The Daily Dose

A godly leader

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 1 Peter 5:2

This is for all you leaders out there!  Whether you lead a group in your church or at your job, whether its your family or with friends, we are all leaders somewhere.  What ever group you are leading, whether big or small, this passage says it is a service to God!  Wow!  What an honor!  The instruction given to leaders here is to care, pay attention to and provide for all those you are leading.  It says to look out for their well being willingly, and no matter how frustrating they can be at times, do not lead grudgingly.  People inevitably fall short of your expectations some time or another and the reason is because they are people.  You will fall short as a leader at times too.  The important thing is to be thankful that God has entrusted you with a group, and you lead with a willing and eager heart to serve God!

This passage not only tells us how to lead, it also tells us how not to lead.  It says in verse three not to lord it over those assigned to you.  It means don’t be dominating and oppressive.  Don’t lead arrogantly acting as if you are better because you are in charge.  Rather, appreciate your people because you are only as good as your team.  Treat them right and lead by being a good example.  Lastly, don’t seek to be a leader because you desire power or fame, a leader should be like Jesus and be the greatest servant of the entire group. In doing this, the passage says when Jesus comes, you will receive a crown of never ending glory and honor.  An eternal crown of glory and honor.  How about that?  Now there’s something to be  motivation by!

Today I want to encourage you to grow in your leadership positions by becoming a godly leader.  Our example is our heavenly Father.  He didn’t spare His own son for us, now we are to lead with that kind of love.  To lay down our life for the crew.  Jesus said in John 10:11 the good shepherd (leader) lays down His life for the sheep/team.  Be the kind of leader that loves and enjoys their people, and not be bothered and annoyed by them.  Recognize that God has given you this position because He wants to show His love to the entire group through your leadership!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Peter 5:1-4

It’s no strange thing

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 1 Peter 4:12

Trials!  It is what life is made of.  Everyone goes through them, some handle trials better than others.  A trial can be little, or it can be big, but no matter what the size, when you are in the middle of it, it looks impossible.  Trials can come in all forms, but mostly they are disappointments, setbacks and discouraging reports.  Simply put, trails are a test.  A test of your faith, endurance and your trust in God and His Word.

This scripture in 1 Peter is talking about fiery trial and in the case of who this message was sent to, they were being severely persecuted for the faith.  Many of them to the point of death.  Peter tells them not to think it is a strange thing to face trials as though something odd or unusual has happened.  He makes it sound like they should go ahead and plan on trials being a part of life.  Not only that, Peter tells them that they should rejoice because they are going through exactly what Jesus did.  He says that God’s glory is revealed in their ability to be glad and rejoice in that trial.

Now, we have never faced anything like they were facing back in Peter’s day and probably never will, but we can expect the trials, test and setbacks in life to come.  Don’t be surprised, be prepared.  The first thing to recognize is that we are in the world and Jesus said because of that, we are going to go through things, but he finished that statement by saying we are to be of good cheer or rejoice because he has overcome them all for us and made us more than conquerors (John 16:33, Romans 8:37).  He has already gotten the victory for us!  Glory to God!  Next, accept that live is never going to be perfect.  As much as we try to control our outward circumstances, things will never be perfect in this life.  We live in a fallen world and we cannot ever make it flawless, no matter what we do.  Lastly, when trials do come, press into your relationship with God.  Make it a priority to seek and pursue Him.  Then be willing to follow any direction He gives as He guides you through the test to the desired end.  Be thankful and rejoice that He is with you – comforting you, leading you and holding your hand all the way!

