Neil NRG

There are no acts of humility. Observe Jesus -- He simply moved on to the next need. Look at what He did when wrongly and unjustly accused and sent with a cross and a crown of thorns to Calvary -- nothing, other than to forgive His tormentors and seek mercy for those also being crucified with Him -- yet He could have, but knew His Father's purpose in Calvary and obeyed. Being selfless and thinking of others and their good is strongly linked to humility. We cannot have true faith without humility. Observing the heart and faith and words of people being considered for leadership reflects their humility. We are imperfect and need to lean on God's understanding by seeking Him in earnest conversation and pray. We need to be patient and continue to wait on the Lord before making an important decision. Lord, grant our leaders wisdom and patience in making decisions about leadership in Your church.

Pray and encourage them! Their authority should not be limited unless they are failing in their role. Let's hope that they are called by God to be chosen in an important role and honour that. Those called by God will be tested and we can observe how they respond before bestowing authority. It is not up to us to test them -- let it be in God's will. Only God knows the answer to some of these questions. As people of faith we need to step out with courage and sometimes we are wrong. However, God brings good from all things. Lord, grant our leaders wisdom in making important decisions about workers in Your church. Lord, I know we all fail and make mistakes, but I know You are there to catch us and make good their decisions that they earnestly seek with a loving heart for Your glory.

"Twisting a person's arm" never works. We need to be willing and eager to serve, in whatever we are asked to do. It should flow from a natural gifting and desire, but our heart has to be in it, for us to be a true blessing and joy to others. It will reflect in the light in our face and the joyful passion in our voice. God knows and we can check our small still voice within us to choose to say yes or no. Do not be afraid to say no, if your heart is not in it. Be true to yourself and to God and to your fellow church-goers, especially for those who are lost and seeking God. If not, the church cannot function as God intended. By His grace He fulfills the needs of each one of us and of each role in church. I believe that leaders need to wait on the Lord for a prompting to help steer someone into a church ministry, whether it be providing flowers, ushering new people, providing food, visiting the widows, ministering to the homeless, music ministry, preaching, worship or whatever it may be. I believe that it produces leaders that are loved and respected by their people, a reflection of their reverence to God and the example of Jesus. A church does not grow organically without such a leader; one who is focussed on people and growing people, rather than themself -- this also applies in a workplace.

Peter is addressing Elders in the church and their responsibilities towards the church, Christians or those seeking Christ in various ways -- budding, new through to mature Christians. We all need a shepherd and encouragement. Someone that will listen to us, help us in time of need, teach us, counsel us, help us grow, help us learn, love us like family. Our headship is Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd. We all come to church or seek God from a different backstory, being remarkably unique. We don't know who we are talking to and their backstory or need but God knows. I believe that Elders can be anyone in church having a calling by God and led by the Holy Spirit to minister to a fellow Christian or someone that may be seeking God. Sure, it helps to be well versed in the bible, but where there is a need, as children of God, we are to act in His love. We don't need to have a prayer meeting and seek wise Counsel, for the Holy Spirit is our Counsellor. O Lord, grant each one of us called by You, and earnestly willing to serve You, to follow Your leading in any situation that we may be faced with, for ourselves or our fellow Christians and indeed Christians in waiting. Lord that we have the courage and faith and humility to seek You and to listen to Your small still voice in us to serve your flock, wherever they might be, lost or needing an encouraging word or a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on or a meal to share. For we are one in You, one family, beloved by One Father. To You be the glory.

O you are so real JanMary, speaking Truth -- spot on. I love it!

Dear Lord, I know that You are with me even when I fail. My pride gets in the way at times and I fail to focus on You and others, giving a foothold to our enemy Satan. Thank You Lord that You make me strong through my faith in You and are able to lead me through persecution to become a healthier and better Christian. When emotions flow through our minds it is sometimes difficult to remember who we are in Christ -- not to react in pride or indignation, but to respond in love as You Jesus. thank You that You are a patient teacher Holy Spirit. Lord, help us overcome our fears of failure and rejection, for You have had victory over sin and death. You have won the battle over Satan. What is there to fear? Thank You Lord that You are able to transform our minds, when we seek You with earnest cries -- so that, in moments of battle, You can help us change so that we respond as You would -- a moment, like a twinkling of an eye -- a miraculous transformation. Thank You Lord. Lord, You are the Creator of all we see, hear and feel. You are! You are love. Jesus, You died for us, that we would know You and be comforted and taught by Your Holy Spirit. I see in my mind's eye Stephen seeing You stand up from Your throne, at the right hand side of God the Father, knowing all is good; his circumstance being or an eternal good and that he was loved. A love like no other we can imagine. Jesus, You felt such compassion for Stephen but knew that this was to be, as You knew when You carried that cross to the hill at Calvary. Stephen knew at that moment too and like You, cried out to our Father to forgive his tormentors. What faith did Stephen have then? Can we commit ourselves to a faithful Creator? Yes we can! God willing, by His grace and mercy.

