Thursday 3 May 2012

Thursday Reading: 1 Peter 3:1-4

Key Verse: 1 Peter 3:4
4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Devotion:
How many times have you been faced with having to pick between things, the ones that look good and the ones that you think actually are good. Many times in our lives we are faced with making decisions to figure out what we should be doing. Many of those times we are going to be persuaded by how things look on the outside rather than what they are like on the inside and many times we will make the wrong decision just because those ones looked the nicest! I am not trying to bring women down to any level seen by men of this world but rather taking this passage and applying it to more than just wives and their husbands – so please don’t shoot me down yet…

When I was younger my eyes were easily led by the girls that looked the prettiest and those that dressed accordingly. It is only after you have made a choice that did not agree that you find out that God wants us to look on the inside just as He does. Just because something or someone is very pretty on the outside does not mean that that or they should be what you should aim for. God wants us to live a fulfilling life and not one that just fills those earthly desires instead.

The whole of the advertising world revolves around making something look the best so that people will choose that in preference to other things – and it is successful because that is what man does. But just because that is what man does, it does not mean that we have to be like the rest of the people. God is the one who is putting the right desires and wants in our hearts – so long as we are willing to listen to Him and to attempt to follow His will. When we do focus on God and on His ways, we will begin to see the merit of His ways as well. We will see the exceptional qualities that remain hidden in people and the wonderful love that is found in people that trust in Him.

I am not one to look back and wish that I had lived a more Godly life or that I had followed His will earlier in my life because that would be counter-productive. Instead, God has allowed me to live the life I have for a reason. I am now willing and able to help others through things in their lives because of what has happened in mine. I am more prepared to be able to face up to things because of what I have been through – Christ has strengthened me even when I was not doing His will!

Points to Ponder:
Do you prefer gold or silver?

How much will you take with you to heaven?