October 7, 2011
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If I look (looking at him, loved him - Mark 10:17-22) ~ ministry's sorrow
Mark 10:17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.If I look
(looking at him, loved him)If I look, do I have love
If I shrink from bringing God's Word from above?If I look, do I show care
If the Gospel of God's grace I shun to declare?If I look, do I bring aid
If I do not God's whole counsel boldly proclaim?If I look, am I true
If I do not speak the truth in love to you?If I look, can I refrain
If I see sin crouching at your door like Cain's?If I look, I must beseech
If I see wolves creeping in among the sheepIf I look, am I bona fide
If I watch you slip and backslide?If I look, can I stay quiet
If I see you fallen in a pit?If I look, am I real
If I withdraw and conceal?If I look, am I kind
If I do not direct you to the true Vine?If I look, should I not employ
Every means to lead you to everlasting Joy?If I look, do I hold you dear
If I remain muzzled, captivated by fear?If I look, do I show Christ
If I dare to compromise?If I look, and do not warn
How will the doctrine of our Savior be adorned?If I look, see you walk down Sheol's path
How can I not speak of the Lamb's wrath?If I look, and not notify
My blood will surely be requiredIf I look, see you turn and leave
Know that I will also grieveIf I look, and watch you depart
Know that it will break my heart
II Corinthians 11:1 I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness. Do bear with me! 2 I feel a divine jealousy for you, for I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. 3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, 27 for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. 32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Romans 9:1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
Related:Why I write and minister - My credo for being a godly encourager
dedication 2010 (reflections on God's Word & God's grace)
dedication 2010 (addendum): may He temper my tongue with love
"I could write a thousand words" (my credo ~ why I preach the Gospel)
Naphtali News: the Ministry of the Word & Prayer
my soapbox
my words were for your joy (letter 44 on assurance & fighting for joy)
from the archives: "How do we know if we're speaking the truth in love?"
the minister's examination: "Who is my master?"
learning to run without fear
I can't keep walking on eggshells here (more on Revelife, Calvinism, the Body of Christ and self)
What Is Success? What Is Making a Difference? Part 6 - Colossians 3:23-24
I don't want to walk anyone into Hell
Postcards from God in England: the frisking at Heathrow
many will come and deceive - will you do whatever it takes?
Do we care more for manatees than for His flock?Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Photo credit: The Rich Young Man Went Away Sorrowful by James Joseph Jacques Tissot found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Rich_Young_Man_Went_Away_Sorrowful_%28Le_jeune_homme_riche_s%27en_alla_triste%29_-_James_Tissot_-_overall.jpg | {{PD-Art|PD-old-100}}
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Comments (5)
Amen Sister.
This is the heart of love that is often found in ministry. It is never love to not do the works of Christ for anyone... even if the flesh would say that we are sparring them... we're not.
@FearofGodandPerfectLove - Amen. I love this encounter from the Gospels, for it shows us that loving like Christ loved will include confrontation. ~ Ezekiel 3, Jude 1:17-25.
My flesh doesn't relish confrontation at all, but that causes me to cast myself upon Christ to equip me ~ Philippians 2:12-14.
@naphtali_deer - Yes. That has been something that is difficult- especially here in China where "saving face" is one of their top priorities. They have been surprised at the boldness that I, and now Brad, have shown towards them in love- however, now, they have all seen the fruits of it and are learning boldness in Christ themselves because they understand that it is a boldness that comes from compassion.
I pray that the Father above would equip you with a spirit of humility, boldness, and compassion, as only these things can coexist in Him alone! Amen!
@FearofGodandPerfectLove - Praising God along w/ you for His work in Brad & you. That boldness combined w/ compassion can't be worked up at all. It's a gift of God's Spirit!
David, your prayer was so perfect here! It was the exact prayer I needed right around the time you posted this. (Sorry I didn't get around to responding until now.) Hebrews 10:19-25.
@naphtali_deer - Indeed! It is a gift of the Spirit, and something to be cherished!
"Let us set our minds on the things above..."
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