1 Peter 1:7 - Purified Praise

Step 1: Pray. Select.  

Today, I woke up with the words joy ringing in my ears.

As I got out of bed, my dog had a cheeky grin and waggy tail at the anticipation of going outside while it was still dark outside to potentially sneak up on his arch nemesis, taunting him for weeks now, the local stray cat.

As he bolted out the door to secure the perimeter of the backyard, I sat down inside and thought about the many ways people, animals, or other living creatures find joy.

This is where I began to search for what the Bible says about joy. The Holy Spirit brought 1 Peter 1:7 to mind. We will start joyously there this morning.

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

1 Peter 1:7 - that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:

• Genuineness

• Perishes By Fire

• Praise

• Jesus Christ

Step 3: Re-Write

Adding my name to the front and with a focus on the words that stood out, here is the sentence(s) I came up with for today:

• Jennifer, genuineness perishes by fire, praise Jesus Christ.

Step 4: Visualize

I meditate on the sentence above. The word genuineness begs for attention. I find myself confused reading the words genuineness perishes by fire, as I generally associate being genuine or authentic with a good thing. However, the Holy Spirit tells me there is even a more purified way to live. So even when we think we are being authentic in our walk, there is another level to experience where there is no barrier between your heart and God's. This level is found when you praise him.

You might praise God through worship, praying, crying out, dancing, or many other forms of releasing and unequivocally demonstrating that you believe without a doubt that when the signal goes up, God will answer.

This is your unique thing, even if it doesn't make sense to others. More specifically, it is where you run to in the middle of adversity and know you have peace beyond understanding. Even if it is only for a moment in your trial.

For some reason, the childhood hymn, "I've got that joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart," is playing on repeat in my mind. When I was little, singing this song, I was so pure. I had no idea it was a hymn; I just sang out loud and felt happy. There wasn't any agenda; it was just an easy song I enjoyed. The Holy Spirit prompted me to look up the lyrics.

The song goes on to say," I have peace that passes understanding," among other bible references that I didn't remember at all. Peace that passes understanding…hmm.

I am trying to have peace that passes all understanding, but truthfully, I don't know if I have held on to that to the point of never letting go.

I thought further about this concept and the scripture about how gold perishes when tested in fire. How can I keep my peace even when put into the fire?

I found myself being led to how pure 24K Gold is made. When gold is put through the fire to become pure, the goldsmith burns off all the impurities. When the goldsmith can see his reflection in the precious metal, it is ready or purified and considered the most valuable.

Holy Spirit is telling me that in order to sustain the blessing of joy and peace over your life, you must be forged in fiery trials so he can see more of Him in you. This way, he knows whatever he hands you, you will steward it the way he would.

I think back to the song again, and now the line "down in my heart to stay" is repeated. The words "to stay" really stick out.

Holy Spirit tells me God wants to burn off our iniquity, which steals our joy through distraction, doubt, or any other untruth that rears its ugly head when we are in a fiery trial and need our faith the most. We should be able to stay joyful and peaceful in the fact that he gave his own son to save our souls. If that isn't enough to sustain joy, I don't know what is.

Regardless, we are human, and my flesh gets weak from time to time. However, as long as we run back to the pure place to praise God in the middle of the storm, he will surely part the clouds and cease the fire when we cry out to the point he can see the reflection of his own heart burning inside of yours.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The main question(s) that came to mind were:

• Holy Spirit, what does it look like to be completely content, no matter the circumstances?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

"It looks like Jesus. He communed with me so he could commune with others. The disciples were not perfect; the people and situations Jesus encountered were far from perfect, yet he knew his father. He spoke to him. Even on the cross, he cried out to him. The level of pain he felt was equal to the level of joy he received once he was resurrected, and he knew you and everyone who believed in his ministry would be saved. The good news is if you are stripped down to nothing, as the song says, I have given you joy down in your heart. So pull from the source, which lives inside you through Christ Jesus, an endless well filled with joy and peace that passes all understanding. When you are in this place, you are most like me, most like Jesus. I have much more power when you rely on what lives inside you. It is there that faith thrives. And through faith and a joyous heart, you can count on me to deliver you from any trial you are in. But I dare you to not only believe I will get you out of the trial, but I also dare you to trust me to lift you up to a level beyond your comprehension, and when you rejoice, I only ask you rejoice in my name so others see me through you."

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

Father God, help me not to lose sight of how real you are in the midst of the storm or when waiting for direction for what is next in life. Let me focus on the joy in my heart and the peace you live inside me daily. Let me praise you on a level that breaks down any barrier trying to come between me and the promises of Jesus.

I pray for a hedge of protection over this prayer and everything I encounter today. Amen!

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.

Step 8: Share. Testify

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Don't forget to Spread hope and share HERE if you have a miracle or testimony. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Praise to the point of breakthrough.

Know joy and peace are in your heart through Christ Jesus.

And when he blesses you, make sure you let others know God is real and still on the throne!

Go in peace, friends! See you tomorrow!