Dear Lord, thank You that You atoned for our sins once and for all and are sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. In persecution, often it is at the 11th hour when all seems lost or nigh impossible that we cry out, with a fervour like when Christ went to be alone and prayed to the Father. What seems to be impossible is possible for God, for He created us and everything around us and can transform any circumstance in our lives. It is Jesus' presence seated at the right hand of the Father that says it all. He has paid for our sins, it is finished, done, complete, in accord with the will and purpose of our Father God. His very presence and position in the throne room in heaven speaks to God the Father, without any words, and speaks to His children borne of His grace. Thank You Lord that we can rely and trust on You. Thank You that You are there to continually help us perservere in faith, strengthened in faith every time we are stretched through persecution for Your purpose. Becoming a new person, refined by fire - removing the dross from the precious gold within us. Praise Him who sits in the throne room of God, for us. He loves us! -- more than we can imagine.

Thanks for sharing that JanMary. It is a powerful answer to Ps Ralph's question. There is a rainbow at the end of the storm.

Lord, thank You that as Christians who love You and are loved by You, that You have good purposes for us in persecution or suffering. It is often my training ground and the inspiration of growth in who I am in You. Help us to guard our hearts Lord and to have wisdom to know what battles to engage.

Lord, I am blessed by what You have given me. Help me to be humble and think of You and others first. You first loved me and created me in Your image, as with us all. I am nothing except through You, my Creator and Saviour. Yet, I am still young in knowing You Lord and i ask that You show me Your wisdom to speak or to do for every moment of this and every day. I am unworthy, but You made me worthy. I know You are real Lord - that question I asked almost 30 years ago, You answered; from out of the wilderness and my desert You answered. I was nothing, yet You heard my cry. Lord, apparently my gifts are faith, prophecy and pastoring. I follow Your calling Lord and how I might use them as I see the Day approaching.

Knowledge & Wisdom I pray for this and study hard, but more than anything I endeavour to listen to the sweet still voice of the Holy Spirit instructing me through life's situations. O Lord, to gently, lovingly and kindly respond to my wife in all situations, whatever is said or done, however my emotions may run. Lord, protect us from the cunning of the devil; to call on You, as in a moment of crisis, with a deep and earnest desire to respond as You would. I pray for wisdom and increased knowledge of Your Word and of my wife and how she thinks and responds in different circumstances; for we are all different, each one special in Your eyes. Thank You Lord. Demonstrate Love O Lord, that I be a vessel of Your love to my beautiful wife. That I come closer to You, call on You and listen. For You are love and You want each one of us to know of Your love for us individually, as children to a most loving Father. To truly be in Your image as You will for us and we choose to call, listen and follow. That I be like Christ to His church. I know I am a work in progress Lord, but You know that I am an open vessel ready to be moulded by the Potter. Thank You Lord. Demonstrate Self-interest Lord it is not for me that I love devotedly my wife; it is in service and ministry to her desires. Thank You that You meet our every need. Lord Jesus, I know You understand that we are emotional beings. Help us to make right choices when new emotions fly our way; choices that honour our love to You and our wives, not our self-interests, ego or pride. Thank You Lord. Men Dominating Wives Dear Lord, help those that struggle with ego and pride, including me Lord; You know my struggles and thank You for all You have done and are doing in my life. I pray that You make me better able to know how to respond lovingly and gently to my wife in every circumstance. Thank You Lord. Wives Dominating Husbands Lord, help me discern the real reasons for my wife showing dominating behaviour to me. Is it her wanting to be heard, her past hurts life has thrown at her, the desrts we have come through? What is it Lord? Show me, through the sweet quiet voice of Your Holy Spirit and help me to respond how You would want me to. Thank You Lord. Harm from Domination; Contrary to God's Ways Lord, you know the emotions we sometimes go through; death of a loved one, carrying a cross, falsely accused, unfairly treated ... Yes, it is tough sometimes and it's okay to grieve, but it's not okay to act in anger when all my wife is doing is venting her emotions from frustration or hurt; is it not Lord? I am responsible for controlling my emotions and I know if my response is in line with Your ways or not. Help me Lord control my thoughts in response to my emotional reactions. Thank You Lord. Be with us Lord. In Jesus name I pray.

