A Word to Preachers and Teachers

Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God proves true;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Do not add to his words,
lest he rebuke you and you be found liar.  (ESV)

We like to talk a lot. We've all spent a lot of time reading and studying so we have an abundance of opinions on a multitude of issues - Be careful! Be very careful!!

"Not many of you should become teachers my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness" (Js. 3:1).

Brad, when you stand up to teach the word of God be very, very careful. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31). You can serve as His mouthpiece, but don't ever think that you can add anything of value to what God has already said by your cleverness, your smarts, or by diligent hard work. Your opinion is just that - your opinion! But "the word of God is living and active... discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb 4:12). The word of God is transformational by it's very nature. My words are, well, just that, my words.

We are his ambassadors! "God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Cor. 5:20).

God I present myself as a living sacrifice. I'm not much, but You are great. You are good and Your mercy endures forever. And it is not Your will that any of these little ones should perish (Mt. 18:14, cf. 2 Pt. 3:9). So Lord Jesus, I am Yours, Your vessel, for Your glory, a clay pot to be formed as You see fit... that in us, all the nations of the earth might be blessed. Come Holy Spirit.

In Jesus' name - Amen,
                                  Son 

For Them

Psalm 9:10  And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.  (ESV)

Justice (the purpose for which God established His rule - v. 7) includes the idea of God's care for those seemingly  forgotten by society (the needy and the poor - v. 18). God does not forget the cry of the afflicted (v. 12). 


God has not forgotten you. You who weep. You who cry out in anguish over the loss of a child, perhaps yet unborn (hope stolen), or a husband lost, fallen in battle, perhaps in some far away land. How can I do less than to feel God's heart for these afflicted, poor, forgotten, broken, abused hopeless. God forbid that I should be like the nations who are "but men" (v. 20). But I have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).


Oh God, move me with a heart of compassion for all those who weep and mourn. May my heart never turn away from one who is hurting. Break my heart for the hopeless. This is mine in Christ Jesus (Phil. 2:5) - a heart of humility. Let my heart break for what breaks Yours. Lord I give You my heart, my soul. I live for You alone. You alone are good. You gave Your Son to free me from selfishness. And so I give You all of me, for Your kingdom. God bless a mother who has just received news in Ohio that her child is dead.


In Jesus' name... So be it in me,
                                            Amen