1 Peter 4 - 10.3.25
Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Observation:
God is worthy of praise in all things. Peter is urging the church to be alert and sober to be able to pray “because the end of all things is near.” Prayer is important. We need to be alert so we don’t miss an opportunity to pray.
He stresses the importance of love. We are to love deeply. It covers a multitude of sins. When all else fails, love will prevail. The world is filled with so much hate, but we can shine our light and offer hope when we love.
We need to offer hospitality without grumbling and use our gifts to serve others. When this was written, people opened their homes to travelers. I imagine this got tiresome. I love how Pastor Katie had been reminding us to be hospitable to those who visit.
God gives us gifts for a purpose, to serve others. This is the way we are faithful keepers of God’s grace. This grace takes various forms. Those who speak should speak God’s word. God will provide His strength to those who serve.
Application:
I want to remember why I am serving, to bring honor to God who is worthy of all praise. My serving should be wrapped in love. I want to be alert for opportunities to pray. They are everywhere. These are hard times and people are struggling. I can offer hope.
I like how Peter says that when we use the gift that God has given us it shows His grace in “various forms.” My gifts are different than others and that is ok.
I also like how Peter points out that those who serve should do so in the strength God provides. I want to be sure I do things in His strength not mine.
Prayer:
Father God,
Thank you for your faithfulness. Your grace is sufficient. Your love covers a multitude of sins. Help me be mindful of this as I deal with others. Help me offer hospitality and not grumble. I want to be welcoming wherever I am. Thank you for the gifts you have given me. When I use them to serve, I want to do so with the strength you provide. Help me not rush into a task before praying. Thank you for your strength and guidance in all things. Amen
- Cindy Howard
Isaiah 46 - 10.02.25
SCRIPTURE
“Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born.
Even to your old age and gray hairs I AM He, I AM He, who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Isaiah 46:3-4 NIV
OBSERVATION
I would like to begin by sharing the NLT version of this verse:
“Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel.
I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you —BEFORE —you were born.
I will BE your God throughout your lifetime— until —your hair is white with age.
I made you—and I WILL — care for you…”
In Isaiah 46 the LORD grants Isaiah the prophetic eye to see the history of the Babylonian Empire all the way through to its demise—BEFORE the first of its days had even begun. Bel was the chief god of the Babylonians and Nebo was his son.
These gods/idols were made by human hands of gold and silver. Not only unable to save or help people—they were a heavy burden—needing to be “carried” physically on ox carts. Anyone putting their trust in these lifeless idols would be crushed under their weight both physically and spiritually.
God reminds His People through Isaiah to “LISTEN”
What idol can EVER be compared to—GOD? (vs.5)
APPLICATION
What Modern Day Idol—can ever be compared to God?
This chapter speaks about a disobedient time in Israel’s life when they purposely chose to worship idols over God.
Though our idols may not be handmade statues of silver and gold, our modern day idols can be every bit as idolatrous. Anything we put an ultimate value on above Christ is a “substitute savior” and an Idol.
Modern day idols include money, material possessions, career ambitions, hobbies, sports, entertainment, and addictions. While it’s not wrong to have ambition, money, enjoy hobbies or entertainment.
The question becomes—who or what has the First Place in our heart?
For Twenty Eight Years I experienced a Career as a high level executive with companies such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales—interfacing with Vice Presidents, Presidents and CEO’s of every known beauty brand.
In the beginning of my career there was no question who was First in my life. Prayer was a priority and connection at Sunday Church was a Priority. I came into work early so I could pray over my department, office, appointment book and even my phone. God gave me such tremendous favor and literal-miraculous business transactions happened that were unheard of. Business was so exceptional that many took notice.
As time went on and I continued to climb the corporate ladder—each position wasn’t enough. It became an addiction.
Without realizing it, I began making my career an idol. Although my relationship with God was still present..it was my career—then God. God took a backseat as I began working seven days a week and twelve hour days.
God allowed this to continue for a period of time until one day I began to notice a change in my health. Interestingly, it was a change that was undetectable by doctors.
Even more interesting, it slid by me that God was giving me a warning that I didn’t pick up on.
Finally one day I couldn’t get out of bed. This happened after my husband informed me that he had watched me work 24-days straight for 12 hour full days. I didn’t believe him, but he said he had been watching and waiting for me to collapse.
I never returned to work after that day.
The fibromyalgia diagnosis came a year later—which is another story.
