Who will tell them?

2 Peter  2: 10b ff …those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority.  Bold and arrogant, …Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight.  They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.  With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed…

Bold and arrogant these people are.  Bold and truthful we can be.  As much as there is corruption in this world, the more we should be bold and truthful in our speech and living.  Divorce is on the rise, pride and arrogance rule people’s lives.  Often people are so easily entangled in the “everybody is doing it so it must be ok” scenario.  As much as our loved ones and fellow friends are enticed into this “world” we need to be bold and truthful with the gospel of Jesus Christ even more.

One Sunday I saw a man I had not seen in a while.  Not knowing him very well, I was shocked at the words coming from my mouth.  On the inside I was saying to myself, that was a little bold Elizabeth I can’t believe I’m saying this.  I was pleasantly surprised by his response and know it was the Holy Spirit speaking through me the very words he needed to hear.

When we ask the Lord to use us and take ourselves out of the situation, it’s amazing what He will do.  Speaking the truth without condemning, loving unconditionally and always looking for ways to be used by our Lord and Savior will bring amazing blessings and indeed change the world.

Stinky or Sweet

2 Peter 1:5-11  …make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness, love. 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. . . . for if you do these things you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

There are times in our lives when life is “stinky” as my good friend texted me while I was sitting at Starbucks this week.  Things happen and we don’t always know how to respond.  Emotions start invading us and we don’t always react in the way we should.  These verses in 2 Peter remind me that no matter what happens we should make every effort to have faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love in our lives.   It’s a long list, but having this knowledge will give us the strength and courage to possess the qualities God desires in us. 

Whether life is stinky or sweet, when we keep our noses directed towards Him it sure is comforting to know God will never let us fall.

The Real Deal

2 Peter 1:3-4 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 

Starbucks has the best hot chocolate I have ever tasted, it’s the real deal.  My home recipes don’t compare to the chocolaty goodness of one prepared at Starbucks, nor do any of the other coffee shops I’ve tried.

So often as we live our “godly” lives we make it all about ourselves claiming it’s for God.  Ouch, I’m guilty.  If we try to live a godly life without looking to God for divine power, it will be all about us.  God gives us EVERYTHING we need.  Trusting and believing even when life doesn’t make sense; loving and serving Him unconditionally is “participating in the divine nature”, it’s the real deal.

Thank you Lord, for your glory and goodness you offer to us.  Without your divine power and precious promises we would perish.  

Divine Power

2 Peter 1:3  His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

As summer ends and the “new year” begins, we think of all the tasks needed to be done to prepare for the school year.  There is one thing we cannot do ourselves, one thing only God can do, empower us to live a godly life; we just need to be willing. 

Every few months Starbucks puts new signs up and promotes their product in a new way, something fresh to entice their customers and potential new people.  As I spend time with God reading His word, I absolutely love being refreshed and renewed.  Just as the product at Starbucks doesn’t change, God’s Word doesn’t change and His divine power is sure to entice in new and fresh ways no matter how many times it’s read.

So, how are you on the “godly life” scale?  Need a boost of His divine power? Be enticed by His word and be refreshed in His glory and goodness.

Suffering

1 Peter 4: 1-2 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.  As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

Suffering is tough.  It’s not something we long for, it’s not something we care to deal with.  When we suffer, often selfishness rises up, often we can’t see past the suffering to our God who saved us.  Sometimes we will do anything to avoid suffering, unfortunately the “anything” includes walking away from the will of God.  Walking through the suffering with God, though painful, keeps us from falling away from Him and the attitude He desires for us.

So, when suffering we have a choice.  We can walk through it with God, following Him faithfully or we can walk alone, avoiding His ways and attempt to be in control.  I’ve tried both ways and walking with God is unquestionably the way to go.  Of course, I would highly recommend an appointment with God  to talk to him, read His word and be “filled”.  When suffering, spending time with God is a must, how can we really walk with Him without spending time in His word, praying and listening.  Get away from the busyness of life, go to a Starbucks, or go to a quiet place and rest in Him.

If We

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed . . . in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. . . keep a clear conscience 1 Peter 3:13-16

We are all human, we are sinners and we make mistakes.  But if we strive to do good, if we suffer for what is right, if we keep a clear conscience, if we ask for forgiveness, we are blessed.  It’s these “if we” statements that can help us get through life focused on Him. 

When you are faced with a difficult situation, if we pray God will listen. When life happens and we want to give up, if we turn to God He will comfort us.  When words are thrown at us and we don’t know how to respond, if we seek God’s counsel and keep a clear conscience God will give us the words to say or the self control to not say anything at all. 

When we make a mistake, if we seek forgiveness, we will be forgiven.  If we look at life through the eyes of Jesus, peace will come.  And if you spend time with God at Starbucks or wherever, He will come and you will be blessed.

