Ken

How to Stand Strong in Spiritual Battle As a kid, I loved the school playground. Running, jumping, swinging — life felt light and carefree. But here’s the thing: many of us carry that playground mindset into our faith. We expect ease, comfort, and fun. Then life blindsides us, and we wonder why. Peter reminds us in 1 Peter 5 that the Christian life isn’t a playground. It’s a battleground. And his words aren’t meant to scare us. They’re meant to prepare us — not with fear, but with faith. Stay Alert Peter writes: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Notice he calls the devil our enemy, not just an opponent. Opponents you shake hands with after a game. Enemies are out to destroy. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture paints Satan as the…

Choosing Strength Under Control Picture this: an intern on his first day accidentally wanders into the CEO’s office, thinking it’s a shared workspace. He starts rearranging things, offering suggestions—completely unaware of who he’s talking to. What’s the lesson? Know your role. Stay teachable. Don’t assume you’re in charge. In a world that celebrates platform and personal achievement, Peter calls believers to something radically countercultural: humility. Humility isn’t weakness. It’s strength under control. It’s choosing to trust God’s hand over our own hype. Humility is a Choice Peter writes: “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble'" (1 Peter 5:5). The phrase “clothe yourselves” refers to putting on a servant’s apron. Humility isn’t just a nice feeling—it’s an intentional act. Something we choose, daily. And here’s the kicker: humility isn’t optional. Scripture says God actively opposes the proud…

Leading Like Jesus Every group needs guidance — whether it’s a family, a team, or a church. But not all leadership looks the same. Some leaders lead with pride and distance; others lead with humility and presence. In 1 Peter 5, we get a picture of leadership that reflects the heart of Jesus. And it starts in a surprising place. Lead From Among, Not From Above Peter begins by writing: “To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder ..." (1 Peter 5:1). Notice what he doesn’t say. He doesn’t pull rank as an apostle. He doesn’t flex his authority. Instead, he calls himself a fellow elder. That’s humility. That’s shared responsibility. And it reminds us that true spiritual leadership starts with presence and proximity. The best shepherds “smell like sheep” because they’re involved, not isolated. Leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about being close enough to guide, protect,…

Finding God in Life’s Hardest Moments Have you ever walked through a trial and thought, “Why is this happening to me?” If so, you’re not alone. Peter wrote his first letter to believers who were facing intense persecution. And instead of telling them to run from trials, he told them something surprising: See your trials not as obstacles, but as opportunities. Expect the Fire Peter begins with this encouragement: “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you" (1 Peter 4:12). In other words: don’t be caught off guard when life gets hard. The problem is our perspective. Too often we think, “This shouldn’t be happening to me. I’m a good person!” But unrealistic expectations set us up for disappointment. Athletes expect training to be tough. They don’t quit when the soreness sets…