Verses 1-4
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Church-leaders, be like shepherds.
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Serve by watching over believers, to protect them from threats to their faith (Acts 20:28-31).
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Serve by feeding them with the Word through teaching, and by encouraging them to nourish themselves in their own study and prayer (Psalm 23:1-3).
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Serve by being a friend that sets good examples—examples they can follow (John 10:27, 1 Corinthians 11:1).
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Do not lead by boasting of power, ordering people around, or micro-managing.Remember that Christ is ultimately in charge of everyone, and He can be trusted with His own church!
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Don't correct people for things that are not sinful or for things that don't really matter. Don't try to make people do things your way just because they don't measure up to your personal standards. Show lots of grace. Don't be a judge over things that are unimportant (see Romans 14:1-4).
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Desire to serve, but don't do so for what you can gain. Be selfless (John 10:11).
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Don't lead out of a desire for financial compensation. If you truly desire to serve selflessly, you will serve whether you are paid or not.
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Verses 5-7
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All believers should be humbly submitted to each other. Submission shows humility.
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Submit to each other by honoring each other's requests and helping each other in even anything.
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In the same way, be humble towards God by submitting your worries to Him. God is mighty. He can take care of you.
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It is pride to try to worry about things that are only in His control.
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Let go of worry and anxiety with constant prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).
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Verses 8-9
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In relation to the devil, be careful. Know his tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11), so that you escape his traps.
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Don't succumb temptation, and avoid situations where you know you'll be tempted to sin (Romans 13:14).
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Be wary of your thoughts. Do not act on all your thoughts. Correct thoughts that are not biblical (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
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Do this well, and the devil will flee from you (James 4:7). He will avoid you if you're strong. So, the more you continue to repent, the easier it will become to resist any and all sin.
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Remember that believers everywhere experience temptations from the devil. Nothing you're going through is too hard.
*Combine Verses 5-7 and Verses 8-9, and you'll learn to be care-free (without worry) in relation to God, but careful in relation to the devil. Don't worry, but be cautious.
Verses 10-11
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You will be made strong and perfected through suffering (Hebrews 5:8). So, remember to endure without giving in to sin or fear or worry.
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God always gives us the grace we need to endure what He allows us to suffer.
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