Suffering For Being A Christian (1 Peter 4:12-19)

I was scanning biblegateway.com for a new passage to interpret. Going through the different books, I came along 1 Peter and then to this passage about Suffering as a Christian.

12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

1peter4:12-19

Verse 12

12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.

- Here Peter is writing/saying the letter.
- He tells us that we shouldn't be surprised at the trials we face.
- We as Christians sometimes think that because we have God, we will have good and perfect lives. But I've realized that after coming to Christ, my life hasn't gotten better. Actually it has gotten worse with all the trials God has thrown at me. But I rejoice because all these sufferings are for good and all have a purpose behind it.

Verse 13
13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

- Peter tells us to REJOICE because we suffer. Why? So that when we truly understand why God planned this and when we overcome our suffering with God, we can be OVERjoyed when we see his magnificent glory.
- We may not see it now, but we will learn and understand why God planned certain trials in our lives.

Verse 14
14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

- Peter even tells us that we are blessed when we are insulted because of Christ's name. The holy spirit is with us.
- I believe that Peter is trying to say, no matter in any circumstances, be joyful because God has blessed you with so much. The trial/suffering cannot take it away from you.

Verse 15 and 16

15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

- Peter tells us that suffering shouldn't be as bad as a murderer, thief, or a meddler.
- He tells us again to praise God and not to be ashamed of the trial we are facing everyday.

Verse 17 and 18

17For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

- Peter asks us questions about judgment day and salvation. Im guessing that he's trying to question us that if we don't turn to God about our sufferings, what happens to those without God in their lives?

Verse 19
19So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

- Peter sums up the passage by telling us clearly, that those suffering with God in their lives should continue to have faith and continue to do good.

Mainly, I believe that we need to understand and know that we should be joyful in our sufferings and trials. God has planned these things in our lives for certain reasons and we will discover those reason eventually. Whether if its tomorrow, a decade later, or when we go to heaven, we will understand and know why.

SUB it,
Smij Nahc † [Rejoice in your trials. Praise God in Everything.]
God Bless You ♥

The Parable Of The Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32)

This is a long parable in the book of Luke, so I'll try to interpret it briefly, yet in detail too. If possible. I'll try my best. This passage comes from Luke 15, verse 11 to 32.

¹¹Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. ¹²The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

¹³"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

¹⁷"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' ²⁰So he got up and went to his father.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

²¹"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

²²"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

²⁵"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

²⁸"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

³¹" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³²But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

luke15:11-32

Since this is such a long passage, I'll break it down section by section.

Verse 11 and 12
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

In the beginning, Jesus dives right into the story and describes the main points to start the story. From the two verses, we learnt that...

1. there is a man with 2 sons
2. younger son wants share of estate
3. man divides property

Verses 13, 14, 15, and 16
13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

Here, it talks about how the younger son leaves his home and father to go live by himself. This can symbolize how sometimes we leave God and we become to arrogant and want to do everything ourselves. But as it says in the passage, he spent everything and there was a famine in the country. This can shows how we may go through a big trial or trouble in life, maybe even just a small one and we have no one to rely on. Life may just get worse and worse as it did for the son and he needed to feed with the pigs which show how poor he was.

Verses 17, 18, and 19

17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'

The son fortunately came to his senses and realized what he did wrong and learnt to repent and go back to his father. Like us, when we come to our senses, possibly in the midst of tragedy, we need to know and learn to go back to our Father in heaven who knows all and is almighty and powerful. Repent against your sins and ask for forgiveness from our Lord.

Verse 20

20So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

This verse, I think maybe one of the most powerful verses in the passage. The son finally gets home and his Father has been looking for him and finally sees him. Like how when we return to God, he'll see us and welcome us. The father kissed him and loved him like how God will when we return and after we return.

Verse 21
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

The son now knows what he has done wrong and is repenting from his sin and asks his father for forgiveness. Just like how we all should when we sin or do wrong. Not just when we return to our Father's side.

Verses 22, 23, and 24
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

The Father asks his servants to dress his son and make a celebration because his son has returned. Making a feast, dressing him us, giving the best to his son. Exactly what our God will do for us. In heaven, he will be celebrating when we return to him or if we go to him for the very first time. Angels will be singing, and there will be a marvelous party in heaven.

Verses 25, 26, and 27

25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

The older son, who was mentioned in the beginning of the passage overheard the noise and when to check it out. He gets the news that his brother has returned but his reaction was different. Instead of being happy for his brother, he was jealous.

Verses 28, 29, and 30

28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

The older brother got jealous. Why? Because he doesnt understand why his father gives his brother so much when he seems to get nothing. He's jealous because it seems like his father cares more for his brother. We as Christians may sometimes feel like that. We may wonder why this Christian is so much more blessed than us, but we should NEVER be jealous. Instead, we should learn to be thankful that one of our brothers/sisters are so blessed. Remember that God loves us all equally and unconditionally.

