Who Is He?

I wish to share with my wife a passage from 1Peter. She has had to bear with a brother who seems hell bent on misunderstanding her, (and anyone who does not dot their i's properly). She and I have politly, but firmly asked him to leave us alone, but he seems to be a firebrand of discontent. "It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom." (Prov. 10:23)

Here is the passage I wish to remind Rose of.

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. (1 Peter 3:13-17 KJV)

Prayer, Praise, Promise, or Problems

I am not denying problems exist, but given a choice what do you give your first thoughts to when you wake up in the morning? Prayer, vocally expressing my heart to God does my soul good; it is usually my first conscience contact with the Lord. If I have given in to focus on any particular problem I know I can cast my cares upon Him Who cares about me.

Prayer will usually move me to praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Are blessings flowing? You bet they are! Try this look around you find even the smallest thing that you enjoy, (it could be a plant, a painting, a bird, a color, the sun rise, or any slight thing in which you may delight) begin to thank God for it and see what other things come to mind to praise Him for. You may need an alarm or some other trigger to keep you from over doing it; some of us are still bound by time.

Then, what I do, is begin to remember the promises He made and the many He has fulfilled, sometimes I talk to Him about this one and that one, this too fills my heart with praise “a vicious cycle” (said with a smile, because this is a good problem to have). He promised eternal life to all who believe in Him, He promised that He would never leave you or forsake you, He promised He would come to our aid in trouble, and be with us in our joys. I can feel praise in my heart again, don’t you?

Another choice is focusing on problems. “God is to busy to think about my little problems” a lady assured the preacher. The wise and witty preacher responded, “Madam, may I remind you that He is concerned about all the details of your life. To Him all problems are small and He is certainly capable to meet your needs large or small.”

Your problems are not your problems. Your attitude toward your problem is the problem.

What will you give your attention to, prayer, praise, promise, or problems?

The Lamb, Who Was Slain

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:

"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!" (Revelation 5:11-13)