THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
Several years ago, an old beggar was causing a problem in the community. He would be obnoxiously drunk and rude. A local police officer arrested the man, and in a subsequent search of his "box house," found over $60,000!
The man was brought before the judge.
Judge, "Where did you get all that money?"
Beggar, "Sorry, yore honor, I can't hear - I'm deaf."
Judge LOUDLY, "Where did you get all that money!?"
Beggar, "Sir, I'm deaf, can't hear ya!"
Judge quietly to lawyer, "I'm gonna fine him $500!"
Beggar, "I ain't gonna pay it!"
Judge, "Contempt of court $1,500 and 90 days in jail!"
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________SCRIPTURE____________________________________________________________________
1 Peter 2:3-12
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
12 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 in the day of visitation.
KJV
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_______THOUGHT______________________________________________________________________
Have you tasted, and found Jesus to be "gracious?"
Jesus is the "Living stone," Who has made us "lively stones!"
He is the Living God, Who has given us life!
He has made us "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people."
When we were "not a people" (lost in the darkness of sin), Jesus made us "a people," saved by His grace.
We did not know "mercy" until He came and demonstrated His mercy through the cruel cross.
Yes, we have tasted that our Lord is "gracious!"
Therefore, let us make Him our "Cornerstone" of life.
Let Him be the perfectly square corner from which ALL of our house of life is built.
Let us count our lives, here on this earth, as being "strangers and pilgrims."
Christians are indeed different, strangers, out of place. BECAUSE,
we are "pilgrims." We are only traveling through this world (for a short time). "For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come." (Hebrews 13:4)
Let us focus our lives upon showing "the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."
Then, when our Lord returns, even those who never trusted Him will have to say that we were "honest!"
We told about having "tasted" His "graciousness"!
We didn't, like the beggar above, hoard up what Christ has given us!
We told about how He changed us!
Love ya,
Bruce