Empowered

Empowered

Author: Katie Crosby | Jones County Campus | Worship Team
Oct 7, 2025 | 1 Peter 4-5

Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

I often used to think about the day I would stand before the Lord and give an account for my life. It honestly plagued me more than I’d like to admit. Each time that I would do something wrong, I would think, “here is one more thing that I will have to take ownership of on that day”.

As a people pleaser, this was really more about the shame of having disappointed God than it was conviction or a desire to be like Jesus.

Now that I am older, having truly and wonderfully been saved by His grace, I view these chapters through a different lens. I no longer view the moment of standing before the Lord as a monologue of my disappointments and failures. I view it as relational and a source of accountability. 

And accountability is deeply rooted in connection. We have a God who cares enough to walk with us, correct us, and call us higher. When we live with this eternal accountability in mind, it humbles us and draws us closer to Him. We become willing to bend and be molded into the version of ourselves that looks and acts like Jesus. 

Reading these chapters can be a bit alarming at first glance. Peter says, “The end of all things is near”, and you might expect him to say something like "prepare for judgment!" or "run and hide!" But instead, he simply instructs us to stay alert, to pray, and to love each other deeply. 

“Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8-9)

Why is this mention of love so important? Because when life gets hard, love is often the first thing to go. People hurt each other, lose patience, or pull away. But God calls us to press in, not pull back, and to love even when it’s messy, especially when it’s hard. Love doesn’t mean that we ignore sin or pretend that wrong is right, but it does mean that we forgive. It means that we let go of grudges. It means that we show up and give compassion and grace while also being accountable for one another in the same way that God holds us accountable. When we live life through the eyes of love, we live differently.

I’ve seen this play out in my role as a mom. My children know that their dad and I are always watching. They know that we will always require an answer for all that they do. This lets them know that we see them. Not just their physical bodies but also the reflection of their hearts in the choices that they make. We hold them accountable because we love them and want to lead them into a life that is good and is pleasing to the Lord.

They often hear these words: “I can’t let you do that because if I did, I wouldn’t be a good mama”. Saying “no” to my kids or having to discipline them really just hurts my heart. It feels like conflict to me, and that’s something that I want to flee from as quickly as possible. But I know that fleeing in moments that shape who my children will become: that’s not my calling as a mother. Being a good mom means that I view these moments to be just as important as the warm and fuzzy ones and understand that they are all wrapped up in love. If I want my children to be prepared to walk in this world that isn’t set up for ease as a believer, then my guidance is crucial. The same is true in our walk with the Lord and our walk with one another as believers. We are called to love because we have a good Father who first loves us and wants the best for us.

As Peter closes his letter, he reminds us to humble ourselves, to cast our cares on the Lord, and to remain alert because our enemy seeks to devour. But he also assures us that the Lord will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. These chapters call us to know God’s love and also to live in it with clear minds, soft hearts, and a willingness to walk closely with the Lord. Preparing our hearts means staying connected to Him through prayer, and staying surrounded by a community that calls us higher in love. When we live this way, we are not only prepared for the end of all things, but we’re also empowered to live faithfully in the now.

Take two minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:

Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.

  • SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
  • OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
  • APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
  • PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.



James Weekly Verse Challenge

Want to go beyond just reading God's Word? Want to take action? As we study the Book of James in the "Faith That Works" message series, we encourage you to do more than read the theme verse. Each week, we challenge you to memorize the verse and put it into action. Beginning Monday, October 6, we will text the weekly verse on a downloadable wallpaper on Monday mornings. Download the mobile wallpaper to your phone and memorize the weekly verse as you strive to live it daily. 

Text "JAMES" to 601-299-4493 to receive each week's theme verse.

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