In our 1 Peter Bible study this week, we were reminded that as Christians we are to persevere with the end in mind. What does this really mean and how are we to incorporate this thinking / living into our daily walk?
For me this means that I die to my will and seek God's will for my life. Prayer is the first step to putting God first. Without having daily time with God to 'plan' my day, I wouldn't know where to start; thus, I would be living in the flesh... not the spirit.
I have to admit... Prayer is not the first thing I think of on a daily basis. Unfortunately, I have slid in my 'quiet time' and Bible study. This study on 1 Peter has put the spark back into my study time and is reminding me how much I love spending time in God's Word.
Another way to persevere through the trials is to share my spiritual gifts with the body of Christ. My spiritual gifts are leadership, exhortation, serving, giving, knowledge, and teaching (strongest first). Ask my family, I have NO problem in the leadership department. I do love to be in charge! The exhortation caught me off-guard as I feel very ill-equipped to witness for Christ. What I have learned is that I witness through my gift of service. Praise the Lord!
Next week is our last week for this study. If you are following along in 1 Peter, what has God been showing you?
Thank you to Kregel Publications for this complimentary copy of 1 Peter to complete my reviews.
Blessings,
Ellen
Ellen, I'm thankful yours was the next blog post in my Google Reader, because the one before this was a rant on Rush and how dare he imply that the broke college student wasn't entitled to free birth control because she liked to sleep around. Sometimes I really worry where we are going, how morals are sliding. And then I read your post and I feel renewed. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI've made prayer a more concrete part of my life in the past year by keeping a prayer journal. I don't write in it every day, but certainly several times a week. It helps me focus my thoughts, and looking back through it helps remind me how many of my prayers have been answered!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great study... Very thought provoking. Have a wonderful day :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a GREAT study!!!! Thank you for sharing it with me!
ReplyDeleteI know our days would all go better if we always started them off with prayer. I have to admit that although I sometimes do, most of the time I don't. It's something I need to work on. Thank you for sharing these encouraging thoughts with us.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
I don't wake up immediately thinking of prayer and Bible study either. I think our flesh gets in the way too much. When I get into a good Bible study or start spending regular time in prayer, my spirit responds and makes me remember why it's so important to push through and make it a priority!
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