Acts 20:28 (NLT) “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.

This is a simple statement of instruction to all who pastor 1) Guard Yourselves. It is too easy to let your guard down. We must be strong spiritually, mentally and physically. All three of these area work in conjunction with one another. 2) Guard God’s people. Be a good shepherd to them and protect them. There are many things that come against them. Pray for them. Love them. Go out of your way for them. Let them know they are loved. 3) Feed God’s flock. It means you’re going to have to study and prepare. It means that you will need to stay fresh before the Lord. Continue in prayer. Read and digest the word. Bring it to the people. 4) Shepherd God’s flock. They are very important to God. He loved them so much that He even sent His Song to die for them – to shed His blood. They are now His church and I have been given the privilege to be appointed by God as an elder, teacher, leader, etc. In doing these things – we will bless the heart of God and His hand of blessing will rest upon us.

Acts 16:25 (NASB) But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;

Paul and Silas we’re in prison for doing what God had led them to do. Instead of complaining about their circumstances they began to praise God in their midnight hour. They knew that God was leading them into this trial and that He would lead them out. Difficulties abound in people’s lives like never before. The economy is on a downward spiral. Situations are tense around the world. Families are in disarray. The list could go on and on. Everyone’s midnight hour is different but has the same effect – it brings strain on us. Like Paul and Silas, we can’t choose our life or the circumstances that come our way but we can choose how we respond to what is thrown our way by giving praise to God Almighty. It is only then that we can find the true freedom that we we’re meant to be. God has proven this principle over and over in my life and I know that He can prove it to you also.

Acts 15:36-40 (NLT) 15:36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” 37 Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. 38 But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. 39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. 40 Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care.

John Mark was the central figure of a heated argument between Paul and Barnabas. John Mark had quit on Paul during his first missionary journey and Paul didn’t want to take him on the second causing Paul and Barnabas to split up. Thankfully – this isn’t the end of the story. John Mark changed. He came under the tutelage of Peter (who called him his son in the faith). He grew up. He matured and God used him mightily. Later…He even was allowed to write the Book Of Mark – telling about the life of Jesus. Paul reminded the Colossians to “welcome” Mark into their midst. We often define ourselves by certain moments or failures in our lives. We think that we can’t go on. This story reminds me that problems do come and failures do exist. But God is able to turn it around for good and we can grow out of our problems. Everyone changed in this story… John Mark, Paul, Barnabas and I hope we will too. God can turn around your failures and your fault.

Psalms 16:7-11 (NLT) 16:7 I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 9 No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. 10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. 11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

If you’ve ever experience “darkness” in your life – you will relate to these verses. David experienced the darkness as he was often maligned, chased, harassed and misunderstood. Through it all – he had a confidence in the unshakable presence of God. He knew that although he didn’t see the answer that God was with him. He knew that the Lord was going to take him through – all the way through. He saw what was on the other side of the dark valley and long tunnel – the joy of the presence of God. May I encourage you today that you can rest in God – knowing that He doing battle on your behalf. It’s not over. The enemy has not won. Like David, we will say, “I will bless the Lord who guides me… I know the Lord is always with me.”

Psalms 12:6 (NLT) The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.

What a contrast between the vain words of man, and the pure words of Jehovah. Man’s words are yea and nay, but the Lord’s promises are yea and amen. For truth, certainty, holiness, faithfulness, the words of the Lord are pure as well refined silver. In the original there is an allusion to the most severely purifying process known to the ancients, through which silver was passed when the greatest possible purity was desired; the dross was all consumed, and only the bright and precious metal remained; so clear and free from all alloy of error or unfaithfulness is the book of the words of the Lord. The Bible has passed through the furnace of persecution, literary criticism, philosophic doubt, and scientific discovery, and has lost nothing but those human interpretations which clung to it as alloy to precious ore. The experience of saints has tried it in every conceivable manner, but not a single doctrine or promise has been consumed in the most excessive heat. What God’s words are, the words of his children should be. If we would be Godlike in conversation, we must watch our language, and maintain the strictest purity of integrity and holiness in all our communications.
C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1898)

