Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

TUESDAY APRIL 14


DON'T WORRY!

READ:
1 Peter 5:7
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Casting all your
care upon Him, for
He cares for you.
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George Burns, American actor and humorist, said, "If you ask, 'What is the single most important key to longevity?' I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress, and tension. And if you didn't ask me, I'd still have to say it." Burns, who lived to be 100, enjoyed making people laugh, and apparently followed his own advice.

But how can we keep from worrying when our lives are so uncertain, so filled with problems and needs? The apostle Peter offered this encouragement to the followers of Jesus who had been forcibly scattered across Asia during the first century: "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" (1 PETER 5:6-7).

Peter's instructions were not given to help us avoid suffering (v.9), but so we can find peace and power to stand victorious against the attacks of Satan (vv. 6-10). Instead of being consumed by anxiety and worry, we are set free to enjoy God's love for us and express it to each other.

Our goal should not be to see how many years we can live but instead to live fully in loving service to the Lord for all the years we are given.

**Lord, I admit that I take things into my own hands and worry. That weighs
my spirit down and sometimes robs my nights of rest. Lift the heaviness from
my heart as I lean into You. ___________________________________________________
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Gos is my Father, I will never think of anything that He will forget, so why
should I worry? __Oswald Chambers

**********************Today's Bible Reading __ 1 Peter 5:1-11**********************
1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a
fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and
also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

7 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you,
serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for
dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords 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 does not fade away.

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." 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the
mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil
walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same
sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world,

10 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. 11 to Him be the glory
and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Peter's words in verses 1-3 are a challenge
to those who serve in shepherding ministries__that is, as pastors
or spiritual leaders. He reminds us that those who serve as
shepherds are to reflect the heart of the good, great, and chief
Shepherd__Jesus (SEE JOHN 10).