Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 168

June 19;   I Peter 3:12;   225/260(I);   ‘God’s Eyes & Ears’

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil."  

When we are Born Again, our sins are gone, cleansed by the blood of Jesus.  We have right standing with the Lord.  This position of righteousness, does not give us permission to sin and live any way we choose.  Knowing what Jesus did for us should bring us to the point of purposing in our spirit to live right out of a grateful heart.  A holy lifestyle becomes the desire of our heart.  When we make that decision to live a godly lifestyle, this verse teaches that it blesses the Lord and He continually watches over us and hears and answers our prayers.  We are not perfect, nor will we ever be, but the Lord knows our hearts.  He is well aware of when we are endeavoring to live a life that is pleasing to Him.  What faith this produces in our heart, knowing that the Lord Jesus is at the Father’s right hand, praying for us, watching over us and encouraging us, by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.  We are not only in right standing positionally, because of salvation, but we desire with all of our heart to live a life that brings the Lord glory and honor.  The Bible says that He withholds no good thing to them who walk uprightly.  We love the Lord, He has changed us and living a pleasing life is now vitally important to us.  The Lord is against those who do evil in the sense that sin removes us from the protection and provision of the Lord.  Contrary to religious teaching, the Lord does not punish you if you sin, sin punishes you.  Life is simple, live right by choice and know that the eyes of the Lord are on you and His ears are listening to your prayers