"casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." -1 Peter 5.7
The first part of this verse contains an instruction, we are cast all of our anxiety on God. The things that worry us, scare us, stress us out, or frustrate us are not burdens we have to carry, because the Bible tells us to give them over to God. The word in Greek for casting is epiriptÅ which means to literally and figuratively throw or place upon. Every care is to be placed upon God.
As I write this my mind keeps going to hikes with my girls. They love to hike, and I love that they love to hike; we're hoping to get out this Sunday. Both of my girls are at the age where the walk the whole trail, I have backpack carrier, but my youngest wants nothing to do with it anymore. They each have their Camelbaks which contain their water and one or two pieces of emergency gear, just to get them in the mindset of always being prepared when on the trail. They hike well, and typically I'm the one who's trying to keep up with their limitless energy, but eventually their packs get just a little heavy, and they take them off to give to me. Why? Because daddy can handle it. They take their burdens and give them to one who is strong enough to carry the weight they can't take anymore.
Anxiety is a huge burden, and it impacts every aspect of our lives. There have been times where I've been so anxious over something that it was almost debilitating. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, couldn't focus at work, and couldn't deal with school; the burden was overwhelming, but there is a source of relief and freedom. God wants us to take our anxiety and give it to Him. This is not an invitation to shirk your responsibilities or obligations, but a call to give away the burden of worry that accompanies them.
Right now I'm facing a situation that is very uncertain. I am needing to make some changes that will free me to move closer to my girls and be more involved in their lives. The reality of what this entails is terrifying, and there are so many reasons to simply stay put, do what I can from here for them, and provide in ways that meet certain needs, but not the most crucial ones. The opposite of that means trusting God, stepping out in faith, doing everything I can on my end to prepare for the door I'm asking God to open, but living in peace and placing the burden of anxiety on Him.
Everyday I'm tempted to worry about the future, but that worry is not of God, and not what I am called to live with. God can take the burden of my anxiety, and He instructs me to give it to Him.
Let us live with no worries because we have given all of them God.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Monday, May 28, 2018
1 Peter 5.7 Overview
"casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." -1 Peter 5.7
1 Peter 5.7 tells why humility before God is a safe option. Like 1 Peter 5.6, verse 7 contains instructions and an assurance. Verse 6 tells the reader to choose to submit to God with the assurance that humility has an ending point. 1 Peter 5.7 tells the reader to trust God with the assurance that God is trustworthy.
casting all your anxiety on Him- give your stress, your fears, and your worries to God. Remove the burdens from your shoulders and place them on His.
because He cares for you- God is a loving Father, and He deeply and genuinely cares for you.
The message of 1 Peter 5.7 is one of compassion, comfort, and hope. Life is hard, but you are not alone because God cares.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
1 Peter 5.7 tells why humility before God is a safe option. Like 1 Peter 5.6, verse 7 contains instructions and an assurance. Verse 6 tells the reader to choose to submit to God with the assurance that humility has an ending point. 1 Peter 5.7 tells the reader to trust God with the assurance that God is trustworthy.
casting all your anxiety on Him- give your stress, your fears, and your worries to God. Remove the burdens from your shoulders and place them on His.
because He cares for you- God is a loving Father, and He deeply and genuinely cares for you.
The message of 1 Peter 5.7 is one of compassion, comfort, and hope. Life is hard, but you are not alone because God cares.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Friday, May 25, 2018
Humility Rewarded
1 Peter 5.6 discusses the attitude man needs to take before God. God is supreme, creator, sustainer, and ruler of the universe; man's only response is humble submission to His power and holiness. God will be submitted to, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, and in all things God will be glorified, but just at God does not overlook those who lead well, He does no neglect those who live humbly.
Peter points out that those who choose to submit to God will be exalted by God. There is a time when humility will come to an end, and all those who humbly submitted to God will be exalted by God. This next statement will be developed more with the next verse, God is a loving father, and He wants to bless His children. When they live obediently to Him is able to do that, and He never fails to.
It is crucial to remember that there is a "proper time" for exaltation. Submitting to God does not always bring instantaneous results, but it does bring a guaranteed outcome. Those who choose to submit to God will be exalted by God. Those who humble themselves are honored. When we choose to live as God intended, it means that we give up the right to rule our own lives. It means that we sacrifice things we may desire, and give up certain pleasures that the world offers. But the result is far beyond anything that this temporary life can give.
