Harmony

1 Peter 3: 8-22

8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

10 For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.

11 He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.

12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?

14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."

15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,

19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison

20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water,

21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.

My heart is heavy this morning with lots of earthly concerns. God, through his Word, speaks to me and tells me he has all of us in his hands. My prayer for today is directly from this passage. At prayer breakfast this morning I jokingly asked that everyone pray for my car. Still, I know that God cares even about needs like what to do about sick cars when the caretaker of that car knows nothing about them and has just in the past few years learn how to pump gas!

My routine is off today and I feel a bit frazzled. Still, deep in my heart I know everything is well for I am proud to be called one of his sheep and am glad to find comfort and everything I need with my Shepard.



Today I wanted to show you what greets me each time I walk into my side door entry to my house. It's a welcome plaque that has moved with me from house to house since I first began housekeeping. The roses in the blue and white pitcher remind me of those that my grandmother grew outside her house. I love reminders like this and do treasure each memory that comes from keeping them close.