STRONG FAITH

Good day dear friends.

Please be in prayer for Kim Kowalski and family. Her husband, our brother in Christ Jesus, Jeff, died yesterday at home at about 1 p.m. Jeff always said he was given an additional twenty-five years as it was that long ago he was shot several time in the line of duty as a police officer in St. Louis. He should have died then according to doctors. This last battle was with cancer which claimed his life. Jeff is being returned to St. Louis where he will be remembered as one of the most decorated police officers in that city's history. Please pray for safe travel and for comfort and peace for his widow and family.

Please continue to pray for Richard Brotzman whose dad, Dean is buried today in Kerrville Funeral there is at 1 p.m.

Here is today's study guide:
The letters of Peter towards the end of the New Testament speak of a man whose faith never waned. Please find and read 1 Peter 5 and see what Peter wrote then and how it could bless you now.

Here is that text from 1 Peter 5:1 Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you 2 to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it --not for sordid gain but eagerly. 3 Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd appears, you will win the crown of glory that never fades away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you must clothe yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another, for "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen. 12 Through Silva'nus, whom I consider a faithful brother, I have written this short letter to encourage you and to testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 13 Your sister church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Peter has been "the man" this week. On Sunday we looked at his life and how he went from being a spectator to being a playmaker. This particular passage shares a perspective on life that benefits all who read it and believe it.

Peter believes 1) Elders (or pastors) should stay on task and do so with a humble servant's heart. 2) For others, we are all to live a life surrendered completely to God trusting God's will will be done. 3) We are not to be people of worry, God can take our cares away. 4) Live a life of discipline. 5) Be alert, know that we do have an enemy who seeks nothing more than to destroy us, or as Jesus said in John 10:10, "steal, kill, and destroy." 6) Resist temptation. 7) Stay strong in the faith. 8) Know that whatever suffering we may be facing, we are not alone. God is with us, and there are others who are going through the same thing. 9) Our suffering ends and God will restore, support, strengthen, and establish us.

PRAYER: Give me the faith of what Peter speaks. May I trust completely in You for all that I face. Thank You for being with us and I ask you be with those who are facing the same. Grant us wisdom, courage, peace, and patience; in Jesus' Name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!

e.v.