September 4, 2011

 Leadership Strength For All  

1 Peter 5: 1 - 14

1 Peter 

And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches.  I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ.  And I, too, will share his glory and his honor when he returns.  As a fellow elder, this is my appeal to you.  Care for the flock of God entrusted to you.  Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly - not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.  Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example.  And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.

You younger men, accept the authority of the elders.  And all of you, serve each other in humility, for "God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble."  So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you.  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.

Be careful!  Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.  Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.  Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.

In his kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ.  After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.  All power is his forever and ever. Amen.

I have written this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I consider a faithful brother.  My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens. 

Your sister church here in Rome sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark.  Greet each other in Christian love.

Peace be to all of you who are in Christ.     

 JesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T*** 

Thoughts.....

Greetings!

I love how Peter starts this part of his letter:  "And now, a word to you...."  It reminds me of the commercials on TV that used to say, "And now, a word from our sponsor."  Indeed, Peter is a sponsor, if you will, of the Lord.  As he was called, all have been called, and our response should be....our responsibilty, as his, is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  EVERYONE who accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior and who has been baptised in the Holy Spirit has the responsibility of sharing Jesus with the world. 

I know, I can hear you, "What a way to start the morning!  She's preaching to us already!"  Well, ya.....that's what I'm supposed to be doing here.....'she says with a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eye'.  So we're off and running....

Peter speaks to the elders in the churches.  Although the term 'elders' is not capitalized, I am taking this to mean it could include not only be people in a leadership position, but definitely those, as a result of long study, who have a mature heart and mindset in Holy Spirit, and are of an age of wisdom (we hope), as well as mature in terms of many years of age.  Which also makes them an elder in the church and someone to be looked up to for leadership.

Alluding to himself also being an elder, he is clear that he was a witness to the sufferings of Christ.  He walked when Jesus walked....and walked with him on his journey.  He suffered his own sorrows, but they would have not compared with the battering Jesus experienced, nor being hung on a tree....with nails....for all of us.  Nor would Peter ever go into the depths of the dead to preach to those not able to hear his message of salvation.  Consider how mind blowing it must have been for Jesus to go through all that, and be a ghost one minute, and a fish eating pal the next.  If you haven't read the New Testament to absorb the great mysteries, now might be a good time.  You will see him as you have never seen him before, if you just read the book as a good mystery.  But make NO mistake.....this is NOT a novel.  The Bible, in its intirety, is documented history, unrefutable documented history.

Peter goes on to tell us he, too, as all other elders, will share Jesus' glory and his honor when he returns.  Jesus' return.  This has a lot of meaning....his return.  It is a 'Thought' or two unto itself.  Has he returned?  When will he return again?  I'll save that for another time. 

He appeals to his fellow elders to CARE for the flock of God ENTRUSTED to YOU.  He further states to WATCH over it WILLINGLY, not grudgingly - not for what you will get out of it, but because you are EAGER to serve GOD.  This reminds me of a church I was a member of a while back.  As with many churches, it is hard to find people to fill leadership positions?  Why is that?  Folks will go to church to show others that they are 'doing the right thing'....and some dress up to show they are 'something'.....no comment.....but folks won't step up to do for God or his people like God does for them.  Anyway, there was a group of elders and one of them was an alcoholic.  The Pastor felt it might help him to change his ways, if he held a responsible position that answered to God, and had a committed prayer life.  The rest of the group was divided, when he arrived inebriated at one of the meetings.  Some felt it was okay because he would be loved, accepted and learn more about the Lord, which may change his choice making.  Others felt it was an abomination to arrive in such a state (he entered quietly and meekly, but the odor of alcohol and partial state of confusion gave him away) and did not want something as serious as the Lord's business to be taken so lightly.  Most of the time you had to beg folks to be on committees, and boards, sessions, etc.  Here was a man who was asked, felt it an honor, tried to do his best, wanted to grow in spiritual maturity,  but who had a disease that kept him from being perfect in the eyes of the people who were angry, pointing fingers, chastising.  Who was the better elder?  Who gave the better impression of who Jesus wants us to be?   Pride can be something you can get from being called to watch over a flock, and, it can cause a person to lord it over others.  Humility is what you should enter into in being called. It will show your eagerness to serve and honor God.  Did the alcoholic lead by good example or did the others who were pointing fingers?  Please note that I am not stating that being an uncontrolled alcoholic is a good example.  I'm going for humility, dedication, committment, regardless of disease. 

