Today's devotion was about Mary's reaction to her assignment of a lifetime. As you clicked over to visit my site you entered my answer to my assignment of a lifetime.
In the fall of 2008 God informed me that He and I would be leading a one year study of His Word. Today marks day 355 of our study. The assignment of a lifetime has been extended to include 2010. Yes-we will be studying God's Word using the One Year Chronological Bible again in 2010. We would love for you to join us. Purchase the Bible through ShopP31, subscribe to my site, and start reading January 1, 2010, it is that simple.
Thanks for stopping by. I pray you are blessed as you visit and that you say yes to your assignment of a lifetime. If you have said yes to your assignment tell us about it.
In the fall of 2008 God informed me that He and I would be leading a one year study of His Word. Today marks day 355 of our study. The assignment of a lifetime has been extended to include 2010. Yes-we will be studying God's Word using the One Year Chronological Bible again in 2010. We would love for you to join us. Purchase the Bible through ShopP31, subscribe to my site, and start reading January 1, 2010, it is that simple.
Thanks for stopping by. I pray you are blessed as you visit and that you say yes to your assignment of a lifetime. If you have said yes to your assignment tell us about it.
"For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you."
1 Peter 2:21
I don't know anyone who would voluntarily sign-up for suffering. Suffering not something that we do not expect to experience as Believers. Since our God is loving, benevolent, full of grace and mercy we some how are under the misconception we should be except from suffering of any kind.
The suffering Peter is referring to in our key verse is not a result of punishment but as a result of doing good. Doesn't sound far, does it? Suffering for doing good? The suffering does not come at the hand of Christ but at those who are offended by what is right. It is easy to get confused sometimes. In the confusion we must look at the picture of suffering painted by Jesus, who suffered for doing what is right and realize good can come from suffering.
Here are some things that comes from suffering:
2:24
Christ's suffering made it possible for us to be dead to sin and provides a way for us to live for what is right. This is amazing to me. The power to do what is right came from Christ through His death-a death benefit.
3:13
God will reward you for your suffering. He rewards those who seek Him as well as those who suffering for Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
3:17
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right and His ears are open to their prayers. Who doesn't want the Guardian of your soul (1 Peter 2:25) watching over you and opening His ears to your prayers?
4:13
Suffering makes us partners with Christ allowing us to see His glory when it is revealed. I love, love, love to see the glory of the Lord revealed.
Peter creates a great argument for suffering, doesn't he? Let's go get in the line-voluntarily.
14 Comments:
Wendy: Reading the chrono Bible in a year (2009) was one of the best things I ever did! I am praying many more respond to your lavish invitation to join you in soaking themselves in God's Word in 2010!
I pray there's so much fruit that this world tastes like an orchard! For His glory!
Sharon
Wendy,
I loved the blog today and the P31 devotion. I am doing everything in my power or rather I should say God's power to follow His leading for my life. I know there are some things that I believe God has laid on my heart and I am waiting for confirmation, listening for His direction and praying that I can have Mary's heart and say yes to whatever my Heavenly Father directs me to do. I am doing a study right now with Lysa's "What Happens when Women Say Yes to God" and this week we are on chapter 2, "How to Hear From God." Your blog and devotion were perfect timing, God timing. Thank you!
When God interrupts you during your day, it's because He has something divine to whisper to you! I'm so happy that I listened to Him last year, and purchased my Chronological Bible, and began the journey with Wendy. What a journey it's been -- to say the least! Reading through the Bible has transformed my life. Peter reminds us that the spiritual nourishment of the Word is essential if we're to live "as obedient children."
As we read His Word and pray with a desire to be filled with His Spirit, we will be guided through our day. The more we know His Word, the more we realize He is our everything. We grow to know and believe His power.
*Read His Word
*Study
Benefits-We will know Him more! Our trust will be in Him alone.
Dear Lord, Praise you for your Word and thank you for drawing me to this blog, where daily I'm refreshed and encouraged by Believer's across the nation. Help me today, not to do my desires, "but [to be] anxious to do the will of God." ! Peter 4:2. All me "to show deep love," (8) for those I come into contact with today. Increase my desire to "help others," (11) knowing that you will supply "all the strength and energy," (11) that I need. May everything I do today,"bring glory to [You] through Jesus Christ." (11) Amen. Lori - AZ
You're right Wendy, we don't often raise our hands in excitement and ask the Lord to choose us for suffering, but when God calls me to walk that path, I pay I will do it for His glory.
The verse that spoke deepest to me today was “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7
While looking up this verse on BibleGateway, I noticed that most translations use the word “cast” in place of “give”. Give is to place; cast is to project. Give is a transfer; cast is a throwing. Give is to cause to have; cast is to cause to hurl. 'Cast’ seems to be accompanied with more force and desire. There’s a deep longing to rid oneself of the burden of concern.
