In my church life, it is so common to speak of my "salvation" as synonymous with my conversion experience, I sometimes lose sight of the bible's clear teaching on the three tenses of salvation. Nonetheless, the bible teaches at any given moment a living and breathing believer can say truthfully that he/she "was saved," "is being saved" and "will be saved" --all three tenses are accurate expressions of an aspect of our salvation.
We have been saved from the penalty of sin; this was justification. We were saved/justified by our faith in Jesus Christ: "Now it was not written for [Abraham's] sake alone, that [righteousness] was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification." [Rom. 4:23-25]
We are being saved from the power of sin; this is sanctification. We are being saved/sanctified by pursuing a life that conforms to God's standards: "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness." [1 Thess. 4:3-7]
We shall be saved from the presence of all sin; this is bodily redemption. We will be saved/redeemed to eternal life in an incorruptible body: "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." [Rom. 8:23-25]
Besides preaching, what are the pastoral gifts, anyway?
The ubiquitous Ephesian 4:11,12, which is always trotted out to describe the five-fold ministry of the church, in which we find the pastor's office listed, doesn't help much in defining the duties that attend the office. To quote (I'll use the NIV):
"It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
The implication of the passage seems to be that each of the five offices has been given to the church for purpose of preparing God's people for works of service. But what distinguishes one office from another? How, if at all, are the responsibilities of an evangelist different from those of a pastor, for example?
At the risk of causing folks eyes to glaze over, perhaps it helps to look at the original language of this New Testament passage for more understanding. The Greek word translated "pastor" in this passage means "herdsman" or "shepherd." This implies howPaul thought this office should perform: as a shepherd of a "flock" of believers. Using this model, we can envision the pastor's responsibilities as feeding, nurturing, leading, and protecting.
The metaphorical description of believers as sheep is the core of that excellent and popular book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 : I thought the author did a masterful job with his juxtaposition of the flock of God and the flock of sheep. Short-sighted, stubborn, easily frightened, often helpless... we bleat complaints, we wander away, we pick upparasitic "infestations," we attract predators... there are so many unflattering comparisons that can be made between laymen and these dumb animals.
Now, the keeper of natural sheep is a servant to his flock... he finds them grazing land and water, he delouses their coats and ministers to their injuries, he fights off their predators. But the shepherd also has a staff to guide the sheep back into line... and a rod with a hook to pull an errant sheep out of the mire. He's a caregiver and a disciplinarian, if you will. In that a shepherd is a biblical model of church leadership, I think it fair for a "pastor" to reflect all of the attributes of a sheep herder: "feeding" the flock the Word of God; nurturing the flock by laboring to see Christ formed in us; leading the flock both by example (through holy living, through demonstrated faith) and by pointing the congregation to specific missions that God has given vision of; protecting the flock by teaching the congregants how to discern truth from falsehood, and also byrebuking error.
Knowledgeable and anointed preaching is only one aspect of the pastor's gifting. There also have to be organizational and motivational talents, spiritual foresight, the capacity for self-sacrifice, and fortitude to execute discipline. There's much more to pastoring than preaching, isn't there?
And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison; but Rebecca loved Jacob.
— Genesis 25:28
My maternal grandmother used to call my uncle Edward her “favorite” child. It was years after her death that I learned that this favoritism was in response to an estrangement between him and his father. While my grandfather was stern with all of his children, Edward seemed to engender a disproportionate amount of his irritation. According to family lore, there was nothing concrete Uncle Ed did to earn his incessant criticism: for reasons that eluded everyone, my grandfather simply disliked the boy.
My grandmother could not compel her husband to be more loving to his son, so she compensated by championing him. She coddled Ed to blunt the sting of his father's disapprobation. She trumpeted his talents and achievements. She gave the impression to the whole family that Ed was dearer to her than her own husband. Naturally, her favoritism of the boy became a point of contention with my grandfather (not to mention a cause of envy on the part of her other children). It seems to have caused more problems than it solved.