Peter tells us when the head Shepherd comes....that would be Jesus....that your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.  That's pretty special.  

The next line needs to be emphasized:  "You younger men, accept the authority of the elders."  I have to say that it is REALLY important to be sure that you are under authority to be in authority.  Make sure that the church you attend is preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ ACCURATELY and does not veer into weirdness, and non-scriptural mandates, doctrines, or dogmas.  If the elders, that includes the Pastor, is not firmly entrenched in the Gospel message, perhaps you need to talk to the Pastor, Preacher, Minister, Priest, over you and pray.  Maybe you need to learn more and they can lead you to a better understanding.  You need to get confirmation of the clarification from Scripture.  Ask them to show you where in the Bible it confirms that what they are choosing to do is valid.  Maybe you need to find another church.  But go to God and ask him if you need to learn more, or if the leadership needs to learn more.  You do not want to be in a church if God is not happy with the leadership.  Nor will you learn 'the truth that will set you free'.  Women, this goes for you, too.  Just because Peter spoke in this text to men, does not mean you should not be rightly ministered to and minister appropriately as well.

And please, if you learn nothing else from me, remember that 'text out of context is pretext'.  That means that if you take out one sentence from a paragraph or chapter, and it does not align with the complete thought of that paragraph or chapter, then it is as if the text did not exist in the first place....it is pre....before....the text existed and therefore is meaningless. 

And one last thought on this.....many churches have traditions taken from the churches of old, Jewish and Greek heritage alike and more.  If your church is liturgical, doing the same thing every week, standing, sitting, kneeling, raising arms in prayer or dancing to honor the Lord, quiet, loud, without instruments or with, does not mean it is not a good or right church.  It just may mean it is traditional based on that churches history.  Sometimes, God wants us to move on to experience other things because he is grooming us for ministry and wants us to be able to have a basic understanding of other peoples' experiences.  Or he wants us to grow more.  Or protect us and so is moving us elsewhere. Be prayerful...always.  Such is the will of God for you.  He may just want you to stay to grow and learn something new. 

I sort of addressed the next line, but let me state the text:  "And all of you, serve each other in humility, for "God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble."  Peter goes on to say, "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you.  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you."  Remember, we are not to accept the Trinity, or do for Jesus and God and Holy Spirit for what we will get from them.  We accept them because we love them, and do for them out of gratitude and love.  Jesus doesn't want us to accept salvation for the hek of it.  Or take the gift lightly.  Or take the ball and run.  He expects to have a loving relationship....R E L A T I O N S H I P....with us.  This is not a bad word as many think.  He gifted us with his love and life because we were born for him to love him.  It's his way of thanking us and expecting the best from us....not a bribe....but confirmation of fulfillment.  We are a gift God gave to his son out of love....he accepted us as his when he died on a cross for us.  He sealed this love with his life.  We just need to love him back.  Pretty simple.  Just love him back.  This is done...you can do it...by serving each other in humility, being humble, giving all your worries and cares to God..."for he cares about what happens to you".  God will honor you for loving his other children.  He will honor you for loving him. 

This next thought is a BIG ONE from Peter.  "Be careful!  Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.  Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith.  Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are."

