1 Peter 1

Scripture 

1 Peter 1:16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Observation 

 

Apostle Peter is writing to the exiles that are scattered throughout the land, encouraging them while they deal with trials of their faith. 
He encourages them to be HOLY. 
Understanding 

Holy - Greek word “hagios”- sacred, holy- set apart by (or for) God.
How can I be holy? Without sin the way God is holy, On a consistent basis? I can barely stick to something “good” for a season.
I can do all the bad habits for years with consistency but good healthy ones... not so much! Do u know how many diets I start on Monday... I’ve gained 20 lbs since my last round of starting on Monday ! Lol!
It seems out of reach...
I believe in Jesus Christ my Lord and savior who washed my Sins away by his blood that was shed for my redemption, I am “blameless, without sin” in God’s sight. 
“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 1:9).
Holy also means set apart. 
Application 

Be Set apart. 
If I’m set apart unto God for his purpose then my intentions will be to look like the image of his Son and not like the world around me. 
2 Peter 2:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I will continue to look in my spiritual mirror and check my reflection. Do I see goodness, self- control, godliness…
I will keep trying and trying and trying,  Doing again and again and again,  Until the Holy Spirit produces the qualities that will keep me set apart. 
We are called to be 
SET APART, UNTO GOD, FOR HIS PURPOSE
Deborah Lee 

James__5

Scripture

 

James‬ ‭5:5‬ ‭NLT

 

“You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.”

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Observation-What does it say?

 

In this chapter, James warns the rich over their love of money. James rebukes the rich for hoarding their riches, investing in meaningless material things that corrode and rot away over time, and the ruthless ways they cheated others to obtain their riches. Judgement is upon them! How they utilized the riches they obtained will determine how they will be judged.

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

How am I utilizing God’s blessings?

 

When it’s all said and done, and we meet God face to face, He is going to hold us each accountable on what we did with His blessings. Will God care if I purchased that nice house on the hills? Will God care if I bought that fancy sports car? Will God really care if I sent my kids to that Ivy League University? Ultimately, I’m going to have to answer to God regarding how I managed what He blessed me with here on earth, and how I used it to build His Kingdom and glorify His name. Did I use it to collect and hoard material things? Did I keep it all to myself? Or did I share it with the world to bring glory and honor to His name?

 

“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”

Matthew‬ ‭6:19-21‬ ‭

 

Life Application

 

Use your blessings to be a blessing.

 

We all have different gifts and blessings that God has given us. For some of us, it may be our finances. For some, it may be a heart of encouragement. And for others it may be wisdom from life’s experiences. Whatever the case may be, we all have something to offer others in their time of need, so why not share it with the world?Use the opportunity and platform God has given you to share and show His love today.

 

-Moses Gaddi

James___4

Scripture

 

James 4:5

 

5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

James, the brother of Jesus, continues to write to Jewish Christians to "encourage them to continue growing in their new Christian faith (got questions.org)." In this chapter, James is encouraging them to submit to God and flee from the desires of the world, "for the Spirit that the Lord has caused to dwell in them is jealous for their affection (vs. 5)." The way the footnotes paraphrased it is "that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us longs jealously."

 

Understanding-What does it mean?

 

God is a jealous God.

 

The Lord will not settle for 2nd place in our lives. His Spirit wants to be the first and the only One in our hearts. He desires all of our affection, all of our time, all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. 

 

You must worship no other gods, for the LORD, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you. Exodus 34:14 NLT

 

For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.  Deut. 4:24 ESV

 

Life Application

 

Submit to Christ's love for us.

 

When we submit to Christ's love for us as our bridegroom, everything else pales in comparison. The Bible speaks about the church being the bride of Christ. In marriage, sometimes we think that jealousy is a bad thing, but honestly, if a spouse is not jealous for his bride and if he is okay with her giving her focus and attention to someone else (or vice versa), then there's a problem. It's no different with our relationship with the Lord. He loves and desires relationship with us and we break His heart when we choose the world over Him. There is an ongoing spiritual battle ensuing in the lives of believers (Eph. 6:12), but as we DAILY choose to submit to Him, be in His Word, pray, sing songs of worship/praise, stay connected to the Body and stand firm in the faith, the devil flees. 

 

Dear Lord, please forgive me for the many times I have broken Your heart when I've desired things not in line with my calling in life and identity in You or when I've complained instead of been grateful for Your love for me. Thank You that You are jealous for my affection and that You relentlessly pursue me as a result. With Your Spirit's help, I commit to choose You everyday as You have chosen me. Amen.

 

-Michelle Gaddi