Omer Devotional Day 36

May 5 at sundown - Day 36
Today is day 36 of counting the Omer 
Today is day 36 out of Egypt
Today is day 36 of Messiah Resurrected

God-Developed Leaders (1 Peter 5:1-6)

Shepherds Lead by Example
1 Therefore I appeal to the elders among you—as a fellow elder and witness of Messiah’s sufferings, and a partaker also of the glory about to be revealed—
2 shepherd God’s flock among you. Watch over it not under compulsion but willingly before God, not for dishonest gain but eagerly.
3 Don’t lord it over those apportioned to you, but become examples to the flock.
4 When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.
5 Likewise, you younger ones, submit yourselves to the elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may lift you up at the appropriate time.

Reflect:

Peter learned a lot of lessons this way. He was a natural leader, one who had limitless energy and a “can-do” attitude. He was quick to volunteer, and people must have really liked him. God uniquely equips leaders like Peter. God gives them natural gifts and abilities to help them fulfill their calling, but they still must learn to lead. Oftentimes this process is marked by more failures than successes. It is the leader’s job to follow after God and wait for Him to produce results instead of trying to make it happen on their own. For leaders (particularly young ones), it is difficult to learn to wait for God’s timing and to recognize what season God has them and their flock in. They need discernment, support, and other leaders speaking into their lives to help them hear God’s voice. Above all, good leaders are servants who seek the good of others before their own. This is the example that Yeshua laid out for all of us, but is particularly a quality He develops in those He calls to leadership.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the leaders You have raised up and the new leaders You are raising up in our congregation. Teach our leaders to hear Your voice, and show them how to lead your flock. Please give them the support, discernment, and encouragement that they need along with the humility to listen to others You have called to speak into their lives. In Yeshua’s name, amen.

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At Restoration, we have made it a priority to seek God first in prayer. During this season of counting of the Omer, we have decided to do this collectively as a congregation in the days leading up to Shavuot. Together, we want to trust in His power to impact our lives, our congregation, our city, and our world. The last 10 days we will encourage a corporate time of fasting and prayer, which starts the evening of May 9 and ends the evening of May 19. The conclusion of this season of prayer will culminate in a congregational picnic on the 50th day, the day of Shavuot - Sunday, May 20 at noon.