I shut down or run. I find that my whole life has been this way, I just didn’t see or recognize it completely. I was fine living in my own little world as a kid, or retreating inside myself. I was not big on playing with kids my age, most of the time. I was generally okay when it was just me and my siblings (I have cousins that to me are like siblings, I truly have two sisters and I am the middle), However, other children and extended family were often harder for me. For some reason when there is a group of children they will pair off, whether by age, gender and or commonalities of some sort. When it came to this, I remember either choosing not to group and being picked on or not being picked by a person(s) to pair or group with and being picked on. I think I was in Junior High before I found people that I liked to hang out with, but that didn’t last long as they wanted more and different types of friends where I was content with what and who we were. Anyway, I am a horse of a different color, I generally was one to do what I wanted and hangout or run with who I wanted. 

[Back story: I was abused as a child, by adult(s) and curious with peers, that crossed lines that children should not cross. I honestly can handle, mentally, the curiousness of peers, but not adults, as they know better. Anyway, I won’t get into anymore detail about that currently. However, one other note, there was pornography available at our finger tips, mostly in tons of magazines in the wash house but also “professionals” on video tape.]

    Anyway, I think that due to a lot of my back story and being extremely sick as a child, made me the horse of a different color as I had to survive in the world I was raised in. This was my normal so I had to adapt, I also have a lot of autistic tendencies too. Especially, tactile items and textures and crowds- I tend to sit on the sidelines or miss events that have them. When I go to my Dad’s side of the family’s reunion, I am the opposite I just keep moving and talking and going to each group to say hello, that’s what my dad has always molded for me to do there, so I guess that is why I still do it. Although, I didn’t go to last years as I knew I did not have enough energy to go, go, go. 

    All that to say, I am unique, I am every learning myself and allowing for change. I am still not a hugger, nor do I think that will change. I am trying to be molded by God and in His image. NO< I AM NOT> PERFECT. I mess up daily. But, I am learning me and how God can use me. When things get tough I have been a runner, but I am trying to remember to RUN TO GOD. I retreat inside my shell, but I am trying to RETREAT TO GOD. He understands me more than anyone on this Earth ever could. He has allowed me to have a husband that truly tries to understand me, who doesn’t raise his voice or hands at me. I know that not everyone likes that my husband and I are together and some have reason not to like it. I know that God can make beauty out of our messes and grow us where we are as we are. We are trying to do that. Any way I am grateful that Brian loves, respects, honors and has compassion for me. He listens even when there are no words spoken, he just knows….. which is mind boggling to me. If God can use a donkey He can use me, He can use Brian our worts, flaws and all.

Seek not to be Perfect but Perfected by God.

Free, yet

 The weekend BRP are from 1 Pet 2: (11-12), (13-14 ), & (15).

I have been taking a break from technology for the most part, except to jot here in my blog. That is why I didn’t write here on Saturday, I did do the reading just didn’t type up the reflection or thoughts that came to mind. Till today.

    Before I start, I will begin with we joined a different church, yesterday. We have been visiting for over a year, it is where my Aunt needs to be, so we decided we should grow where we are planted, and currently God has us planted at NCBC. Now, before you ask, no, my Aunt is not the only reason we joined, but it did weigh in. Anyway, if you are not an active member, of your local Christian Church, getting spiritually fed, I recommend you pray about it. If you have never been to church before, visit and/or call the church. Even, if you have to leave a message on a machine or voicemail. When you listen to the message or when they call you back ask these 3 questions or see if these 3 questions were answered 

    Number 1- Do you preach about Jesus, and how he died and rose for my sin?

    Number 2- Do you support missionaries?

    Number 3- Will I be welcome? (Don’t describe yourself, or anything about you, simply ask and listen to               the answer).