Ephesians 3:20-21 says, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
God can do far more than anything I can imagine (and I'm a good dreamer), but what God can do far exceeds anything my human mind can come up with. My craziest thought pales in comparison to what God can do, and what He will do for those who humble themselves before Him. Those who choose to submit to God, will be greatly used by God. Those who choose to live for him, surrendering the right to self, will God do amazing things.
God does not overlook humility. The results may not be immediate, but they will be far beyond your wildest dreams. As one of my closest friends, Aaron, said years ago in a video we did in college to promote a season a 24/7 prayer, "Buckle up, 'cause God's about to do something." When we choose to submit in humility, we open ourselves up to witness God do amazing things.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Peter points out that those who choose to submit to God will be exalted by God. There is a time when humility will come to an end, and all those who humbly submitted to God will be exalted by God. This next statement will be developed more with the next verse, God is a loving father, and He wants to bless His children. When they live obediently to Him is able to do that, and He never fails to.
It is crucial to remember that there is a "proper time" for exaltation. Submitting to God does not always bring instantaneous results, but it does bring a guaranteed outcome. Those who choose to submit to God will be exalted by God. Those who humble themselves are honored. When we choose to live as God intended, it means that we give up the right to rule our own lives. It means that we sacrifice things we may desire, and give up certain pleasures that the world offers. But the result is far beyond anything that this temporary life can give.
Ephesians 3:20-21 says, "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."
God can do far more than anything I can imagine (and I'm a good dreamer), but what God can do far exceeds anything my human mind can come up with. My craziest thought pales in comparison to what God can do, and what He will do for those who humble themselves before Him. Those who choose to submit to God, will be greatly used by God. Those who choose to live for him, surrendering the right to self, will God do amazing things.
God does not overlook humility. The results may not be immediate, but they will be far beyond your wildest dreams. As one of my closest friends, Aaron, said years ago in a video we did in college to promote a season a 24/7 prayer, "Buckle up, 'cause God's about to do something." When we choose to submit in humility, we open ourselves up to witness God do amazing things.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
The End of Humility
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time" -1 Peter 5.6
Humility before God is going to happen, but we are given the opportunity to choose to be humble now. When we make that choice, humility has a ending. When we choose to be humble before God, He will exalt us at the proper time.
Philippians 2.5-9 says, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name".
Jesus humbled Himself, setting aside aspects of His divinity to become a man, and as a man, to offer Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. Crucifixion was a death of shame, he victim was exposed, and his crime was announced by a sign nailed above the head or hung around the neck. Christ's death was a further humiliation because it separated Him from God. However, Christ's willing humiliation ended. He received a proper burial in the new tomb of a rich man. Afterward His resurrection, He is given the name Lord (Philippians 2.11) the name above every name, and every knee will bow before Him and every tongue will declare His title. His willing humility came to and end, and when the will of God had been accomplished, Christ was highly exalted.
Romans 8.17 says that we are "fellow heirs with Christ", meaning we will receive the same things that Christ has inherited. We will not be worshiped as Lord, that is the exclusive right and honor of Jesus for His sacrifice and obedience, but those who humble themselves before God will be exalted by God. Anything that we endure in obedience to God will be rewarded by God. Anything we sacrifice for God will be replaced by God. All willing humility will be honored by God. This is not to say that humility will bring financial wealth or security, but that the exaltation and reward that God has in store will far exceed anything we may face for submitting to God.
Just as God does no overlook good leadership, He does not neglect willful humility. Those who humble themselves before God will be exalted by God, and those who exalt themselves will be humbled by God. Humility has its end, and it brings exaltation.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Humility before God is going to happen, but we are given the opportunity to choose to be humble now. When we make that choice, humility has a ending. When we choose to be humble before God, He will exalt us at the proper time.
Philippians 2.5-9 says, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name".
Jesus humbled Himself, setting aside aspects of His divinity to become a man, and as a man, to offer Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. Crucifixion was a death of shame, he victim was exposed, and his crime was announced by a sign nailed above the head or hung around the neck. Christ's death was a further humiliation because it separated Him from God. However, Christ's willing humiliation ended. He received a proper burial in the new tomb of a rich man. Afterward His resurrection, He is given the name Lord (Philippians 2.11) the name above every name, and every knee will bow before Him and every tongue will declare His title. His willing humility came to and end, and when the will of God had been accomplished, Christ was highly exalted.
Romans 8.17 says that we are "fellow heirs with Christ", meaning we will receive the same things that Christ has inherited. We will not be worshiped as Lord, that is the exclusive right and honor of Jesus for His sacrifice and obedience, but those who humble themselves before God will be exalted by God. Anything that we endure in obedience to God will be rewarded by God. Anything we sacrifice for God will be replaced by God. All willing humility will be honored by God. This is not to say that humility will bring financial wealth or security, but that the exaltation and reward that God has in store will far exceed anything we may face for submitting to God.
