"Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly" - 1 Peter 5:2 (NKJV)One can't help but remember the scene after Jesus' resurrection when He was restoring Peter by a campfire. Three times Jesus asked, "Peter, do you love Me?" And three times He gave the same command: "Feed My lambs... Tend My sheep... Feed My sheep" (John 21:15-17). The same Gre...  Read More

"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: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly." - 1 Peter 5:1-2 (NKJV)Peter uses three distinct terms to describe what is essentially the same offi...  Read More

"nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock" - 1 Peter 5:3 (NKJV)Even the business world has picked up on something that we should remember about leadership. Jim Collins, in his book "Good to Great", researched what made companies great for sustained periods. He discovered what he called "Level 5 leaders"—leaders that everyone trusts and rallies around. What su...  Read More

"And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away." - 1 Peter 5:4 (NKJV)Peter uses this remarkable phrase—"Chief Shepherd"—to remind us of something powerful: any human pastor should be serving under the leadership and guidance of Jesus Himself. He recognizes all the flocks that He has all around the world, and you know what He's doing? He's appointi...  Read More

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." - John 16:33 (NKJV)There's a story in "The Insanity of God" about a man who was once a persecutor of Christians. His attacks and actions led to the persecution and deaths of dozens of believers. Eventually, he gave his life to Christ and becam...  Read More

"Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator." - 1 Peter 4:19 (NKJV)The word "commit" here is like depositing money in a bank. We deposit money to keep it secure and safe. Peter is saying, "Commit yourself to God. Place yourself in God's hands."Norman Geisler said this: "The solution to suffering is submission to sov...  Read More

"But rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." - 1 Peter 4:13 (NKJV)Jesus said this in John 15:20: "Remember the word that I said to you. A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted Me, they'll also persecute you." Second Timothy 3:12 says, "All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus ...  Read More

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." - Galatians 6:7 (NKJV)Adrian Rogers said this: "Many Christians will sow their wild oats all during the week, then on Sunday they'll pray for crop failure." They're asking God to help them avoid the consequences of their poor choices.When God says in His Word, "Don't do this," He's trying to help you. He's tr...  Read More

"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 (NKJV)Remember those pop quizzes in school? You'd walk into class. The teacher would say, "Take out your pen. Take out a piece of paper. We are taking a pop quiz." And you'd say, "No, that's not fair!" But if you looked at your syllabus, it was right there...  Read More

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God... that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NKJV)With the end in mind, we must serve where God has gifted us. We can't do everything, but we must use what God has given us. Peter says G...  Read More

"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling." - 1 Peter 4:8-9 (NKJV)With eternity in mind, Peter emphasizes something crucial: we need each other. He doesn't just say love one another - he calls for fervent love. The Greek word picture describes a horse at full stride, completely focused on finishi...  Read More

"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers." - 1 Peter 4:7 (NKJV)I love the Summer Olympics, especially track and field, since I used to run track. What's the most exciting moment of any race? The last 20, 40, 50 yards toward the end. The athletes are at full stride, pushing themselves to the limit with everything they have, finishing with complete pur...  Read More