Jesus' Peace, by Amy Joy

    "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

   
      I sit here in peace.  I am so grateful for God and His word and the life that He has given to me because of His Word.  I am so happy because of God.  

     A few weeks ago, I received an email from someone close to me who is not a Christian.  It was disturbing and hurtful to me.  I have had many times over the past year when, after speaking with someone about something challenging, I have felt troubled initially.  However, after going to God in prayer, I have found peace.  The peace that He has given me has been from His Word.  I see that His Word is a rock.  Knowing what He says helps me to stand firm when people tell me things contrary to His Word.  So, the comfort given to me are the scriptures He gave thousands of years ago such as:

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12

"But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed." 1 Peter 3:14

"But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 1 Peter 3:15b-16

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.  As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God." 1 Peter 4:1-2  

     Upon reading this last scripture, I realized that even in this day and age and in countries where freedom of religion is allowed, I still should be armed with the same attitude.  We do not know what the future will bring, except the return of Christ.  Our current freedoms may be taken away.  I realized that I should also help my children to have the same mindset from their young age.  I want my children to be prepared for anything, especially to stay faithful amidst persecution.  Jesus says, "Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10b.  That is what I want!  For myself, my family, and the whole world!  These scriptures remind me of Jesus' encouragement in Matthew 6:19-24 about storing up your treasures in heaven and linking it to where your heart will be.

     So, my peace does not come from things such as the luxuries or relationships or activities that the world believes will bring peace, but by following Him and obeying him.  My peace during persecution comes from Jesus' words that He spoke long ago, saying that these things would happen, but that I will have a great reward in heaven, and I am blessed to be able to suffer for His name.  There are many more scriptures that I have seen being alive and active because of the persecution and hardships that I have faced.  It has made my faith and hope stronger.  After Jesus told His disciples that the world will hate them because they hated Him first, in John 15:18-27, Jesus says, "All this I have told you so that you will not go astray." (John 16:1). 

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Hospitality, by Edward

1 Peter 4:9 - Be hospitable to one another without complaint.

When I was in Albania, one of the things that I learned from the Albanian people was hospitality.  Before Albania, I had never been outside the US.  I had heard of "southern hospitality," but I can't say that I ever really experienced it even though I grew up in Florida.  

In Albania, when  I would go to visit a brother or someone I was studying the Bible with, I was usually welcomed in and asked what I would like to drink, or some food was set out before me. These were not Christians who were displaying this hospitality towards me, but usually the Christians' parents.  

If I showed up at one brother, Dritan's apartment unannounced, his mother (who happens to be a pretty good cook) would immediately invite me in, set food out, and offer me a drink.  If I refused, she would talk about how skinny I was and that I needed to fatten up a little.  I did have parasites at the time, so I probably was a bit on the skinny side.  Needless to say, I went to Dritan's house when I could, and I was more than content to let her try to fatten me up.  I never felt like a burden there but always welcome.  

Another brother, Roberto, was one of the poorer brothers in the church.  He was about 17-18 years old while I was there and had a fairly large responsibility on his shoulders.  He was the supporter of his mother and a younger sister who lived with them.  His father had died of alcoholism (if I remember correctly) and his brother had died as well.  Another sister was married and lived with her husband.  He and his mother and younger sister lived in a one room apartment about 13' wide and 24' long.  The bathroom was a shared bathroom with other tenants and was located down the hall.  

She cooked over what looked like a make-shift electric burner.  She would place it on the floor when cooking and put it away when not in use.  Her health was not great but she was always very, very giving when I came by.  One day, I showed up unannounced (they did not have a phone) to visit Roberto. She sent him down to the store to buy something to drink to have something to set before me.  This hospitality cost them wages that they needed.  The dinner she invited me over to one time did as well.  All of this, without Christ in their lives.  I am grateful for the lessons I learned from the Albanian people.

     When I practice hospitality, it is a wonderful opportunity to show Christ to those in my house.  I do it with a purpose- for the Kingdom.  Whether they are Christians or not, I want those in my house to feel welcomed and loved.   It is a good time to minister.  You never know what impact you might have on one's life while they sit in your house.  I love having people over.  It can be work, but it is such a joy.  

I encourage you to offer hospitality to friends and strangers alike.  It's a great way to get closer to a brother that you are already close to and to be encouraged by one another's faith.  It's a great way to get to know a brother better that you do not know well and who may need encouragement.  It's a great way to share the gospel with a friend or a stranger as they see the love of Christ practiced in your home.

