Do you have a Yo-Yo Diet when it comes to God's Will and Word?
Do you often wonder, "Why?" Me too!!!
So this brings me to the name of Refiner the only cure for the Yo-Yo Worshiper!
My prayer dear Father is that me and all who read this will abide in the name of the Refiner and His fire that serves to make us look more like your Son!
There have been some crazy things happening in my household lately! Although some will have "their" opinions and others theirs, I believe that the Lord is refining not just my faith alone but the faith of this very household. I am seeing more and more Christians go through what seems to be "trials" and yes according to the book of James they are but I firmly believe it is the Refining Fire of the Lord upon His own.
I read this in 1 Peter 4:17, "For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
Not to lessen the Power in this Word to any degree but it was this verse which suddenly reminded me of Yo-Yo Dieting! Obey-Disobey-Obey-Disobey but instead of learning to “walk the dog” we end up living with the pigs! This is the life of the Yo-Yo Worshiper!
Depending on your perspective that was either funny or harsh but take heart when reading within the entire context of 1 Peter 4 you will see something beautiful! After all do we not read that He makes all things beautiful??? See Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Again with the ups and downs of the yo-yo here…. “time” & “eternity” We are governed daily by time but eternity is set in our hearts. So easy for us to be up and down isn’t it?
Now let's dig in!!!!
1 Peter 4
Living for God
I am not sure where these words will hit you today but I know that this particular chapter in 1 Peter sums up a lot for me in the past as well as my present. I have never been more confirmed with my convictions.
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
I do not know if any of you have felt the pain of verses 3-5 but I certainly have. I began my high school years in this way....If I were to show up at a party the question was asked of me, "Rachele, what are YOU doing here?" By the end of my junior year the question was asked, "Rachele, where WERE YOU?"
This is not something I am proud to share, but it does reveal that there was a certain perception of me. Now what they did not know was that my father's girlfriend would buy alcohol for me and her daughter who was 4 years older. This began when I was 12! If that wasn’t awful enough, my father actually looked the other way. So “don’t drink, but I’ll look the other way while someone gives it to you”....Yo-Yo childhood with a yo-yo parenting??? One could easily slide into a Yo-Yo adulthood and Lord forbid Yo-Yo Worship. Too often as Christians we ask ourselves the following question when it comes to convictions "Should I or shouldn't I?" When you ask this question your Yo-Yo of Worship could begin if your convictions you choose to bend.
You see dear brothers and sisters, although the things listed in verse 3 may not be sin in your life they are huge stumbling blocks to many believers. Many Christians have been diverted from an abundant life by the choices of this world’s pleasures. (Yo-Yo) And who hasn’t seen way too many lives taken from this world due to the “liquid spirit's” control? Yes that is right folks alcohol isn't called a "spirits" for no reason!
This begs the question, "Why would a child of the LIGHT want to live in the shadow of sin?"
(Yo-Yo) The sound boing-boing just keeps going on and on in my head!
7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
Is it just me or do you find this passage interesting as well? "Be of sober mind so that you may pray." Ponder this one for yourself.
8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Love would and does change a lot of things.
9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
I think this section is completed by reminding us it is not about us and that we should strive to be Holy since He is Holy. Now the problem is that we try to be perfect because He is perfect but we are only charged with being Holy not perfect. You, as a believer, are already set apart so live like one who has been set apart for His special purpose. (Phil 3:16 – Live up to what you have already attained) Live for HIM and you will see how loving and serving others will come much more naturally - or supernaturally. :)
Rededicate - Relapse Rededicate - Relapse Rededicate - Relapse Rededicate - Relapse YO-YO
So do we continue to be a "Yo-Yo Worshiper" gaining and losing holy ground like a Yo-Yo dieter? The answer is quite possibly is revealed in our response to the following verses of this chapter.
Suffering for Being a Christian
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
OK I AM TRULY FEELING VERSE 12 RIGHT NOW IN MY LIFE and looking for the glory! Yikes! I could claim a test and a trial right now and partly it is true but more than that it is about John 3:30...I must decrease and He must increase! (repeat that 10 times really really fast! and don't flip the creases.) If you ever wonder, "Why?" then John 3:30 is for you because we all need more of Him and less of ourselves. I will also hold tight to John 16:33 in my life and I will take heart and not lose hope because HE HAS OVERCOME THIS WORLD!
Oh how I love that His Word is woven so tightly together!
14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
I don't know if those of usChristians here in America get as much of this from "the World" as we do each other. Where convictions are shared opinions are birthed, and where opinions are birthed divisions deepened. There is more of this in America going on IN our churches rather than outside of it. Either way praise Him that you bear His name! And it is quite fitting that verse 17 is next.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” 19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
His final word will be mine was well…..Continue to do good…..even when you have the ups and downs….even if you feel like a Yo-Yo!
Abiding Still,
Chel