    Now you may wonder why these 3 questions here is why:

    Number 1- All things in the Holy Bible, Old Testament or New Testament point to Jesus, His Death and His rising from the dead to pay for our sin. If they answer anything differently then hang up, that is not where God wants you. If they say yes to all parts then go to question 2

    Number 2- If they yes ask them how they support missionaries. They should list at least one local mission and at least one foreign mission. If they say No. Then hang up as they are not following scripture. This is not where God wants you. If they say yes and list a local and foreign mission that they help then go to question 3

    Number 3- If they ask any questions at all, even, “why do you ask?” Hang up, or if they say anything besides yes, absolutely……. Let me tell you why they should say Yes, because Jesus said “come unto me.”  He Himself dined and interacted with all sorts of people, meeting them where they were and where they are. You do not have to be “perfect” to attend church. The church is essentially a hospital, in the since that we all need help from “Dr. Jesus”.

    Remember, Jesus is the one who calls people to Himself, so if you have called, listened to the greeting on a voicemail, talked to a preacher or someone who answered the phone at church, or even googled the church and they meet all these questions. BE THERE ON SUNDAY MORNING OR WEDNESDAY NIGHT FOR SERVICE (SUNDAY SCHOOL). God is probably calling you!

Now to tell you what was laid on my heart, besides those three questions.

    Living a good life, is not according to worldly standards, but to God’s standards. He is wanting us to live our lives away from sinful desires. What specific sinful desires do you think He means? ALL Sinful desires, as sin separates from God. We can’t fully know what God has in store for us if any sinfulness separates us. Now that is not saying that you can lose your salvation, it is saying that you cannot know, nor fully grasp all that God has in store for you, nor can you grow exponentially with sinfulness ruling you. We are to live good lives so that we can be a witness, and our good deeds will bring glory to the Father to further help the lost. Then, when God calls a lost sheep or a lost soul to Himself, we can rejoice and be ready to welcome a new sibling in Christ, or one returning from wandering.

    Free.We are free! In Christ we are free. Yet, God tells us to respect the authority of those in power over us. In America, that is President, Vice- President and all the politicians that were elected to power. Regardless of whether or not we agree with them 100% or 0%. It does not matter as God has them in places of power over you. They are there in places of power because God wanted a judicial system to keep checks and balances over the people of Earth. 

    We are to do good so it will silence the fools. The Bible says that the tongue is sharper than a double edge sword. So, be careful and mindful of what you say with it, it can bring death. The saying “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” is wrong. Our very mouth can shut the ears of the lost, there by ensuring their condemnation to Hell. I don’t know about you, but I would hate to be the person who is responsible for a lost person, going to Hell, ever separated from God the Father. I honestly can’t tell you if I have already condemned people there by my words, or by my actions. I won’t know till I stand and answer for all the deeds I have done. All I know is I have to do better, the lost need me to do better.

    Think about you, and your relationship with God. Will you hear Him say, “Well Done! My Good and Faithful servant” or “depart for I never knew you.”  Now, before you get to gloomy remember as long as you have breath in your lungs and a beat in your chest, GOD IS NOT DONE WITH YOU! You still have a way to God, Repent. You still have a way to God, Trust. You still have a way to God, JESUS!

Go find the Light that is Jesus. Then, go and tell others about Him, who is the light.

Chosen- received mercy

 BRP 1Peter 2:10

      Again, I am floored that when I look at the Bible verse by verse, and contextually. I am humbled and amazed. I can say that even verse by verse taking God’s word to heart, it does not always seem to make sense nor apply to me. However, God did not call me to have perfect knowledge of all that is said in the Bible. He does ask me to be faithful in reading the Word, having daily time with Him and to tell others about Him and His saving Grace. I am not perfect at any of the things that God asks of me or desires from me, but I am trying to be better at them. I am nowhere near perfection, simply a sinner saved by grace.

