LIES LIES LIES

Have you ever noticed how messed up the world really is? I was listening to a sermon by one of my favorite preachers this morning, and he brought up an interesting point. WHAT IS THE WORLDS PROBLEM? Everyone has a problem with Christians, because they "impose their Christian views" on everyone. But they dont have a problem with McDonalds, whose advertisements entice you to eat something that will make you fat, or the porn industry, who uses internet advertisements on "normal" websites to entice you to watch a video or look at some pictures which wont make your significant other very happy. The world lets all those other media outlets and movie stars and magazines influence them and "impose their views" on them, without fussing and throwing a fit about it (and in most cases, the product or attitude they are enticing you to have isnt beneficial at all to your life), but when a Christian, someone who WANTS YOU TO BE SAVED FROM A HELL THAT IS VERY REAL tries to tell you about how to have a better life, they freak out. All I want is a chance to be heard! Guess what... we can even go to McDonalds together to talk about Jesus! Fine by me!

Do I Have What It Takes?

Lately I have been contemplating more often (is that a sign I am growing older?), mostly about my ministry and how it might turn out, what I might be doing. If I am seeking to be a "overseer" (One who keeps watch over and directs the work of others, especially laborers), I could be put in any kind of position by a congregation, such as preacher, evangelist, youth minister, etc. The following list from 1 Timothy 3:2-7 is the guideline that I must fulfill to be qualified to pursue one of those positions.

above reproach - blameless

only having one wife - faithful

temperate - not quick to become angry, stable physically and emotionally

self controlled - exercising control in every aspect of life

respectable - worth following and imitating

hospitable - welcome fellow Christians and strangers

able to teach - the ability to convey the message of the Bible effectively
not given to drunkeness - no addictions or bad habits

not violent but gentle - not quick to react harshly

not quarrelsome - peaceful and not eager to argue or fight

not a lover of money - financially content with what God has given me and also a clean record

manage family well - provide, organize, lead, love

obedient children - successful father deserving respect

not a recent convert - mature Christian, having weathered different trials and tribulations

good reputation with outsiders - respected by non-Christians

This is a rough list of what 1 Timothy 3 entails. I sometimes wonder, "do I have what it takes to do this?" or "am I really ready to undertake such a position in the church?" Where can I find the answer to that question? From other men, from peers in the church? No! I must seek God for the answer to that question!

“God is not looking for brilliant men, is not depending upon eloquent men, is not shut up to the use of talented men in sending His Gospel out in the world. God is looking for broken men, for men who have judged themselves in the light of the Cross of Christ. When He wants anything done, He takes up men who have come to an end of themselves, and whose trust and confidence is not in themselves but in God.” ~H.A. Ironside

I know that God wants me to do His will, all I can do is continue to love Him and find myself seeking to return to Him and be with Him every day.