" THE SHEPHERDING OF GOD'S PEOPLE IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING "

Come on in and spend a few moments with me, I am here for you. Now there is much Hurt and Pain in The Body Of Christ. Those of us who are a little bit " OLDER " than most are considered " Elders" in the Body Of Christ. Peter said, " Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the Sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, Shepherd The Flock of God among you." Now Elders carry great responsibility, and should be expected to be good examples. Both Greeks and Jesus gave positions of great honor to wise Older Men, and the Christian Church continued this pattern of leadership. Carrying your worries, stresses, and daily struggles by yourself shows that You have Not Trusted God fully with your life. It takes humility, however, to recognize that God cares, admit your need(s), and let others in God's family help you. Sometimes we think that struggles caused by our own sin and foolishness are not God's concern. But when we turn to God in repentance, he will bear the weight even of those struggles. Now allowing God to have your anxieties call for action, not passivity. Don't submit to circumstances, but to the Lord who controls circumstances. LAST POINT: It's vital that we are vigilant always on guard. Lions attack sick, young, or struggling animals; they choose victims who are alone or not alert.Some of you have heard me say that I believe that we are in the Last Days. Watch out for Satan when we are suffering or being persecuted feeling alone, weak, helpless, and cut off from other believers, so focused on our personal troubles that we forget to watch for danger, we are especially vulnerable to Satan's attacks. During times of suffering, just might not be the time for being by yourself. Seek out others of like mind in the faith for support. Keep your eyes on Christ, and resist the devil. Then, he says with confidence " HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU " (James 4:7). Until Next Time... Jim,