Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Take it Patiently...


I am constantly amazed at the goodness of God! He provides for me-in every way... Recently, my family has been going through a difficult trial. (What trials aren't difficult?) :0)
I was so blessed today in my Daily Bread because God used it to minister to me perfectly, and provided me with the perfect guidance. :0) (now why am I surprised?)

Responding To Criticism
Read: 1 Peter 2:4-12
whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12

Abraham Lincoln knew what it meant to face criticism. He is quoted as saying, “If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how--the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what’s said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”
Lincoln, against huge opposition, went on to reunite the fractured United States, win the Civil War, and abolish slavery in the US. Had he allowed his critics to defeat him, Lincoln would not have accomplished what he did.
The apostle Peter understood the dangers of unfounded criticism. He wrote, “Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).

Criticism can consume our lives to the point of emotional paralysis, or we can set our hearts to serve God faithfully undeterred by that criticism and put our God on display. When we do that, we won’t need to answer our critics with words--our lives will say all that is needed. --Bill Crowder

If we keep doing what is right--And serving Christ each day,We need not fear what others think Nor what the critics say. --D. De Haan

The most powerful testimony is a godly life.

I also read these verses this morning in 1 Peter 3: 14-17

14But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
15But 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:
16Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
17For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
1 Peter 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

If you're going through a trial, I hope that this will touch your heart and encourage you to seek God and His will with all of your heart--and may we all have the strength to stand for Him in every situation--so that we can finish our Walk with Him STRONG!

1 comment:

Marci said...

I read this too. Very good. Where did you get the picture? Did one of you take it?