Reflecting God ~ Embrace Holy Living ~ Saturday, 26 October 2013 ~ “Humble Lives Are Lifted Up” 1 Peter 5

Reflecting God ~ Embrace Holy Living ~ Saturday, 26 October 2013 ~ “Humble Lives Are Lifted Up”

1 Peter 5:1 Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Messiah, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed. 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; 3 neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. 4 When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.

5 Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”✡ 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

8 Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Messiah Yeshua, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.(Messianic WEB)

“Humble Lives Are Lifted Up” by Kerry Willis

David broke nearly all0 of God’s commandments before his lust-filled detour with Uriah’s beautiful wife, Bathsheba, came to an unholy halt. The man after God’s own heart yielded to temptation and proved yielding is sin.

My dad says, “Sin will take you farther than you wanted to go, keep you longer than you wanted to stay, and cost you more than you wanted to pay.”

The king’s run on the wild side proved that sin’s payoff is destruction. This season of sinning in David’s life is no model for us to imitate; however, his response afterward is admirable. After David discovered how he had broken God’s heart, he immediately turned from sin and back to God. After the prophet, Nathan, told him a story about a stolen lamb to reveal the shepherd king’s sin, David humbled himself.

Psalm 51 records the heart-wrenching prayer David offered to God. It is a model prayer for us to imitate if we have allowed pride to all but totally destroy our lives. While the former glory never returned to David’s earthly reign, in due time, he was lifted up from the rubble of his rebellion. God restored his eternal soul.

Hymn for Today:

“Whiter Than Snow” by James Nicholson

1. Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole; I want Thee forever to live in my soul, Break down ev'ry idol, cast out ev'ry foe; Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow; Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

2. Lord Jesus, look down from Thy throne in the skies, And help me to make a complete sacrifice; I give up myself, and whatever I know, Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow; Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

3. Lord Jesus, for this I most humbly entreat, I wait, blessed Lord, at Thy crucified feet, By faith, for my cleansing, I see Thy blood flow, Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow; Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

4. Lord Jesus, Thou seest I patiently wait, Come now, and within me a new heart create; To those who have sought Thee, Thou never said'st ``No,'' Now wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow; Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Thought for Today:

“Those who belong to the Lord’s Kingdom are called to be people of godly character”(Session Truth).

Prayer Needs:

Many people in Saint Lucia will come to know Jesus the Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) and receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

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Nazarene Publishing House

2923 Troost Avenue 

Kansas City , MO 64109-1593

Nazarene Publishing House

PO Box 843336 

Kansas City , MO 64184-3336

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