From the conclusion of the series we have been running in church on marriage and family:

“More than Just living Together”

No. 1, a child is the center of its own universe.

No. 2, the child demands its own way.

No. 3, the child is insensitive to other’s needs.

No. 4, if the child doesn’t get its own way, it will throw a, very nice, temper tantrum.

No. 5, a child is irresponsible.

No. 6, a child is unable to reason.

No. 7, a child only responds to concrete authority.

———-

Download the whole series for free:

www.provokeblog.org

www.clctx.org

In April of 1665, Richard Baxter wrote a book called The Reformed Pastor, great book, TOUGH read in terms of language.

In 2007 a friend and I were talking about how great it would be if the book was available in modern language….He took 12 months and has done a great job on modernizing the language and abridging content, yet not destroying content..if you know what i mean.

It will be published in December of this year.

In this part of the book, Baxter is talking about motives that a pastor should have in overseeing the flock:

3) Another sad sin is that we look after our worldly gains more than the interest and work of Christ. Here are 3 examples:

(A) For worldly advantage, most of us will connect with whoever will promote us. How often have we seen ministers change their religion, politics, and opinions, as the governments changed?

(B) We avoid the ministerial duties that get in the way of our worldly interests. How often do you see ministers drown themselves in worldly business-even in their ministry? Many pastors won’t use any form of church discipline, for fear that their congregations will bring them less money. To those doing this I ask, “If it was a sin for Simon Magus to buy the gift of God with money, why do you sell it?”

(C) We are barren in works of charity, and in using all we have for our Master’s service. If our carnal interests did not rule over the interests of Christ and his Church, most ministers would be more fruitful in good works, and would more willingly use everything for his cause.

————–

www.provokblog.org

I am struck by the power of this verse in the midst of Job’s life situation. His response blows me away when I think about how I respond to situations.

Here he is.
He has lost everything.
His life, his family, his livelihood as just been devastated and his response is “he fell to his knees and worshiped”.

Then the prayer!!

“Naked I came… Naked I return… Blessed be the name of the Lord”.

All things are in God’s hands.
Every breath.
Every move.
Every situation.
Every outcome.

The sooner we realize that, the better off we will be.

But isn’t that the tough bit.
In a ‘self-made-man’, ‘wonder-woman’ world how we have become so controlling of our own destinies and how untrusting we have become in God’s abilities to facilitate our future.