Freelance writer and Speaker
Not many of us are church leaders, but we all have people who are looking to us for spiritual guidance. The responsibility is great. With the help of the Holy Spirit we must not fail them.
‘Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers, not because you must but because you are walking as God wants you to be.’ 1 Peter 5:2
‘He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what be cannot lose.’ Jim Elliott
Think about it.
We give thanks that God has given us strength to do the things He wants us to do, not the things we want to do. There is a difference, sometimes a big difference.
‘I thank Christ our Lord who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service. 1 timothy 1:12
The apostle Paul said he was the worst of sinners. But I don’t believe God has degrees of sinners. If we are not under grace, we are all sinners. It is not a popular thing to talk about sin in this day and age. But sin is still sin, large or small.
‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worse.’ 1 Timothy 1:15
We can sometimes be overwhelmed with many Christian tasks; sick to be visited, bereaved comforted, rotas to be attended to, etc. But God doesn’t expect us to do everything. There are only certain tasks for us. God has designed that other people will do other jobs. So we need to make sure that we only do the jobs with our name on.
‘Whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord.’ Colossians 3:17
We have been asked to work for the King of Kings. No wonder we need to make sure that only the very best will do. No cutting corners or shoddy work.
‘For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.’ Ephesians 2:10
God is both my source and my destination. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
As I passed our local castle I thought about the protection it had afforded in the by-gone days. Being in a border city it has changed hands 13 times, belonging to one country and then another. Now partly ruined it has not survived, unlike my God, who is my deliverer for ever.
‘The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. my God is my rock in whom I take refuge.’ 2 Samuel 22:2-3
Some days when I compare myself to others I feel quite good. Then when I compare myself to God I know I’m complete rubbish.
‘We are more wicked than we even dared to believe, but more loved and accepted in Christ than we ever dared to hope.’ Tim Keller
Victory is not the absence of struggle; it is the presence of God in your struggle. It is giving peace even when we worry. He is our faithful one.
‘God is our refuge and strength, as ever present help in trouble.’ Psalms 46:1