JMD Devotional 196 1 Peter 3:9-12 Transformers

Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God--that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].
For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good--whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit). Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!] For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil [to oppose them, to frustrate, and defeat them].

The Kingdom of God is manifested in many ways; but one fundamental one is the transformation of what was evil into something good. To follow in our Father’s footsteps, we need to be transformers of our situations. This means seeing past a person’s depravity, sin and belligerence to view them as a potential Saint. One encounter probably will not turn them around; but if God has destined them for salvation, you can be sure He has strategically placed many divine appointments along their path. This calls for us to set our pride, our rights and our agenda aside and reflect the grace of God in difficult situations to difficult people. The Fruit of the Spirit must be on constant display: for our family, the clerk at the Circle K, for my boss and coworkers, for the transient: everybody. We have to be on our guard; because God is ALWAYS up to something good; and He wants us to be His transformers of a fallen world.

Dear God,
I do not want to work apart from You; that is my old, dead works. I do not want to be found idle with good intensions; because wishing is not equal to doing either. Please put me to work WITH You; guide me and lead me and make me into a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. May I get on board with Your Kingdom, Your will for my life and Your way of doing things. Help me to recognize my role in a situation; and my opportunity to shine and reflect well of Your holy influence in my life; to Your praise and glory.
Amen

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