Today I want to encourage you to make a plan to rejoice in your trials.  Don’t be surprised when they come, get excited!  There is great victory on the other side.   It’s like when you were in school and had a test day, if you studied and prepared ahead of time, you did well.  If you didn’t, not so well.  Why not study God’s Word and go ahead and plan on passing all the tests of life.  Then you can go on to tutor others that are going through the tests you have already passed!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Be serious       

But the end of all things is at hand(within reach); therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers.         1 Peter 4:7

Be serious and watchful!  I’m not sure I can remember the last time I was really serious in prayer.  Sure, I pray daily for family and friends, for things that effect our day to day living, but to get serious with God on a level that I am ready to step up and do whatever He needs as I watch these last days unfold? That is an intense level of prayer. This scripture was written hundreds of years ago and yet Peter says the end of all things is at hand.  How much more is that statement true today?

So, here’s a starting point.  If you feel that you could get a little more serious and watchful in your prayers, start with love.  Start by praying that the love of God would fill your heart.  Love doesn’t come automatically, it is a choice.  This passage says to have fervent (passionate, intense) love for one another.  Not only that but to be hospitable (open up your home) without grumbling.  Then it says that the love of God (in the blood of Jesus) covers sin and not just any sin, great sin.  That’s good news.  After we got the love thing down, then we are to use our gifts and abilities to bless others by sharing God’s great grace!  This is what will bring glory to God in all things.

Today I want to encourage you to become serious and watchful in your prayer.  Pray that the love of God for the people of this world will fill your heart.  Then begin to share that love through your gifts and abilities and by being kind and loving to those around you.  Even those who are not so lovely.  You do your part and the love of God will change even the hardest heart.  The end of all things is near, lets be ready and watching when the LORD comes.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Arm yourself!

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2

I know I have read this before.  Why didn’t I ever see these words “arm yourself?”  So what the Apostle Peter is telling me is that I am to prepare for battle (arm myself) by taking on the same thought process that Jesus had . . . no longer living in this body going after the things the world has to offer, but going after the plan of God!  Well, this makes sense, and certainly I agree with it, but I have never considered that to let this mind be in me that was also in Christ Jesus would be arming myself for battle.  I know I am in a spiritual battle, and it makes sense that I would prepare for it.  I had always prepared by putting on the armor of God and using the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. However, what if we actually had the mentality that Jesus had.  For sure the battle starts in our minds, so if we took on the thoughts that Jesus thought, surly we would be more successful at winning the battles of life.

Philippians 2:5-8 says, Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  This passage lays out some of the thinking that Jesus has and clearly it starts with being determined to accomplish God’s plan for your life.

The passage in Philippians says, Number one, He didn’t try to make a name for Himself.  Two, He determined to live a life dedicated to serving others.  Three, He humbled Himself to be obedient to the plan of God for His life.  Imagine if Jesus had come into the world and said “I know God has a plan for my life, but I just want to do what I feel like doing and doing it my way.”  Yikes!  Yet how many of us live life that very way.  We know God has a plan, but somehow we think it will just happen and I only have to do the things that I feel like doing to accomplish all God has for my life.  I don’t think so.  To take on the thinking of Jesus is to recognize that our life is not our own.  If we approach every battle with that  mindset, we recognize that in following the plan of God for our lives, God will get us through every obstacle that the enemy tries to throw at us.  If we listen to all God has for us to do, we don’t have to worry about dying early or failing financially or any of life’s greatest concerns and fears.  We know that we are on the path God has called us to and He is going to accomplish all that we are called to because we have determined in our heart to fulfill that plan, no matter what. 

Today I want to encourage you to “arm yourself” for battle by thinking like Jesus.  It is possible and if you are going to follow the plan of God for your life, it is required!  It starts with laying down your efforts to be somebody in the world’s eyes, serving others and submitting to the plan God has for your life each day.  I will repeat what I said before about looking back on this life from eternity, we will never regret the things we did to complete the plan of God, in fact we will probably wish we had followed more closely!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Peter 4:1-6

He brings us

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 1 Peter 3:18

This is it! The whole reason Jesus came, died, raised back up and ascended.  To bring us to God!  Jesus came to be born as a baby in this world.  So many wonderful things God did through His life here.  He not only had a miraculous birth, it was a miraculous conception.  The celebration of His life began with the angels and the shepherds and still goes on today.  Then He lived to be the greatest example of a man there ever was.  He showed us how to live and how to be a disciple.  The list is endless of His accomplishments and His sacrifices.  From leaving His home in heaven to become a man, not just for 33 years, but for all eternity. (He is still a man that sits next to His Father in heaven. Eph.1:20) To laying down His earthly life to be brutally put to death in shame and humiliation, to become the first born of many brethren (men) (Romans 8:29)  A new creation!

