For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Psalms 139:13-14 KJV
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Pastors are to be:
Shepherds - not tycoons,
Servants - not executives,
Leaders - not directors,
Elders - not entrepreneurs,
Heralds - not entertainers,
Preachers - not psychologists.
Tomorrow, pastor, you will preach to real people with real souls who struggle with real sin and who are on their way to a real heaven or a real hell.
Ideologies, political science, and psychology will not do.
Preach a REAL gospel!
God gives to every person a chance to succeed in life. Quite often, people fail, not because they don't have opportunities to succeed, but because they fail to prepare adequately. Realize that a good opportunity does not profit a person who is not prepared.
"Ahaz sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, ‘Because the gods of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.’ But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.” 2 Chronicles 28:22-23.
Like worldly churches desperate to grow.
Pastors, the day is done. There is nothing you can change from today. But fortunately the one who rules over the universe will do what he pleases in your church as a result of your labors today.
Trust that and sleep well.
No man was ever sorry that he served the Lord. No man ever said at the end of his days, “I have read my Bible too much, I have thought of God too much, I have prayed too much, I have been too concerned about my soul." Oh, no!
J.C. Ryle
As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thing and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.
C.S. Lewis
"Why did that door close, Lord?"
"Why didn't that work out, Lord?"
"Why does a door not open, Lord?"
Questions often on my lips.
Then I remember service in Christ's church is not meant to frustrate, but intended to give glory to God and bring us joy.
So, I wait on Him.