Suffering for Doing Good

Suffering for Doing Good 

By Anasha Neilly

Suffering for Doing Good 1 Peter 3: 13-22 NLT

13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— 20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.

Extending God's Grace to Others 1 Peter 4:10-11New Living Translation (NLT)

10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian 1 Peter 4:12-19 NLT

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved what will happen to godless sinners?” 19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.

Commentary

Generally speaking, no one wants to harm someone who is good or doing good. This is not to say Christians or "do gooders" not suffer. Just as Christ suffered so shall we. The text emphasizes that we should not fear suffering as long as we are doing what is right. When the enemy poses threats, tries to scandalize your name, or tear you down with insults you must remain faithful that you will be rewarded. The non-believer may ask how you can stand strong in your faith, you have to be ready and willing to explain to God's faithfulness in both your words and actions. This must be done with humility and respect so as to draw them to him and not away from him. The next time you begin to waver in your decision to do what is right, because it is easier to retaliate and avoid suffering and persecution, keep your conscience clear, stand fast in your faithfulness and remember you will be rewarded. THose who speak against you will be ashamed when they see that you belong to Christ. 

In my studies, I found the following breakdown of the scripture. I found it very refreshing and enlightening. Enjoy!

https://www.sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary/1-peter-313-22/

What's Keeping You from Trusting HIM?

What's Keeping You From Trusting Him?

By Velina Dixon

Just for Me

Just for Me

by Jocelyn Hollis

Ephesians 1:4 (NIV) tells us that “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”  Jeremiah 1:5 (NIV) states that “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” As believers, despite all of our sins, flaws, fears and insecurities, which our Omnipotent and Omniscient Heavenly Father knows, HE chose us.  And not only did He choose us, but HE chose us BEFORE this world was formed and fully defined!!

Out of all the generations and millions of people that came before us, out of all the animals that were created, out of all the technological advances that HE permitted to be created by man, HE thought about us, knew us intimately and STILL chose us!

Not only did HE choose us, but HE also states within this chapter of Ephesians that we are redeemed and forgiven.  And, further within this chapter in verse 13, Paul tells us that our Heavenly Father seals us with the Holy Spirit.

Isaiah 46:4 says that “Even to your old age and grey 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.”

Our Father has taken care of EVERY possible situation—for believers, there are no loopholes--we need not question our salvation because HE seals us with the Holy Spirit and HE tells us that we are redeemed and forgiven because that is part of HIS plan.   Further, if our God has all of this kind of power, for us as believers, why should we fear, worry, stress and wonder if it’s going to be okay because not only did HE choose us BEFORE the creation of the world to be in HIM, but HE promises to be with us to the end. 

DIFFICULT DAYS

For the Difficult Days

By Cassandra Joseph

1. James 1:2-5 Consider it pure joy, my sisters, when you are involved in various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, she should ask God, who gives to everyone generously without a rebuke, and it will be given to her.

2. Romans 5:3-4 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

3.  Ecclesiastes 7:14 On a good day, enjoy yourself; On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days So that we won’t take anything for granted.

 7. Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Walk with GOD and HE will Walk with YOU. Talk to GOD and HE will Talk to YOU. Listen to GOD and HE will Listen to YOU.  Let HIM Lead YOU; Guide YOU; Teach YOU; and Keep YOU as HE takes you by the hand.

Let the Church Say AMEN!

How Do Women Get Through The Challenges of Today?

How do Women get Through 

the Challenges of Today?

Click on the link below to view the video:

https://youtu.be/r5Mk_yTMTOc

A story of faith, courage and determination.

The woman with the issue of blood exemplifies all of the challenges that some woman face today.  She was isolated, classified and "unclean," poor and ostracized.

But God.

Until she hears about Jesus and the power of His miracles, healing, mercy and compassion,

this woman sets out on a mission.

A mission to get healed, a mission to 

get whole and a mission to receive

 her last hope -  her breakthrough.

Matthew 9:20-22

Mark 5:25-34

Luke 8:43-48

Put God First

Remember to put God first in everything that we do!!!

by Sherita Wrentz

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:1-3 NKJ

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.   

Matthew 6:33 NKJ

As we leave the relaxing days of summer fun, and embark on new beginnings - New Sororal year, School year, etc. Let us not forget to go forth with love, compassion, as well as kindness, and receive all unconditionally. Let us never cease to ALWAYSstay with God!

Amen!

No Spiritual Flabbiness!

No Spiritual Flabbiness!!! 

by Cherise Gause 

“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for

both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of

all people, and especially of those who believe.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:7-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Paul, the Apostle is telling

Timothy who he is mentoring that yes, working out is important; however, excercising daily in God

 is even more important. Just like our physical muscles need to be exercised to staytoned and strong

we need to exercise our “spiritual muscles”, so that we don’t become spiritually weak. You can not

expect to look good physically if you do not take care of yourself by eating right and proper exercise.

 You can not wish a good physique into being. In similar fashion we can not sleep on the Bible and

 expect to absorb its knowledge. It takes reading it and studying it to know what is inside. A spiritual

workout routine (Core Workouts):
 1. Spend time reading the Bible.
 2. Spend time in prayer.
Amen!