Just as God does no overlook good leadership, He does not neglect willful humility. Those who humble themselves before God will be exalted by God, and those who exalt themselves will be humbled by God. Humility has its end, and it brings exaltation.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Monday, May 21, 2018
The Right Choice
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time," -1 Peter 5.6
As humans, we have one main choice to make, and that choice impacts our entire existence. The choice is what our reaction to God will be, and 1 Peter 5.6 opens with the answer that we should choose. When it comes to God, He created us with free will, and that free will has given us the ability to choose if we will humbly submit to Him, or arrogantly reject Him.
God is the creator of the Universe; He spoke it into existence, I can't even get my dog to listen to me half the time, and He commanded light to begin and it did. God is perfect in holiness and absolute in power. There is nothing that can challenge Him or rival Him, and yet we tiny humans (don't get me started on just how little we are) have the arrogance to ignore Him, explain Him away, or strait up reject Him. We have free will, so we can do whatever we want, but the Bible is clear that one day we will all submit to God.
I could write for a long time on this, but I'm going to fight the inclinations of my INTJ personality and be brief. God, creator of the Universe, absolute authority over everything within, and outside of, that universe, and perfect standard of holiness will have the submission of everything He has ever made. In Philippians 2 it says, "For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (vs. 9-11)
Every knee one day WILL bow at the very mention of the name of Christ. Every tongue one day Will confess that Jesus is Lord, and all of this will be done so that God, holy, powerful, creator, will be glorified.
Every person will face God one day, and on that day every person will bow before Christ, declare Him as Lord, and glorify God by these words and actions. What happens after that depends on if this is the first time those actions have taken place. Those who choose to humble themselves under the might hand of God will be welcomed into His presence for all eternity. Those who refused to be humble will then be humbled, receiving judgment and condemnation for their arrogant rejection of God.
That is the choice we have, and eternity rides on this decision. We will choose to be humble before God, or we choose to be humbled by God.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
As humans, we have one main choice to make, and that choice impacts our entire existence. The choice is what our reaction to God will be, and 1 Peter 5.6 opens with the answer that we should choose. When it comes to God, He created us with free will, and that free will has given us the ability to choose if we will humbly submit to Him, or arrogantly reject Him.
God is the creator of the Universe; He spoke it into existence, I can't even get my dog to listen to me half the time, and He commanded light to begin and it did. God is perfect in holiness and absolute in power. There is nothing that can challenge Him or rival Him, and yet we tiny humans (don't get me started on just how little we are) have the arrogance to ignore Him, explain Him away, or strait up reject Him. We have free will, so we can do whatever we want, but the Bible is clear that one day we will all submit to God.
I could write for a long time on this, but I'm going to fight the inclinations of my INTJ personality and be brief. God, creator of the Universe, absolute authority over everything within, and outside of, that universe, and perfect standard of holiness will have the submission of everything He has ever made. In Philippians 2 it says, "For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (vs. 9-11)
Every knee one day WILL bow at the very mention of the name of Christ. Every tongue one day Will confess that Jesus is Lord, and all of this will be done so that God, holy, powerful, creator, will be glorified.
Every person will face God one day, and on that day every person will bow before Christ, declare Him as Lord, and glorify God by these words and actions. What happens after that depends on if this is the first time those actions have taken place. Those who choose to humble themselves under the might hand of God will be welcomed into His presence for all eternity. Those who refused to be humble will then be humbled, receiving judgment and condemnation for their arrogant rejection of God.
That is the choice we have, and eternity rides on this decision. We will choose to be humble before God, or we choose to be humbled by God.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Friday, May 18, 2018
1 Peter 5.6 Overview
"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time" -1 Peter 5.6
1 Peter 5.6 continues the theme of humility, taking it further. 1 Peter 5.5 focuses on the humility among members of the community, 1 Peter 5.6 focuses on humility before God. Humility must go beyond just human relationships, but begins with our attitude towards God.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God- Because God gives grace to the humble, choose to be humble before God
that He may exalt you at the proper time- God does not overlook humility, and those who choose to humble themselves will be exalted
1 Peter 5.6 talks about what awaits the humble, and leads into what humility requires.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
1 Peter 5.6 continues the theme of humility, taking it further. 1 Peter 5.5 focuses on the humility among members of the community, 1 Peter 5.6 focuses on humility before God. Humility must go beyond just human relationships, but begins with our attitude towards God.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God- Because God gives grace to the humble, choose to be humble before God
that He may exalt you at the proper time- God does not overlook humility, and those who choose to humble themselves will be exalted
1 Peter 5.6 talks about what awaits the humble, and leads into what humility requires.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
Discipled Disciplers
This is another one of those really tired posts, I'm starting to realize what my limits are, and everything is starting to catch up to me. I apologize if not all of this makes sense.
