Tabatha

When I am Brokrn in spirit and feel totally alone God takes the hurt , the aloneness, feeling of rejection and begins to do a work as I come to Him, and He begins to repair me, so that I may be even better than before to carry out His work even more effectively. When I feel I can't go on I know it is God who has called me unto Him self and He has no intention of abandoning me in the heat of the battle. In fact, during the battle, God " will Himself restore me and make me strong, firm and steadfast." God has every intention of taking me from my despair to bringing me to the hope and joy of my salvation, But I need to be willing to go through the fire if that is where He's leading so that when He brings me through He will get the Glory and I will exit the trial even stronger. To Him be the power for ever and ever Amen. ( John 14:27 ) ' Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. Because my family are moving to Texas and I will be alone. I live in California and am a widow living alone not in the best of health. I do have Jesus as my closet friend, I will still miss my family.

That's why Peter said in ( 1st Peter 5:7 ) " Cast all your anxiety on Him cause He cares for you." Peter understands that life all by itself can bring anxious times where we have a problem trusting our God, but he points out that there are other forces in place to heighten that anxiety and to turn our eyes away from our Lord and Savior and so he continues in ( 1st peter 5:8 ) " Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." In ( Eph. 6:10-17 ) Pauls instructions are similar and different in places. We need only trust what He has stated. Paul records for us what God desires in this area of war with the enemy. " Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. ( verse 11 ) Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ( verse 12 ) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ( Verse 13 ) Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ( Verse 14 ) Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ( verse 15 ) and with your feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ( Verse 16 ) In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ( verse 17 ) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." The Spirit of God together with His word are the weapons we have been given to go out into this world in the power of the Spirit to accomplish His will, which is to lift up Christ and bear witness to His greatness as He has overcome the enemy and sin and the grave. This is what Peter has in mind when he continues in ( 1st. Peter 5:9 ) " Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. Actively standing firm in our faith involves all that Paul spoke of in Ephesians six which involves prayer, the word of God, our salvation, praise, the help of fellow believers, living with thankfulness because of our salvation, and seeking the power of the Holy Spirit who enables us to walk in the Spirit in these ways.

( !st Peter 5:8 ) "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.' There's a tendency in life to drop our guard and to think that the enemy will just leave us alone if we're serving as Christ's Ambassador and soldier. But it has to be understood that the very idea of representing Christ carries with it the reality that we are in a war, constantly. It was Satan along with a third of the host of heaven who were cast into this world. That was meant as a punishment from God for their rebellion. But that rebellion hasn't ceased. Our enemy, Satan, is still at war with God as he vents his anger on God's people, trying to scheme ways to discourage us, frustrate us, and to lull us into a complacency which keeps us from engaging in the battle. Peter says we need to " be self-controlled and alert. " The NKJV puts it. " be sober, be vigilant", while the NAS puts it " be sober, be on the alert." The enemy is engaged in this war whether we fight or not. He has only one objective and that is to destroy any ability of ours to engage him, as we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we may go forth to further Christ's Kingdom with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Satan is very aware of what Paul understood when he said in ( Rom. 1:16 ) " I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

All of this must be put in the context of how our Lord commands the leadership to submit to Him and follow Him and be humbled before Him so as to do the work totally dependant on His strength. As the leadership demonstrates this attitude those in charge will not only see the example, but will be motivated to do the same. It's one thing for leaders to give commands, it's entirely different to do the very thing they ask of others. By praying and seeking God for discernment regarding placement of leadership, God will reveal the fruit of the person you are seeking for leadership. When we fail to come together and pray for the right person the enemy will deceive. We must always ask God to show us the heart of the person. Also look for mature servants that are not involved with selfish desires of wanting to be exalted. That are more concerned for others than self. This is what Christ has called His leaders to do. But only as those leaders humbly follow Jesus and derive strength from Him will they be able to be the example. ( 1st Peter 5: 5 ) " Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, " God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." ( Proverbs 3: 34 ) Everyone in the Body of Christ is to be practicing humility toward one another. Peter uses a unique phrase, " clothe yourself with humility." The word clothe means to tie a piece of clothing to oneself. For example, slaves used to knot a white scarf or apron over their clothing to distinguish themselves from freeman. The suggestion is that Christians ought to tie humility to their conduct so that everyone is able to recognize them. Peter exhorts the readers to fasten humility to themselves once and for all. Paul put it quite clearly in ( Phil. 2: 3 ) " Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves.(4) Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also interests of others. Humility speaks of an attitude which puts others first, which thinks of the desires, needs, and ideas of others as more worthy of attention than one's own." When you see this in a person you will know they are leadership potentional. It is when we walk humbly with our God that we will be able to show humility toward one another. And so Peter continues in ( Verse 5 ) " God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. " ( Proverbs 3:34 ) Christ's humility gained for us our ultimate exaltation. If Christ can humble Himself before the Father for our good, then to follow His example would be to humble ourselves before our God for the good of others and to help them in their walk with Christ. Does God care for you? You better believe it. Is He concerned with everything that's going on in your life? Yes! He's a loving Father who wants us to care for Him and love Him as the loving Father He is, by trusting Him and following where He leads as we humble ourselves before Him.

