To develop maturity, character, self-discipline and integrity, everyone must pass three tests that are common to all mankind. Because God wants us to be controlled internally, He calls us to pass these three responsibility tests. The testing is not forever. Jesus spent 40 days, and when He was finished, He had passed all three tests perfectly to serve as our example. These three tests include the areas of physical discipline, motivation and greed. These are the areas God tests in the wilderness to prepare you to cross the Jordan. Once you pass all three, you are ready to get your feet wet.
The categories of these tests fall under three headings: appetite; motive, pride and fame; greed and power. These tests are necessary because people who aren't used to power are dangerous. The same is true of people who are full of pride or can't possess their own bodies through bringing their appetites under control. These are irresponsible and dangerous people who cannot be trusted. Let us take a look at each of the tests given to Jesus
Boys, I'm pleased to announce that Jimmy Claven is this year's coach for a day."
My heart sank. I couldn't believe my high school baseball coach picked Jimmy Claven to be "coach for a day" when I was having a banner year. I was waiting for two years to be named "coach for a day." Success in baseball came easily for me. This was my year!
Jimmy Claven was a nice kid, but he wasn't the best player on the team. I was having a record-breaking year and couldn't believe that my performance had gone unnoticed. A mistake must have been made. Perhaps it was a joke?
I went to the coach and smiled knowingly. "John Paul," he told me, "you have very good natural talent. Because of your hand-eye coordination, you have a very good batting average. But you don't know the first thing about coaching. If a batter missed a ball, you'd simply tell him to quit taking his eye off the ball."
Apostasy has silently crept into the church, seeking to strangle and kill pastors as well as those in the pew. Every year, an alarming number of ministers decide to never again go behind the pulpit. Many others have their credentials taken away by their denomination.
While revival fires ignite hearts around the world, and winds of the Holy Spirit keep us focused on holiness and purity, many churches and pastors in the United States see only the ashes of yesterday's glory. Hearts frequently are filled with doubt instead of faith and rebellion instead of obedience.
The year was 1945, and three energetic young men were bursting onto the ministry scene. Each was in their mid-20s and experiencing a measure of success. Two of the three had already achieved notable influence.
Chuck Templeton and Bron Clifford were preaching dynamos. One university president, after hearing Templeton preach to a crowd of several thousand, called him the most talented and gifted young preacher in the United States. In 1946 the National Association for Evangelicals published an article listing the men who had the most effective ministries in the previous five years. Templeton, then an evangelist for Youth for Christ, was a major profile in the article.
At the core of our integrity is the way we use words. I think God would agree. He never says anything He doesn't mean—completely.
It wasn't long ago I was again drawn to evaluate the weighty issue inherent in that statement. I remembered the first time I truly came face to face with the concern that I never use words lightly. It took place when I first chose, on occasion, to use the words "loved ones" when addressing my congregation.
I've used them for decades, usually while addressing my congregation in moments of warm embrace or with words of distinct passion. I feel they are pastorally appropriate because they are from the Bible and because I truly felt that way toward my flock. I felt the preciousness of their worth, the fragility of their souls and the significance of their intended purpose in God's will—each one.Read Full Article >>
