Birth Pangs to Breakthroughs | Galatians 4:19-20
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Release Date: 04/05/2024
How to Cast Your Anxiety on God | 1 Peter 5:7
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. — Some burdens feel too important to put down. We tell ourselves that continuing to think about them is responsible. If we stop rehearsing the possibilities, anticipating every problem, or trying to control every outcome, something may fall apart. But responsibility can slowly become the belief that everything depends on us. Yesterday, Peter told us to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. Today, he shows us what humility does with the weight it cannot carry: “Casting all your anxieties on...
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How to Humble Yourself Before God | 1 Peter 5:5-6
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. — Humility is one of the hardest virtues to examine. Because the moment we become impressed with our own humility, it has already become pride. For the past couple of days, Peter has been speaking to Christian leaders. He has called them to shepherd God’s people and model...
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How Should Christian Leaders Use Authority? | 1 Peter 5:3-4
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. — Peter never forgot the night Jesus picked up a towel. John tells us that Jesus knew the Father had given all things into His hands. He knew where He had come from and where He was going. Yet those hands did not grasp for greater status. They removed His outer garment, tied a towel around His waist, and washed the feet of His disciples. The One with absolute authority used it to serve. In that moment,...
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What Makes a Good Christian Leader? | 1 Peter 5:1-2
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; — Leadership becomes dangerous the moment we forget whom the people belong to. For four chapters, Peter has been teaching us how believers stand firm under pressure. Now, as we enter the final chapter of this letter together, he...
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What Does “Judgment Begins at the House of God” Mean? | 1 Peter 4:17-19
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. — Some verses sound frightening until you read them in context. Peter writes, “It is time for judgment to begin at the household of God.” That statement can make sincere believers...
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Stand Firm When the Fire Comes | 1 Peter 4
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
What if the fire isn’t proof that you missed God’s will but the moment your faith becomes visible—in 1 Peter 4, Peter shows how to stay faithful when following Jesus becomes costly. Summary Peter prepares believers for fiery trials by calling them to arm their minds with Christ’s resolve and give the rest of their lives to God’s will. He urges them to use their remaining time for clear-minded prayer, earnest love, openhearted hospitality, and faithful service. He also warns that not every consequence is persecution, so Christians must make sure their suffering comes from faithfulness...
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How Should Christians Respond to Persecution? | 1 Peter 4:12-16
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. — ...
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How to Discover and Use Your Spiritual Gifts | 1 Peter 4:10-11
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is 1 Peter 4:10-11: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. — 1 Peter 4:10-11 One year ago today, Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University. Much of his public life had been spent speaking to students, inviting debate, building an organization, and...
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What Does “Love Covers a Multitude of Sins” Mean? | 1 Peter 4:8-9
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is : Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. — Pressure has a way of exposing what relationships are made of. When life is calm, patience comes more easily. But when people are tired, frightened, disappointed, or under strain, small offenses begin to feel larger. Weaknesses become harder to overlook, and relationships that once felt effortless can become difficult to maintain. Peter was writing to believers living under increasing opposition. They needed one another...
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How Should Christians Live in the End Times? | 1 Peter 4:7
The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller
Our text today is 1 Peter 4:7: The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. — 1 Peter 4:7 When Christians talk about the end times, the conversation often gets louder as charts appear, headlines are decoded, and predictions multiply. Peter takes the conversation in a quieter—and more demanding—direction: Pray. Listen again to what he writes, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” Peter is not giving his readers a date for Christ’s return. He is...
info_outlineMy little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. — Galatians 4:19-20
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The Invested Parent
With these words, we encounter raw emotion. Paul perceives himself as a parent to the Galatians. He has parent-like aspirations for their spiritual growth and maturity. He likens this desire for them to the pains of birth, which speaks volumes about the labor and struggle involved in nurturing spiritual growth. This communicates something vital about discipleship and mentorship. It's not a passive endeavor. It requires a deep personal investment that is sometimes agonizing. For some of you who have been too disengaged in discipling those around you, this is a poignant reminder of the gravity of your role.
Discipleship is more than imparting knowledge. It's about walking alongside others, sharing in their joys and sorrows, and helping them grow in intimacy with Christ. It's about investing time, energy, and passion into the lives of those we love. It involves both affirmation and admonition, speaking truth in love even when it's uncomfortable or confrontational. It requires discernment and sensitivity to a disciple's needs, knowing when to encourage, when to challenge, and when to comfort.
Responsible To Not For
But, like Paul, there will come a moment when the process pushes you over the edge. You will eventually scratch your head and contemplate questions like: "Have I wasted my time?" "Am I that bad of a teacher?" "Are they that stupid?" You will have these thoughts and questions.
But right at this moment, you need to remember a simple principle: "You are responsible to them, but you are not responsible for them." All you can do is invest as much as possible, show them the truth, and let them decide for themselves. These are the pangs of spiritual birth that often our "children" do not know.
#SpiritualParenting #DiscipleshipJourney #MentoringMen #AgonizingLove #InvestingInOthers
ASK THIS:
- How can you deepen your commitment to nurturing spiritual growth in others, embracing the joys and pains of discipleship?
- Reflect on a time when you felt the tension between responsibility for others' spiritual growth and the realization that, ultimately, their choices are their own. How did you navigate this tension, and what did you learn from the experience?
DO THIS: Disciple and invest.
PRAY THIS: Lord, grant me the strength and perseverance to invest deeply in the spiritual growth of others, even when it involves agonizing labor and uncertainty. Help me to trust in Your timing and sovereignty as I walk alongside those You have entrusted to my care. Amen.
PLAY THIS: Follow Me.