1 Peter 5.5 begins the second topic of the passage. Peter emphasizes the importance of humility in community and before God. The key emphasis is on how people relate to each other. Up to this point, Peter has only addressed the elders, the leaders, but now he begins this section with a message to the young men, before extending this new instruction to the entire community.
Peter instructs the young men to be discipled, and the elders to be disciplers. The young men are to learn from the experience of the elders, and the elders are to teach the young men from the lessons they have learned in life. The young men will learn, live, and one day become elders, at which point it will be their responsibility to teach.
Peter is instructing the church to be made up of discipled disciplers. We need those who will teach us, who will help us grow and develop so that we can become who God created us to be. At the same time, we must teach others. We must never be too arrogant to learn, because that is the attitude God opposes, but when we seek to learn God will bring us a teacher. We must never be to proud to teach, again because God opposes that decision, but when we desire to pass on the lesson we've learned, God will bring us those who need to hear what we have to share.
This verse has been on my mind a lot recently, and as I've been working with the various themes of this passage, I've realized that God has placed some good teachers in my life. I reached out to them yesterday, and am waiting to see if anything is able to happen where I can intentionally learn from them. At the same time, I'm realizing that I need to be discipling others. Right now this is proving to be difficult due to the time constraints I have, but I've felt this longing to pour into others. I'm in the process of trying to start a ministry focused on men, primarily college aged young men, but also men in general, wanting to help them become who God has called them to be (more on this to come sometime in the future). All of this is an attempt to both disciple and be discipled.
We must never be too arrogant as to think we have no more too learn, and we must never be too proud to pass on what we have gained through experience. God has created to live in community, and to humbly interact. We need a mentor, and we need to be mentors. This is how life was meant to be lived.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
1 Peter 5.5 begins the second topic of the passage. Peter emphasizes the importance of humility in community and before God. The key emphasis is on how people relate to each other. Up to this point, Peter has only addressed the elders, the leaders, but now he begins this section with a message to the young men, before extending this new instruction to the entire community.
Peter instructs the young men to be discipled, and the elders to be disciplers. The young men are to learn from the experience of the elders, and the elders are to teach the young men from the lessons they have learned in life. The young men will learn, live, and one day become elders, at which point it will be their responsibility to teach.
Peter is instructing the church to be made up of discipled disciplers. We need those who will teach us, who will help us grow and develop so that we can become who God created us to be. At the same time, we must teach others. We must never be too arrogant to learn, because that is the attitude God opposes, but when we seek to learn God will bring us a teacher. We must never be to proud to teach, again because God opposes that decision, but when we desire to pass on the lesson we've learned, God will bring us those who need to hear what we have to share.
This verse has been on my mind a lot recently, and as I've been working with the various themes of this passage, I've realized that God has placed some good teachers in my life. I reached out to them yesterday, and am waiting to see if anything is able to happen where I can intentionally learn from them. At the same time, I'm realizing that I need to be discipling others. Right now this is proving to be difficult due to the time constraints I have, but I've felt this longing to pour into others. I'm in the process of trying to start a ministry focused on men, primarily college aged young men, but also men in general, wanting to help them become who God has called them to be (more on this to come sometime in the future). All of this is an attempt to both disciple and be discipled.
We must never be too arrogant as to think we have no more too learn, and we must never be too proud to pass on what we have gained through experience. God has created to live in community, and to humbly interact. We need a mentor, and we need to be mentors. This is how life was meant to be lived.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Monday, May 14, 2018
Grace to the Humble
"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." -1 Peter 5.5
God opposes the arrogant, but the opposite also true, God extends grace to the humble. The opposition God gives to the proud is far exceeded by the grace He extends to the Humble. God is just, and He will deal with injustice, but God is loving and merciful; He hates that sin exists, and He will deal with it because He is just and righteous, but the extent to which He exercises justice is far exceeded by His grace and mercy. Those who acknowledge their need of God, who submit to Him, and seek to humbly serve God and others are rewarded with grace and blessing far beyond any measure of justice God will deal out.