He will lift you up

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under Gods mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

I just love the book, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.  The first sentence in the first chapter says, “It’s not about you”.  This phrase sent my mind on a journey of learning to trust in my Lord more than I ever had before.  For months that phrase was stuck in my thoughts teaching me in every area of my life how it can be about God and not about me. 

Life is more enjoyable when you live it being about God and not about yourself.  Being consumed with troubles and trying to figure it out for yourself is far more complicated then giving it to God and seeing it through His perspective.  When words and actions hurt, praying through it and staying humble outweighs sinking into depression or making hasty emotional decisions. 

It’s cloudy on this day at Starbucks, but it reminds me that God is good, all the time.  He is good when the grey cloud is hovering over our head and He is good when the sun is shining brightly.  Cast your anxiety on Him, He is worth it.

Harmony

1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Each week at Starbucks, ice water is part of my order.  Recently, a cashier remembers that I want water even when I forget to order it.  Most of them now know that I like my scone warmed up on a plate with a fork. . . . 

1 Peter 3:8 says "live in harmony" thinking of that on global terms is overwhelming.  I’m sure we would agree that it would be next to impossible.   But, living in harmony in our world, with the people around us, that is possible.  You may be thinking, but you don’t know my sister-in-law! But God does, He knows everyone we know and He still asks us to live in harmony, be sympathetic and love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Sometimes we just don’t know where they are coming  from, we haven’t walked in their shoes.  And, sometimes they are just wired differently and can be hard to connect with.  We can’t change anyone, but we are responsible for our own actions and responses to difficult people.   

. . . this group of employees work more in harmony than I have seen in the past at this particular Starbucks and that leads to treating the customers better too.  Harmony, it’s a good thing.

Honor the King

1 Peter 2: 16-17 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.  Show proper respect to everyone:  Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

One Starbucks morning, a guy walked by my table and said, “wow, you are reading the bible, don’t see that very often”.  He said it with gratitude and appreciation.  He was a brother in Christ.

As Christians, we need to stick together.  Not in a way that leaves others out, but in an affirming and encouraging way.  My family has had an interesting situation where individuals have voiced their opinion and shown actions that went against the grain of our family values.  It was refreshing to see how we bonded together as a Christian family.  We definitly did not do everything perfect, It sure is difficult at times to react and respond affectively but striving to live as servants, showing proper respect to everyone, loving the brotherhood of believers, fearing God and honoring the king is powerful! it’s strong! and it’s what God calls us to do. AMEN! 

So the next time you are in a situation where your actions may be scrutinized, show respect, fear God, love with all your heart, honor the king and live as servants of God...it will not go unnoticed by Him.

Desires

1 Peter 2:11  Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul…….20-21 but if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.

At “my” Starbucks the door does not close properly. On warm days the cold air conditioning above the door runs when it is ajar.  This cool air permeates the area I sit and I am uncomfortable.  A couple times shutting it works, but then people keep coming and going.  Being constantly interrupted by closing it is annoying.

When reading “sinful desires”, usually the big things of life come to mind.  But today the small but highly important things occupy my thoughts.  There is a non Christian in my life with whom I encounter on a daily basis.  The feelings of rejection as I try to build a relationship have invaded me this week.  My sinful desires of giving up are prevalent.  The simpler, comfortable route is an easy escape and what would it matter anyway?  Suffering can be uncomfortable and trying to avoid it can become annoying.  As Christians God asks us to endure it, He became the example for us on the cross.  Our efforts do matter, and whether or not we see the fruit of them, they are commendable before God. 

So, when I sit at Starbucks and the annoying door won’t close, I will be reminded suffering is for the glory of God.  And as my friend in Michigan would say, “buck up soldier” do what you are supposed to do.

Stranger

1 Peter 2:11-12 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Non-fat, toffee nut hot chocolate with whip, maple oat nut scone warmed up on a plate with a fork.  The same Starbucks store has seen me walk through its doors at the same time, on the same day, every week for a few years now.  A couple of the regular employees who have taken my order now have my routine down.  I’m not a stranger to this place anymore.

Peter says in this passage we are “aliens and strangers”, this is not a term I normally want to associate myself with at first thought.  As Christians, it makes sense and I comprehend the meaning more clearly.  Our responses to the “normal” of this world make a huge impact on the “pagans” as Peter writes.  Peter wants our good deeds to shine in this world, our reactions to the temptations of sinful desires are seen by more than we may know.  The good deeds that glorify God may not be seen as popular, but they are right and God uses them.  Though we are aliens and strangers in this world, we are never alone when we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

So in worldly terms I am not a stranger at my Starbucks store, but in heavenly terms I am.  I’m ok with that.

