EVANGELICAL CHURCH WINNING ALL FOOD FOR THE DAY - 2023 SUNDAY, 22 OCTOBER 2023 TEXT: 1 PETER 2:18-25 TOPIC: BE CONSCIOUS OF GOD

1 PETER 2:18-25 NIV

18:Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.

19:For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.

20:But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

21:To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

22:“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

23:When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.

24:“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

25:For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

*BE CONSCIOUS OF GOD*

In this 21" Century church, there are a lot of things that are not of eternal value or have nothing to do with God. 

Today's text exhorts us to be conscious of God which will help us to be submissive and endure suffering as slaves were asked to submit even in the hands of cruel men or masters (vs.18-22). 

However, the suffering must be well deserved knowing that one is not the first to go through suffering because Christ suffered too and left an example for us to follow (vs. 23). 

Christ in His suffering did not curse or threaten any form of revenge but left the matter in God's hands. This is not suggesting that Christians should be stupid but we must ensure that our suffering is not selfish because Christ did not die for Himself but for the benefit of humanity (vs. 24) and as a good and wonderful shepherd (vs. 25).

*QUESTION:* Are you always conscious of God and how do you react to the challenges and difficulties you are going through?

*PRAYER:* Lord God, help me not to lose consciousness of You and not to complain when I go through suffering and challenges but let Your courage and strength dwell in me, in Jesus name. Amen.

*FOOD FOR THE DAY - 2023*