Random Thoughts to Contemplate
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The truly meek and lowly of heart—truly humble—are at rest in their souls, for they have no pride that makes them exalt themselves, no self-ambition that drives them, and no covetousness that makes them discontent (Matthew 11:28-29). If only we saw the whole of God's plan, we would see that God is doing little else in the world but selecting His children and training them. Put yourself into such a relationship with God that the Holy Spirit can do in you and through you what the Word of God says He will do. The power of Christianity is that it is the only force on earth that can save sinners from the wrath of God. Pastor, you must be serious if you want your congregation to take you seriously (it's worthy of note that no comedian is ever elected to public office). Would you be willing to be martyred for the doctrines that are taught in your church? If the sword of the Word of God ever comes to you, don't lean away from it, lean into it and let it pierce you. Yield yourself to its cutting work within you. There are no easy times in the Bible, all the glory came out of the hard times. When Christianity is made convenient and easy, it loses its vitality. When the expressions, "the wrath of God" and "the wrath of the Son" are negated, Christianity loses its force. It's easy to lead people to a cross that leaves them uncrucified. If your church was the only part of the mystical body of Christ on the earth, what would that body look like in relation to its holy and glorious Head? Are the activities in your church what Jesus suffered and died for on the Cross on Calvary? If Jesus had taught the same things that are taught in your church, would He have been crucified? A church should be a battlefield, not a playground; it should be a spiritual fountain, not a social club. Why should the Holy Spirit do what you want Him to do, when there are many things that you do that He does not want you to do?Treat the Holy Spirit in the same way that you would treat Jesus Christ if He were here in the flesh. “Many pastors criticize me for taking the Gospel so seriously. But do they really think that on Judgment Day, Christ will chastise me, saying, ‘Leonard, you took Me too seriously’?” (Leonard Ravenhill) There are two heresies in much of the Church: heresy in the messages, which most preachers would strongly deny; and heresy in the methods, which most preachers would not acknowledge. If God died, would it make any difference to your church service? |
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