I had made my career an idol and…
I literally carried the burden of this idol on my back—
There was a cost to this…but God in His Very Great Mercy…
Was on the porch, Waiting
for His Prodigal daughter to return, to repent, to surrender all-
So HE could put His Robe on me and welcome me home.
GOD-IS the ONE who CARRIES —us—EVEN -BEFORE—we -are -BORN.
And—Cares For us—every —SINGLE —DAY—throughout—our —entire —life.
His WORD…not mine. His TRUTH.
“The Lord is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.
The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.”
(Psalms 145:8, 17-18 NLT)
God carries us even into our old age when our hair is white with age.
I can look back and say with certainty that God has indeed Carried me.
There is NO God like HIM.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
YOU have cared for me since I was born. And indeed, I know full well that YOU carried me even BEFORE I was born. You protected me against any harmful side effects of alcohol that my mom was drinking when she was continually told into her 19 week that she was not pregnant. YOU Carried me as a child, as a young teenager, all through my adult years…through my rebellion…and now you carry me—
into my old age with white hair (under the color) —Yes..YOU are still carrying me.
Lord Jesus, Be my First obsession. First and Only Obsession in my Life. Everything else pales to YOU. And today, I say thank You for fibromyalgia. This thorn in my side is a constant reminder that I can do no-thing without You. I need Your Strength, Your mind, Your heart, Your portion and cup for every single day.
Spirit of the Living God..Fall afresh on me, Melt me, mold me, Fill me, use me.
I Love You, Thank You for First Loving me.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
Tina L Kudelka
Isaiah 45 - 10.1.25
Scripture
…to open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. (Isaiah 45:1, 2)
Observation
This is a prophecy about King Cyrus (Cyrus the Great) of Persia. This gentile king was prophesied by name about 150 years before his time! God used Cyrus to end the 70-year exile of the Israelites in Babylon. Cyrus set the Israelites free, and allowed them to return to their homeland. Imagine the economic setback the country would have faced, by setting free their entire labor force - the whole nation of Israel. Cyrus was mightily used by God to accomplish His purposes.
Because the Bible is God’s living word, these promises apply to you and me as much as it applied to Cyrus thousands of years ago.
When the Lord calls us, He goes before us to open the door before us so that the gates will not be shut (Is 45:1). Wherever He leads us, He will not leave us orphans (John 14:18). He goes before us, levels the mountains and breaks the gates of bronze and the bars of iron (Is 45:2). We can trust the Lord who brought us so far to complete the work He has started in us (Phil 1:6). This applies to whatever calling the Lord has placed on our life.
Application
All of us are called to be the children of God and as disciples of Jesus we are called to do the great commission. Apart from that, each one of us are also called into a specific vocation or profession. Not all of us are called to full time ministry. Most of us are called into the marketplace, to work and provide for our families and sow into the kingdom of God. This promise of God applies to whatever situation we are facing in our everyday life. The Lord cares for us in all our struggles, he watches out for us, goes before us, opens doors for us and levels the mountains for us.
Open Doors: We can trust God to go before us and open doors for us, and keep them open so that the gates are not shut. (Is 45:1). Our Lord holds the keys of David, and what He opens nobody can shut and what He shuts nobody can open (Rev 3:7).
The Lord who goes before us: He has promised to go before us (Is 45:2). Not only has He promised to go before us, the God of Israel will be our rear-guard (Is 52:12). What a wonderful promise to rest in! He has hedged us from behind and before, and He has laid His hand upon us (Ps 139:5).
Mountains, Gates of Bronze and Bars of Iron: The situations we face might look like huge mountains. We might be facing strong gates made of bronze and bars made of iron. He has promised to level the mountains, break down the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron (Ps 107:16). Thank God that we can trust Him.
Prayer
Father, I thank you for loving me. Knowing you is the best gift I have received. You are the most precious possession that I have. You are my exceedingly great reward (Gen 15:1, KJV). Thank you for hedging me from behind and before, and for placing your hand upon me (Ps 139:5). Thank you for engraving me in the palm of your hand (Is 49:16). Thank you for your everlasting arms underneath me (Deut 33:27). Lord, I thank you because you have gone ahead of me, and opened the doors that need to be opened. Thank you Lord, because You have made the great mountain a level ground before me (Zech 4:7). You have broken the gates of bronze and cut the bars of iron, and delivered me. I thank you. I know I can trust you to complete the work you have started in my life (Phil 1:6). In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.
- Asha Chacko George