1 Peter 2:4-12 "Living Stones"

Read 1 Peter 2:4-12.

"...you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." NIV

Peter has been telling us that we have received God's mercy through Jesus Christ and will receive our inheritance. Now, we need to prepare our minds for action and as purified followers, love one another deeply from the heart. As strangers in this world, we do not conform to its ways, but put off malice, envy, deceit, hypocrisy, etc. All of these actions lead us up to the fact that we are being transformed into a spiritual house for our Lord. He resides in us and we must surrender our "home" to Him as a holy residence. My acceptable sacrifice, therefore, is allowing Him full reign and use of my being. I may be dealing with the Almighty Creator of the Universe here, but He is a gentleman and will not overstep the bounds of free will. So it's my job to, through His power, overcome the enemy that battles for my soul and allow God to use me in any way He chooses. I do so not out of the law, but out of love for my Lord and Savior. I am in relationship with the Almighty and choose to do nothing less than serve Him with my entire being.

That idea and all it encompasses is overwhelming to me, yet at the same time very simple. Consider the vastness of the universe; God spoke it into existence. Then realize that He wants to use you for His honor and glory. That is so humbling. Who am I? The answer is "No one." But I was chosen by huge God who is the I AM. And that's all I need to know.

Further Thoughts:

1. How precious are you to God? Read Psalm 139 and then read Luke 23:26-46 and give thanks.
2. How big is your God? Read Psalm 33 and then watch this amazing video from Louie Giglio's tour, "How Great Is Our God."

Matthew 18:6-9 "The Warning"

Read Matthew 18:6-9.

"Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin!" NIV

The graphic nature of Jesus' words immediately convey the gravity of these sins. Not that any sin is not grave, but the punishments and the recommendations to prevent such sins borders on the extreme. He definitely wanted us to know that this is something He will not tolerate.

So are we taking these warnings seriously? As a society I believe our children have been hung out to dry. We have not upheld a moral or ethical standard for them to follow. As a parent, I feel I am constantly rowing upstream against public opinions that would pollute my child's thinking.

On a personal level, living a life holy and pleasing to God is not just out of love for Him and a desire to spend eternity with Him. I am held responsible for the people I influence, as well. If there is any sin in my life that leads someone else to sin, I am condemned. As a preacher's kid and then as a pastor's wife, I definitely know what it is like to live in a fishbowl. But I'm still always surprised by how many are watching.

But you don't have to be in leadership to be an example. If you are living an honest, open Christian walk, people are going to be watching you. And they will eventually know if there is sin in your life. If you lead them down that path with you, you will be held accountable. That is a heavy responsibility we all must take seriously. That is why Jesus says to eradicate the opposing offender. Now He is not literally meaning to mutilate your body, but emphasizing the seriousness of capturing our weaknesses and killing their influence in our life.

Losing the lusts of our desires is nothing compared to losing eternity with God. Our life is not for satisfying every whim and notion we selfishly possess. Luke 10:27 says that we are to "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" No where in that passage am I to love myself first or even second. My comforts and desires are a tertiary point. And if I am loving God with my entire being - heart, soul, mind and strength, then my first inclination will be to see others as God sees them and extend my love to them. If these steps are all in line, I will not lead someone to sin but only to God.

Oh Father, help me to first focus on loving You and then out of that love, to love others. I again today die to self and the lusts that pull me toward the destruction of sin. Guide my heart; keep me for You alone.

Further Thoughts:

1. What temptation to sin do you constantly battle in your life? If you succumb, how could it affect those around you -- your family, friends, co-workers. Contemplate the gravity of your actions and ask the Lord to eradicate that desire from your life. So many people depend on your obedience.
2. Who are the people watching you? Are you living a life that they can follow? Do you reflect Christ not only in your words, but in your heart and actions? If not, why?
3. We cannot be a perfect example; only Christ is. But if we are living humbly before our Lord, we can be a light in a dark world. Shine.

