Passage of the Day:
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it 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 will never fade away. 5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[a] 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you, 1 Peter 5:1-7.
Reflection:
When I was growing up, the church was the center of our local community. Whether this was attending Sunday School, a special outreach event like Lock Ins or Youth Group on Sunday nights, this is where I learned what it means to be a Christian. Unfortunately, nearly 50 years later, there are so many options outside the church to choose from. Due to a growing animosity of Judeo-Christian values, local and state governments are preventing the type of Christian fellowship that I experienced as a teenager at my high school. As these relentless attacks continue, finding hope at a local church is much more difficult.
Prayerful Action:
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings, 1 Peter 5:8-9.
Clinging to a Glimmer of Hope this Fall:
Peter’s analogy of the Devil is similar to the words of the apostle Paul in Ephesians 6:12. This ongoing spiritual battle is addressed by another disciple of Jesus in John 10:10. As you look to your community to find a church that fits your spiritual needs, the Devil wants you to focus on all the negative aspects of church. When you combine 1 Peter 5:8-9, Ephesians 6:12 and John 10:10, spiritual forces of evil are lurking around every corner, seeking to steal your joy, kill any glimpses of hope and destroy your life. This is what local churches are up against and why putting on the armor of God to remain hopeful in your local church.
Song of the Day:
Final Thoughts:
If you’re not careful, you might find yourself sitting back in a chair or pew, pointing out everything that’s wrong with your church. Fight back against this urge by becoming willing servant so that when visitors see your devotion, they’ll find hope in your church.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 