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God's Words For US
by Cecelia Lester
“As you come to him, the living stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe ‘The stone the builders rejected/ has become the capstone.’” 1 Peter 2:4,7 (NIV)
“Peter is writing at a time when Christians are increasingly viewed with suspicion. Their failure to participate in many civic events (which characteristically involved the worship of pagan deities) is commonly misunderstood, and believers are even classified as ‘haters of humanity.’” (1.)
Jesus becomes very precious to those who spend time getting to know Him. The Apostle Peter tells us of a process believers go through as they mature in Christ.
Maybe you saw this story on the news. It takes place in central Indiana. A small town, Knightstown, erected a Christmas tree in the center of town.
On top of the tree, they placed a lighted star. One person objected and sought the help of a group dedicated to ‘protecting civil liberties’ of the people of our nation.
The town council studied the matter and chose to remove the cross. At the next council meeting, the members will consider an ordinance to no longer have the cross on the community Christmas tree.
When I read of the council’s decision, I thought that people could display a cross themselves. That is just what the townspeople have done. Two women made a quantity of them and gave them to anyone who wants one. Windows in businesses have put crosses in their windows. A few nights ago on the news, there was a video showing all these scenes and one of a pick-up truck with a lighted cross standing in the front of the bed and above the cab.
These townspeople have shown their faith in Jesus. They have become “a spiritual house” in a time when the believers need something to revive them in the face of the events of our world.
As a personal witness to Jesus, on my little 18 inch-high Christmas tree I have placed a small wooden cross on it to honor the efforts of those fellow believers.
May we all grow closer to Jesus and become ‘spiritual houses’ for Him and honor God every day.
1. The Discovery Bible, Zondervan, Grand Rapids
a. © 2004, page 1636
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Cecelia Lester has been serious about her writing for over two decades..
She composes Christian essays and posts them to her blog quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/
She has served in a faith-based organization, Grace In Action by writing two newsletters and searching for possible grants.
In July 2017, she published her first book, 'Times of Trouble Bring Rays of Joy.'
She and her husband of 54 years live in central Indiana. They have one grown son.
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