The word used in 1 Peter 5:5 for “clothed,” pictures the white scarf or apron of slaves, which was fastened to the belt of the vest and distinguished slaves from freemen. The idea here is to allow humility to be our identifying trait. This verb is in a tense that means to have it done in the past and allow it to remain upon you, and that we are told to allow it to be done to us. In instructing us to put on the garment of a slave and serve others, Peter might be reflecting back on John 13, when Jesus girded himself with a towel and ministered to the disciples. We clothe ourselves with humility when we meet each other’s needs without regarding any task as being beneath us. We must understand that pride and selfishness dwell naturally within our flesh, but we are to follow the example of Jesus, and not the tendencies of the flesh. As followers of Christ, we must understand two things: One, we must not believe that we are not good to serve others. It does not matter who we are, we Need to be willing to stoop and serve others. Second, which … READ MORE

In 1 Peter 5:5=7 we read, “All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: For God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.” It is so hard to be humble, because that means that you have to accept responsibility for being wrong, and attempt to make restitution for things you have said or done. The context of this passage in verses 5-14 discuss the fundamental attitudes for spiritual maturity. This should be the desirer of all sincere Christians. It is good to have that desire, but the reality comes to pass only when we build our lives on certain fundamentals. The one we need to focus on is humility. For the ability to truly hand over all your cares to God comes only from a sense of humility before God. Humility permits me to submit myself to God and others, and it is important that we embrace this truth, because it is humility that enables me to recognize myself before God honestly. … READ MORE

In John 14:1, While the disciples genui9nely believed in Jesus, their faith was already beginning to waver. Jesus began by telling them to stop allowing their hearts to be troubled by the news of his impending departure, the reason for that command is based upon their belief in the plan of God. He closes this powerful verse by reminding them that as they believe in the plan of God, to believe in the Jesus’ design to fulfill that plan. He wanted them to understand that he did not need to be visibly present for them to receive comfort and strength from Him. In face in John 20:29, Jesus would tell Thomas, and the rest of the disciples, “because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus would go on in John 14 to share with the disciples the ministry of comfort that the Spirit would provide because of His departure. The presence of Christ is enough to calm the believing heart in whatever perplexing troubling situation it finds itself. The Puritan John Wene noted, “A sense of God’s presence in love is sufficient to rebuke all anxiety and fears; … READ MORE