1 Peter Devotions

It is March in Northern New York (NNY). For those of you who don't understand what that means, let me help you. Gray, overcast skies. Muddy brown fields and yards. Drizzle and cold damp.

Some might consider those less than optimal conditions for happy living. There is some truth to that.
But, God's word has some sage truth as well.

For He who would would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit, Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.  1 Peter 3:10,11

If you would love life there are some simple but challenging practices: 

1. refrain from wrongful speaking about anyone or anything (pretty tough in election season, eh?)
2. do good (there is no better way to say that)
3. look for peace and follow after it

Many things can threaten to take away our love of life, our vitality and strength. You may be facing difficult times. Perhaps transition is in the air. Maybe it is March in NNY in more ways than one.

I am challenged this morning to refrain, do, look and pursue.

1. What or who is the subject of your negative speech? Fix it. Drop it. Don't go there. Don't say grumpy, mean, or disparaging things about them. There is so much of that already in the world. Wouldn't it be refreshing to just not grumble? Wouldn't that make your world nicer? So just stop when it starts to ooze out. Repent and ask for help from Him to control that tongue.

2. Begin instead to speak words of blessing over that person or situation. Pray. Invest energy in a positive way. And if He should inspire an action, obey. Do that thing in your heart for that person or in that situation.

3. God is the Prince of Peace. He wants to calm your soul, bring peace to you and through you to others. Pray for creative ways to be a peacemaker in your world - in your marriage, in your home, with your neighbors and community. When you learn to make peace and bring peace, you will find reward. 

Today, in spite of a NNY March sky, because of His great plan, I intend to love life and see good days. 

What a good, good Father He is.