R.E.S.S.: God will personally Restore, Establish, Strengthen, and Support you - 1 Peter 5:10

Now the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will personally restore, establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little. 1 Peter 5:10

Prayer:

My little sufferings do not compare to the glory that will be revealed in me when I see Christ Jesus. God of all grace, I thank You for the incomprehensible sufferings of my Lord Jesus Christ, who sacrificed His perfect life on the cross to save me from the dreadful consequences of sin and death. My heart is filled with gratitude for the hope of eternal glory that You graciously give to all who believe in and love Your beloved Son. I trust in Your infallible promise to restore, establish, strengthen, and support me until the end of my days here on earth. I glorify and pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, my Savior.

STRONG: Be strong in your faith - 1 Peter 5:9

Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be strong in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.] 1 Peter 5:8-9

Living Truth:

• For forty days and forty nights, He [Jesus] fasted and became very hungry. During that time, the devil came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:2-4
• Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:11-12

Prayer & Praise:

Please teach me, Lord Jesus, to resist the devil and not yield to his temptations as You did, so that my faith may grow stronger by learning to live on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Empower me, Holy Spirit, to persevere through the same sufferings that my brothers and sisters in the faith are experiencing, so that I may be a source of comfort and hope for them. I ask in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, my Savior. Amen.

CARES: God cares about you - 1 Peter 5:7

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

Life-Giving Truth:

• "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 12:6-7
• "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Prayer:
My heart is filled with assurance of hope as I learn to trust in Your life-giving promises, Lord God. My parents, family members, or friends might forget about me, but You will never forget me. I kneel to thank You for Your constant care and personal concern for me. I give You all my worries, doubts, and fears, as my Lord Jesus taught Peter and me to do through prayer and pleadings with thanksgiving. Please fill me today with Your perfect peace that guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I ask this in the mighty name of my Messiah and Savior, Jesus Christ.

FAVOR: God shows you favor by being humble. - 1 Peter 5:5

In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:5

Infallible Truth:

• "Come to Me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Place My yoke over your shoulders, and learn from Me, because I Am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves." Matthew 11:27-28"\
• For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Matthew 23:12
• "Pride precedes a disaster, and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall." Proverbs 16:18

Praise & Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I cast off my yoke of pride and accept Your yoke of gentleness and humility so I may find rest for my soul. Teach me, Savior, to clothe myself with humility, so I adopt a servant's heart and depend on God for everything instead of leaning on my own strength or understanding. Less of me and more of You! Holy Spirit, please make me aware when I let the demonic sin of pride enter my heart. Convict me so I will immediately repent and choose humility, and experience God's favor. I ask this in Jesus' mighty name.

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! Psalm 136:1-7

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

His unfailing love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods.

His unfailing love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His unfailing love endures forever.

4 Give thanks to Him who alone does mighty miracles.
His unfailing love endures forever.

5 Give thanks to Him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His unfailing love endures forever.

6 Give thanks to Him who placed the earth among the waters.
His unfailing love endures forever.

7 Give thanks to Him who made the heavenly lights.

His unfailing love endures forever. 

Psalm 136:1-7

• “So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.'" John 11:41

• “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

• “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3

“It is only with a heart of gratitude that your life will become rich!”  Dietrich Bonhoeffer

CROWN: Be a caring shepherd, and you'll receive the crown of glory - 1 Peter 5:2,4

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 1 Peter 5:2-4

GOSPEL TRUTH:

• When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep." John 21:15-17
• "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

Praise & Prayer:

With gratitude in my heart, I praise You, Lord Jesus, for laying down Your life to save me from sin and darkness. Please bless me with a willing heart full of humility, compassion, and wisdom, so I can show my love for You by being a shepherd after Your own heart. Deliver me, Holy Spirit, from ever harboring a spirit of selfish ambition or vain conceit that are demonic in nature. Grant me opportunities today to care for God's flock by listening, comforting, supporting, and uplifting lambs and sheep who come to me for help. I ask this in Jesus' mighty name, amen.

TRUST: Trust your life to God who made you - 1 Peter 4:19

So if God wants you to suffer, you should trust your lives to Him. He is the one who made you, and you can trust Him. So continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19

Praise & Prayer:
No matter what hardships God allows me to experience in life, whether they are easy or tough, I will keep trusting Him because He never fails. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for blessing me with full assurance of hope. Teach me to trust God and to keep doing good just as You did each day of Your life. Help me, Holy Spirit, to remember that when I trust in God, He will always provide a way where there seems to be no way. I pray this in the powerful name of Christ Jesus, my Savior.