"Perfect Portions"

"The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah." (Psalms 140:5)

  Be that as it may, is pretty much the thought we see here today; not because of what they do, but because of what they are, The Proud! Pride comes before destruction, as the story goes! If we are going to get really technical about what is going on, we need not look any further than the ruler of this current world; because his goal is to take down as many of God's children as he can, one way or another. This is no more than a red flag of what lurks ahead; as it should be for each and every one of us that call upon the name of Jesus. As Peter declares, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) To take a little out of the play book, there is something we need to know about what Peter is saying here, because even though we might not be able to see him, we can absolutely hear his roar; which basically means, that if we are sober and vigilant, it is pretty easy to detect it when it is him that is walking about. As John says, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4:4) As to the point of the tile, "Perfect Portions," everything listed in the verse before us today, snare, cords, net, and gins, is associated with portions in one way or another. It is just the way things work out, whether you are ready for it or not, the trap is set around your own patterns and desires. We just need to learn to be perfectly honest with our selves and  own our imperfections. In other words, don't try and pretend you can handle anything! You can ask Peter about how that worked out for him, if you doubt that it is true or not. Because you might have been successful before, does not mean that you no longer have a problem to watch out for...

"The elders which are among you I export, who am also an elder, and a witness of the suffering of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: feed the flock of God which is among you, taking oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a willing mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:1-7)