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RESIST

1 Peter 5:8-10

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

Command With a Promise

Most modern day people that claim to be Christians will often talk about what a wonderful life they have. Be careful. Being a follower of Christ means going against the ways of the world. Followers are called to be sober and vigilant. We are called to resist the devil and his manipulations of the world. We must be steadfast in our faith, knowing that we will suffer for bucking the tide of a wonderful, worldly life. By living this way, we also know that our God in His grace, will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us. Glory be to God!

Saint of the Week

St. Nektarios of Aegina

SATIATED

Jeremiah 31:25 (38:25 LXX)

For I have satiated every thirsty soul and filled every hungry soul.

Encouraging Words

A characteristic of a follower of Christ is their perspective on earthly stuff. If a person is truly a follower, and is striving to be in alignment with Jesus and His teachings, then they will be at peace with their life. Whether rich or poor, healthy or sick, prestigious or lowly, they will be joyful in life. There is a deep satisfaction, a satiation, in one’s life that deals with the thirst and hunger of our souls that is only fulfilled by Christ. Glory be to God!

HE CARES FOR YOU

1 Peter 5:6-7

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Encouraging Words

As followers of Christ we know the order in which our redemption works. It all starts with God caring for us. Before anyone ever starts submitting to God and following His leading, He cares for them. Whether they submit to Him, or not, He cares for them. He created us in our mother’s womb in His image and within His love and care. Because we recognize His love for us we then humble ourselves to Him and we see His love play out in our lives as He exalts us. It all starts with Him loving us. We can never “earn” it. Thank You, Father!

AN EVERLASTING LOVE

Jeremiah 31:3 (38:3 LXX)

The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I drew you in compassion.

Encouraging Words

God loves us more than we will ever understand. No matter how far from Him we may venture, that will never impact His love for us. He never takes His eyes off of us. In His compassion, He waits for us to return to Him. Glory be to God.

CLOTHED WITH HUMILITY

1 Peter 5:5

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for
“God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”

Personal Challenge

Peter, one of the designated leaders of the early church, makes it clear that it is imperative that we submit ourselves to one another and clothe ourselves with humility. This can often be difficult to do but it is a fundamental characteristic of a follower of Christ for this is what Jesus did. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

WE SHALL BE HEALED

Jeremiah 30:16-17 (37:13-14 LXX)

Therefore, all who devour you shall be consumed, for all your enemies shall devour themselves. Your sins multiplied because of the abundance of your wrongdoings, thus they did these things to you. But those who tore you to pieces shall be as prey, and I will give all who plundered you as plunder. For I will bring about your healing from a painful wound. I will heal you,’ says the Lord. ‘For you were called Dispersed, for they said, “She is your prey, because no one seeks her.’ ”

Encouraging Words

Jeremiah proclaimed this prophecy for the people of Israel but yet it can also apply to His chosen people under His new covenant. True followers of Christ will be restored by our Lord even after those of the world attempt to devour and plunder us. God never goes back on His promises. He will heal us. He will protect us. Our resposibility is to keep running to Him, confessing our sins, and repenting. He does the rest. Glory be to God!

USE YOUR GIFTS

1 Peter 4:10-11

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Personal Challenge

One of the promises that we have received as followers of Christ is that we will be given one or more gifts to be used for His kingdom. These gifts are articulated throughout the New Testament. Jesus expects us to use our gifts to build up His body, as good stewards for Him. We do this gladly. Sometimes our gifts may be thwarted by others within the body, whether unintentionally or with malicious intent. In these cases, we still seek out ways to use those gifts for His edification. Glory be to God!

Saint of the Week

St. John Chrysostom

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

Psalms 146:5-9 (145:5-9 LXX)

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob;
His hope is in the Lord his God,
Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and everything in them,
Who keeps truth forever,
Who executes justice for the wronged,
Who provides food for the hungry.
The Lord frees those bound.
The Lord restores those broken down.
The Lord gives wisdom to the blind.
The Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord keeps watch over resident aliens.
He shall adopt the orphan and the widow,
But He shall destroy the way of sinners.

Personal Challenge

As a continuation of yesterday’s post, we continue through this psalm. After being told to not put our trust in the leaders of this world, we are told how God exercises His love for mankind. Jesus reminds us in His teachings that He expects His followers to do this as well. It is not enough to wear gold crosses and pray in public settings. We must do the following in His name whenever we have a chance:

• Execute justice for the wronged
• Feed the hungry
• Free those who are bound
• Restore those who dre broken down
• Give wisdom to the blind (even when they can see)
• Love the righteous
• Keep watch over resident aliens (aka immigrants)
• Adopt the orphan and the widow

Contrast this with what we are seeing happening in the name of God today! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!