Christ wants these Elders, or Shepards or overseers being utilized in different ways to understand regarding the attitude as Servants in the Body of Christ. Peter tells these Elders to serve, " not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; " Lot of guys get pushed into these types of leadership roles and unfortunately it becomes, not a labor of love, but plain laborious. Peter tells us that this should be something that you are called to by God which will show itself in a willingness to serve, not under compulsion. Evidently in Peter's day there were guys who felt this was simply a good career move and so they entered into service with motives that were not pure. And so he adds that you shouldn't be greedy for money. The idea here in the Greek is that one should not use the office of Elder or Pastor to acuire dishonest gain. And it would be dishonest to use the office as anything other than serve Christ as you serve the Body with the idea of equipping the saints to grow in their salvation. If your motivation is simply to become a professional Pastor, ( Hireling ) with all of the perqs. you deem essential for furthering your career, Then God is not pleased and the Body is not served. Paul really hits the nail on the head when he defines this attitude in ( 1st Tim. 3:3 ) in describing the qualifications of an Elder or Overseer. He must be " free from the love of money. " Neither Peter or Paul deny money isn't important to enable the Elder, who is Pastoring a church, to continue to minister as he has needs, but the attitude is what both men are addressing when it comes to money. You can't serve two masters and as an Elder or Paster, you have only one Master who has placed you over His flock for one purpose; to Shepard, which involves leading, feeding and protecting and it should be done with an eagerness to please Jesus. If one is following the lead of the Chief Shepard, Jesus Christ, then he will do it in a way that emulates the Master. And so Peter continues in ( verse 3 ) " not lording it over those intrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. The isea of lording is to try and control, for your own purposes, and set up a little kingdom on earth to draw attention to yourself while using others in the process. Now, evidently Peter believed that there was a real danger of this type of thing happening. In fact, we know that Paul had run into it on various occasions; people who want to feel important and puff themselves up with the idea of lording over others with the authority they feel they have There's often lots of talk going on in leadership circles which tends to sound lofty and godly and biblical, but when you take away the veneer it's meaningless and self-serving and full of fluff; no substance That can be real danger. We've all heard the expression, " power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely." Peter understood this and he was warning that if someone is assuming leadership and only doing it for the sake of power and authority then it's in the flesh. The flesh will always move in that direction of abusing power and authority. Leaders should always be able to be seen in a way where others can say that's how I want to live out my life to Christ's glory. Leaders shouldn't limit their example to when they are seen. They should also practice godliness when no one but God can see them. This should'nt be limited to just leaders, The Chief Shepherd is coming back to take us to Himself and every leader who has served will be able to stand before his King and be honored by Christ Himself as a faithful servant in the capacity to which he was called.

The position that is open does not always fit the call. Just because there is a vacancy in a position in a church no matter what it is does not mean it is for you. I have seen people take a leadership roll out of pride with the attitude of being in charge of a position and they lord it over those under them, if they don't receive the respect they expect they become resentful or sometimes puffed up with the attitude of look at me. A person in leadership should always have an attitude of humility and a loving attitude of submitting to Christ and the people that you are overseers of. I was at one time asked to be an Associate Pastor, It was good at first, but I began to resent the Pastor's control over me and I no longer felt the freedom of serving the people and doing the work, as I was constantly being critized for everything I did. Also the jealously of the giftings that God had placed within me. So I resigned. After resigning I had the release in my Spirit to do what I was called to do. When we are strong armed into doing something with out praying to see if that is where God want us there is no joy. Jesus is the Chief Shepard and overseer, He will place you if you listen carefully and it will Glorify Him with a right attitude and flow in the spirit of peace in the church. I also have seen new Christians take a position because they are so anxious to be used in the church, later they become resentful and overwhelmed becuase they were not ready or had not matured enough for the position..