I like your answers. I sense your passion for Christ and life, having been held closely by Him through a desert.

Lord Jesus, Your love is so boundless and unimaginable. You accepted our Father's will to be seperated from Him, His love, for a time; that we should be joined and know of His love through You and Your Holy Spirit into eternity. How could You bear seperation from our Father's love? How can anyone of us? And what of your lost sheep? You look over them, Guardian of their souls, yearning that they again turn back to our Father's love. And of us, we are to follow You, Your Word, the Great Commisison, in love and honour of Your boundless love for us, each one of us. So, please help us Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to be beautiful, to be more like You; shining beacons of Your love for others. By Your grace and Your love for us. In Christ I live.

Debora We are all a work in God, but I see in you a love of God and of praise and worship to Him that is wonderful to see. God keep you on track with the burning desire and clear focus of what is important that I see you have. If you are not already a world changer, God is preparing you to be so. Father God, continue to richly bless this precious daughter of Yours, Debora, in Jesus mighty name.

Remember we are not of this world, so be not conformed to the world but to God. Our behaviour will not be excellent and an example of God in us unless it flows from right desires. Allow God to give you good desires. Focus on Your purpose, to love others as you love God, to sow seeds that souls will be saved, to glorify God. Keep a focus on your purpose every moment of every day, for it only takes a moment for sinful desires to grab hold. Your hope is in God and His glory and not what people normally hope in - self, safety, money. So, show humble acts of love, righteous acts of courage or self denying acts of generosity. When we focus our desires through God (in us) and find hope and contentment in His mercy and power and promises, then we start to show excellent behaviour - a humble love, fearless courage, self denying generosity, joyful simplicity and peaceful suffering. These behaviours point to God's glory.

Debora Thanks again for your heartfelt words of love for God. So True! One day we will be seated in His glory in Heaven, when Jesus comes again to redeem His beloved sons and daughters. Thank You Lord, God Almighty. All praise be to our God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Deborah I only recently joined, so you may not still be on this forum, but thank you for your words - they are spot on. Might I add my thanks to our Father God. Father, I acknowledge You are Holy, I acknowledge You are Love, I acknowledge You are my Creator, I acknowledge You saved me through Jesus Christ, I thank You that You chose me by grace, I thank You for my breath, I thank You for giving me thought and a freedom of choice, I thank You for making me in Your image, I thank You for Your Holy Spirit, I thank You Jesus that when I call You are there (always there), I thank You that one day I will be redeemed and seated in Your glory in Heaven. I love You Lord. I praise You. I worship You. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You!

No value? Never of no value, but of low value at times and God has held me through those times, letting me know He is there and He values me. God almighty values me; how amazing, words cannot describe. He values each one of His children, much loved, so loved. Loved? He died for us; He is always there for us, to hear our call; we are of of immeasurably more value than gold or silver; we are redeemed through Christ's sacrifice for us; saved from sin and death and into eternal life with Him; seated by His throne, as children of His, our Father; yes, He loves us more than any father I know, an unfathomable love, immeasurable! Long-term value? God values things of eternal worth and not fleeting things like those on earth; love is of greatest value, love for God and others; but we must first have a love for ourselves, through knowing God loves us and it is through the overflowing of God's love for us that we truly love others. This is of long-term value. Nothing financial, gold, silver, money, worldly assets is of value. God's love for you and your earnest devotion to Him is of value. Long-term investments? Most valuable is spending time with God, in prayer, in study of His Word, in worship and praise, acknowledging Him in every moment of every day. Yet, look, time loving His people, the lost, the lonely, the destitute, the widows, the orphans, each one of us, is so valuable to God. He desires those who know Him and know of His love to spread His love and His Word to those in need and indeed we are all in need of His love. O Lord this world so broken, each one of Your creation is valuable to You; Lord be with us. This is a great commission, let us join together and march forward hand in hand with our Saviour, to share His message, to spread His love and promises for each one of us. May He shine brightly through us that are called by Him, overflowing in His love. He first loved us!

