"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:13)
Who are you? I'm not asking how you described yourself in your Facebook profile or yearbook bio. I mean, who are you really? Could I figure it out from looking closely at how you live your life?
In the verses leading up to today's verse, Peter has just finished describing our salvation -- how God brought it about and how it has changed our destiny with Him forever. We have been shown the mystery of Jesus. We have believed and become children of God.
What now?
This week, we'll listen as Peter tells us to "become who we are." Start with this very efficient verse:
Prepare your mind for action: Unplug from anything that makes it hard for you to think and focus on God's Word and His will for you.
Be self-controlled: Exercise the power of "no" so that you can say "yes" to the best things.
Set your hope on grace: Stop living for dead-end pleasures, possessions, or statuses; live for the heaven you could never earn -- the heaven you belong in because you are God's kid through faith in Jesus.
Think: Is your mind prepared for whatever action God has in store for you? Are you controlling your desires -- or visa-versa? What are you most hopeful for today?
Pray: Ask God to help you to have a mind prepared for action, self-control, and your hope set fully on His grace.
2. Proverb Of The Week
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Proverbs 10:9
3. Questions For Reflection
- When I look at the lives of others does dishonesty pay in the long run?
- In what ways am I not being honest in the way that I live every day?
- Why wouldn’t I want to walk in integrity rather than being dishonest?
4. FORGETTABLE FACT
A snail can sleep up to 3 years.
5. POTENT QUOTABLES
Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened.
~ Billy Graham
Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.
~ Winston Churchhill
6. UH, THAT'S FUNNY
What's round and bad-tempered?
A vicious circle.
7. CALENDAR
We are off our summer schedule and meeting again every Sunday night from 6:00- 7:30.
Youth activity August 28th 6:00-7:30
