so, what does it mean?
I picked today's title because it was a question I was asking myself earlier today. When I started out today's blog about four hours ago, the theme behind it was going to be from this little chestnut:
No good deed goes unpunished.
I kind of felt like that today. Sometimes it seems that when I try to do the right things, even with the best of intentions, there's always something that goes along with that. The feeling didn't last long though. As I was thumbing through my Bible, the following passage caught my attention. Part of the subheading in my Bible said this: Suffering for doing good.
The reference is 1 Peter 3. Although it might feel that way today, it's nice to know it's just another step in my walk with God. Sometimes, not always, but sometimes it's easy not to see the forest for the trees and the Bible never lets me down. I can usually find something in it that describes my circumstances and shows me that with trust and obedience, God will lead me through the forest.
Trust and Obey was a hymn selection yesterday at church. I want to share with you the next chapter in 1 Peter which I also read this morning. Peter is right. I spent enough time in the past in those worldly things and so far, so good with not taking part in those things again. Obeying isn't as hard as it used to be because like I mentioned yesterday, I'm living for more than just the moment.
Trusting sometimes isn't easy, though. Especially when you're used to having things happen right now and they don't seem to be. I wanted to take care of some personal business today and the other person didn't want to. That person has the temptation of a large sum of money we're supposed to share weighing heavy on her heart so I have to trust that she's going to do the right thing. In the end, I think she will, or I hope so anyway.
Saying you will and doing it when you have the check in hand are always two different things but I know the person I'm talking about today is a good person at heart and it's my hope that the right thing will be done.
It's that doubt that lingers though that kind of put me through a bit of suffering but as always, the Lord leads and guides me. I found something very inspirational not just in the Bible today, but another little something, a chapter from a Christian book read on the radio today, something I think kind of dovetailed into the church sermon yesterday which kind of shifted my focus from the problems I have today to that of those that are (and I'm stealing this from Pastor Karl) lost, hungry, and hurting. Those thoughts kind of changed my focus from my little issues to those of how Jesus suffered for us and what we can do to help those that are suffering far worse than we. I'm truly blessed and remembered to count those blessings instead of focusing on what my "suffering" is today.
Every now and again, I think it's good to focus on what's to come instead of what's at hand. Whatever tomorrow brings, I have faith that it'll be the outcome that the Lord deems best. Instead of feeling a bit beat down by life, I feel invigorated, ready to tilt at windmills, and blessed that I've had the chance to live through the fires that have been present in my life. Some days all I want is just a little peace and today I found some.
So, what does it all mean? Today's verses remind me that all things are for the glory of God and that sometimes we have to redefine success. Will things play out in my life like I think they should? Who knows? And more importantly, it really doesn't matter. There is glory to God even in a perceived loss because in the end, if we persevere through those things we count as losses by leaning on Jesus and trusting Him to guide our footsteps, we win.
That's the peace I found today. What is going on in your life that you can apply these scripture verses to? I hope there's something there that will inspire you to go on when you feel like you can't. Trusting and obeying God is a good place to start. And if you haven't trusted Jesus, haven't believed on Him and the promises He makes to us, I'd ask you to think about that relationship you have with Him. He's always waiting, always wanting to hear from you!.
No good deed goes unpunished.
I kind of felt like that today. Sometimes it seems that when I try to do the right things, even with the best of intentions, there's always something that goes along with that. The feeling didn't last long though. As I was thumbing through my Bible, the following passage caught my attention. Part of the subheading in my Bible said this: Suffering for doing good.
The reference is 1 Peter 3. Although it might feel that way today, it's nice to know it's just another step in my walk with God. Sometimes, not always, but sometimes it's easy not to see the forest for the trees and the Bible never lets me down. I can usually find something in it that describes my circumstances and shows me that with trust and obedience, God will lead me through the forest.
Trust and Obey was a hymn selection yesterday at church. I want to share with you the next chapter in 1 Peter which I also read this morning. Peter is right. I spent enough time in the past in those worldly things and so far, so good with not taking part in those things again. Obeying isn't as hard as it used to be because like I mentioned yesterday, I'm living for more than just the moment.
Trusting sometimes isn't easy, though. Especially when you're used to having things happen right now and they don't seem to be. I wanted to take care of some personal business today and the other person didn't want to. That person has the temptation of a large sum of money we're supposed to share weighing heavy on her heart so I have to trust that she's going to do the right thing. In the end, I think she will, or I hope so anyway.
Saying you will and doing it when you have the check in hand are always two different things but I know the person I'm talking about today is a good person at heart and it's my hope that the right thing will be done.
It's that doubt that lingers though that kind of put me through a bit of suffering but as always, the Lord leads and guides me. I found something very inspirational not just in the Bible today, but another little something, a chapter from a Christian book read on the radio today, something I think kind of dovetailed into the church sermon yesterday which kind of shifted my focus from the problems I have today to that of those that are (and I'm stealing this from Pastor Karl) lost, hungry, and hurting. Those thoughts kind of changed my focus from my little issues to those of how Jesus suffered for us and what we can do to help those that are suffering far worse than we. I'm truly blessed and remembered to count those blessings instead of focusing on what my "suffering" is today.
Every now and again, I think it's good to focus on what's to come instead of what's at hand. Whatever tomorrow brings, I have faith that it'll be the outcome that the Lord deems best. Instead of feeling a bit beat down by life, I feel invigorated, ready to tilt at windmills, and blessed that I've had the chance to live through the fires that have been present in my life. Some days all I want is just a little peace and today I found some.
So, what does it all mean? Today's verses remind me that all things are for the glory of God and that sometimes we have to redefine success. Will things play out in my life like I think they should? Who knows? And more importantly, it really doesn't matter. There is glory to God even in a perceived loss because in the end, if we persevere through those things we count as losses by leaning on Jesus and trusting Him to guide our footsteps, we win.
That's the peace I found today. What is going on in your life that you can apply these scripture verses to? I hope there's something there that will inspire you to go on when you feel like you can't. Trusting and obeying God is a good place to start. And if you haven't trusted Jesus, haven't believed on Him and the promises He makes to us, I'd ask you to think about that relationship you have with Him. He's always waiting, always wanting to hear from you!.
It's a 1 Peter kind of day. If you follow the hyperlinks, read chapter one as well, or better yet, start at chapter one and read the whole book! God bless and Praise God for sharing these scriptures with me today!
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