Being judged by others is not a good feeling, but we can rise to the challenge it can present. We know that we know when we do something wrong and our knowing comes as a bad feeling in us, as if God's Spirit is crying out up us, saying 'why forsake Me, please, please don't do that which is not of Me, don't continue in this way, it grieves Me. I did not create you to sin against Me and your fellow man. Sin is not of Me, as far as the east is from the west. I hate sin! I am love and I desire that you have it abundantly in your life and overflowing to your fellow man. Hear My call and follow Me, do as My Father will, not by your will. Die to self, live with Me. Look, see who I am and follow Me.' God's final judgment brings a curtain down on all sin and suffering in this world; He will dry our tears, so they are no more; He will crown us in His glory and bathe us in His love, beyond measure or imagination; a love to behold for the ages. Our salvation is consecrated in final judgement. The Book of Life reveals our destiny in Christ, before we were born; it is by grace and not works; in your heart and not your hands; in your spirit and not your mind; in your love for God and not in your love for self. The Gospel is incomplete and unfinished without the final judgement. Christ is seated next to the Father on His heavenly throne, risen from His sacrifice for us at Calvary and in the final judgement the righteous in Christ shall be seated by Him and His angels shall rejoice in His glory shining on us.

Christ's coming - it gives us great hope that helps inspire us to keep our focus on God every moment of every day, earnestly desiring to follow His Word and Way, leading us towards a holy life, honouring His great love for us. Hope - Christ's coming inspires hope because of the many promises in His coming, with His salvation consummated and His glory in us manifested; we will receive a crown of glory, for He first loved us and chose us before we were born. Self-control - might He help us gird up the loins of our minds that we may always act with self-control, knowing what is to come, what God ordained in us called to be His servants in Christ, to honour His love for us, to strive to give Him our attention every moment of every day and in His Grace and Will to help free us of mental rashness, growing always in self-control. O Lord help me, help us all, for we are all sinners here on this earth, so easily led astray in a moment of false thought. Help us I pray O Lord; You know my earnest and deepest desires. So be it, by Your inordinate Grace and Mercy. Losing focus - when we forget, even in a fleeting moment, to have in mind God's almighty promises for us that He has given us in knowing of Christ's coming, we can lose sight of His love for each one of us and can quickly fall into sin, affecting the overflowing of His love from us to others that comes from obeying and honouring Him, always.

The basis - belief in Him, a deep knowing, that He is God Almighty, our Father, King of Heaven and Earth, and He loves us unconditionally and chose us. Emotionally, it's a warm tingly feeling deep inside, like falling deep in love for the first time; yet it is not fleeting like human love. The pursuit of happiness is often seen as getting riches, sex and power, or using drugs for a false happiness and self pleasure. Such happiness is fleeting and shallow and not fulfilling; it is self-centred and not Christ-centred. Happiness from God is true happiness! It gives that warm feeling deep inside that strives to overflow to others, to help others and tell others that "God loves you". We are all sinners, yet He loves you unreservedly, if only you should believe that Christ died for your sins, that you are forgiven, and He is holding His hand out to you right now saying "come". He died for you because He loves you, that you would be redeemed and have an everlasting life in relationship with Him, your Father, your Creator, drying your tears and you not wanting for anything anymore. Praise be to God our Saviour. Peace be with you.

Hi Sandra T just learning how to post on this site. I notice we are one of two that just joining this 1 Peter course. God bless you, your husband and family in Trinidad. Neil, a fellow Christian, down under in Canberra Australia ??

Hi, I am Neil from Canberra Australia. Thank God for all He has done and is doing in your life Pastor Ralph. I am privileged to have found your website and to have received your lesson on 1 Peter this week. I am sharing it with my wife and a friend at work. May God in His insurmountable love, mercy and grace continue to bless us through this work of Pastor Ralph and the Father's brethren on this site. In the previous name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, our Peace and Glory in our lives. I have three adult kids. I work full time as a civil engineer. I am grateful for not wanting anything, knowing what Christ has done for me and you, although we are all sinners, yet He chose us, we inherited salvation through the love of Almighty God, our Creator and Father.