I don’t know about you, but my fishing line often gets tangled. Instead of casting, I keep. My life gets bound and overwhelmed with all that I need to surrender and cast away. Why? Because too often I hold the “line” too long. Casting implies a quick, sudden motion. I need to take my concerns to God immediately. Holding onto and meditating on cares only increases the burden to my heart.
We don’t throw away, but we throw onto. We don’t run away, but we run into. We reject the worry, refuse to be burdened with anxiety and rest in the Lord.
I awoke this morning around 5am. Many worries and cares have filled my mind. I have a friend who is not only waiting for Dr’s results for herself, but caring for her mom just coming through surgery, adjusting to life after recently adopting a little girl, making deadlines for a book publication, travelling with speaking opportunities, the busyness of being a wife and mother of three children, and she just heard news that her dad requires quadruple bypass open heart surgery tomorrow. God is saying, cast all your cares on Me.
My heart was saddened yesterday upon hearing that another friend lost her dad very unexpectedly on the weekend. He had gone to the church to turn on the heat in preparation for Sunday’s services, and upon returning home he commented to his wife that he wasn’t feeling well and moments later he was gone. God is saying, cast all your cares on Me.
Another friend very recently lost her son to cancer. He was only 12 years old. It was a horrendous four month battle. Although he is now completely healed, this families life is forever changed. God is saying, cast all your cares on Me.
I travel a personal path not burden free either. Daily worry fills my mind. Health concerns. Questions about my son’s future. Economic and employment related anxieties. Relationship struggles. The weight of unsaved family and friends. The stress of the season. A prodigal nephew living contrary to God’s Word. God is saying, cast all your cares on Me.
Psalm 55:22 echoes this directive. “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Father, sometimes it's impossible to find enough strength to cast. Our concerns have left us weak and overwhelmed. Thank You that if we just breathe the word, You enable the release. Father...they are Yours.
Thank You for caring for me,
Joy
I am trying to say "Yes Lord, Have thine own way; You are the potter and I am the clay" (words from Hymn "Have Thine Own Way Lord"). My 42 year old husband died on 8/3/09 and now my 89 year old mother died on 12/15/09. I have a 9 year old son and an almost 6 year old daughter. Your blog today and your P31 devotion could not have been more timely. I am keeping my eyes on Jesus.
If God is whispering to you to read through the Bible in a year then I am here to encourage you to believe he will equip you to do so and bless you immeasurably.
For my part, I am so delighted to have joined all of these faith-full and fruit-filled women this year. I have grown so much in my knowledge of the word and as a person. God has enocouraged and instructed me. He has guided me, and he has connected me with some of The Most Amazing sisters!
I cannot wait to see what God does next year because I believe it it going to be gi-normous! :)
Today's text reminded me that doing good does not always give us a (fleshly) warm fuzzy feeling. Closing our lips when we have been insulted. Refusing to engage in self-pity when we have been wronged. Forgiving, when that is the last thing we feel we can do.
And you know? We can't! It is only through God we can accomplish these things. And each time we ask, he is there. His word encourages and builds us up. That is the warmest of warm and the fuzziest of fuzzies we will ever need!
Blessings & love today,
Liz
AK
Dear Anonymous
My heart goes out to you today and this season. I am 42 also.
Our Father-our Everlasting Father is with you in your suffering. Open the gifts He left for you in the manger: A Wonderful Counselor, A Mighty God, An Everlasting Father, and A Prince of Peace. Those are your presents this Christmas-the gift that continues to give through out the whole year.
Thanks for visiting my blog and reading my devo.
I pray God will make your path straight and His will abundantly clear. The power to yes to Him comes from Him.
I believe that God can do amazing things through suffering. For 3 years I have been praying, reading, watching things on how to save my marriage, which I felt was falling apart... no big reason, just a whole lot of little reasons. Two weeks ago my husband told me that he had been having an affair, for 3 years and a child was created out of this affair. Everyday I had asked God for answers, everyday I had asked God for strength, for encouragment, for discernment in what to do over these three years. Now the answers have come, the truth has been revealed and they are not the answers I had dreamed or hoped for. I do not believe that God makes mistakes and since God is the creator of all things, and he knew this baby before its birth, which he is not born yet, there must be a reason for this small miracle. My husband has ended the affair and wants very much to work on our marriage as well as be part of this childs life.... I have choosen to take on this assignment of a lifetime, I have choosen the path less desirable, the roller coaster of emotion. I do not know how I will get through each day, how I will ever trust again or make the pain go away. But I do trust God and that some how, some way He will show me what to do. He will lead me on my journey of a lifetime. Please pray that I make Him proud, that His will is done and His path is followed. I in no way want to tarnish the Love I have for My Lord Jesus Christ. I will turn the other cheek, I will remember "What is impossible with men is possible with God".... God knows I am no saint or special person, my past is colored with Jesus' blood, but He has been preparing me, teaching me, loving me. I pray I do Him proud and live outloud for Him who has blessed me.