Common

1 Peter 2:11  Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in this world, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.

When I first sit down at Starbucks I sip gently on my hot chocolate with whipped cream.  See if you sip the whipped cream with a little hot chocolate cooled by the cream, you can enjoy it without scorching your tongue.  But today, I got too much hot chocolate too fast and you know what happened.  My tongue now has that tingly burnt feeling. 

This week I attended a parenting seminar by Al Menconi.  He said this, that which is Common becomes Acceptable, once Acceptable it becomes Normal.  Peter writes in verse 11 as aliens and strangers in this world, abstain from sinful desires.  Often in the world sins are common and then they don’t seem so bad when “everyone else is doing it” so we accept them, before we know it they are the norm and they seem fine . . . . until they turn around and “scorch your tongue”.  Then you are left with that “tingly burnt feeling”.  Thankfully we have a God who forgives and heals and takes the burn away.

Dear God, you are the Savior of the World, nothing shocks you, nothing takes you by surprise.  I pray that your ways will be my ways and I will accept nothing that is outside of you.

A People

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

I worked for a small “one girl” office many years ago and one day one of the guys came in and said “you are our people”.  He told one of his clients, “I’ll have my people call your people” and I was it.  It brought a chuckle and made me feel slightly important.  Not nearly as important as being a “chosen people…God’s special possession…people of God who have received mercy”, now that is an important feeling, not just slightly but eternal!

As I sit in Starbucks and ponder, appreciative of so many minute aspects of life itself, I am besieged with the words, chosen, royal, holy…God’s special possession.  It says in verse nine, “you may declare”, we have permission to declare the praises of Him, so let’s go do it!

Royally

1 Peter 2:4 As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him..

The homeless man was back at Starbucks again.  As I walked passed him working on his bike he said, “I would open the door for you if I could!”  Next thing I knew he was inside sipping his drink chatting with another customer.

We are often “rejected by men” as this passage says in 1 Peter 2.  Rejection is hard, but being chosen by God exceeds all the rejection we receive in our lifetime.  We are precious to Him, we are worth His sacrifice on the cross and we are His children who don’t deserve anything, but are treated royally. 

I’m sure this homeless man is rejected often by the public.  He seems at home in this Starbucks, comfortable, not like the first time when he stood nervous at the door wanting to wash his hands.  They welcomed him in and chose to treat him royally.

Nothing Left

1 Peter 2: 7-8a Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”

“...don’t ever do this again, do you understand?...”  I was all psyched up to “be a Jesus” to her.  I’ve tried so many things to be loving, kind, firm, hard, and extremely hard, all along trying to plant seeds of the knowledge of Jesus while trying to help her succeed in life.  I decided to do something fun and special for her and she did “that” right before we were to leave.  How do I be a Jesus now when angry, and sarcasm seems to be the only thing dripping from my lips.

The bible notes for these verses in 1 Peter say, “…people who refuse to believe in Christ have made the greatest mistake of their lives.  They have stumbled over the one person who could save them and give meaning to their lives…”.   He worked in me that day when I had nothing left.  We went, we had fun, we enjoyed each other.  I don’t know if she will ever see Jesus living in me, but Jesus sees her and I just ask for strength to be all that He needs me to be especially on those days when I have nothing left.

 

Spiritual Sacrifice

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:5

I always get non-fat hot chocolate at Starbucks.  I can sacrifice a little bit of richness and calories to enjoy my favorite drink. 

“Offer spiritual sacrifices” which means giving things to God for His purpose, it goes on to say “acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”.  God is serious about what we offer as “spiritual sacrifices”.   I read in a devotion book by Sarah Young recently “many things people do in My Name have no value in My kingdom”.  I need to rethink what I am doing “in His name”.  Am I doing what I think is acceptable to God through Jesus Christ and it is really in vain?  Do I trump myself thinking I am all good with my “spiritual sacrifices” and it’s more about me than Him?  Is what I’m doing truly a sacrifice?  Staying in constant communication with Him will answer these questions.  He is concerned about us and what we do with every part of our lives.

Hmmmmmm……Is ordering non-fat hot chocolate really a sacrifice?

Living Stone

1 Peter 2:4-5  As you come to Him, the living Stone- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him – you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

I talked to one of the workers at Starbucks, that doesn’t seem unusual, but this particular store isn’t always that friendly.  She was very nice, we talked quite a while and I learned she was a Christian, I think she may even be the new assistant manager. 

When I read scripture, certain things pop out, “you also, like living stones”.  We are living stones after the living Stone.  It made me reflect on my life how God has formed me into a living stone, small pebble after small pebble.  I think back on how hard He had to work on me to become the living stone I am today.  Then I wonder how much more He has in store for me.  What’s next?  Only God knows and how exciting and what a comfort that God holds us living stones in His grip, never to throw us down in anger or skip us across the water for fun, He is the loving living Stone serious about His work in us.