Exodus 20.4-6 contains this promise,"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." See the contrast, God will pass judgment, the extent of His judgment pales in comparison to His lovingkindness.
God does not overlook humility. The Old Testament if full of stories of God's grace to the humble. David, a shepherd boy, the youngest son his father, lived with a dependence upon God. He lived a life of worshipful obedience and trust. When God rejected the arrogant Saul, He appointed the humble David to be his successor. "Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons." (1 Samuel 16.1)
He stood in faith against a giant, he trusted God to establish his throne in His time, and he sought to honor God above Himself. When he sinned and was confronted by the prophet, his attitude was one of repentance. David's humility is what granted him the distinction of a man after God's own heart.
Humility brings the grace of God.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
God opposes the arrogant, but the opposite also true, God extends grace to the humble. The opposition God gives to the proud is far exceeded by the grace He extends to the Humble. God is just, and He will deal with injustice, but God is loving and merciful; He hates that sin exists, and He will deal with it because He is just and righteous, but the extent to which He exercises justice is far exceeded by His grace and mercy. Those who acknowledge their need of God, who submit to Him, and seek to humbly serve God and others are rewarded with grace and blessing far beyond any measure of justice God will deal out.
Exodus 20.4-6 contains this promise,"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." See the contrast, God will pass judgment, the extent of His judgment pales in comparison to His lovingkindness.
God does not overlook humility. The Old Testament if full of stories of God's grace to the humble. David, a shepherd boy, the youngest son his father, lived with a dependence upon God. He lived a life of worshipful obedience and trust. When God rejected the arrogant Saul, He appointed the humble David to be his successor. "Now the Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons." (1 Samuel 16.1)
He stood in faith against a giant, he trusted God to establish his throne in His time, and he sought to honor God above Himself. When he sinned and was confronted by the prophet, his attitude was one of repentance. David's humility is what granted him the distinction of a man after God's own heart.
Humility brings the grace of God.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Friday, May 11, 2018
Pride Opposed
"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." 1 Peter 5.5
Peter emphasizes the importance of humility, after calling the community of faith to live with humility towards each other. This is the attitude that Christ modeled (Philippians 2) and the attitude that God desires. God is opposed to pride and arrogance, the word used here means "to range in battle against"; God goes to war against the arrogant.
As I've been thinking about this part of the verse, my mind keeps going back to the first King of Israel, Saul. In 1 Samuel 13 Saul and his army are on the eve of battle with the Philistines. They are outnumbered more than 10 to 1, and they are waiting for Samuel to come and offer a sacrifice before battle. They wait for a week, and Samuel is still not there, the army begins to desert, and so Saul takes action. He calls for the elements of the burnt offering, and offers a sacrifice to God, a sacrifice that he as king cannot offer. As he finishes, Samuel arrives, and after learning what Saul has done, says these words:
You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you. (1 Samuel 13.13-14)
Saul, in his arrogance, and poor leadership, offered a sacrifice and also sacrificed the favor of God. The covenant that led to the coming of the Messiah could have applied to Saul. Had Saul led well, had he acted in humility before God, his line would have been established forever, and there would be a statue of Saul in Jerusalem today instead of David (this is really there, I've seen it). Saul acted in arrogance, he overstepped his position as king, and God opposed Saul.
The remainder of Saul's life is a sad one. He looses favor and popularity, is tormented by a spirit, chases a shepherd through the dessert, dies by his own hand in battle, and has his decapitated body, and those of his sons, displayed on the wall of a pagan city. That was the result of Saul's arrogance.
God is opposed to the proud.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Peter emphasizes the importance of humility, after calling the community of faith to live with humility towards each other. This is the attitude that Christ modeled (Philippians 2) and the attitude that God desires. God is opposed to pride and arrogance, the word used here means "to range in battle against"; God goes to war against the arrogant.
As I've been thinking about this part of the verse, my mind keeps going back to the first King of Israel, Saul. In 1 Samuel 13 Saul and his army are on the eve of battle with the Philistines. They are outnumbered more than 10 to 1, and they are waiting for Samuel to come and offer a sacrifice before battle. They wait for a week, and Samuel is still not there, the army begins to desert, and so Saul takes action. He calls for the elements of the burnt offering, and offers a sacrifice to God, a sacrifice that he as king cannot offer. As he finishes, Samuel arrives, and after learning what Saul has done, says these words:
You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you. (1 Samuel 13.13-14)
Saul, in his arrogance, and poor leadership, offered a sacrifice and also sacrificed the favor of God. The covenant that led to the coming of the Messiah could have applied to Saul. Had Saul led well, had he acted in humility before God, his line would have been established forever, and there would be a statue of Saul in Jerusalem today instead of David (this is really there, I've seen it). Saul acted in arrogance, he overstepped his position as king, and God opposed Saul.