Matthew 7:24-29 "Therefore"

Read Matthew 7:24-29.


"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." NIV

Finally, we are at the "therefore" of this teaching. Here is the culmination of everything Jesus has been saying in this "Sermon on the Mount" that began with the Beatitudes. The conclusion that wraps it all up and sums up what all these teachings will produce -- a firm foundation.

What is that foundation? The Rock, Jesus Christ. We begin with Him and we end with Him. Our surrender to His authority, humility in all circumstances, trust in His direction, living out His example towards others, our responsibility to share Him with those we walk this earth with, devotion to Him and only Him, personal surrender of selfish desires for His will...these are all the foundation of living the Christian life. Faith and works walking hand-in-hand to His honor and glory. If I do not choose to live this life, my foundation will crumble to destruction.

The Jews of this time were accustomed to hearing rabbis following the teachings of a particular, former rabbi. But now, here was a Rabbi with a new teaching -- one never heard before. And His authority grabbed their hearts.

We have "teachings" bombarding us from all directions. And most of them appeal to our satisfaction for sensual desires and personal gain. But will we follow the true Rabbi and His radical teachings of humility, surrender, selflessness, and love? It is a question of building our lives on sand that will slip away or on the Rock that will last forever. Only the spiritually blind would fail to see the truth. Dear God, open their eyes.

Further Thoughts:

1. God was very specific about how the Temple was to be built. He never does anything haphazardly. Read about the specifications He gave the people to build His house in 1 Kings 6:1-38.
2. According to Dictionary.com, "cornerstone" is a stone representing the nominal starting place in the construction of a monumental building, usually carved with the date and laid with appropriate ceremonies. Jesus was referred to as the cornerstone in Isaiah 28:16 and Zechariah 10:4. What is the correlation between the two and what does that mean for how our lives are constructed? (Read Ephesians 2:19-22 and related post and 1 Peter 2:4-12.)
3. Are there certain "teachings" that are trying to drive you away from the Truth? Examine them against the Scriptures, seek counsel from someone you trust to have spiritual wisdom (You'll know them by their fruit.) and pray that God will open your eyes to the truth of what you are hearing. A foundation compromised by falsehood will struggle to stand and probably eventually fall. The enemy is working hard toward that end. Fight him with the Truth that will endure.

Matthew 5:8 "Blessed" Part 6

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” NIV

Purity is not something pursued by many people today. I’d venture to say that not even all Christians desire to chase after purity. It’s a tough road and takes sacrifice. Intentions must be completely in line with God’s will; attitudes must be like Christ; actions must be of the highest order. Sacrifice is a norm. Love is preeminent. None of these are easy to obtain. Maybe that is why only the ones who do achieve these heights will see God. It should be tough. If it wasn’t, the prize would not be worth much.

So why do we try? Why do we put in the time to reach an unattainable goal? After all, we are fallible human beings. But it can be reached through Jesus Christ. No, I don’t believe we can be perfect in this lifetime, but I do believe we can strive for perfection and possess right motives. The Scripture says, “pure in heart.” It doesn’t say perfect in every action, in every thought. Purity of heart is a desire to do right. And when you make wrong choices, but display a repentant and contrite heart, you make things right again and choose to walk in different choices to avoid repeating the sin again. The more and more you do this, the easier it becomes to make the right choices and sin becomes less and less a temptation.

I sincerely want my heart to always lean toward God. I don’t do it perfectly by any means, but I do walk with pure intentions. Then when I am wrong, I rely on His grace and mercy to convict me and gently lead me on the right path.

Further Thoughts:

1. What did Jesus have to say about the heart?
2. Research “the wellspring of life.” (See Psalm 4:7, Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 12:34, and Mark 7:20-21.)
3. What we fill our minds with can influence our heart. Examine the things you put into your mind. (i.e. through TV, books, movies, Internet, gossip, etc.) Do they encourage you toward being pure of heart? List ways you can influence your heart toward God.