Fram Oil Filters had a commercial that said, "Pay me now or pay me later."
As a pastor (shepherd of souls), I say, "See me now or see me later." It is better to avoid the snares of life than being rescued from them or being held captive by them.
Don't wait until your blurry, limited, narrow vision (understanding), which is called blindness in the Bible, takes you into destruction. Listen to the preaching, teaching and counseling your loving, enlightened and gifted pastor provides openly for everyone; go to your pastor and ask for his Biblical and spiritual insights concerning the course of life you are following. Follow his Spirit anointed guidance. IT CAN SAVE YOU FROM MANY PITFALLS (morally, relationally, culturally, socially and spiritually). To reject or neglect the Holy Spirit's leading through chosen, called and enlightened vessels is to close your heart and life to the work of God.
If you do not have a pastor that fits the New Testament model, then find one. This is a directive I give to everyone, including the people I pastor. Don't follow a "Christian leader" simply because of their popularity or charisma. Find a faithful servant of God and walk in the light that God sends through him. This is the Biblical model.
Remember, God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness, and the purpose of our ministry is to lead believers into the fulness of the Holy Spirit by giving them the whole counsel of God.
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he (Christ) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers (pastor/teacher);
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Colossians 1:25-29 (the ministry of Paul and all God called pastors)
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Proverbs 15:7-10
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
Do not take lightly the message of godliness. It is the standard to which people are called and by which God's people are transformed and conformed to the image of Jesus. If the message or the messenger does not align with Biblical standards, find a new messenger.
Christian light not only leads out of sin, it leads away from cultural and behavioral weaknesses and traps, which will cripple and rob believers of the exceptionalism found in following the steps of Jesus. Live your life as a light that draws people to Jesus, not as a darkness that repels people from the message of Christ. Don't hold onto anything (habits, culture, idiosyncrasies, relationships, ANYTHING) that destroys or diminishes your walk with Christ or your witness for Christ. Grow in Christ and grow up in Christ as fully and as fast as you can. God is calling us to perfection, not stagnation.
As a pastor (shepherd of souls), I say, "See me now or see me later." It is better to avoid the snares of life than being rescued from them or being held captive by them.
Don't wait until your blurry, limited, narrow vision (understanding), which is called blindness in the Bible, takes you into destruction. Listen to the preaching, teaching and counseling your loving, enlightened and gifted pastor provides openly for everyone; go to your pastor and ask for his Biblical and spiritual insights concerning the course of life you are following. Follow his Spirit anointed guidance. IT CAN SAVE YOU FROM MANY PITFALLS (morally, relationally, culturally, socially and spiritually). To reject or neglect the Holy Spirit's leading through chosen, called and enlightened vessels is to close your heart and life to the work of God.
If you do not have a pastor that fits the New Testament model, then find one. This is a directive I give to everyone, including the people I pastor. Don't follow a "Christian leader" simply because of their popularity or charisma. Find a faithful servant of God and walk in the light that God sends through him. This is the Biblical model.
Remember, God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness, and the purpose of our ministry is to lead believers into the fulness of the Holy Spirit by giving them the whole counsel of God.
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he (Christ) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers (pastor/teacher);
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Colossians 1:25-29 (the ministry of Paul and all God called pastors)
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
2 Timothy 3:14-17
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Proverbs 15:7-10
7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
10 Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
Do not take lightly the message of godliness. It is the standard to which people are called and by which God's people are transformed and conformed to the image of Jesus. If the message or the messenger does not align with Biblical standards, find a new messenger.
Christian light not only leads out of sin, it leads away from cultural and behavioral weaknesses and traps, which will cripple and rob believers of the exceptionalism found in following the steps of Jesus. Live your life as a light that draws people to Jesus, not as a darkness that repels people from the message of Christ. Don't hold onto anything (habits, culture, idiosyncrasies, relationships, ANYTHING) that destroys or diminishes your walk with Christ or your witness for Christ. Grow in Christ and grow up in Christ as fully and as fast as you can. God is calling us to perfection, not stagnation.
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