Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]—your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Amplified Bible Which profession do you think fits the description… Continue reading Try to encourage your shepherd every now and then.
Category: Service
Don’t shine the light into their eyes.
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16, Amplified Bible (AMP) A couple of times this Summer, we had the joy of being without power… Continue reading Don’t shine the light into their eyes.
God will happily loan you His holiness.
Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:16, Amplified Bible Where I live, when you buy a car with borrowed money from a bank, you don’t actually own the car. Technically, the bank owns the car because the bank bought the car with its… Continue reading God will happily loan you His holiness.
Slothfulness is selfishness, plain and simple.
Slothfulness casts one into a deep sleep, and the idle person shall suffer hunger. – Proverbs 19:15, Amplified Bible (AMP) It is not terribly hard to spot people who are habitually slothful. Habitually lazy people are virtually allergic to work, and like all good allergy sufferers, they try to avoid that which causes them pain.… Continue reading Slothfulness is selfishness, plain and simple.
When leading others, be sure not to put a square peg into a round hole.
Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. – Proverbs 22:6, Amplified Bible (AMP) Whether you are a sports fan or not, you have to admire the great coaches that are always behind… Continue reading When leading others, be sure not to put a square peg into a round hole.
When God needs you to, please be ready to act like Titus.
But God, Who comforts and encourages and refreshes and cheers the depressed and the sinking, comforted and encouraged and refreshed and cheered us by the arrival of Titus. – 2 Corinthians 7:6, AMP When we are down and depressed, God often comforts us one-on-one while we are engaged in scripture reading or prayer. But, just as often, God sends His comfort through encouraging people He points… Continue reading When God needs you to, please be ready to act like Titus.
A little imagination now will make the day of judgment a little easier on you.
For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his… Continue reading A little imagination now will make the day of judgment a little easier on you.
Here’s what you do when your culture hates you.
Him we preach and proclaim, warning and admonishing everyone and instructing everyone in all wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God)…For this I labor [unto weariness], striving with all the superhuman energy which He so mightily enkindles and works within me. Colossians 1:28-29, AMP What are Christians supposed to do when we… Continue reading Here’s what you do when your culture hates you.
You’re not alone. Even Paul despaired.
…we were so utterly and unbearably weighed down and crushed that we despaired even of life [itself]. – 2 Corinthians 1:8, AMP It is very easy to look at pastors, missionaries, and others who have given themselves to a career in ministry as some sort of superheroes. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound,… Continue reading You’re not alone. Even Paul despaired.
Just know that God may not define success and prosperity the way you do.
Save now, we beseech You, O Lord; send now prosperity, O Lord, we beseech You, and give to us success! – Psalm 118:25, AMP When you, like the psalmist, pray for success and for prosperity, what exactly do you picture in your mind that success and prosperity look like? Money? Leisurely living? Souls saved? Souls discipled? A… Continue reading Just know that God may not define success and prosperity the way you do.