Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from December, 2013

the charge to pastors

I've been reminded how the ministry of the Word is the foremost activity that Christian leaders must be devoted to.  Reading, studying, understanding, applying, believing, obeying and teaching the Scriptures is the prime directive for pastors. Note just the following passages in Paul's two letters to Timothy... 1 Timothy 4:6   If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 1 Timothy 4:13   Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture , to exhortation, to teaching . 2 Timothy 1:13-14   Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 2:15   Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word o

boundaries for leaders

Notes from Henry Cloud lecture taken by William Warren... Click on image to enlarge.  

like the lightning

"For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day." (Luke 17:24 ESV) How much is packed into this one statement by Jesus about his return, his second coming!  How many errors could be avoided by paying close attention to this passage. His return will be like lightning ( sudden, unexpected, powerful ) It will light up the sky ( visible, glorious ) From one side to the other ( universal, global* ) the Son of Man in his day ( personal, bodily ) Jesus' second coming will be personal, visible, sudden, worldwide, and glorious!  *Jesus notes that at his return some will be sleeping, some will be working (17:34, 35). This is probably not a reference to shift work, but to the fact that for some it will be day and for others night.  Hint: Jesus knew the world was round. He goes on to say that his return will be preceded by a period of normalcy.  Normal human activities -- eating, working, attending weddin

loving the image of God in all

"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27 ESV) "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"  (Isaiah 58:7 ESV) "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. "  (Matthew 5:44-45 ESV) "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them."  (Romans 12:14 ESV) "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."  (Galatians 6:10 ESV)   Christians are commanded to love all humanity.  One reason for this is that there is one human nature, since all are descended from the firs