SWHW Bible Reading Plan: October 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Lauren Diggs:

These chapters in 1 Peter touched on a wide variety of topics.  From wives submitting to husbands to how husbands show honor to their wives. From unity with one another to suffering for doing good. From showing one another hospitality to serving the church using the gifts God has graciously given us. From not being surprised when fiery trials come upon us to not being ashamed of Christ and living out the gospel. 

I’ll admit, Scripture can be overwhelming if we allow ourselves to see an invoice of our lives instead of an invitation to serve Jesus. And with that invitation comes the call we find throughout this passage—to humble ourselves before the Lord and remain faithful to Him. 

No.
Matter.
What.

This is not only the resounding message of 1 Peter, but of the entirety of the Bible. We are not promised an easy, suffering-free life on this side of Heaven, as clearly laid out for us in the chapters we just read. But we are promised a suffering-free eternity when we choose Jesus over everything else. 

“so as to live for the rest of time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:2

That Section of scripture is titled Steward of God’s Grace in my Bible, and I just love the simplicity of something we are so quick to complicate. When we choose the will of God above our human passions, we are stewarding God’s grace. The choices we make each day, no matter how big or small, should be made keeping the will of God in mind above our own gain. 

When it comes to living for the Kingdom of God, we cannot steward what we don’t first surrender. We must be willing to lay aside our pride, our passions, our sufferings, our comforts, our plans, our all for Jesus. 

We must fix our posture. This is where our knees collide with the ground at the feet of Jesus each day, as many times as necessary, with hands lifted high, as we humble ourselves in complete surrender to His will. It is from that humble posture of heart before the Lord where we are able to serve Him and live for His will above our own. 

Sweet friend, if you find yourself trying to steward what you haven’t yet surrendered today, fix your posture. He wants all of you. 

Dear Heavenly Father, I want to steward well what You have given me, but I cannot do that apart from You. Forgive me for the times I run ahead of You and get busy doing my will instead of surrendering to Yours. Humble me and keep me dependent on You whatever it takes. Thank You for Your grace and that it is always enough. I love You, Jesus. Amen.