We are a Letter of Christ

 You are our letter, written in our hearts,

known and read by all men; being manifested

that your are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, 

written not with ink but with the Spirit of the

living God, not on tablets of stone but on

tablets of human hearts.

II Corinthians 3:2-3

When we sin it is not just about our sin and how it affects our relationship with God, but is also about our being His letter that men know and read.  Are we living in a way that, when read, the letter of our life is bringing Him glory among men, the glory due His marvelous and matchless name?

Holy Love

"So the God who is love is first and foremost light, and sentimental ideas of his love as an indulgent, benevolent softness, divorced from moral standards and concerns, must therefore be ruled out from the start.  God's love is holy love.  The God whom Jesus made known is not a God who is indifferent to moral distinctions, but a God who loves righteousness and hates iniquity, a God whose ideal for his children is that they should 'be perfect...as your heavenly father is perfect' (Mt 5:48). He will not take into his company any person, however orthodox in mind, who will not follow after holiness of life.

...God's love is stern, for it expresses holiness in the lover and seeks holiness for the beloved.  Scripture does not allow us to suppose that because God is love we may look to him to confer happiness on people who will not seek holiness, or to shield his loved ones from trouble when he knows that they need trouble to further their sanctification."

J I Packer
Knowing God
Page 122

The Pastoral Desire

The following is an excerpt I ran across from the book Pastoral Ministry, written by members of the Master's Seminary.

"Paul introduced the qualification of the pastor by extolling the ambitions to pursue the office and the function of an elder.  In fact, he spoke of pursuing that office with intense desire (I Tim. 3:1 epithumeo).  It is true that ambition, when selfishly motivated, is dangerous.  At this time restraint and caution should prevail.  However, ambition not motivated by eagerness for the prestige of power but rather by a passion to serve the Master is right.  Desire for positional prestige corrupts because it originates from impure motives (see Jer. 45:5). Yet desire for service purifies, because it seeks only the service of the one who has been called to service (Rom. 12:1; Mark 10:42-44). The true spiritual leader is concerned infinitely more with the service he can render God and his fellowmen..."

A Daily Prayer

Lord, guide me with the wisdom from Your Word.

Protect me from the weakness and blindness of my pride.

Strengthen me to stand for You and speak Your truth.

Prepare my mouth and other's hearts for gospel opportunities.

May I be mindful of bringing glory to You.