I struggle with sleep nightly. But it’s not something that I mind. I hate the feeling of exhaustion the next day, but when I awake in the middle of the night, I do one of two things, scroll social media (which I don’t recommend) or I begin praying; usually going through the seats of our church in my mind. The congregation is heavy on my heart in these days of lunacy. I wanted to give a good word this morning, one of encouragement. I needed it as much for myself as I want it for those who read this blog, because the world is filled with evil words.
There was a time that Peter was filled with evil words. The night of his Lord’s arrest; when they accused him of being among those in Jesus’ group of disciples. He needed to convince the world otherwise and so he quickly cussed like a sailor and denied his position in Christ, just as Christ said he would. And then it says… he wept bitterly. (Luke 22:62) Those words always break my heart. I’ve been failed the Lord so many times too. I understand. But not this day of reference in 1 Peter Chapter 3:
We are Family
Right now I have the Sister Sledge song in my head… maybe you do too.🎵 “We are family, I got all my sisters with me.🎶 It takes so little to get me off the track! But family should be something that stirs a song in your heart, be it blood family or a church family, especially because you have the common bond of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 3:8
[8] Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
It’s why when I wake up in the middle of the night those folks are on my mind. They’re more than just acquaintances and friends, they’re brothers and sisters. I have concern for them just like I do my biological siblings who I adore. Ask yourself right now, “Who do I have in my life that would literally go to war with me?” If you can’t think of anyone, you need a church family and you need the right church family. One who has compassion and love for each other. Who hurts when you hurt and treats you with kindness.
When I see church folk gossiping and tearing each other down I don’t have to wonder why the world doesn’t believe the church is the body of Christ. Who wants a nasty, cranky’ ol’ body like that?
We are What we Speak
[9] Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10] For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: [11] Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
Luke 6:45 KJV says:
[45] A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
You don’t have to be in the presence of anyone for very long before you can determine the “treasures of their heart.” Even if they’re trying to pretend they’re someone they’re not, it usually slips out. Peter advises his friends in verse 9 to watch their mouth. He was speaking from experience. And so am I! I can fall victim to a negative attitude. While I’m not prone to cuss… I won’t say that those words don’t ever enter my mind. As a friend once said, I won’t say them but if someone wrote it down, I’d point to it. That’s not a lie.
But our tongues will sell us out! And in so doing, our words become words of discouragement and before long we’ve created a conversation that everyone around us is willing to chime in on and tear the world apart piece by piece. It also rips at the very fabric of our spiritual selves until we’re not feeling very happy in the Lord.
We are Children of God
[[12] For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. [13] And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? [14] But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye : and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; [15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
I love the family I was born into. I’m proud to say that I was born a Hardway, that my Mother was born a Spencer. I have a great blood family. But I also have an amazing blood bought family. Not only in my church but all over the world. God has been so good to me! They encourage my spirit and I have seen the hand of God on their lives, and they on mine. We’ve shared testimonies of how God has protected us and brought us through troubling times. And some of us are sure that we’ll know our angels in Heaven because they will be the ones without feathers! (We have no doubt worn them out!) We are a happy people especially when we’re together, and we are a protective people when someone’s in trouble. And just like the pride I have in my only family, I am proud to profess that I am a child of God. I pray that always comes across the second someone meets me. I pray they know, because He is evident in my mouth and in my manners.
Last night was a night where I scrolled social media. I tuned into the hearings from the voter fraud cases. When Joe Biden said the other day that they had “put together the most extensive and inclusive voter fraud organization,” I’m quite sure that’s something he didn’t mean to confess and was likely an issue of his Alzheimer’s medicine wearing off allowing the truth to be revealed.
God has ways of revealing truths and protecting His children that the world cannot understand. Often times I don’t understand! But I believe and I know that I am a child of the King, and that title cannot be undone because the price paid for me to have that title was written in the blood of God Himself. As children of God we must speak with confidence, not wavering. The world can not only smell fear, it can see through insecurities of the faith. They’ll know when you’ve not been spending enough time with your Father.
