[MARCH 30] The Kingdom of Me?

Read: 1 Peter 3:8-17

"Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts."

--1 Peter 3:15

In 1977, 15 year-old Kevin Baugh and a teenage friend decided to create their own country, just for fun. The Republic of Molossia began as they drew a map, created paper money, and made a flag. Today, Mr. Baugh continues his micro-nation the same way it began--just for fun. When Chicago Tribune reporter Colleen Matony toured his 1.3 acre kingdom in the Nevada desert, Baugh assured her he still pays US taxes, which he calls "foreign aid."

"It's always tongue-in-cheek," Baugh admits. "I'm doing this for the pleasure and enjoyment of having my own country."

Not many of us will create our own nation, but we all have a kingdom of the heart where we decide who will rule. The apostle Peter wrote: "Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts" (1 Peter 3:15). "Sanctify" means to set a part Christ as Lord or Ruler of our life.

There is something within each of of us that longs to be in control of our lives. It may be only a small corner where we assert our spiritual independence and answer to no one but ourselves.

But true freedom comes when we allow Christ to rule our hearts. --David McCasland

'Tis mine to choose if self shall die

And never rise again;

'Tis mine to yield the throne to Christ

And bid rule and reign. --Christiansen

REFLECT ON THIS:

When Christ rules in our heart, our feet will walk His ways.

[FEBRUARY 8] In Praise of Slowness

Read: 2 Peter 3:1-9

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness"

--2 Peter 3:9

If there were a contest for most popular virtue, I suspect that “fast” would beat “best.” Many parts of the world seem to be obsessed with speed. The “fast” craze, however, is getting us nowhere—fast.

“The time has come to challenge our obsession with doing everything more quickly,” says Carl Honoré in his book In Praise of Slowness. “Speed is not always the best policy.”

According to the Bible, he’s right. Peter warned that in the last days people would doubt God because it seems He is slow (“slack”) in fulfilling His promise to return. Peter pointed out, however, that this seeming slowness is a good thing. God is actually demonstrating His patience by giving people more time to repent (2 Peter 3:9), and also being true to His character, as in patient or slow to anger (Ex. 34:6).

We too must be slow to become angry—and slow to speak (James 1:19). According to James, “quickness” is reserved for our ears. We’re supposed to be quick to listen. Think about how much trouble we could avoid if we learned to listen—really listen, not just stop talking—before we speak.

In our rush to meet goals and deadlines, let’s remember to speed up our listening and to slow down our tempers and our tongues. --Julie Ackerman Link

 

Dear heart, let perfect patience be thy goal;

It is the way earth's noblest souls have trod.

'Tis just a calm adjustment of the soul

In all things to the perfect will of God. --Hayward

REFLECT ON THIS:

When you’re tempted to lose patience with another, think how patient God has been with you.

[JANUARY 13] Credibility

Read: 1 Peter 2:11-21

"[Have] your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that... they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God" 

--1 Peter 2:12

The recent global financial crisis caused people to pay closer attention to their credit report. When credit was easy to get, some people became careless about how they used it. They didn’t bother to save for what they wanted; they just borrowed. Being in debt was no big deal. But in a crisis, that is no longer the case. Having good credit is suddenly very important.

After an advertisement for a credit repair service, a local newscaster said, “Credit repair isn’t something you can buy; it’s something you have to work for.”

The same principle applies to the credibility of our lives. We can’t buy it; it’s something we have to work for. We may be able to “borrow” credibility for a while by associating ourselves with credible people, but sooner or later we will need our own.

Credibility has to do with the ability to elicit belief. The reason it’s essential for Christians is that our lives affect God’s reputation (1 Peter 2:12). When we call ourselves by Christ’s name, His reputation is tied to ours. If people have reason not to believe us, they may not believe God.

The way to earn credibility is to live honorably. Then others will believe and glorify God. --Julie Ackerman Link

FOR FURTHER STUDY

Look at these scriptures about Christ's life:

MAtthew 9:10-13; 20-28; Lule 6:12.

How can you live the way He did?

REFLECT ON THIS:

If we take care of our character, our reputation will take care of itself.