Good day dear friends.
Please hold Mr. Robert Storey in your prayers. He has been been feeling well lately and given his age, the family is concerned about him. Prayers for those of us at Minister's Week 2006 on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
We continue our study on winning and here is today's study guide:
Tuesday: Read 1 Peter 5:1-11. In this passage you will find the victory that we aim for as believers in Christ Jesus. Read the list as a word of encouragement from the Lord through Peter. Let it speak to you about life and how to win at life!
Here is that text in The Message:
1 I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory. 2 Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously.[ 3 Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way. 4 When God, who is the best shepherd of all, comes out in the open with his rule, he'll see that you've done it right and commend you lavishly. 5 And you who are younger must follow your leaders. But all of you, leaders and followers alike, are to be down to earth with each other, for - God has had it with the proud, But takes delight in just plain people. 6 So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. 7 Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. 8 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. 9 Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. 10 The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ - eternal and glorious plans they are! - will have you put together and on your feet for good. 11 He gets the last word; yes, he does.
Pleasing God is all about serving God. And as we read the words found above in 1 Peter, Peter is urging us to please God by caring for one another. And that my friends is teamwork, and winning people are part of winning teams.
One of my former associates when he led prayer would say, "Now church, remember to pray for one another, because if you pray for each other, you can rest assured that someone is praying for you!" And that always spoke to me. What a feeling to know that as we live life and face whatever we face, someone is praying for us. That doesn't mean we don't watch what we do, Peter says, "Keep your guard up" and later, "keep a firm grip on the faith." Winners never give up.
What a victory is ours through Christ Jesus. Yesterday's lecturer, Rev. Tyrone Gordon of Dallas, Texas, revealed a time in his ministry when he reached a point where he was burned out and went to his office and just sobbed. The secretary heard the crying and called Rev. Gordon's wife, who called his best friend. At the time Rev. Gordon and family were living in Wichita, Kansas, and his best friend was in Dallas. The friend got in his car and drove six hours to reach Rev. Gordon. By the time Rev. Gordon got home, his wife had packed his bags so that he could return to Dallas with his friend and receive ministry from his friend. "Afflicted but not crushed," said yesterday's text. And today's text speaks to us about caring for one another.
PRAYER: Loving God, help us to care for one another. As thoughts and images of folks we know come to our minds, let those people be in our prayers. Lift up those who are down. Strengthen those who are weak. Fill up those who have poured out much. Comfort those who mourn. We pray in He will fills us all, Jesus the Lord. Amen.