Let me offer some practical advise.  When someone is in your home, let them be your center of attention.   Everything else should come second.  Offer them something to eat or drink not long after they get situated,  even if they're not there for dinner.  Don't be in a rush to get them out if it starts getting a little late.  Finally, think about how you would want to be treated while visiting a friend or stranger.

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My Role as a Woman, by Amy Joy

     What I am most excited to share with other women about, is what I have been learning about my role as a woman.  When I became a Christian, I was nineteen.  I was single, had just moved out on my own, and was working as a hairdresser.  When I learned about God's plan of salvation, one thing that really struck my heart was, "What about all the people who don't know?!!!"  I have felt a burden to help save the world since then.

     When I became a mother a little over seven years ago, I found it a challenge to try to schedule Bible studies with the women I would meet and want to share the gospel with.  People would tell me, "Your child is your ministry now."  I thought it was a "cop-out".  I didn't want to be "let off the hook" of helping to save the world.  After all, I know that when Jesus told His disciples to "go make disciples of all nations..." in Matthew 28:19-20,  it applies to me, as well. 

 

     A couple of years ago, or so, I was really praying that God would help me to understand His will for me as a Christian woman.  Later that evening, my husband asked if he could share a scripture with me that he had just read.  

     He read from 1 Timothy 5:9-15 with the instructions for widows.  Looking at the list of things that an older widow should have been doing throughout her life to be put on "the list" has helped me so much.  The first thing on the list is that she should have been faithful to her husband.  Second that she should be well known for her good deeds.  What really struck me, encouraged and relieved me so much is the first example of a good deed mentioned is, "bringing up children".  I never knew that that would be considered a good deed!  It gave me so much relief and encouragement because taking care of my kids seems to take up almost all of my time !  

     The second thing on the list of good deeds is offering hospitality.  That is something that being at home with the children I can do and enjoy I doing.       

     Reading about what the younger widows were counseled to do also has given me direction.  They were told to marry, have children, to manage their homes, and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.   So, along with raising my children I am to manage my home.
  

     I also looked to Titus 2:3-5 to learn what I should be doing.  The older women are told to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands.  

     The first thing on this list is to love my husband and children.  I have come to realize that God's will for me at this point in my life is to love Him with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and in doing so, to love my husband and children, and to manage my home.  

     I am so grateful to have this understanding of my role.  Now that I know this is what God wants for me, I am taking my role very seriously and doing it with all my heart.  I am loving it and enjoying it. I no longer feel as if I'm not doing enough to save the world. 

    

      I do try to do whatever I can in the time that I have to try to help others, whether it be making a meal for someone who needs help, or asking a stranger when I'm out shopping if he or she is interested in doing a Bible study or going to church.  

     However, I see in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 that we are to make it our ambition to lead quiet lives so that our daily lives will win the respect of outsiders.  This is all relatively new thinking to me, but encouraging, that by my quiet life inside my small home with my family, I can actually make a difference and help save the world!

You can check out our other works! If you like them, you can help us out by sharing our links on your social media accounts and asking your contacts to do the same! Thank you!

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God bless you!

   

Not a Burden, by Edward

     One of the things that I have devoted a good bit of thought to over the past couple of years is that the Lord is not asking of me more than I am able to do.  In other words, He's not asking too much.  In 1 John 5:3 it says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome."  

As I have thought about this, this question comes up- what has He commanded that is so unreasonable that I should shirk it or explain it away so as not to obey?  When He speaks of not lusting after a woman, turning the other cheek, loving your neighbor, dressing modestly, putting off coarse language, putting off lying and stealing, forgiving one another, sharing the gospel with a stranger or whatever else there may be, is He being unreasonable?  Is He putting something on me that is a burden?  Is He asking too much?  

On the contrary, He is seeking my good. He is seeking to create in me a pure heart, to be loving, to learn courage.  He is seeking my freedom because when I do the things that I should not, that is when I feel burdened.  It is sin that is burdensome, not the commandment.  I have never felt burdened after speaking to a stranger, or forgiving my brother a wrong, or confessing my own sins; I feel free.  He came to set the captives free and to destroy the works of the devil in our lives (1 John 3:8).  What a good God we have!  Consider Psalm 19:7-11 and ask yourself, "Are His commandments a burden?" 

The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
         The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
         The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
         The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
         Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
         In keeping them there is great reward.

You can check out our other works! If you like them, you can help us out by sharing our links on your social media accounts and asking your contacts to do the same! Thank you!

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God bless you!