The remainder of Saul's life is a sad one. He looses favor and popularity, is tormented by a spirit, chases a shepherd through the dessert, dies by his own hand in battle, and has his decapitated body, and those of his sons, displayed on the wall of a pagan city. That was the result of Saul's arrogance.
God is opposed to the proud.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Humility
"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." -1 Peter 5.5
I'm going to apologize now if any of this is random babel that makes no sense. I'm fight to keep my eyes open as I write this.
Peter has indicated that there is to be a relationship between those who are younger and the elders. This is to be a humble attitude that seeks to learn, and this learning is to take place in the context of community. However, for learning to take place, someone must be willing to teach, and to teach well, humility is essential. Because of all of this, the whole community is called to cover themselves with humility.
It takes humility to teach, because so much of teaching comes out of failure. Teaching from success simply shows the student what has been done. It lays a foundation and encourages them to dream bigger to push the limits. Teaching from failure, however, allows the student to connect with the teacher on a more personal level. Suddenly the teacher is not someone who is infallible, but a real person who has lived the subject. This makes a student want to connect more with the teacher.
Humility is essential beyond the role of teacher and student, elder and young man, leader and follower. Humility is essential for society as a whole. My mind keeps going to Philippians 2.1-11, but I'm only going to look at verses 1-8 in this post.
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
This attitude is not natural, which is why we are told to clothe ourselves in humility. It takes an intentional action and attitude to be humble, and this is the intentionality found in Christ. Jesus, God the Son, gave up so much of His Divinity (He was still fully God, even as a man), and took on human flesh, being born in a stable, the dinner companion of sinners, and the toucher of untouchables. He, the rabbi, stooped with a basin and a towel to wash the feet of his own followers, include those of the one who would betray Him, and then laid down His life on the cross. This is the attitude the Bible calls us to live with.
We must be quick and eager to serve, humbly doing what we can in order to bless others. This goes against our natural tendency and inclinations, so let us intentionally choose to cover ourselves in humility, learning from those who have lived more fully, and serving those we have the opportunity to serve.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
I'm going to apologize now if any of this is random babel that makes no sense. I'm fight to keep my eyes open as I write this.
Peter has indicated that there is to be a relationship between those who are younger and the elders. This is to be a humble attitude that seeks to learn, and this learning is to take place in the context of community. However, for learning to take place, someone must be willing to teach, and to teach well, humility is essential. Because of all of this, the whole community is called to cover themselves with humility.
It takes humility to teach, because so much of teaching comes out of failure. Teaching from success simply shows the student what has been done. It lays a foundation and encourages them to dream bigger to push the limits. Teaching from failure, however, allows the student to connect with the teacher on a more personal level. Suddenly the teacher is not someone who is infallible, but a real person who has lived the subject. This makes a student want to connect more with the teacher.
Humility is essential beyond the role of teacher and student, elder and young man, leader and follower. Humility is essential for society as a whole. My mind keeps going to Philippians 2.1-11, but I'm only going to look at verses 1-8 in this post.
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
This attitude is not natural, which is why we are told to clothe ourselves in humility. It takes an intentional action and attitude to be humble, and this is the intentionality found in Christ. Jesus, God the Son, gave up so much of His Divinity (He was still fully God, even as a man), and took on human flesh, being born in a stable, the dinner companion of sinners, and the toucher of untouchables. He, the rabbi, stooped with a basin and a towel to wash the feet of his own followers, include those of the one who would betray Him, and then laid down His life on the cross. This is the attitude the Bible calls us to live with.
We must be quick and eager to serve, humbly doing what we can in order to bless others. This goes against our natural tendency and inclinations, so let us intentionally choose to cover ourselves in humility, learning from those who have lived more fully, and serving those we have the opportunity to serve.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Monday, May 7, 2018
Community
"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." -1 Peter 5.5
1 Peter 5.5 speaks of the importance of learning, and it emphasizes the crucial nature of community. We we not made to do life alone, and though we may admire a loaner, they are not the ones we should strive to emulate. The opening phrase of this verse clearly states to to submit to the lessons of godly elders. That can only take place in community.
We were made for relationships, and for so much of my life this was not something I valued, or fully understood. I'm naturally more introverted, and I don't meet people, or bond with people, easily. It is comfortable for me to stay silent around people, and withdraw at the first opportunity. It's easy not to engage, but it's a lonely life, and not one that we were intended to live.
