Let peace reign in Suffering

This Sunday in our life group we discussed the passage in 1 Peter 5.  It was a great discussion on humility, leadership, and suffering.  If you take a look at the complete letter Peter write to these saints in the book of 1 Peter, it is quickly understood that suffering is expected in the life of a believer.  The whole book is about suffering for the cause of Christ. 

1 Peter 5

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Serve God Willingly

5 Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, ² shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; ³ nor yet as lording it over ^[a]those allotted to your charge, but ^[b]proving to be examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading ^[c]crown of glory. ⁵ You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

⁶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, ⁷ casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. ⁸ Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ^9 [d]But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your ^[e]brethren who are in the world. ¹⁰ After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. ¹¹ To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.
¹² Through Silvanus, our faithful brother ^[f](for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! ¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and so does my son, Mark. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love.
Peace be to you all who are in Christ.

 

Since Sunday, I have thought on this closing chapter of this letter over and over.  It is beautifully written and easy to understand.  The chapter opens with speaking to leaders.  He says leaders you are to lead by example.  Then he says to the young to follow in humility.  He then goes on to tell everyone to be humble, not to worry, be alert, and prepared.  He concludes with saying though we will all suffer for a while in the end Christ will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us.  So, stand firm and love one another, and rely on Christ's peace. 

So are you a leader?  Are you humble?  Do you listen well?  Do you set a good example?  Are you worrying?  Are you on the alert for the attack of the evil one?  Are you prepared to fight the Good fight and to share the gospel at all cost?  These are questions I have been asking myself this week.

Can you imagine what it will be like to be made perfect?  To be confirmed by Christ?  To know what it is like to be truly established and full of all Christ strength?    What a glorious day that will be.

I can't wait, but until that day, I will with His strength stand firm and love others as Christ loved me. 

I hope you know the peace of Christ in your life, and that you too will Stand up for Christ in this life of suffering. 
Blessings.

Does Scripture ever overwhelm you?

Does Scripture ever overwhelm you?  It does me.  You know those verse with "always," "never," and "everything."  Here I will give you a few examples of the ones that ALWAYS seem to get me.


1 Thessalonians 5:14-18
^" We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. ¹⁶ Rejoice always; ¹⁷ pray without ceasing; ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."


Philippians 2:14-16
"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; ¹⁵ so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain."

Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:23
^" Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,"


Ok, so you get the point.  These verse are challenging to say the least.  In reality, these verses are completely impossible.  So, what do you do about such verses.  Do you just do your best to follow them?  Do you convince yourself these verses don't apply to you?  Do you come up with a step by step plan to be successful at obeying these verses? 
Can we do these impossible tasks?

Yes, we can.  Here is the answer to how to be successful.

1.  Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

2.  Luke 1:27 "For nothing is impossible with God."

3.  Romans 8:37 "But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."

4.  Galatians 5:16 " But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh."

I am so glad that it is not up to me to do the mighty work of the Spirit in my life.  I could never live according to the scripture on my own.  But with Christ in me, I am able to do the Impossible.  What a great and loving God.  I am so thankful He provides the answers for every situation. 
To really think deep on this topic go to Romans 8 and meditate on it for a day or two.

Discouraged, then go encourage someone else

Are you feeling discouraged today?  Then it is time for you to encourage someone else.  I have found that when I am feeling like life is too much and overwhelming, that if I take the time to look to care and encourage someone else.  In the process of giving them a pep talk I give myself one too. 

Try it and let me know if it works for you.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hebrews 10:19-25

 

¹⁹ Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near with a ^[a]sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; ²⁴ and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ²⁵ not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.