"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." - 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)There was a real boxer fighting his opponent, and his trainer was in the corner trying to encourage him. Round after round, he's just getting pummeled. The trainer keeps saying, "Man, that guy hasn't laid a glove on you!" Finally, the boxer says, "Throw in the ...  Read More

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." - 1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV)Several years ago, when Lydia and I were celebrating our anniversary, we took a trip to Clearwater Beach in Florida. As we walked around, I noticed a Hulk Hogan store. I found out that Hulk Hogan lived there and came to his store frequently to talk with fans. I...  Read More

"Obey those who rule over you and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." - Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV)This is another verse to keep in mind when we think about God's design for leadership in the church. The writer of Hebrews says there are people who are overseeing you—they're o...  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 a specific Greek word here for "crown"—"stefanos"—describing the victor's crown. If you could imagine the Olympic games and imagine that the reward is not a trophy, but a crown placed on the victor's head, this is the imagery Peter is painting. He's saying, "If you are...  Read More

"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