the kind of life He lived

Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it. Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.

Make the master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God's emissaries for keeping order. It is God's will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you're a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.

You who are servants, be good servants to your masters - not just to good masters, but also to bad ones. What counts is that you put up with it for God's sake when you're treated badly for no good reason. There's no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.

This is the kind of life you've been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.

He never did one thing wrong.
Not once said anything amiss.

They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God see things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you're named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.

1 Peter 2:11-25 (the Message)

This is what I read this morning. But I did not read it in the Message Bible I read it in the English Standard Version but I love these verses. It's awesome to realize that when we suffer after doing good God is going to reward us and make things right with those who persecute us. We don't have to try to get even. That is what Pastor was talking about in his sermon yesterday too. God will take care of us, we don't have to seek revenge. This also tells us about how Jesus was perfect and yet without sin. How awesome. I pray that God makes me more like Jesus everyday. It is a daily battle. I do not win completely everyday since I am a sinner, but I just pray that people can see more of Jesus in me...a little more everyday. I don't know where these thoughts are coming from or to whom they may apply and maybe help but I just felt like I needed to include those verses from 1 Peter. Michelle and Amanda, thanks for the great talk at JOY DUDE last night. You ladies rock! Continue to let your light shine even when it's not easy. Christ will be with you always! Know that you are loved with an unconditional love!