Verses 31, and 32
31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

Here, the father says that they celebrate because their son/brother is back. Once dead but now found and alive again. Lost, but now is found. The older son ALWAYS had everything. So we must learn to be thankful and join in the celebration as well.

SUB it,
Smij Nahc † [Be Thankful. Praise God for his blessings for you and as well as others.]
God Bless You ♥

Love ( 1 Corinthains 13:4-8)

Wow, i haven't posted in a while, but here will be my first post of many more posts to come.. hopefully. This verse is well known in almost all marriages because its based on LOVE. From 1 Corinthians 13, here's the Love Verse.

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸Love never fails...

1corinthains13:4-8

At my recent first missions trip, Urban Promise, on the last night of the trip, we were all doing our devotions and our prayer journals and I came along this verse and decided to memorize it. Surprisingly, it wasnt that hard and it didn't that that long either. Anyways, i decided to interpret it here, but i just realized how straight forward it was. Well, here we go. Phrase. By. Phrase.

"Love is patient..."
- patience is a important thing we need to have in our lives.
- patience is also one of the fruit of the spirit, so we as Christians need to have this as well.
- learn to be patient with one another to show love.

"Love is kind..."
- being kind is obviously a way of showing love... so im guessing enough said.
- for instance, washing someone else's cloths out of Love or service is showing kindness and love.

"It does not envy..."
- envy is also known as jealousy at times, but there IS a difference. Envy is when you Cross the line, and Jealousy is when you want it. For a better and longer answer, take a look, HERE.

"It does not boast, it is not proud."
- here the two things are somewhat similar.
- boasting is being prideful and blabbing about what you "awesomeness" which is something displeases God and therefore Love doesnt do.
- being proud is the same thing as being prideful. Boasting is carrying out your pride, while being proud is... being prideful.
- pride first, then boast follows along.
- both displeasing to the Lord.

"It is not rude..."
- Loving others usually doesn't consist of being mean to others, calling them names, or being disrespectful. AKA rude.

"it is not self-seeking..."
- this is just another way to say being selfish.
- a loving person would learn to share, therefore not being selfish, like the "somewhat" well known phrase "sharing is caring".

"it is not easily-angered..."
- as Christians, we should live a Christ-reflective life, and in the book of Numbers, it says this...

¹⁸ 'The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.'

numbers14:18

- our God and the Lord is slow to anger. We should be like him, so therefore, we shouldnt be easily angered as well.
- in a past Splat sermon, we learned about Anger leads to talking and talking leads to less listening. We need to listen to care and know about other's troubles and trials. See how it all connects?

"it keeps no record of wrongs."
- God even doesnt keep a record of our sins. The past is the past, if you repent, you are forgiven and can start fresh again.
- so why should you keep a record of what someone has done to you wrongly? Forgive them. Forgiveness also shows love.

"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth."
- God is Love. God is the Word. God is the Truth. John1:1 states that,

¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

john1:1

- 1 John 4:8, 16 both say that God IS LOVE. So when the verse 6 says "Love...." it can also be meaning as God.
- God obviously will not delight or rejoice or anything in sin and in evil nature, but with the Word and God.

"It always protects..."
- love protects. Because God loves us he protects us from sin and temptations. It says in Psalm 23:4...

⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

psalm23:4

- God leads us through the valley of death and evil and yet we are safe and comfortable because of his Love for us because he watches over us.

"always trusts..."
- trusting others demonstrate love significantly. Having faith in God and others show love.
- others trust you because they know that you love them.

"always hopes, always perseveres."
- these 2 things are always similar. Love gives us hope. God is Love and God is our hope as well.
- BECAUSE that we have hope, we can perseveres and move on with love. Trudging forward with God by our side, ANYTHING and EVERYTHING is possible. My favorite verse from Philippians 4:13 says,

13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

- thats why we must keep going. Never give us.

"Love never fails..."
- this is just the beginning of verse 8 and I love how it ends with such a powerful conclusion. LOVE. NEVER. FAILS.
- once again, in the word, it says that God is Love. Therefore this can also mean that GOD NEVER FAILS. But love itself, never fails.
- showing love and loving others can never go wrong. Its Love.

That's basically it I guess. Here is my interpretation on the Love passage from the Bible. Hope you learnt it. Its good to memorize and remember. It's like a checklist. When loving yourself, others, or God, think about it. Do I love them how God wants me to love them? Am I being patient? kind? not jealous? not prideful? not mean? not selfish? slow to anger? keeping record of others wrongs? Am I delighting in the truth instead of evil? Do I remember that it protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres and most importantly, that Love Never Fails? Am I all these things? If you are, im sure that you are showing, demonstrating TRUE LOVE.

Amen. God Bless You. Hope you, and me continue to love each other and God. Amen.

SUB it,
Smij Nahc † [1 Corinthians 13:13. L♥VE.]
God Bless You ♥