We know at one point Jesus struggled with this decision to lay down His life because in the garden before He was crucified, He prayed that this “cup” would pass.  Yet, He surrendered His will to His Father saying, “Not My will but Yours be done!” (Luke 22:42)  Why did He do all this?  To bring us to God, to bring me to God my Heavenly Father!  He brought us to His Father so that we could sit with Him in heavenly places!  Glory to God!  Ephesians 2:4-6 – But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  

Today, Jesus looks back at that time as the greatest victory for all eternity.  I know He doesn’t regret for one minute that He went through with the plan of God.  As hard and as excruciating as it was at the time, the reality is that it was a very short span of time in light of eternity. Although His suffering was so great, His victory is even greater . . . for all of us! 

Today I want to encourage you to consider your suffering to have great benefit for eternity.  Think of how many lives you can bring to the Father with very little suffering.  Through Christ Jesus and His suffering, we can bring many to Him and fulfill the plan of God for our lives at very little cost to us.  I guarantee you in eternity, we will look back and wonder why we didn’t put it all out there no matter what the cost!  We only get a little time to bring others with us. That’s what we are here for and that’s what will last forever!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22

What’s your plan?

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 1 Peter 3:15

Do you have a plan?  A plan to share your testimony?  What about a plan to give a defense?  This verse in 1 Peter says to always be ready to give a defense for your hope in Christ Jesus.  Then it goes on to say that this defense is not an angry or defiant defense but one of meekness and respect. However, the verse starts out by saying the first thing you need to do is sanctify or set apart a special place in your heart for God . . . the first place!  This is always your starting point.  Giving God your first and best!

So what about a plan?  What if you had a plan in place to give an answer every time the subject of salvation or even God, for that matter, comes up.  Instead of avoiding or stuttering your way through the conversation, have a straight up, practiced plan of what to say.  Not a script, but something from your heart.  I have a couple I like to use.  One is a retirement plan idea.  The conversation of retirement comes up quite a bit.  Even young people consider their financial future to secure it.  This topic gives the opportunity to ask the question:  “That’s a good plan for your retirement for this life, but what is your plan after this life?”  Or what is your “expirement” plan?  You know the plan after you expire?  What about when someone ask you why you believe?  Or how can you live for God in such an ungodly world?  It’s not about being a religious person, it’s about being a disciple.  My real “go to” in such cases is the love of God!  He loved me, even before I knew about Him.  He loved me while I was still a sinner.  He is good and wants good for me and helps me get through everything life dishes out.  The real reason anyone would debate your loyalty to God is because they just don’t know who He is or even what He is . . . love!

Ultimately our desired result is what Jesus told us in the sermon on the mount: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:16)  Our greatest defense and testimony is our doing good to and for others.  This passage in Peter starts out in verse 13 saying:  you are less likely to be harassed when you are doing good things and living a good life.  And when you do suffer, it is a blessing because you know you have done the right thing.

Today I want to encourage you to put together a plan.  A plan of action and words to display the love of God to those around you.  That anyone who comes into contact with you will see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.  Even if they don’t, you can expect the blessings of God to flow in your life because you have made the decision to do good no matter what the consequences are!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Peter 3:13-17

Have compassion

“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;”  1 Peter 3:8

Here is the solution to every relational problem.  Every racial issue and every religious disagreement.  Have compassion for one another.  Be tenderhearted and courteous/kind.  Sounds pretty simple, right?  Unfortunately, so many people in today’s world are completely unaware of this answer.  Many people today have no idea that being kind and gracious to others will bring peace.  The people of our nation are so focused on the problems of disrespect and contempt for just about every race, class and tradition that they fail to realize there is a solution and it is within their power to execute it.  It is the law of compassion, courtesy, brotherly kindness and grace.

