Grace: Icing on the Cupcake

~~~ Feast of St. Mark the Evangelist ~~~

 

~~~ 1 Peter 5:5b-14 ~~~ Psalm 89 ~~~ Mark 16:15-20 ~~~

 

Today we celebrate the author of one of the four Gospels of the Bible.

Mark's gospel is the shortest, but it reveals for us the humanity of Jesus.

Mark gives us wonderful details pertaining to certain happenings with Jesus.

These details make allow our mind to create a better picture.

The human brain thinks in pictures.

A good author paints the story through details we can picture.

 

We are blessed with a beautiful letter from Peter.

Peter is urging the community to treat one another with humility.

Humility; the opposite of arrogance.

This community of followers are growing in the Way together.

Everyone should be trying to do the best they can...

helping each other...

encouraging each other...

 

Clothe yourselves with humility
in your dealings with one another

 

Hardship and trials come into each person's life.

It is just a fact of life.

No one has such a perfect life that they are always upbeat.

Peter says I know this is happening, but remember God is here by your side.

 

Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.

He cares for you because he loves you.

He cares for you because you are his creation.

He will never abandon you.

 

The God of all grace
who called you to his eternal glory through Christ Jesus
will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you
after you have suffered a little.

 

 Suffering is part of living,

but God continues to bestow his grace

down upon those who suffer.

Contained within his grace is restoration for the mind, body, and soul.  

 

 

 I guess we can never tire of hearing that God cares about us.

He cares about our joys and our sorrows.

He cares about our struggles and our accomplishments.

He cares about the next breath we take.

He cares about our desire to spend all of eternity in heaven with him.

 

God covers everything with his grace.

This grace is better than the icing on your favorite cupcake.

 

Easter Blessings just keep coming.

Clothe Yourselves with Humility

~~~ 1Peter 5: 5b-14 ~~~ Psalm 89 ~~~ Mark 16: 15-20 ~~~

I have often quoted 1 Peter 5:7 to my friends,

“Cast all your worries upon him because he cares for you.”

This whole reading is rich with the beauty of the inspired word. Spending too much time worrying about what might happen in the future is really a lack of trust. Worrying is also a form of pride because you think that you alone must solve all of life’s problems. I am pretty sure that without the intervention of God the demonic roaring lion will win. Surround yourself with others who are steadfast in faith; we all fight the same battles. We are all tested in the fire.

Peter delivers a powerful message in these verses. I can just imagine when he had finished the people cheered and applauded. His closing is just what you want to hear. “The God of all grace who called you into his eternal glory through Jesus Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you after you have suffered a little.”

With those final words how can you not lay down your worries? He will give as all we need to carry on. So since we all share the same trials greet one another with a loving kiss. Extend ‘Peace to all who are in Christ.’

Joyfully sing of the goodness of the Lord.

Jesus extended his holy powers through the eleven. They were able to keep his promises alive with signs of healing doing many such things in his name.

They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked through them. Pray for the Lord to work through as he sees fit.

Show us the way to joyfully walk into the light of your countenance, O Lord.