Wendy,
I loved your devo today and your post is speaking to me as well!! This whole year has been a Mary Moment for me! It all began over 3 years ago when God called me to write a book - I didn't stand and jump for joy sorry to say, but He kept making a way. At the same time He put the idea of a women's conference on my heart and again I didn't say yes immediately, but He kept working on my heart and in His timing it's all come together. Last January the journey really took off as I spoke with Renee Swope about being our speaker - after our initial team meeting I remember telling my husband I don't deserve to be doing this - He simply pointed me to the story of Mary and it's been a year long look at her response. And better yet God is speaking thru His word and others to give me a heart like hers. Though at times things haven't always made sense and seemed impossible - He has been faithful. Our Oct retreat was wonderful, but more than that what God has done in me has been incredible!!
To top it all off, two weeks ago I was told I was Mary in the Sunday School program. Acting is not my thing so inititially I didn't want to do it, but with a newborn son playing Jesus I obliged. I said yes and God continues to speak - simply practicing the part has been powerful. We too are His servant girls and when we say yes nothing is impossible!!
So then to your blog post - though the impossible has happened it hasn't all been easy. Just last Monday I had a book talk/signing in my hometown. I was nervous and fearful - not everyone is in support of what I've done or understands what my faith is all about and when that's the case words can be said and "suffering" takes place. But if we keep our focus on Him and why it's happening it is good!! For years, even before I really understood what it meant, one of my favorite verses has been Romans 5:3-5, "We also rejoice in our suffering because suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character and character, hope and hope does not disappoint us!!!" Oh so true!!
Thank you for sharing today Wendy and stirring up some great reflections in me today!! Blessings to you and Merry Christmas, Jill
I don't know if this counts as a "Mary Moment," but God impressed me in September 2008 to take over my nephew's Kindergarten Sabbath School class. The teacher had left the area with her husband and no one had come forth to do it yet. I heard God's voice in my head, while I was praying for whomever the new teacher would be, telling me to teach the class. I argued with him that I don't have children (long story, ending in mental and spiritual healing from infertility, while the physical issue remains), I have never taught Sabbath School, and no one asked me to do it. He told me that none of those things mattered. So I said, "I'll do it if You will help me."
And, WOW! The assistant lady was thrilled that I was going to take over, the deacon who was supposed to be finding a replacement and not having much luck was glad, and my nephew was excited, too. The blessing that pours into, through, and out of me every Sabbath is astonishing to me! I have been given creativity that is beyond my abilities, patience greater than ever before, and a love for the little people that I teach every week. I have such a burden to teach children about how Jesus loves them unconditionally. So many are from broken homes or visibly neglected by busy parents. His love truly flows through me and all over them every Sabbath. The class has grown from 3-4 kids to 12-15 every week and He expands my ability whenever He needs to.
It is an amazing thing to be a vessel used by God and I am so honored that He could use pitiful, sinful, old me to His glory.
Thank you for letting me share and God bless your ministry.
Jennifer
Wendy,
Well, for starters, I did purchase my Bible to begin reading in 2010!!! I am so excited to see all that God has in store! It is an area I hunger for. Currently I am a homeschool mom that doesn't get much time for God or herself. My heart is sooooo thirsty. I can't wait to begin!
I also wanted to share my Mary Moment. In January of 2006, I was a mom of 2 (ages 4 and almost 7) and a wife of 13 years. I was done having children and enjoying life. Then God whispered.... He told me I was not done. I needed to give that area to Him. After much discussion with my husband, we agreed to surrender in obedience. In May of 2006 we were pregnant. In August, I was having the worst feeling that something was wrong. After much prayer, I began to relax about it. September 15th brought our ultrasound. It was suppose to be a wonderful day. We were to find out the sex of our baby and have great news to share with our other kids. We did find out we were expecting a little girl, but there were problems. Red flags that alerted the tech. We did the amnio and were notified the next day that she had Trisomy 18. It is incompatable with life. The next 18 weeks changed my entire life. I had never been so broken before......I had never been so covered by God's grace and peace before. We clung to Him and only with Him did we get through it.
Lindsi Karen arrived on January 22, 2007. She was with us for only a few moments before she went to be with Jesus. Heartbreaking, yes! Gut wrenching, incredibly! The hardest thing I have ever had to do yet!! But God was soooo evident. People were changed in incredible ways from just knowing about our sweet Lindsi. It was a God thing....she was a God thing! God uses even the suffering.....AMEN and AMEN!!!!!!
I would do it all over again...and I can't wait to see her in heaven!
Blessings~
Jennifer
I made a discovery today ladies. I'm pretty good at 'casting', but unfortunately even better at reeling back in! The Lord desires we cast our cares and leave them with Him.
So much to still learn on this journey,
Joy
PS Thanks to so many today who shared their "Mary Moments". My heart has been touched by your sharing and vulnerability.
Amazing stories of Jesus' presence in the midst of suffering. Continue to cling to Him everyone! He is the only way to survive this world.
Praising Him for all He's done
Morgen
A beautiful and inspirational post.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. You are a blessing to us all.
Nancy J Locke
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