Here’s the thing, returning evil and reviling with a blessing, brings blessing back to you (vs. 9)  This is ground breaking.  There was a day when respect and refraining from evil speaking was the way of life.  A time when people turned away from evil and did good.  The end result of this attitude is God hearing prayers and healing the land.  However, the face of God is against the anger and pride that has come on the people of the world and the people of our nations. Think of it this way, you are either speaking for the enemy or your Deliverer.  I pray that we become a thankful people.  Yes, the previous generations may have come here through terrible circumstances.  Many were sent to this country for punishment of crimes, some were brought here by force and others choose to travel here with great consequences and no idea if they would actually make it, but thank God they came!  We have a great nation and great people in our nation.  No matter how our ancestors got here, lets be thankful that they made it.  We live in the greatest land on earth, and there is no other place I would rather be. . . How about you?

Today I want to encourage you to let it begin with you.  Let it begin with me and pray that it spreads throughout the entire nation, the kindness of God.  His compassion, respect for every individual person, kindness and grace extended beyond race.  As James 2:13 says “For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”  Let’s allow mercy to triumph in our land and drive the enemy of our soul out for good!

Today’s scripture reading:  1 Peter 3:8-12

Chaste conduct                        

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 1 Peter 3:1

Likewise?  In the same way?  As what?  This verse is referring back to the last portion of chapter 2 that is talking about employees/servants being submissive to your employer/master.  Yikes!  Could be a bit insulting for a girl.  However, I assure you, insult in not what God has in mind.  God created women to be a compliment or completer for her husband.  She works with him in agreement.  This is not to say that she doesn’t have any ideas of her own.   The idea was that the two would work together as one to accomplish a common goal and plan.  That in working together, they could bring their two different ideas together and form a new and better one.  In this relationship of agreement, a couple could accomplish the plan that God gave the man for His family’s purpose in the world.  God intended that a family would be one unit and would accomplish many great things together.  If you look at families today, even if they are not working together on one project, you can see that each person has a specific gift or talent that if brought together could be a wonderful working unit and accomplish great things.

This portion of 1 Peter chapter 3 is focused on the husband and wife relationship. The idea is that a wife has been given the ability to empower her husband in life by submission and chaste/self-denying behavior, without even saying a word.  The common and popular believe of the world is that a wife needs to harass, belittle and goad her husband to have control of him, but this isn’t God’s plan.  He would have the wife be her husband’s helper and greatest encourager, even if he isn’t following the plan of God yet.  The passage goes on to say that it’s not the outside appearance that he is ultimately attracted to, but the hidden person of the heart with beauty that will never fade and a gentle and quiet spirit.  In this way the wife is a husbands greatest ally in that she is a partner with him to accomplish the plan of God. This is a great position of power and one of God’s secret weapons. Submission is the door through which God has the greatest access to your marriage.

Today I want to encourage you in your relationship with your spouse.  Whether you are a husband or a wife, get the plan and follow it.  Work together to come up with the best solutions to issues and treat one another with respect as if the other is the most important person in your life, because they are.  Guard and protect your marriage and recognize that there is a purpose God has for you to accomplish as a couple and family.  Don’t let outside forces such as friends, other family or work get between the two of you.  Seek out relationships that are there to support and encourage you in the plans God has for you.  You are heirs together of the grace of life and when you are in agreement, God will answer all your prayers!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Peter 3:1- 7

Your calling

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 1 Peter 2:21

So here it is . . . your calling.  What you are called to and why you are here in this world and on this planet. To follow the example of Jesus.  The example of submitting to God who judges righteously or makes everything we submit to Him right.  We, having died to sin, now we live for righteousness.  We were sheep going astray, but now we have been brought back to our Shepherd, Christ Jesus. 

