Amazing. I never thought that I would actually find myself writing a blog! Oh, I've entertained the thought and even said how nice it would be to write about interesting views, theology and life events. And now that I have been encouraged to follow through with it, it seems as if I am leaping from a diving board taking the plunge into the vast sea of the "world wide web." So here goes . . .
I was reading from Richard Baxter's book, The Reformed Pastor (one of those smart dead guys), the other day and I was thrilled to read his thoughts on a pastor's passion behind the pulpit. He said, "Can we believe that our people must be converted or condemned, and yet speak in a drowsy tone? In the name of God, brethren, labour to awaken your own hearts, before you go to the pulpit, that you may be fit to awaken the hearts of sinners. Remember they must be awakened or damned, and that a sleepy preacher will hardlly awaken drowsy sinners." (p.148)
I wonder if part of the reason that so many of our churches today seem to be asleep is because they actually are! Pastors, the sheep are following our lead. There are people all around us that are dying without a personal relationship with Christ, and brothers, we have the gospel of Jesus Christ ready to save! Come on brothers, sound the alarm, raise the roof, ring the bell, something! Satan is on the prowl like a lion seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8), and we have an awesome Savior who has commissioned us to bring the heat! (Just one of those baseball terms for pitchers!) What a tremendous privilege to be a part of the miracle of salvation.
I am awed by the fact that my Lord has allowed me to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, that He has saved a wretched sinner like me and set me free. In my times of brokeness before Him that I find myself weeping over my sin, and the sins of others. It is in that moment that His beautiful grace fills my soul and I become overwhelmed with my love for Him, and how He first loved me! Would that we would weep as Christ did for people. I pray that He continues to break my heart for those who do not know Him as their Lord and Savior. He is the Answer, rather than one of many answers to life's questions. We carry a treasure within us. The more that we are broken, the brighter the light shines. My prayer is that as we spend time at His feet, our passion for Him will grow beyond anything that we could possibly dream!
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." Colossians 3:23
In His Grip.
I was reading from Richard Baxter's book, The Reformed Pastor (one of those smart dead guys), the other day and I was thrilled to read his thoughts on a pastor's passion behind the pulpit. He said, "Can we believe that our people must be converted or condemned, and yet speak in a drowsy tone? In the name of God, brethren, labour to awaken your own hearts, before you go to the pulpit, that you may be fit to awaken the hearts of sinners. Remember they must be awakened or damned, and that a sleepy preacher will hardlly awaken drowsy sinners." (p.148)
I wonder if part of the reason that so many of our churches today seem to be asleep is because they actually are! Pastors, the sheep are following our lead. There are people all around us that are dying without a personal relationship with Christ, and brothers, we have the gospel of Jesus Christ ready to save! Come on brothers, sound the alarm, raise the roof, ring the bell, something! Satan is on the prowl like a lion seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8), and we have an awesome Savior who has commissioned us to bring the heat! (Just one of those baseball terms for pitchers!) What a tremendous privilege to be a part of the miracle of salvation.
I am awed by the fact that my Lord has allowed me to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, that He has saved a wretched sinner like me and set me free. In my times of brokeness before Him that I find myself weeping over my sin, and the sins of others. It is in that moment that His beautiful grace fills my soul and I become overwhelmed with my love for Him, and how He first loved me! Would that we would weep as Christ did for people. I pray that He continues to break my heart for those who do not know Him as their Lord and Savior. He is the Answer, rather than one of many answers to life's questions. We carry a treasure within us. The more that we are broken, the brighter the light shines. My prayer is that as we spend time at His feet, our passion for Him will grow beyond anything that we could possibly dream!
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." Colossians 3:23
In His Grip.