I'm going to tell you another story.  Those who have been tuned in to this site over the years will have read this before, so I'll be brief in reiterating.  A while back I had a friend who had cancer.  She had a violent attitude.  One day she was 'over the top' in her anger.  She started pacing through the house clenching her fists on and off and screaming.  I got in the way and I was the one who received the attack.  She raged and threw both her arms out pointing at me like fiery arrows described in Scripture.  Oh my goodness.  I was sick for days, having been attacked by a roaring lion....Satan's assigned.  She would listen to Scripture, said she loved the Lord, and prayed.  But a child of God would not have done that unless Satan has jumped in some how.  Or, as a child of God, she had not gotten rid of some past purple uglies and they were beating her down, and she beat me up spiritually.  Truly I do not have all the answers, but I cannot emphasize what Peter says enough.  BE CAREFUL!  WATCH OUT FOR ATTACKS FROM THE DEVIL.  TAKE A FIRM STAND AGAINST SATAN.  BE STRONG IN YOUR FAITH.  And remember, you are sooooooooo not alone.

"In his kindness", Peter says, "God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ.  After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.  All power is his forever and ever. Amen."  I like the 'amen' part....it means 'so be it'.  I'm sure you are ready for the restore, support and strengthen part.  And SO ready to be placed on a firm foundation.  Me, too.  But is this what he means?  It may.  Could it also mean that our suffering is BEFORE we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and that once we do, we will be restored, given support, strengthened and that the firm foundation IS Jesus Christ?!  Isn't that what he really means here?  Because he tells us "In God's kindness he called us to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ."  "All power is his forever and ever."  If you are a Christian, I encourage you to look at your life.  Is Jesus really LORD of your life?  Have you REALLY made him your Savior?  Words are nothing without actions.  If he is Lord and Savior of your life, what do you have to do to be restored?  And if he is not, what do you have to do to restore or begin your relationship with him?  Can you honestly say he has not supported and strengthened you?  Where do you think you would be today without him?  What would your life look like?  Are you sure you are not on a firm foundation?  If you know you aren't, maybe it's time to have a little chat with Jesus.  I'm thinking he'd love to have your love and your devotion again.  It reminds me of the old saying that goes something like this: "If God seems far away, it wasn't he that moved." 

Folks, you may not have the life you dreamed of right now.  But you have a life.  Maybe it was what he dreamed of or maybe you are getting in his way, or not listening, so he can give you the life you've both dreamed of for you.  Maybe he is pruning you or you are going through a fire to be refined.  There could be any number of 'maybes', but the bottom line is whether Jesus is Lord of your life.  Todays lesson is on leadership strength for all.  We are ALL called to be leaders, if we have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  That means we have to be mature spiritually in the very least.  What are you doing to achieve that?  Are you reading Scripture to learn who he is, that he is and how wonderful he is?  What is God calling you to do for him?  First and foremost, but not last, we are ALL called to share him with the world.  We know we all call on him to do for us all the time and expect him to answer us the way we want.  Have you ever considered that he calls on us to do for him all the time and expects us to answer him the way he wants?  Two way street folks.  He knows you are not perfect...certainly I am not.  But at least pick up the phone when he calls.  How rude that you are ignoring him but expecting him to jump when you call.  And you are not alone.  I know there have been times when I have felt God is calling and I've been like.....oh, please, just give me a little break, will you?  But then I expect him to fulfill my next request.  Shame on all of us.  "In his KINDNESS God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ."  When was the last time you were kind to God?  However do you expect to answer his call to leadership...and be strengthened by him, if you are not kind, loving, accepting? 

In Peter's final greetings, he tells us he has "written this short letter (all of 1 Peter) to you with the help of Silas, whom I consdier a faithful brother."  I'm thinking Jesus would appreciate it if we were faithful brothers....and sisters....to him....and then to every one else who is a Christian.   He tells us "My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens."  That's a pretty nice thought.  To know he loves us always....literally....no matter what happens....that means if we mess up, he will still love us....he wouldn't give us his grace otherwise.  He may not like us or like what we do, but his grace is with us no matter what.  CALL ON HIS GRACE when the going gets tough.  But don't forget....you have to answer him and give to him, too.  What will you give him today?                       

