1 Peter 4:1-2 NRSV Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), 2 so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God.

Greetings from Chicago! Actually, as you read this, I am probably on a plane somewhere between Chicago and South Carolina…So, greetings from 40,000 feet up…does this make me closer to God??  The devotional this morning comes from some theological thinking that I was doing on the first day of the conference I have been attending. Those verses, seen above, hit me like a brick right in the middle of the conference. It hit me because I realized that we are in a sense called to live our whole entire lives by the will of God rather than by ourselves. While I know that we hear this in church, and from each other, you hear it from me, from other pastors, etc. However, I feel that it is not often that we actually read these words in the Bible. We do read similar verses in the Gospels, and from Paul’s letters, but hardly do we hear these words from a book such as 1 Peter. 1 Peter, does that even exist Pastor? Why yes it does. These two verses are a calling to live a sinless life all the way to our graves. As Lutherans, we know this is not possible, but at the same time, we know that we are capable of doing the best we can with the help of God. How does God help us? God works through us, in us, and around us, using us as vessels in which to spread love and grace. God has used, is using, and will continue to use the members of Springs of Grace. Some will see God using us to build up Springs of Grace. I see it as God using us to build up the one holy catholic and apostolic church in which Christ is the head. However you look at it, it still gets back to the same principles, which are the two verses above. Christ suffered for us, so that we may be released from our sin and live a life carried out by the will of God. Like the Gentiles mentioned in 4:3, Springs of Grace has spent enough time dealing with other issues. It is time to start looking forward, to realize that the will of God is the most important thing in our lives, regardless of what we think. God has plans in store for Springs of Grace. As your pastor, I alone cannot make these things happen. As individual members of the congregation, you cannot make these things happen. However, as a part of the priesthood of all believers, we as a congregation can make these things happen. We must work together in order to do this though, and not as individuals. I see exciting things in the future for Springs of Grace, and I hope you do as well. The following verses are from the end of 1 Peter.

1 Peter 5:10-11 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.

I think Springs of Grace has suffered enough in the flesh. God is continuing to restore, support, strengthen, and establish this congregation. It doesn’t happen in one day, nor one week, nor one month. Healing takes time, and with the help of God we are able to heal and move forward. Let us pray that God continues to do this with us.

In our prayers: Alma (who is back at Rosecrest)

A reminder that I will be out of town Wednesday-Tuesday of next week. If a pastoral emergency arises, please call me at 704-798-4280. I will work with you to make necessary arrangements.

God's Peace, Pastor Judson