From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Jan 5, 2023 at 6:07 AM

Subject: 1-5-23 THOUGHTS

1-5-23   THOUGHTS

As I read the passages below, one thing jumps out.  Authority needs to be exercised in love.  The One with eternal dominion, “will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”  The elders and shepherds of the Church were to exercise oversight without lording it over the flock, but rather to be examples to the flock.   The principle that  “ GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE’ is seen in Isa 66:2, and in many other places in God’s word.   We are to be SUBJECT and clothe ourselves with HUMILITY.  The devil is spoken of as an active adversary.  We must resist him!  Jas 4:7   Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.      Sounds like a promise doesn’t it?

1Pet 5:1-11     Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,  2  shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; 3  nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.  4  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.  5  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. 6  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7  casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.  8   Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  9  But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 10   After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11  To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

My Prayer:
We praise you, O God, whose dominion is forever and ever.  Help us to be humble, and of sober spirit, and alert to the evil that is in this world.  Keep us from anxiety as we give it over to You in prayer.  Keep us from the ugly process of lifting up our own selves.  Please, O Father, perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish us, in You.  Mature us, O God.  We love you in the name of Jesus our Lord,      Amen.