March 10, 2023

1 Peter 3:8-22 HCSB)
8 Now finally, all of you should be like-minded and sympathetic, should love believers, and be compassionate and humble, 9 not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you can inherit a blessing. 10 For the one who wants to love life and to see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, 11 and he must turn away from evil and do good. He must seek peace and pursue it, 12 because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their request. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 13 And who will harm you if you are passionate for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, 15 but set apart the Messiah as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 16 However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring you to God, after being put to death in the fleshly realm but made alive in the spiritual realm. 19 In that state He also went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison 20 who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while an ark was being prepared; in it, a few-that is, eight people-were saved through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 22 Now that He has gone into heaven, He is at God's right hand, with angels, authorities, and powers subjected to Him.

Mackenzie Tomes
If it was announced next week that our church was going to give everyone the opportunity to share their personal testimonies, how would that make you feel? Would you be excited? Nervous? Uncomfortable? Peter reminds believers to be ready at all times to explain how Christ has changed our lives. (1 Peter 3:15) Sharing your testimony may give you mixed feelings. After all, it is a personal explanation of how Christ pulled you out of your sin. But it’s also the way God helps us to relate to others and explain how his undeserved mercy and grace has transformed us! Everyone's testimony will look different, and that is the beauty of it. The next time you have the opportunity to speak about God moving in your life, embrace it. What a gift that God uses our mess to minister to others.