God's Protection

1 Peter 1:13-16  Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy."

We live in a world filled with countless opportunities to disobey God.  Christians are to live righteously before others.  We must turn our thoughts away from the evils of this world and instead towards God.

Talking about God is easy.  However, living by his commandments is much harder.  Unless we are willing to abide by God’s laws, all our righteous proclamations ring hollow.

How can we best proclaim our love for the Lord?  We must seek God’s council and trust the council He gives.  When we invite God into our hearts and live according to His council, we’re blessed every day.

Trials and sufferings teach us to obey the Lord by faith.  We soon learn that obedience pays off in joyful ways.  We can’t step in front of God and not get into trouble. When he says to go three steps, don’t go four.

When we suffer loss, that does not mean that we are being disobedient to God. In fact, it might mean that we are right in the center of his will. The path of obedience is often marked by times of suffering and loss.

John 16:33  --  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

1 John 5:18 -- We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.