Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 42:1-4 As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while all day long people say to me,
“Where is your God?”
4 I remember this as I pour out my heart: how I walked with many, leading the festive procession to the house of God, with joyful and thankful shouts.
Read the Entire Psalm
The Psalmist used his memory to help direct his heart towards God. He longs for God. He thirst for God but it seems that God feels distant. He is crying and people are saying “where is God?” The Psalmist did two things. He remembered times when he was with God’s people and He poured out His heart to God. The Psalmist seems to be saying, “I used to praise God. I can praise Him again.” Praise God now for He hears. Pour out your heart to Him for He cares.
SCRIPTURE READING:
1 Peter 5:1-5 – New Living Translation
5 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: 2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
5 In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanksgiving to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for those who do not know God. Ask God to help you see the lost people around you and have compassion for them. Ask God for opportunities to build trust. Ask God to give you opportunity to have gospel conversations.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
While Peter addresses pastors directly, this passage is applicable to the entire church. There are clear leadership principles highlighted here. At its heart, this passage outlines what servant leadership looks like. Leaders are those who lead not for selfish gain or selfish ambition, but voluntarily and self-sacrificially. Humble leaders lead they don’t “lord.” This means, they lead by their own godly example. They lead as people of character. There is a temptation to value personal charisma over character, but this ought not be so. The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of character over personal charisma. Character development takes time; it requires a slow cooker, not a microwave. Have you been tempted to microwave spiritual growth and development? What can you do to slow down and develop the deep roots of character?