Watch out Starbucks store, a Christian is in the house who is a living stone of Jesus Christ!

Choices

Romans 7:18  I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

Do you ever sit in the same spot when you frequent a place, the dinner table, a pew, a seat at a meeting, a table at Starbucks.  And when that seat is not available you feel a little awkward sitting somewhere else and when you sit there it doesn’t quite feel right. 

This week I read from 1 Samuel 15:22 where Saul had been directed by God to destroy the Amalekite people (guerrilla terrorists who continued to attack and raid Israelite camps) their animals and all their belongings.  Instead of destroying everything, Saul decided to keep the king, Agag and the best of the cattle to sacrifice to the Lord.  He made a choice that cost him his kingdom, he lost his role as king.  He chose to not fully obey the Lord, he got caught up in his own flesh and chose to bring a little glory to himself instead of fully obeying God’s orders.  

In reading this I thought about those times when I made a choice that was maybe not quite fully obeying God, but then I justified it with “good”; I’m sure God would be pleased with this decision; it’s close enough to what He wants me to do.  And I try to “outthink” God; I think this is what He actually had in mind, I’m sure He will be pleased with this outcome.  God wants our full attention, obedience and recognition.

His good and perfect will is our dwelling place, the place that brings peace, joy and reliance in Him that surpasses all understanding.  It is a place that is never awkward, it is kind of like my favorite table at Starbucks, I feel right at home.  When I’m in God’s will I always feel right at home.i

Worth Pursuing

Leviticus 20:8  I am the Lord who makes you holy

I love my Starbucks morning when I go, abandon the busyness of life and relax in the arms of my Savior.  It is the best two hours of my week when I can read His word, be still and listen.  This week I read about Sanctification: to make holy, to reverence as holy, to give authority to.  Sanctification is a word I cannot wrap my mind around.  Whenever I come across it, I have to look up the meaning to fully understand the verse I’m reading.

Thessalonians 5:23 “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Those are powerful words with more meaning then I can comprehend.  It encompasses so much of our lives and is used in the bible in many ways.

 

A friend told me that she once said, I hope there is diet coke in heaven because I can’t live without it.  Upon saying it out loud, she couldn’t believe that diet coke was that important in her life!  She doesn’t drink it much anymore knowing that if diet coke is as important to her as God, it’s not worth pursuing.  What have you “sanctified” in your life that is not worth pursuing?  What is just as important to you than your love in Jesus Christ that needs to be removed in order to keep God your number one pursuant? 

Take a Risk

Romans 12:11b . . . keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Sometimes at Starbucks they will ask if you want to try a new item on the menu.  Hmm should you take a risk and see if it is worth it, or order what you know you like. 

Our weekly small group bible study welcomed a new woman to our group.  She was searching out this religion called Christianity which she knew little about.  After about a month of attending, we were studying Acts and decided to do something about verse 45 in chapter 2 . . . “to give to anyone who had need”.  One of the guys knew this woman who needed some help.  While she was in the hospital for her mental health, we came to her home, among other things we installed trim around all the walls, cleaned, painted, mowed her lawn and with the help of others furnished it.  One of the first ones to show up was her, she commented quite frequently that day how she couldn’t believe we were doing this.  “I’ve never done anything like this before”, “people say they are going to do things like this, but they don’t.”  

As you go about life, sometimes when you least expect it, a new item confronts you, something that may knock your socks off.  I saw much “spiritual fervor serving the Lord” that day.  It made more of an impact on this new woman in our group than anyone knew.  I know it made an impact on me, when you serve the Lord with spiritual fervor, its life changing.  She took a risk, she tried something new, maybe you should too.

Grumbling

1 Peter 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling

Each week I go to the same Starbucks store, it’s been over a year now that I come in the same time, same day every week.  Although I am a “regular”, the assistant manager has never responded to my how are you besides can I take your order and thank you.  This week was different; she actually asked how my weekend was and told me about hers.  This may not seem different to the average person going into the average Starbucks establishment, but this assistant manager usually is grumbling about something and therefore the other employees grumble too.  Managing people is not easy, but grumbling only gives the workplace a not so pleasant place to be. 

When Moses dealt with grumbling Israelites in the desert, he asked God, What do I do with these people? (Exodus 17) God responded beautifully, of course.  He instructed Moses to go ahead of the people with some elders, strike a rock and water would come out.  He also said, I will stand there before you.  I believe God will stand there before us whenever we call out to Him, when we have grumbling people around us or when we are grumbling ourselves.  God is a provider who stands there before us anytime and anywhere.