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"Standing Firm" by Connie Armstrong
1 Peter 5:1 Therefore, I urge the congregation leaders among you, as a fellow-leader and witness to the Messiah’s sufferings, as well as a sharer in the glory to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is in your care, exercising oversight not out of constraint, but willingly, as God wants; and not out of a desire for dishonest gain, but with enthusiasm; 3 also not as machers domineering over those in your care, but as people who become examples to the flock. 4 Then, when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive glory as your unfading crown.
5 Likewise, you who are less experienced, submit to leaders. Further, all of you should clothe yourselves in humility toward one another, because
God opposes the arrogant,
but to the humble he gives grace.[1 Peter 5:5 Proverbs 3:34]
6 Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the right time he may lift you up. 7 Throw all your anxieties upon him, because he cares about you.
8 Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand against him, firm in your trust, knowing that your brothers throughout the world are going through the same kinds of suffering. 10 You will have to suffer only a little while; after that, God, who is full of grace, the one who called you to his eternal glory in union with the Messiah, will himself restore, establish and strengthen you and make you firm. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
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In 1 Peter 5:1-11, we are reminded of the need to be alert and have a sober mind. Just as many might want caffeine to begin their day, how much greater do we need time with Jesus each morning! This will keep us alert to the efforts of the enemy to catch us off balance. We all know multiple ways for staying alert, such as getting enough rest, staying in the Word, and practicing self-care. A sober mind indicates that these need to be intentional exercises on our part.
Why is the apostle Peter so serious? It is essentially because our enemy is deliberately slinking about hoping to devour us. He will also target the strong, but those who are weak in faith, weak in prayer, or weak in spirit will make easier prey. Our solution is to resist and stand firm in the faith. Satan will flee if the believer is well fortified with consecrated protection. He knows there will be no victory won.
It is God who gives us the grace to resist and stand firm. Jesus has already done everything necessary. A soul who communes with and submits to God will not be easily conquered.-------
Hymn for Today: "How Firm a Foundation" from John Rippon's Selection of Hymns
1. How firm a foundation you saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2. "Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed,
for I am your God, and will still give you aid;
I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
3. "When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,
for I will be with you in trouble to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
4. "When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace all-sufficient shall be your supply;
the flame shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
5. "The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no never forsake!"
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Thought for Today: Proverbs 4:13 Hold fast to discipline, don’t let it go;guard it, for it is your life.
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Please Pray: That many people in Poland will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
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