(CLICK THE TITLE) Good morning and praise God for another day and another chance to move forward with his work. Here is what is in my spirit today because I touched on it a day or so ago. Have you ever been criticized or maybe blamed for something you didn’t do or perhaps you have been unjustly slandered? You are not alone. Jesus was the whipping boy of much criticism and slander in His day. Was He worried? Nope. You and I are not to worry when others speak falsely and lie on us. Just give that to the Lord. A Pastor friend told me one day, when anybody says anything bad about me, I just say, ‘Thank God they don’t know any more.’ Jesus tells us, “When they criticize you, just roll that over onto Me. I understand and I am in charge. You just trust in Me.”
Today’s Prayer
Father, remind us that there is a time for us to pray in our closets and a time to come out and stand up for You. Now, as everything is being shaken – our values, our beliefs, our faith – and the world is blaspheming You, our commitment to You is being tested, isn’t it? Help us to walk closely with You each day, to redefine our faith and to stand boldly for You. Keep us from a “deluding spirit,” that we may not deny You. In the matchless name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
Let’s eat.
Handling Untrue Criticism
1 Peter 3:13-22
13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong! 18 Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit. 19 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison—20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from[g] a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 Now Christ has gone to heaven. He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers accept his authority.
Quote of the Day
Do everything in its own time; do everything in earnest; if it is worth doing, then do it with all your might. Above all, keep much in the presence of God. Never see the face of man until you have seen his face, who is our light, our all.
Robert Murray M’Cheyne
WITH HOPE AND FAITH
REV. ELDER G E STERRETT
FOUNDER
GCKRS HELPING HAND FOUNDATION – THE RELATIONSHIP FACTORY