[1 Peter 5:12-13a] Silvanus - a faithful brother - take note young men and be faithful in the little things now! Peter is writing to exhort and testify in the true grace of God - stand firm in it!

[1 Peter 5:10-11] Warfare yields a wholeness to our Christian lives that makes us more useful to Jesus. After recounting the glorious truths of life in Christ, believers are moved to exclamations of worship & praise of our sovereign God, maker and ruler of Heaven and earth.

[1 Peter 5:9b] This verse reminds us of seven truths about suffering: it is universal, has purpose, is inevitable, painful, and temporary, God has promised to help us in it and it reminds us of God's call.

[Matt 18:1-6] Jesus answers the question of who is the greatest by showing His disciples a child and launching into an object lesson about humility and love of the brethren. If you see yourself as a needy child before God your Heavenly Father, you will pray to seek His provision, help, salvation. If you love the Lord, you will love His children.

[Matt 5:3-12] Jesus’ sermon on the Mount is the single greatest exposition of the Christian life. The Beatitudes are eight characteristics of being a true disciple of Jesus. Hope is not just a noun but a verb, we must exercise that hope in God’s promises. We must feed and water our Christian hope for it to grow strong and bear fruit. The poor in spirit live in fear of God, esteem His name, and keep His holy word.

[2 Tim 1:5, 3:15] Timothy’s mother and grandmother had a significant influence on him and regard for sacred scripture. The expression of their sincere faith was to teach Timothy the scriptures, which lead to salvation through faith alone in Jesus. They allowed the scriptures, the word of God, to do its work by His power. Mothers like Timothy's are the piers of the church, hidden underground but supporting everything you see.

There are many examples throughout the New Testament of leaders being appointed to meet a need by the consensus of the body with the agreement of other elders. Considering adding another elder at the request of our current elders because they need his hep, just like Paul needed Timothy.

[1 Peter 5:8-9] We ought to be sober and alert, focused on the unseen spiritual realm with an awareness of our adversary who is seeking our destruction, resisting him through steadfast faith in Christ.

Jesus' resurrection is full of glory, and we as His disciples will likewise be glorified with Him.

[1 Peter 5:6-7] Every day conscious placing of ourselves under God’s will, strength and timing through prayer is the means to contentment. Humility is the posture that glorifies Him as an acknowledgement of where true power comes from to work in the hearts and lives of people (including us!) and assurance that it will be the Lord building the house.