Well, well.. I made it to week 7! At least now I'm only a few days behind!!! lol So, let's dive right in!!
Think about your ministries this week. What do you do to help others? Do you volunteer at your church? Do you work with kids after school? Anything that you do that reaches out to others that offers help and encouragement is considered a ministry. You don't have to have a title or a special job. As long as you do it for God's glory, then it is a form of ministry.
Read 1 Peter 4:1-11
Therefore, since Christ suffered as a human, you should also arm yourselves with his way of thinking. This is because whoever suffers is finished with sin. As a result, they don’t live the rest of their human lives in ways determined by human desires but in ways determined by God’s will. You have wasted enough time doing what unbelievers desire—living in their unrestrained immorality and lust, their drunkenness and excessive feasting and wild parties, and their forbidden worship of idols. They think it’s strange that you don’t join in these activities with the same flood of unrestrained wickedness. So they slander you. They will have to reckon with the One who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Indeed, this is the reason the good news was also preached to the dead. This happened so that, although they were judged as humans according to human standards, they could live by the Spirit according to divine standards.
The end of everything has come. Therefore, be self-controlled and clearheaded so you can pray. Above all, show sincere love to each other, because love brings about the forgiveness of many sins. Open your homes to each other without complaining. And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts. Whoever speaks should do so as those who speak God’s word. Whoever serves should do so from the strength that God furnishes. Do this so that in everything God may be honored through Jesus Christ. To him be honor and power forever and always. Amen.
S: 1 Peter 4: 9-10: Open your homes to each other without complaining. And serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts.
O: I remember reading a blog on this very verse. It was around Christmastime. If you've ever had family come to stay with you, do you remember how you felt while they were there? Did you grumble about the extra housework? Did old family squabbles come into play? Were you relieved when your company left?
God's gifts? Stop scratching your head. We all have a gift. We just have to ask God what it is. Or maybe you already know. Do you like to cook? Do you enjoy doing for others? Maybe you like decorating.
My husband LOVES to cook and serve people. He has taken over our kitchen at church. It is now HIS domain! No one messes with hubby's kitchen! Those are his gifts. Mine...well.. I've been told I'm compassionate, kind, a godly woman (that may be stretching things..but that's what someone at church described me as). At our old church I was the dishwasher. I had everything organized and had all my supplies that I needed.
In this letter, Peter is telling us to JOYFULLY open our homes to visitors. Don't grumble or complain, but do it WILLINGLY!! Hmm...yup...ok....hhmmmm...
I like having company, when I'm in the mood for it. But Peter tells us to do this willingly and joyfully. It's not always the easiest thing to do. Think of The Last Supper when Jesus shared a meal with the Apostles. He KNEW He was going to be betrayed. He KNEW He was going to die. And yet, He still sat there with His friends and shared a meal with them.
Being a Christian isn't always the easiest thing to do. No one promised us it was going to be easy. For the times when you really don't feel like it, stop for a moment and pray. Let God's peace guide you through the times when you have company and don't really feel like entertaining.
A: On those days when I'm not feeling really friendly or up to having company (even if it's my neighbor from across the hall) I have to remember that if someone took the effort to come see me then it's the least I can do to be thankful for their company and open my home to them. My husband usually will feed anyone who comes through our door! No one leaves here without food of some sort. And usually sends them home with leftovers!
So, the next time someone comes over, regardless of how I am feeling, I will make them feel welcome. And I will welcome their company. I will do what Jesus expects of me.
P: Heavenly Father, we know we should be happy when someone comes to visit. We should welcome them with open arms and a smile. But we don't always feel like it. Help us to see that this isn't a job but a chance to have fellowship with friends and strangers alike. It is a chance to sit and "break bread" as Jesus did time and again wherever He would go. We pray for peace and joy at these times Father. In Your Holy Name we ask this. Amen.
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