Over the past month, I've really felt the longing for relationship. I'm fairly isolated at the moment. I work long days, and come home exhausted to various other things that demand my attention. I either have my girls on the weekends, or have school work, or some kind of planning to get done. My closest close friend lives more than an hour away, and he has his own life, job, and family. For the first time I've felt the weight of longing for other people, simply to be able to have community.
I'm part of a church, but its a big church, one of those where it's really easy to get lost in the crowd. I have a good relationship with several of the pastors, but my schedule makes it difficult for me to be involved with anything else. The thing is, community is something that we all need, something we were created to have, and an essential element of leading, is having community to lead.
We were not made to live in isolation. God said in Genesis 2 that it is not good for man to be alone. Over and over in the Bible the need for community and fellowship is emphasized. Francis Chan one said, "As I studied the Scriptures, I realized God doesn't want me to do this by myself." We were made for community.
A loan wildebeest gets taken out by a lion, and a lone man bets taken out by the lion. Don't live in isolation. Acknowledge the need you have of others, and pursue community.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
1 Peter 5.5 speaks of the importance of learning, and it emphasizes the crucial nature of community. We we not made to do life alone, and though we may admire a loaner, they are not the ones we should strive to emulate. The opening phrase of this verse clearly states to to submit to the lessons of godly elders. That can only take place in community.
We were made for relationships, and for so much of my life this was not something I valued, or fully understood. I'm naturally more introverted, and I don't meet people, or bond with people, easily. It is comfortable for me to stay silent around people, and withdraw at the first opportunity. It's easy not to engage, but it's a lonely life, and not one that we were intended to live.
Over the past month, I've really felt the longing for relationship. I'm fairly isolated at the moment. I work long days, and come home exhausted to various other things that demand my attention. I either have my girls on the weekends, or have school work, or some kind of planning to get done. My closest close friend lives more than an hour away, and he has his own life, job, and family. For the first time I've felt the weight of longing for other people, simply to be able to have community.
I'm part of a church, but its a big church, one of those where it's really easy to get lost in the crowd. I have a good relationship with several of the pastors, but my schedule makes it difficult for me to be involved with anything else. The thing is, community is something that we all need, something we were created to have, and an essential element of leading, is having community to lead.
We were not made to live in isolation. God said in Genesis 2 that it is not good for man to be alone. Over and over in the Bible the need for community and fellowship is emphasized. Francis Chan one said, "As I studied the Scriptures, I realized God doesn't want me to do this by myself." We were made for community.
A loan wildebeest gets taken out by a lion, and a lone man bets taken out by the lion. Don't live in isolation. Acknowledge the need you have of others, and pursue community.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Friday, May 4, 2018
Learn
"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." -1 Peter 5.5
In this verse, Peter begins to address a new audience. He shifts from speaking to the elders about leading well, and now focuses on the youth. He addresses the younger men, those who not leaders, and he challenges them to be subject to the elders. They are to learn from them, being discipled as they sit at the feet of those who have lived and experienced life. Just as elders are to lead the flock they have been entrusted with, the young men are to model the example of a learner by being humble before the elders.
With age and life experience comes wisdom, and the younger are being called to learn form the older. Decades of life bring both success and failure, both are valuable teachers. Failure teaches about what not do, the things to avoid, the dangers to watch out for, and the trials that must be overcome. Success teaches to dream, showing what has been accomplished, and outlining the foundation that is there to be built upon.
A young man must never be too arrogant that he refuses to learn. My mind goes to the Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah. Elisha was a young man who subjected himself to his elder, learned from him, and had a fruitful ministry after the death of his teacher. Elisha was humble, and his humility allowed him to have great influence. Elisha was also influential in the life of a young man named Gehazi. Gehazi had the opportunity to be used by God for great things, he may have even succeeded Elisha to become an influential prophet over Israel, but Gehazi did not have the same humble attitude that Elisha possessed. He sought to gain, not to learn.
When Naaman, the general of Aram, comes to Elisha to be cured of his leprosy, he tries to give Elisha payment for the cure. Elisha refuses payment, and Naaman leaves to return home. Gehazi is not satisfied, and has not learned from Elisha the way that Elisha learned from Elijah. He rides after Naaman, lies and claims a reward that he should not have taken. He returns, and when questioned, lies to Elisha. His time of service to the prophet has been marked with arrogance, not submissive learning, and rather than receiving the blessing of a double portion of Elisha's spirit, enabling him to assume the mantel of Israel's prophet, Gehazi is cursed with Naaman's disease. "'Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.' So he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow." (2 Kings 5.27)
When we are willing to be humble, submitting to the instruction of our elders, we can learn and be blessed with taking up the mantel of leadership. If we refuse to listen, we will curse ourselves with making avoidable mistakes because we arrogantly rejected the warnings offered by the voice of experience.