I recall this dynamic in my own family when I read of Isaac and Rebecca’s tug-of-war over their two boys. That story is, I think, a biblical example of favoritism employed to redress a father's neglect. Isaac is said to have favored Esau because he was a skilled hunter, and the father enjoyed eating of the son's game. Notice, however, how verse 27 does not similarly state a reason for Rebecca's favoring Jacob. It is as if Rebecca has no motive other than to couterbalance the favoritism of Isaac. Now, I wouldn't fault Isaac for having a preference for a venison steak--Esau's specialty--over the vegetable soup that made Jacob famous. It is sad, however, that predilection for meat was allowed to wreak such domestic turmoil. Isaac took Esau to his heart, Rebecca took Jacob to hers, and a major schism developed in the family. In time, husband and wife were working against each other: Isaac planned to clandestinely bless Esau; Rebecca, overhearing their conversation, plotted to deceive Isaac on Jacob's behalf. Protecting the interests of their respective favorite sons severely undermined their marriage. It also severed the family bonds, as Jacob's betrayal began a blood feud between the brothers (Gen. 27:41) and precipitated a twenty-year separation.
Although as parents, my wife and I do not always agree in the myriad of decisions regarding our son, we are conscious of how important it is to present a united front before him. The cautionary tale of my grandparents allowing a child to become a wedge--splitting in twain what God purposed to be one flesh--resonates with us. And we long ago realized that our boy has an Adamic nature that may even attempt to pit us against each other (for example, when one of us refuses him some desire, and he secretly takes up the case with the other). We have learned it is wise to put our heads together before making any promises.
Alliances with our kids in disregard or defiance of our spouses are ruinous. Ultimately, our children will suffer because of the insecurity that results from a divided home.
There are people who can walk away from you.
And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.
When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.
The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. <1 John 2:19>
People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay.
Let them go.
And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead.
You've got to know when it's dead.
You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay.
Let them go!!
If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains............
LET IT GO!!!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and
see your worth.....
LET IT GO!!!
If someone has angered you.
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction......
LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents
LET IT GO!!!
If you have a bad attitude.....
LET IT GO!!!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......
LET IT GO!!!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him........
LET IT GO!!!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.......
LET IT GO!!!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves......
LET IT GO!!!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed..................
LET IT GO!!!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying 'take your hands off of it,' then you need to.....
LET IT GO!!!
Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for 2009!!
LET IT GO!!!
Get Right or Get Left ... think about it, and then.
LET IT G O!!!
'The Battle is the Lord's!'
During the next 60 seconds, Stop whatever you are doing, and take this opportunity. (Literally it is only ONE minute!)
All you have to do is the following:
You simply say 'The Lord’s Prayer' for yourself and for the person that sent you this message:
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who are in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and the Glory, forever.
Amen.
For Those Who Cannot Understand King James Version.
TEN COMMANDMENTS
EBONICS STYLE
Sometimes we have to get the message across as best we can. Try this for those who can't understand the King James Version:
1. I'm God. Don't play me.
(I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt not have any other gods before me.)
2. Don't be makin' no hood ornaments and charms outta me or like me.
(Thou shalt not! have any graven images)
3.. Don't be callin' me for no reason
(Thou shalt not use the name of the Lord thy God in vain)
4. Y'all betta be in church on Sundays, and not just the Sundays when it's Mother's Day, Easter and Christmas.
(Remember to keep the Sabbath Day Holy)
5. Don't dis or cuss out yo' momma... and if you know who ya daddy is, don't dis him neither.
(Honor thy father and thy mother)
6. Don't be goin' on no drive- bys.
(Thou shalt not kill)
7. Stick to ya own Boo.
(Thou shalt not commit adultery)
8. Don't be borrow'n stuff and don't give it back.
(Thou shalt not steal)
9.. Don't be lyin' on the otha' man to save your behind.
(Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy brother)
10. Don't be eyein' (skeeming) yo homie's crib, ride, woman, or nuttin.
(Thou shalt not covet anything that belongs to thy brother).
Lemme hear ya say, "Aman!!"