I almost laugh at the next line.....Peter says, "Your sister church here in Rome sends you greetings".  There are so many churches in the world believing they are the only right one and attacking other churches, admonishing and exhorting left and right.  I feel that is not exactly showing loving Christianity.  Here is my thought on the topic.  There were 12 Apostles and many more saved and baptised by the Holy Spirit and told to go forth and preach the Gospel.  God knew there were all kinds of different people in the world, with all kinds of different tastes, styles, ideals.  He had to have bunches of people to go forth to meet the needs of the many, so that people could hear from those they could relate to and trust.  He was and is wise, and the first direct multi-level sales marketing leader.  All churches need to get off the platform that says they are the only one with the truth.  The Bible is not the only inspired word of God.  God's word and Jesus' history was also written in many books that were available but not included in the Bible at the onset of compilation, and there are those that have come after that preach Jesus is Lord.  Scandalous as it sounds, I rather believe God wanted the Gnostic Gospels to be found, and the Dead Sea Scrolls, and any other texts found to affirm his existance.  To reignite and excite once again that our Lord reigns.  I am hungry, thirsty for more information that says God is, and our Lord lives.  Not that the Bible is not enough, but to continue to find more texts that tell us more of who Jesus was when he walked the earth, means I have more things I get to learn about him.  And isn't that how we love more......greatly?  The more we learn the more we understand.  'So open wide the doors....'.

Peter lets us know his son is Mark.  Did you know that?  Makes me want to read Mark all over again to see if he was truly in line with his Dad, or if he had a spark of rebellion as to how he presented the Gospel.  I'm smiling. 

I've given you some more things to think about.  Even more than that, I hope you will pray about them.  I will pray that if you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will do so.  For those who have, I will pray that you will be kind to him, be strengthened by him, and step into the leadership position he has called you to....and that you will do whatever is necessary to fulfill his request(s).  And I will pray that in God's good time he will honor you.  Pray for me, too, will you?       

As Peter says, I do, too, "Greet each other in Christian love.  Peace be to all of you who are in Christ." 

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Let Us Pray

Oh, Lord, another day of indepth thoughts, the need for more studying, and more work to be done.  But shame on me, I don't say that with joy.  So, once again, I come to you begging your forgiveness.  I'm supposed to be kind to you and do for you.  So, what would you like me to do for you today, Lord?  Yes, I'm tired, but I want to do for you.  Oh....I'm not doing it with my whole heart?  I am not loving you fully?  Forgive me again, Lord, please.  You are right.  I am grateful that you, God, gave me as a gift to your son, Jesus.  And I am very grateful that you died on a cross for me, Jesus, to show me you accepted me as a gift from God, and, in doing so, allowed me to be forgiven of my sins and offered me the opportunity to receive eternal life.  I do take this for granted some....many days.  Forgive me, please, and thank you for forgiving me.  Being loving is an action, felt or not.  Kindness is an action felt or not.  And I know how to express that felt or not.  But Lord, I want to feel it all days for you even when I am tired.  I do not want to be disrespectful or not grateful.  And I want to not feel tired, but accept it as your peace and your grace.  Both are sufficient you tell me.  So, please, Lord, help me to not measure who you are in my life, by how my life is going from day to day.  Well, unless I am measuring it by the fact that I am alive.  Thank you.  I have much to learn and many miles of growth to journey.  Please let it be with you....for I cannot live without you....I choose to not live without you.  Please let me reenter your gates with thanksgiving and I will open my mouth with praise for you....who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are.  Thank you....I feel better already.  I just praise you and thank you, dear wonderful Lord, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Today I will begin a new life with you.  Baptise me with your Holy Spirit that I may go forth sharing your story, your life, the Gospel message of salvation, that you, Lord, reign and want to do so for the whole world.  Thank you for loving me and my family and caring for all of us.  And on that last day, embrace us all in your arms, please.  From this day forward, I will choose to love you more deeply, follow you more nearly, day by day.  Lead me, Lord, so that I may be the leader you want me to be.  Strengthen me.  May I help to strengthen others with your Word, your love.  I embrace you fully, Jesus.  Wash me anew and fill me to overflowing.  Thank you, God.  Thank you, Jesus.  Thank you, Holy Spirit.  I love you and praise you all.   Amen.                             

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More love.... 

  Benediction...Blessing

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!   

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 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart. 

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you!   

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided. 

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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