God’s WORD to The Shepherds

As I sat down today with the Lord, I opened my Bible and I saw these words!!!



1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV)


“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”



So, as I almost always do, I started at the top and began to read and I found that Peter was speaking to those who are shepherds in the church and ALL others that would like to be in charge of the church.



And as I read I found that Peter had been inspired by God to write some words of wisdom to the shepherds of the flocks of God!!!  I also realized once again, that God as always has every area covered in HIS WORD!!! 



Not ONLY does God tell us that a leader should be willing, but that they should be glad to be that leader and that example for God’s people, NOT for any money or fame they can gain, but because God has called them!!!
 

1 Peter 5:1-2 (NKJV)

¹ The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

² Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly;



God tells us that our leaders are NOT supposed to be there for the glory of being in charge and running things, but that they are to be good examples for everyone to follow!!!


When we do as we are supposed to and we are faithful to God, HE WILL REWARD US!!!


1 Peter 5:3-4 (NKJV)

³ nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

⁴ and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.



God doesn’t leave anyone out!!!  He has it ALL covered from the head to the tail!!!  From the old generation to the younger generation!!!



1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV)

⁵ Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for

“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”



With God on our side and with HIS mercy and grace, we can be humble ourselves and be that person that God wants us to be!!!  Whether we are doing the things of God in the church or just being that example and loving others out in the world, we are God’s representative!!!  God exalts or raises up those that He finds pleasing in HIS sight!!!



1 Peter 5:6 (NKJV) Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,



I especially like how the Common English Bible words the last part of verse 5 and also verse 6.

1 Peter 5:5-6 (CEB)

⁵ … And everyone, clothe yourselves with humility toward each other. God stands against the proud, but he gives favor to the humble.

⁶ Therefore, humble yourselves under God’s power so that he may raise you up in the last day.

And last, but NOT at ALL least God gives the shepherds words of encouragement!!!  He lets them know that HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT ALL THAT CONCERNS THEM!!! 



GOD TELLS ALL THOSE THAT TRULY CARE FOR HIS FLOCK TO GIVE HIM ALL THEIR CARES AND CONCERNS, AND TRUST HIM TO TAKE CARE OF THEM!!! 




1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV) casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.




And just in case that isn’t plain, I am going to tell you what God recently told me!!!!  (These are the words that Jesus spoke to the disciples before HE left them to go back to THE FATHER!!!)  God spoke these same words to me this week!!!



John 14:1, 27 (NKJV)

¹⁴ “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

²⁷ Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

As you can see Jesus tells us that He has left us HIS PEACE!!!  We are NOT to allow worry to run or rule us!!!!  We are NOT to be upset!!!  We are to have HIS PEACE!!!

John 14:1 (CEV) Jesus said to his disciples, “Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.

We are to sleep at night and rest in HIM at ALL times!!!  And, yes, that goes for EVERY LEADER IN THE CHURCH!!!  Yes, even you Pastor!!! 



John 14:1 (NCV) Jesus said, "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me.

Remember, God gives us PEACE LIKE NO ONE ELSE CAN!!!!

John 14:27 (CEV) I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.

God gives us the PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING!!!

Philippians 4:7 (NCV) And God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 (CEV) Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.