From the Kitchen Table
Day 1
Since
therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of
thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to
live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for
the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles
want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking
parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you
do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they
will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For
this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though
judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way
God does.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded
for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly,
since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without
grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good
stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of
God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order
that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong
glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1
Peter 4:1-11
Somewhere along the way we need to stop and ask, “Is it worth it?” Remember that anyone can give up! Victory belongs to those who don’t give up and even are willing to suffer to win. But it takes a vision. The victorious Christian life involves living with a vision for this life and beyond. What is our vision for living? If it’s worth talking about we need to believe in someone bigger with something bigger to live for than ourselves. This is where the gospel comes in. The gospel is God’s word for God’s way to God’s world. And its’ good news because it offers victory and victorious living to anyone who would believe in God’s word for God’s way to God’s world. There’s going to be a struggle and it’s going to be a struggle with our own skin as much as it is a struggle with our own kin or world. Our skin, our sinful nature, is used to calling the shots but this life is lived from within by the spirit with the Spirit. The beautiful thing about this big life God gives us is that He comes to us and lives in us to help us. God’s vision for our lives is so big that we need Him to help us get there. God is here and He’s got big plans, we just have to share His vision for our lives and that’s when things begin to happen. And it’s worth it!
From the Kitchen Table 