    Today’s verse is kind of self explanatory, but I feel it is great to reflect on. We as sinners were a lost people, going nowhere quick, all we did was in vain and self-derived. We were bound for the hot place, and I don’t mean Texas or Arizona, but Hell. We did not see, nor did we care to see where the path we were on was straight to Hell. We were content to roll around in our sin filled ways, often without a care in the world. Wide is the pathway to Hell and narrow the way to Heaven. We were staying off satan’s radar on that wide path of seemingly perfect bliss. It wasn’t until we realized that God was calling us to a higher purpose that we saw just how far we had fallen. I know for myself I was ashamed of my old self, every time I fall or slip below God’s standards I am too. I know that I am unworthy to be before Him yet, He wants me. I have a list of sin that could make a sailor blush, but my identity is not in my many faults, they’re in my redeemer Christ the Lord. He washed me and cleansed me, no matter how many people wish He would smite me off the face of the planet. I have wished He would smite me too, But GOD in His infinite wisdom is not done with me…. I am not sure why, but He isn’t. I long to be forgiven by everyone I have hurt whether knowingly or unknowingly. I wish I could ask each and everyone for their forgiveness, yet, I know that the apologies would fall either on deaf ears or on ears that have moved on. I have found that, most of the time when I am tripped up on my misgivings’ that I am the only one who’s ever been affected by the deed(s) and others have moved on. I am an over thinker though, and I want to seek forgiveness. Yet, how cruel and selfish would it be for me to ask forgiveness from someone who could careless, or has made strides to heal from any and all damage I have done. So, I leave my hurts and longings for forgiveness in the hands of the Father. I am trying to listen intently to what God would have me to do in regards to being forgiven, as of now I am trying daily to be right with Him and allow Him to direct me. IF you are reading this and need an apology from me, please know I am probably beside myself wondering how to make things better or I am oblivious to the fact that I have wronged you. Feel free to private message me on Facebook, if we need to discuss a wrong I have done, and allow me the opportunity to seek forgiveness.

    If you have wronged someone be in prayer for how to go about fixing the situation. If you have been wronged do the same, someone might not be aware that they have offended you, be in prayer. Remember, this life is hard for everyone, even Jesus had a rough go whilst here on Earth. Try and show grace and even mercy to others. Forgive as God has forgiven you, even if it is hard. I know for a fact that forgiveness is hard to do, even when they’ve been a monster to you. Also, be careful of collateral damage, example, if I have hurt you don’t take it out on my sisters, parents, family or friends. Tomorrow is not promised, but eternity is. Where will you go, who will be there too, whether you like it or not. So, do all you can to forgive. Lay your burden’s at the feet of Jesus, and know that He will guide you. Show grace and Mercy to one another as He has given you.

An heir, Chosen

 BRP 1 Pet. 2:9 & bonus reading today in Dan. 1:1-21

    Hey, I am tired and a bit cloudy mentally, but I will share today, just my thoughts. First the BRP thoughts. Have you ever really sat down and thought about whom you belong; not as a slave who has no free will, but as a free child of GOD. A royal son or daughter? Not an underling, a prized heir- a son or daughter! We are to inherit from our Heavenly Father, who chooses to share His riches and glory with us. CHOSEN, a Royal priesthood, a Holy nation! WOW!!!! I am not sure if I would want me if I were God. He has forgiven me time and again and I am so not worthy. Yet, He in His infinite wisdom knew and knows every fault and sin I have or will ever have. He could hit the smite button and say I am done with you, but He hasn’t. For the simple reason He is not done with me yet. We get to proclaim His praises, because He is the ONE who called me/you out of darkness, and into His marvelous light. WOW! 

    When you are singing at church or at home are you proclaiming? Do you think about the words that come out of your mouth, do they ever cause you to tear up? I try to be intentional about what I am singing/proclaiming, though sometimes I do run in auto pilot. When I catch myself doing this I try and close my eyes and think about the words, and then truly proclaim them. The song popping in my head now is Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. I sometimes think, if I proclaimed the words of songs as loud as I sing them God might use the words to bless another. 

    Let me share the words of a song that always overwhelms my soul, in a good way. Read each and every word especially if you listen to the singers Philips, Craig, and Dean sing it. Then savor each word.