Young men, find a mentor, ask God for one, and sit at their feet to be discipled.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
In this verse, Peter begins to address a new audience. He shifts from speaking to the elders about leading well, and now focuses on the youth. He addresses the younger men, those who not leaders, and he challenges them to be subject to the elders. They are to learn from them, being discipled as they sit at the feet of those who have lived and experienced life. Just as elders are to lead the flock they have been entrusted with, the young men are to model the example of a learner by being humble before the elders.
With age and life experience comes wisdom, and the younger are being called to learn form the older. Decades of life bring both success and failure, both are valuable teachers. Failure teaches about what not do, the things to avoid, the dangers to watch out for, and the trials that must be overcome. Success teaches to dream, showing what has been accomplished, and outlining the foundation that is there to be built upon.
A young man must never be too arrogant that he refuses to learn. My mind goes to the Elisha, the prophet who succeeded Elijah. Elisha was a young man who subjected himself to his elder, learned from him, and had a fruitful ministry after the death of his teacher. Elisha was humble, and his humility allowed him to have great influence. Elisha was also influential in the life of a young man named Gehazi. Gehazi had the opportunity to be used by God for great things, he may have even succeeded Elisha to become an influential prophet over Israel, but Gehazi did not have the same humble attitude that Elisha possessed. He sought to gain, not to learn.
When Naaman, the general of Aram, comes to Elisha to be cured of his leprosy, he tries to give Elisha payment for the cure. Elisha refuses payment, and Naaman leaves to return home. Gehazi is not satisfied, and has not learned from Elisha the way that Elisha learned from Elijah. He rides after Naaman, lies and claims a reward that he should not have taken. He returns, and when questioned, lies to Elisha. His time of service to the prophet has been marked with arrogance, not submissive learning, and rather than receiving the blessing of a double portion of Elisha's spirit, enabling him to assume the mantel of Israel's prophet, Gehazi is cursed with Naaman's disease. "'Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.' So he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow." (2 Kings 5.27)
When we are willing to be humble, submitting to the instruction of our elders, we can learn and be blessed with taking up the mantel of leadership. If we refuse to listen, we will curse ourselves with making avoidable mistakes because we arrogantly rejected the warnings offered by the voice of experience.
Young men, find a mentor, ask God for one, and sit at their feet to be discipled.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
1 Peter 5.5 Overview
"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." -1 Peter 5.5
1 Peter 5.5 introduces a new quality for leaders to posses. In the same way, it begins to look not just at those in leadership, but those who will be in leadership, those learning from current leaders. On top of this, it begins to speak about how all of humanity is to live, and the attitude people need to have with each other.
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders- Learn from those who are older, sit at their feet and learn from the experiences of their lives.
and all of you- This message is not simply for an individual, or even a specific group. The words being spoken now are for the whole body of people, elders and youth, leaders and followers.
clothe yourselves with humility toward one another- Reject arrogance and entitlement, and focus on the needs of others, serving and learning.
God is opposed to the proud- God rejects those who live as if they don't need Him, and those who act as if they are above others.
but gives grace to the humble- God's favor rest on those who show their dependence upon Him, and those who seek to serve.
1 Peter 5.5 introduces the quality of humility, an attitude that is essential for society to exist.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
1 Peter 5.5 introduces a new quality for leaders to posses. In the same way, it begins to look not just at those in leadership, but those who will be in leadership, those learning from current leaders. On top of this, it begins to speak about how all of humanity is to live, and the attitude people need to have with each other.
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders- Learn from those who are older, sit at their feet and learn from the experiences of their lives.
and all of you- This message is not simply for an individual, or even a specific group. The words being spoken now are for the whole body of people, elders and youth, leaders and followers.
clothe yourselves with humility toward one another- Reject arrogance and entitlement, and focus on the needs of others, serving and learning.
God is opposed to the proud- God rejects those who live as if they don't need Him, and those who act as if they are above others.
but gives grace to the humble- God's favor rest on those who show their dependence upon Him, and those who seek to serve.
1 Peter 5.5 introduces the quality of humility, an attitude that is essential for society to exist.
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
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