Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

June 15
Tuesday


A BEAUTIFUL
MELODY

READ:
1 Peter 2:9-12
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...that you may
proclaim the praises of
Him who called you
out of darkness into
His marvelous light.
__1 Peter 2:9
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In the spring of 2009, Susan Boyle took the stage of Britain's Got Talent. Compared to the other contestants, she was plain-looking. No one expected much when she raised the microphone to her lips. But then she began to sing. Spellbound, the judges were clearly taken with the beauty and power of the voice that filled the auditorium as the audience stood to their feet cheering with delight. All were surprised that such a rivetingly beautiful song came from such an unlikely source.

All of us can be unlikely sources when it comes to the beauty of Jesus flowing out of us. But that is how He planned it. Common folk like you and me take turns on the stage of life in front of the world's skeptical audience so that our friends, family, and all who fill the arena of our lives will see and hear the love and grace of Jesus Christ emerging from our lives.

I love Peter's reminder that we are "a people for His own possession, that [we] may proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9 ESV). You might think you're an unlikely source, but when you allow the Lord to flow through you, the watching world will stand up and take notice. __Joe Stowell
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```````````````Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me--`````````````
````````````````All His wonderful passion and purity!```````````````
``````````````O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,`````````````
```````````Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me __Orsborn`````````
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The beauty of Jesus may come from
the most unlikely sources.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Peter 2:9-12*************

9 But you are a chosen
generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation,
His own special people, that
you may proclaim the
praises of Him who called
you out of darkness into
His marvelous light; 10 who
once were not a people but
are now the people of God,
who had not obtained
mercy but now have
obtained mercy.

11 Beloved, I beg you as
sojourners and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts
which war against the soul,

12 having your conduct
honorable among the
Gentiles, that when they
speak against you as
evildoers, they may, by
your good works which
they observe, glorify God
in the day of visitation.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The word praises (v.9) could also be translated "eminent qualities"
or "virtues." Believer-priests should live so that their heavenly
Father's qualities are showcased in their lives. They are to serve as
witnesses of the glory and grace of God. The word darkness (v.9)
refers to the time when Peter's readers were pagans, ignorant of
God's provision of salvation (Col. 1:13). His "marvelous light"now
illuminates the people of God. God's people are to serve as a holy
and royal priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices and extolling His
attributes as the proper response to divine mercy (v.9).
__DENNIS FISHER