Your Grace Still Amazes Me

My faithful father
Enduring friend
Your tender mercy is like a river with no end
It overwhelms me
Covers my sin
Each time I come into your presence
I stand in wonder once again

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
'Cause your grace still amazes me
Your grace still amazes me

Oh, patient savior
You make me whole
You are the author and the healer of my soul
What can I give you?
Lord, what can I say?
I know there's no way to repay you
Only to offer you my praise

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
'Cause your grace still amazes me
Your grace still amazes me

It's deeper, it's wider
It's stronger, it's higher
It's deeper, it's wider (it's deeper, it's wider)
It's stronger, it's higher (it's stronger, it's higher)
Than anything my eyes can see

Your grace still amazes me
Your love is still a mystery
Each day I fall on my knees
'Cause your grace still amazes me
Your grace still amazes me

    Most often when I perform this song, I do it in ASL, sign language. I will tell you why. 1. I generally blubber if I try to sing the song as it impacts me so, being a daughter of the most High, baffles me to tears. And 2. Praising God by shutting my mouth and praising Him in song with my hands. I am generally honored that God, in spite of me and all the wrongs that I have done, Chose me, Chooses me, Loves me and shows me His Amazing Grace and Mercy daily.

If you have a song that bless you to your very core share it with me, I am not sure if blogger will allow you to do it anonymously, but know I won’t bug you about it. I just want to see if I have heard it and listen to it, regardless if I know it. Here is another one you should listen to, Just as I am, listen to the words and pray them back to God.

Walking or Stumbling

BRP 1 Peter 2:7-8

 Cornerstone- 1. A stone forming a part of a corner or angle in a wall specifically: such a stone laid at a formal ceremony 

2. A basic element: Foundation

Capstone- 1. A coping stone : coping. 2. The high point : crowning achievement.

A cornerstone is the base, our foundation which all other stones refer to for perfect alignment. Where as the capstone is the final stone to be added. Think of a pyramid, the point at the top. The capstone can also be referred to as the keystone that keeps the rocks together, think of a rock arch. 

I just like to have definitions handy whilst reflecting on the word of God so that I might grasp the full intent or meaning behind the verses. Biblical scholars debate the exact interpretation of these words and the context. However, it is essentially are you being used by God according to His purpose, or are you be tripped up on the nuisances that allow you to stumble.

At the end of the day you need to know 1. There is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. 2. We were created by God (the trinity) 3. We fell short of God’s glory and now have a sin nature that separates us from God 4. We could not atone for our sins without blood sacrifices, so God sent His Son, Jesus to live a perfect life, so that He could be our perfect sacrificial blood offering. 5. He died 6. He rose again 3 days later allowing us a path to God the Father. That is the heart, the meat of the Holy Bible, everything in the Old Testament points to Christ and so does the New Testament. All other aspects of the Bible are generally revealed by having a personal relationship with God. This is why time in prayer, scripture reading, fellowship with believers and being active in church are so important. So, if you are reading this and you do not know God and Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior ask questions. If you know that you are ready to follow Christ it is as easy as ABC….. 

A. Admit that you are a sinner- Romans 3:23, 

B. Believe that Christ died for you- Acts 16:31 

C. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and be saved- Romans 10:9-10  

What do you thirst for?

 Today’s BRP is 1 Pet 2:6

        “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand” do you remember that song? Or the kids song “He’s still working on me, to make me what I ought to be. Took Him just a week to make the moon and stars, the Sun and the Earth, and Jupiter and Mars. Oh how lucky for me, cause He’s still working on Me” Well, is He? Are you allowing Him to work on you? Is your foundation that of Christ? 

    I can tell on myself that that is not always the case for me, as trust is hard. You want to please and strive fervently to do so, only to not be appreciated or loved and undervalued. When we look through the world’s glasses and what it expects of us it is not the same as what you would see through God’s glasses, metaphorically of course, and what He expects of us. Why do we see someone or something and think that is what we want or what we you strive for cars, trucks, money, fashion in a style that makes each of us drool, the animals/pets, house(s), and the lifestyle. Now personalize the worldly things you want, they don’t have to be listed; how do your wants and desires line up with what God has for you? Are they? Now ask yourself what are the Godly things that you want and desire? Being the Proverbs 31 wife, being like Moses, Daniel, Ruth, wearing your armor, being the hands and feet of God. How are you matching up? Who do you relate to in the Bible? Are you indeed truly seeking to be as Christ?