Do the will of God...!

1 Peter 4.3-9, 12-17 NKJV

For we have  spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.  They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are  you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone  suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. For the time has  come  for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it  begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

******
† Shalom †......! Day #176. Do you know that judgement begins at the house of God? Let us pray. Father,  seek out the motives of our heart and let us not have any envious motives in our heart. Let us not strive against one another, but be hospitable to one another without grumbling. In Jesus name we ask and pray, amen!

Friends, well it's quite a long verse. We will look into a few thing in this verse today.

1. To do the will of God.
» For we have  spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles... In the past we have lived to yield to out fleshly desires, given into lust and adultery and so on, yet now we who have been saved, have been called and chosen, we are to live according to the will of God. To serve only one God. To do on His will. Nothing else matters.

2. Preach the Gospel.
» They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit...

The reason why we who have been saved by the grace of God must do the will of God because, we are the agents of Light and we must pull out all those who are in the darkness into His marvelous light. The Gospel must be preach to those who are dead spiritually so that they could be alive in the spirit once again and live according to God in the spirit and not the flesh.

3. Be serious and watchful in your prayers.
» You might have heard this statement by many servants of God "the end is near" indeed the saying is true. That's the reason Peter is telling us to be serious in anything we do, in our service to God and to one another. There's no time to fool around with whatever the Lord has given. Be watchful in your prayers. As you pray be alert, because the devil is just waiting to attack you. We are living in exciting and perilous days therefore be always alert as you pray, while you pray. Do not "sleep" in your prayer but we watchful.  Because the moment you stop praying, the devil begins his works.

4. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
» "To LOVE" is an action word. We say we love this and that person, but our action doesn't convey the message of love.  Yet we will be the 1st one to accused our fellow bretheren. Stop grubmling against one another and begin to love. Accept one in his or her weaknesses and see how you can be a help to overcome his or her weaknesses instead, persecuting and nailing them to the cross. Sometimes we have all the reasons in the world to complaint against certain people in the  ministry. STOP IT. If you say you love them, then you would do something to help them in their weaknesses and not judging them, complaining against, back stabbing them and so on. Love is action, not just mere words.

5. Rejoice
» Rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings. Ministry is not a bed of roses. Jesus said that "you will do the things I have done, and greater things you will do." Yes, friends, Jesus was persecuted for the ministry He did. People were against Him. People aren't able to flow with Him, but His disciples was faithful to Him. Count it all joy when you are being persecuted, friends. In this you will see who are faithful to you, those who will stand together with you. Rejoice for your reward is in heaven and continue to do the greater works that's before you.

6. Suffer as believer.
» Yet if anyone  suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. Suffering is anywhere. Yet the difference is whether for what cause are we suffering. Are you suffering from people who persecuting you? Hey keep on moving, persevere and endure it. God does not allow you to suffer more than what you can take. Personally, I do suffer a lot of pain, there's thorns in my flesh,  yet I persevere and I press on because the pain just makes me to keep going on and on for God. Let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

7. Judgement begins in the house of God.
» In the judgement day, not the sinners will be judge first, but all the servants and believers of God will be judge first. How to judge the world when the house itself is not order? Therefore serve the Lord will all due respect towards God and towards your calling and if it  begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Hallelujah 🙌 ... I hope today's devotion will benefit you. God Bless you.

Let this day be the day of the Lord!

*** if you have any prayer request or any comments, or in anyway that I can serve today, please do let me know, I am at the Lord's service.

Please leave a comment. It would be a blessing for me to hear from you.

In His Majestic service,

+_=ShErKaRL=_+
TFGM's Daily Devotion
http://sherkarl.blogspot.com