Occasionally, I want to post my ROAD Journal entries for you to see what God is teaching me and also to equip you to pray for my spiritual needs.
They won't always be this long, I promise.
Read - 1 Peter 5:1-11
"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:
shepherd the flock of God that is among you,
exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;
not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Be sober–minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Observe - Peter is writing to instruct the elders, to guide those in the care of elders, and to give some perspective with regard to suffering and the promises of God. This passage is both in the moment and casting vision. It goes deep and wide.
Apply - As I desire to lead within the context of a church, this passage is eye-opening. It both casts vision for me by defining what I aspire to be: "shepherd the flock" "willingly exercise oversight - not for shameful gain." These are great truths to meditate on and to strive towards as I refine my character. AND it grounds me in the present to remember that I am young, I need to be subject to authority, I need to humble myself, I need to submit to God's will and God's proper timing, and I need to cast all my cares/anxieties on Him because unlike the imperfect way that the people of this world attempt to care (sometimes succeeding) ... God's compassion and care for me is perfect and worthy of the highest seat.
Depend - Dear Lord, please guide me to depend on you. You are continuing to paint my future on the canvas on my mind; but help me to remain in the present, to engage deeply with my present responsibilities and with my present relationships. Lead me to rely on you and you alone for my future, for my desires, for my worries. Steer me away from selfish and shameful gain. Holy Spirit, you are crafty, you are deft, you are wise, you are always available, you are always reliable, you are dependable, you are perfect in discernment and wisdom. Why do I neglect to come to you? To seek You in all of your glory? To come to you with fear and trembling, with awe and wonder, with my joys and my sorrows? Father, please bring me to yourself. Reveal the sin in my life that needs to be sanctified, that needs to be redeemed. Humble me Father, and destroy my fear of humiliation. I love you Lord. Amen.
"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:
shepherd the flock of God that is among you,
exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;
not for shameful gain, but eagerly;
not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.
Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Be sober–minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen."
Observe - Peter is writing to instruct the elders, to guide those in the care of elders, and to give some perspective with regard to suffering and the promises of God. This passage is both in the moment and casting vision. It goes deep and wide.
Apply - As I desire to lead within the context of a church, this passage is eye-opening. It both casts vision for me by defining what I aspire to be: "shepherd the flock" "willingly exercise oversight - not for shameful gain." These are great truths to meditate on and to strive towards as I refine my character. AND it grounds me in the present to remember that I am young, I need to be subject to authority, I need to humble myself, I need to submit to God's will and God's proper timing, and I need to cast all my cares/anxieties on Him because unlike the imperfect way that the people of this world attempt to care (sometimes succeeding) ... God's compassion and care for me is perfect and worthy of the highest seat.
Depend - Dear Lord, please guide me to depend on you. You are continuing to paint my future on the canvas on my mind; but help me to remain in the present, to engage deeply with my present responsibilities and with my present relationships. Lead me to rely on you and you alone for my future, for my desires, for my worries. Steer me away from selfish and shameful gain. Holy Spirit, you are crafty, you are deft, you are wise, you are always available, you are always reliable, you are dependable, you are perfect in discernment and wisdom. Why do I neglect to come to you? To seek You in all of your glory? To come to you with fear and trembling, with awe and wonder, with my joys and my sorrows? Father, please bring me to yourself. Reveal the sin in my life that needs to be sanctified, that needs to be redeemed. Humble me Father, and destroy my fear of humiliation. I love you Lord. Amen.
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