Peter was an Apostle of Jesus Christ, a very special office in the church and yet he refers to himself as a fellow Elder. The word Elder in the Greek is ( Presbuteros) and it is where we get our English word presbyter which is simply defined as one who holds office in the church and exercies teaching, priestly and administrative functions. Peter understood his role as an Apostle he also understood that he is on the same level with these other leaders who are Elders. He identifies with them as one who has the same function of serving Christ's Sheep. Paul was a fellow worker of all the workers in the church as is Peter. That's why it's important for Elders or deacons or any leader in the church not to take a haughty attitude as though they were above anyone. Their roles in the church may be different from others but that doesn't mean they are above anyone, as people called out to represent Christ in this world. Their call is to be servants to the flock. The office of Elder or Deacon commands a special respect but only to the degree that Christ gives that office, that responsibility to lead, a special importance for the benefit of the church. If that office of elder is not used in a servants role then it is being misused. Same for Pastor, Elder, and overseer. Their responsibility is to teach, guide, serve, care for, respect, with humility, also guard. Every Pastor is an Elder and a Shepherd, but not every Elder is necessarily a Pastor, and yet every Elder is involved in the process of shepherding the flock as they teach and exhort and rule under the direction who has been called to Pastor that particular flock. And so Shepherding necessarily involves teaching the truth of God's word. But Elders,which includes Pastors, should be overseeing the direction of the church as God gives them guidance.

Peter was an Apostle of Jesus Christ, a very special office in the church and yet he refers to himself as a fellow Elder. The word Elder in the Greek is ( Presbuteros) and it is where we get our English word presbyter which is simply defined as one who holds office in the church and exercies teaching, priestly and administrative functions. Peter understood his role as an Apostle he also understood that he is on the same level with these other leaders who are Elders. He identifies with them as one who has the same function of serving Christ's Sheep. Paul was a fellow worker of all the workers in the church as is Peter. That's why it's important for Elders or deacons or any leader in the church not to take a haughty attitude as though they were above anyone. Their roles in the church may be different from others but that doesn't mean they are above anyone, as people called out to represent Christ in this world. Their call is to be servants to the flock. The office of Elder or Deacon commands a special respect but only to the degree that Christ gives that office, that responsibility to lead, a special importance for the benefit of the church. If that office of elder is not used in a servants role then it is being misused. Same for Pastor, Elder, and overseer. Their responsibility is to teach, guide, serve, care for, respect, with humility, also guard. Every Pastor is an Elder and a Shepherd, but not every Elder is necessarily a Pastor, and yet every Elder is involved in the process of shepherding the flock as they teach and exhort and rule under the direction who has been called to Pastor that particular flock. And so Shepherding necessarily involves teaching the truth of God's word. But Elders,which includes Pastors, should be overseeing the direction of the church as God gives them guidance.

Peter was an Apostle of Jesus Christ, a very special office in the church and yet he refers to himself as a fellow Elder. The word Elder in the Greek is ( Presbuteros) and it is where we get our English word presbyter which is simply defined as one who holds office in the church and exercies teaching, priestly and administrative functions. Peter understood his role as an Apostle he also understood that he is on the same level with these other leaders who are Elders. He identifies with them as one who has the same function of serving Christ's Sheep. Paul was a fellow worker of all the workers in the church as is Peter. That's why it's important for Elders or deacons or any leader in the church not to take a haughty attitude as though they were above anyone. Their roles in the church may be different from others but that doesn't mean they are above anyone, as people called out to represent Christ in this world. Their call is to be servants to the flock. The office of Elder or Deacon commands a special respect but only to the degree that Christ gives that office, that responsibility to lead, a special importance for the benefit of the church. If that office of elder is not used in a servants role then it is being misused. Same for Pastor, Elder, and overseer. Their responsibility is to teach, guide, serve, care for, respect, with humility, also guard. Every Pastor is an Elder and a Shepherd, but not every Elder is necessarily a Pastor, and yet every Elder is involved in the process of shepherding the flock as they teach and exhort and rule under the direction who has been called to Pastor that particular flock. And so Shepherding necessarily involves teaching the truth of God's word. But Elders,which includes Pastors, should be overseeing the direction of the church as God gives them guidance.

