SPIRITUAL
DIARY
Date: 12-31-03
My
Worship Time Focus: Christ is our example
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: 1Peter 2:21-23
Message
of the verse: “21 For you
have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving
you an example for you to follow in His steps,
22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT
FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;
23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in
return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to
Him who judges righteously;”
(NASB95)
“21 This suffering is all part of what God has
called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his
steps. 22 He never sinned, and he never deceived
anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted.
When he suffered, he did not threaten to get even. He left his case in the
hands of God, who always judges fairly.
(NLT)
John
MaCarthur in writing on “you have been called” portion of verse 21 says that
this is speaking of the efficacious call of salvation of the believer. At times part of that calling is to suffer
for doing what is right, which is what our example, Jesus Christ was called to
do. Peter goes on to explain this in
these verses. Verse 22 is a quote from
Isaiah 53:9, which is a portion of Scripture that speaks of the sufferings of
Messiah. In verse 23 Peter reminds his
readers that when Christ was on trial, (and the note in my NASB study Bible
says it was Pilot who was actually on trial), that He never opened His mouth,
and the reason for that was that He put His trust in Him who judges
righteously.
Spiritual
meaning for my life today: These verses speak to me about trust and faith in
God. They speak to me about after I have
been saved to follow Jesus Christ’s example that was perfect because He is
perfect.
Because
of how the events unfolded yesterday I am disappointed, yet I still believe
that God is going to bring Valerie and Mike to a saving knowledge of Jesus
Christ, but it will be in His own time.
I
am not completely happy with the way that the Bible Study went last night, for
I am not sure that I got across the points that were needed to get across. My desire is that these new believers will
grow in their faith, and I want to encourage them in taking the steps necessary
to do that, and one of the most important steps is to make a commitment to read
and study their Bibles each day.
The Word of God has again
challenged my heart as I read it this morning.
My
Steps of Faith Today: To trust the Lord’s timing for the salvation of
Valerie and Mike, and to trust the Lord’s timing in what He will do concerning
our investments.
Memory verses for the week: 1Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 119:18
13.
No temptation has overtake you
but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be
tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide a way of
escape also, that you will be able to endure it.
18. Open my eyes, that I may
behold wonderful things from Your law.
No comments:
Post a Comment