Exodus 17:8-15 (NLT) 17:8 While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them. 9 Moses commanded Joshua, “Choose some men to go out and fight the army of Amalek for us. Tomorrow, I will stand at the top of the hill, holding the staff of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did what Moses had commanded and fought the army of Amalek. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed to the top of a nearby hill. 11 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. 12 Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset. 13 As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek in battle. 14 After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write this down on a scroll as a permanent reminder, and read it aloud to Joshua: I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means “the Lord is my banner”).

What rallies you when you get in a bind? What motivates you to go on? What gives you the courage in the midst of the battle? The children of Israel we’re in a conflict with the people of Amalek. As the fighting ensued – the men of Israel would look up to the top of the hill and see Moses holding the staff of God over his head. When Moses’ hands dropped – they began to lose the battle but as long as he held his hands high they would continue to win. After winning that battle – Moses built an altar and named it “The Lord is my banner” as a reminder of the great victory that had taken place there. All of us are battling something in our lives. All of us have our “ups” and “downs” that we deal with. All of us need something to look to when the going is tough. Just as the children of Israel had something to fight for and someone to look to – it is the same with us. We are blessed beyond measure to have the Lord as our banner today. We are victorious because of who He is and what He has accomplished. We are His kids and we are the apple of His eye. We must just trust Him daily that victory is ours because He is our banner today. Look to the hills. See the Lord waving the banner of victory over your life. We Win!

Exodus 14:13-14 (NLT) 14:13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

The Israelites found themselves in a hard place. They had followed the Lord’s leading and we’re now being pursued by the Egyptians. Isn’t it interesting that we as we follow God – that… He often leads us in places we don’t want to be or around people we don’t want to be around. Their faith was under fire. Did we hear God or not? Can we trust God or not? Does He have our best interest in mind? Moses, seeing their lack of faith said to them – “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. He then says, “Just stay calm.” Do you find yourselves in a situation that has your back against the wall? Do you feel overwhelmed or in a place of hopelessness. We need this message. Our hearts need to be reminded that God is still in control. We need to be reminded to just stay calm. I believe that this is one of the works of the Holy Spirit. He is called to come along side us and remind us that as we follow God, even though it might be tough – God will see us through.

Exodus 13:17-18 (NLT) 13:17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.

We often wonder why God doesn’t just make things easier for us. I have thought and wondered about that many times. This passage makes it clear that God leads us on the hard road and in the difficult places to make us battle ready. We will never be battle ready unless we have to fight some battles once in a while. God, in His sovereignty knows that so He leads into places and situations that are often difficult and hard in order to sharpen our skills and so that we won’t give up when the going gets hard. Perhaps God is leading you in a round a bout way in your life. Perhaps you are being crushed by the weight of life’s circumstances. Turn to God. Trust Him and His leading. Know that He sees the big picture and that He knows exactly what is right for you and your life.

Luke 21:33 (NLT) Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

Getting older has it advantages in a lot of ways. I have seen much in life – both good and bad. There we’re times that I felt that the roof had caved in on me and there we’re times I felt like I was on top of the world. This I know for sure – God has always been there for me for every situation and difficulty. He is always near. He is always helpful. I can’t thank Him enough for His promises in my life and His grace to sustain me through everything.

Genesis 50:20 (NLT) You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.

We’ve all been wounded and we’ve all been hurt by people around us. Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers. He ended up in a place he never thought he would be and with a people of a different nation and culture. He was treated harshly and deceitfully. He had plenty of opportunity to become bitter but he became better. He was able to see the bigger picture. He knew that God was ultimately in control and that there was any person or situation that could bring him down. He knew his God. When it came time to get back to his brothers he took the high road. He knew the principle that man makes his plans but God directs his steps. We need more Joseph’s in our midst. We need more people who see the big picture and will let God do what He wants to do.