Devotions 27-10-07 (I Peter 5:1-3)

"Therefore, I exhort the elders among you, as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock."

I want to focus on my responsibility to shepherd the flock of God that I am among. I want to do that here in Estonia but I have been thinking about my older children and their children. Am I being a good shepherd to them. Should I retire and be closer to them and minister to them as I have strength? Would that be pleasing to God?

As a shepherd of a flock of God I am to have oversight over them but it must be done voluntarily. I must do it according to the will of God and with eagerness. I must not be a ruler over them but be an example to them. It must not be done without any thought of any evil or deceiving ways to make money or take advantage of anyone.

Lord should I retire and do this with my family as a shepherd to them? Would they want me to do this? I think they would but I must be very careful in talking this out with them. Communications must be very clear so there is no room for misunderstanding and no way for satan to come in and cause problems.

Lord, thank You for these thoughts and help me know how to apply them to my life. I really want the closing years of my life to count for my family especially but also to be available to those we have ministered to over the years. Which would include those who have been our donors over the years we have been in ministry. Oh, Lord to be an example to others for Your praise and glory.