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Today is Friday December 18, 2009 and we are completing our studies in the book of I Peter, please read Chapters 3-5 in your Bible or Click Here to read them. You can also copy & paste this URL to your browser http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-december-18

Today's Message: The Faithful Witness
The faithful witness tells the story of Jesus as well as lives it. It is great to have Christ in our lives, but we do not want to keep Him all for ourselves, we are to go out and tell everyone about Him.

No matter how strong we are in our Christian faith there are times in our lives when we just question why we are sstruggling from something. Often we are quick to blame ourselves and think what is it that I have done and start pleading for God to forgive us so things will start changing, only to remain the same. So, why do things remain the same? James answers some of these questions, no matter what we are going through we can not give up and we must remain faithful to God. “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. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 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 Peter 3:12-15. God is always watching over us, He does not forsake His people. Often we lose hope in that the circumstance we are facing will never change, that in fact will hinder things from changing. Remember we read a few chapters back that faith without works is dead? Well, while it is good to have faith in God, if we do not do anything to show that we want things to change they never will. For example, a person that is without a job asks God to bless him with one, well if you never go out and fill out an application how do you expect to be called for a job. As long as we keep going forward in faith, showing God that we trust in Him, and do not fall into the hands of the world we will see things change.

The Apostle Peter, author of this letter, could well recall his Lord's loving reminder, the last recorded words that Jesus spoke to him personally about were on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, when Jesus asked three times, “Do you love me. “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” - John 21:15-17. Peter fulfilled that commission by passing the Word along to all of us. Caring for, defending, guiding, and numerous other duties are needed by and for believers. “The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” - I Peter 5:1-4. Feed the flock means to seek the lost and teach all whom have accepted Christ God's Word, from Genesis through Revelation. Jesus is the chief Shepherd and will one day return to claim His sheep, His sheep are all whom have accepted Him and received Him into their lives.

Now, this does not mean that we are to all be Bible scholars and teach the Bible word for word, but what it does mean is that all of us can get involved and do something in reaching the lost. Some write, edit, and print what is to be taught, while others support the distribution of the teaching ministries for Jesus. I am not a person that is comfortable talking with a lot of people face to face, but I am good at writing so God uses me to teach the lost through the internet. God will use all of His people in some way to help and or teach others about Christ. So, if you are struggling with something and have not seen any changes for a long time, stop worrying about it, that does nothing. It is time to move onward and forward, if you have not yet received Jesus as your Savior it is time to do so now, if you know Jesus find someone who does not and tell him/her about Him. You do not have to know the entire Bible, in fact all you need to know is the Gospel, which is the birth, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I guarantee that by doing this you will start to see changes in your life and others will see it as well. Do the will of God, first and then the blessings will begin to surface, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” - I Peter 5:6-11.

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http://www.readytofollow.com/about-the-gospel.php

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night
God Bless You,
Christina

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