Shepherds and Sheep

Last night I was reading 1 Peter 5:1-11 which is a passage about being shepherds of God's flock because we are willing and eager to serve not because we must. This reminded me of yesterday's chapel and 1 Samuel 26:6, how we should speak up and not say nothing, how we should be the one's willing. My devotional was on 1 Peter 4:16 which says, "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name" - I thought it was cool how that all tied together about speaking up and not being ashamed or afraid. In the 1 Peter section, it says that those who are shepherds of God's flock because they are willing will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. How awesome is that, they will receive an everlasting treasure more valuable than anything on earth. - Maybe the ability through Jesus to have our punishment already taken and therefore spend eternal life with the man who paid our ransom because he wants us to be with him! In that passage, it also says "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." How awesome is that, the creator of the universe cares for us - people that screw up over and over again yet he still loves, and wants us to give up all of our worries and troubles to him. The passage concludes saying to resist the devil and stand firm in the faith because of those who are also undergoing the same kind of sufferings - and the God of all grace, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast - to Him be the power forever. Amen.