The focus in this passage is verse 24 that says we have died to sin.  What exactly does that mean, dying to sin?  The scripture says we are to die to self.  Romans 8:12 & 13 says, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”  Dying to self means I give up all my rights and desires and surrender them to my Lord Christ Jesus.  So, to die to sin means sin no longer exist to me.  In a sense, I am turning away from and shunning it.  I close the door to sin and it no longer has any place in my life.  I treat it like the curse that it is and don’t let even the resemblance of sin come near me.  I do this by submitting every part of my life to my Lord Jesus.  This is not to say that I will never sin again.  There may be a day or even more than one day, that I am weak and allow myself to let sin in, but I do not stay there.  I quickly recognize that sin has come alive and I need to die to it/turn away from it and run to my Father in repentance.  1 John 1:9 tells us exactly what we need to do in our weak times, it is to run to God.  It says, “ if we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse/wash us from all unrighteousness/sin.  Glory to God, He makes us clean!!

Today I want to encourage you to be dead to sin.  Don’t let sin have control of your body.  Instead, submit your life to the LORD’s service.  The answer is found in Romans 6:12 & 13 – Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.  Daily present yourself to God as His instrument of righteousness.  The best time is first thing each day.  Before you do anything, go before you loving Heavenly Father with a presentation of your body for His service and His agenda.  Then watch how your life unfolds in a work of art that touches the lives of all those around you.

Today’s scripture reading:  1 Peter 2:21 – 25

Do good

For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.  1 Peter 2:20

This happens a lot.  Many times when doing something good, others will want to pull you back down.  It makes people uncomfortable when they see someone doing things to help others.  Most of the time it’s because it makes them recognize their own unwillingness to go that extra mile.  All through the scriptures we see examples of those who did good things, yet they suffered for doing them.  Joseph did good, but found himself in prison. Queen Jezebel put a bounty on Elijah’s head even though he did nothing wrong. Daniel ended up in a lion’s den.  Even Jesus, who was perfect, had to deal with the pharisee’s always accusing Him of doing something against the law.  The Apostle Paul was no different and spent many nights in the local dungeon.  Thankfully, we will never have to suffer to these extents, but we still live in a society where it is not popular to do good things.  Think about it.  At work, most people are happy to get by with doing as little as possible while getting paid as much as possible.  Our culture is one of “nobody is going to get the best of me”  If for some reason, we do begin to suffer because of something we did that was the right thing, we would defend our right to be right tooth and nail until the end.

Today’s passage starts by talking to servant/employees and it says to submit to their master/boss with fear/respect.  I don’t believe we need to be afraid of them, however we are to respect them to their face and behind their back.  The passage goes on to qualify that this is required whether it is earned or not.  It has nothing to do with them but everything to do with us.  We determine that we are going to respect them no matter what.  If actually says that it pleases God when we honor our employer, even to the point of taking their grief.  Yikes!  Nobody likes to do that, yet it always happens.  Inevitably there will be a difference of opinion and guess what, the boss is always right.  The passage ends by saying this is our calling to follow Jesus example and follow in His steps.  He willingly suffered and died even though He never sinned.

Today I want to encourage you to take your suffering patiently.  In doing so, you are opening the door for the LORD to work in the situation.  If you try to handle things yourself by arguing your case, you will not get the best results.  True success only comes from letting God handle it.  The way to do that is to put your hands up, take a step back and say “Here you go LORD,  I trust you to take care of this situation”  This is what it all comes down to:  We trust God to handle the difficulties in our lives, and we do it by giving Him control.  If you purpose in your heart to honor and respect others no matter what, then give God the entrance into the circumstances through your faith, He will always bring you through every trial in peace!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Peter 2: 18-20