( Luke 9 : 23-25 ) The Bible gives a very important passage where Jesus speaks to us and the Bible says, " And He said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a mans advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or cast away?" Jesus tells us some very important things about salvation. He tells us who can be saved. He tells us the attitude that a person must have to be saved. He tells us something of the consequence in this life to being saved, and He reminds us of the eternal consequence in the next life. A person must choose. A person must say, " I will follow the Savior. One of the strongest forces in the world is the free will of a human being. God does not force us to do anything. He invites us, and He gently calls us. But we must make a choice. ( Phil.3:21 ) We go after Jesus. We pursue this great and high and noble standard. We never achieve it the way that He did, but we always reach out for it and we always hold forth as the one great goals of life to be like Christ. Paul Says" Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." Jesus said, " If any man will come after me, let him deny himself. " The only thing that can keep you from following Christ is yourself. The selfish will of man is the obstacle, and it can take many forms. The sinfully selfish person is not just the one who manifests the gross outward sins of the world. The worst thing you can do is to go your own way instead of God's way. Be careful of desiring anything to strongly except for the will of God. In order to follow Christ, you must deny yourself. " I am not going to go my way or do my own will. Instead I am going God's way. Each of us also have a cross to bear. What is a cross. It is something that you suffer that you only suffer because you went God's way instead of your own way. A cross speaks of suffering and difficulty, and trial, and burdens to bear. We must never forget there is aways a good result from the cross. Jesus is talking about the value of a human soul. There is nothing in the world more valuable than one soul. There is no advantage to gaining the whole world if you lose your soul because your soul is worth more than the whole world. Also, the world is passing away. It is temporary. What Jesus said is true not only concerning being saved or lost, but also concerning the fulfillment of you life. We were put on this earth is to know and serve God and to do His will. There is no such thing as finding the will of God for your life some day and then doing that thing for the rest of your life. God's will is unfolded to you day by day. You find out God's will one day at a time. It is a great challenge and privilege to be called to follow the Lord Jesus Christ in this world. I hope you have taken up the challenge while there is still time. Praise God, the time is short. Amen.

( Luke 9 : 23-25 ) The Bible gives a very important passage where Jesus speaks to us and the Bible says, " And He said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a mans advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or cast away?" Jesus tells us some very important things about salvation. He tells us who can be saved. He tells us the attitude that a person must have to be saved. He tells us something of the consequence in this life to being saved, and He reminds us of the eternal consequence in the next life. A person must choose. A person must say, " I will follow the Savior. One of the strongest forces in the world is the free will of a human being. God does not force us to do anything. He invites us, and He gently calls us. But we must make a choice. ( Phil.3:21 ) We go after Jesus. We pursue this great and high and noble standard. We never achieve it the way that He did, but we always reach out for it and we always hold forth as the one great goals of life to be like Christ. Paul Says" Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." Jesus said, " If any man will come after me, let him deny himself. " The only thing that can keep you from following Christ is yourself. The selfish will of man is the obstacle, and it can take many forms. The sinfully selfish person is not just the one who manifests the gross outward sins of the world. The worst thing you can do is to go your own way instead of God's way. Be careful of desiring anything to strongly except for the will of God. In order to follow Christ, you must deny yourself. " I am not going to go my way or do my own will. Instead I am going God's way. Each of us also have a cross to bear. What is a cross. It is something that you suffer that you only suffer because you went God's way instead of your own way. A cross speaks of suffering and difficulty, and trial, and burdens to bear. We must never forget there is aways a good result from the cross. Jesus is talking about the value of a human soul. There is nothing in the world more valuable than one soul. There is no advantage to gaining the whole world if you lose your soul because your soul is worth more than the whole world. Also, the world is passing away. It is temporary. What Jesus said is true not only concerning being saved or lost, but also concerning the fulfillment of you life. We were put on this earth is to know and serve God and to do His will. There is no such thing as finding the will of God for your life some day and then doing that thing for the rest of your life. God's will is unfolded to you day by day. You find out God's will one day at a time. It is a great challenge and privilege to be called to follow the Lord Jesus Christ in this world. I hope you have taken up the challenge while there is still time. Praise God, the time is short. Amen.

If we are never persecuted then we are being a hidden christian and not showing our Christ life and living for Him. People will not see the who and what we really are. We must be bold and speak the gospel where ever we are led by the Spirit no matter how we are treated. " A man's devotion to a principle can be measured by his willingness to suffer for it; therefore, any kind of persecution is a test of a man's faith. But it is equally true that it is only the real Christian who will be persecuted. the Christian who compromises with the world will not be persecuted. In a double sense persecution is the test of the reality of a man's faith." That's why Peter was rejoicing when he and John were flogged. They realized that their faith was true and that the grace of God was really with them and that the truth that Jesus gave them, that He would never leave not forsake them, was true. They new they belong to Him and that He was their God and protector. Peter goes as far as to say in our text: ( 1st Peter 4: 14 ) " If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and God rests on you." Here Peter explains that most persecution comes in the form of verbal abuse rather than physical abuse. To be insulted carries with it the idea that someone wants to put you down because of your faith in Christ. But in these times, as well as the times in which Peter wrote, as we are willing to love and serve God, there will always be people who will try and discredit what God is doing in this world through the lives of His people. Many Christians who live their faith in the real world, instead of trying to hide it in the closet, will eventually run into someone who wants to put them down or make fun of them or try and create doubts concerning their faith and the God who gave them life through Christ.