As believers, we are supposed to be growing in Christ...not becoming complacent and judgemental of those that are diligently seeking after God's will. The Lord didn't call his disciples to follow him...until they were in their 50s-70s. NO! The disciples followed him unto death AND old age. WAKE UP!
We must have mature Christian leadership. The Bible warns about putting new (not Young in age) Christians in leadership. It puffs up their ego. 1Timothy 3:6. So who is supposed to be leading? Seasoned, wise, committed Christians...no matter their age!
When we become complacent and unwilling to follow Christ with our WHOLE heart.. we are hardened. No one wants to hear that. but the scripture warns us not to let our hearts become hard to His voice...
"For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart, Psalm 95:7-8; Hebrews 3:15; Hebrews 4:7
"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock." 1Peter 5:1-3
"The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:3-5
If you are in your 50s-?...get a move on! God's not finished with you...he has SO much he wants to do with you and through you. Your age is not an excuse for no longer having zeal...that my friend is a CHOICE...Choose you THIS DAY whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15). Will it be your flesh...or God? Draw near to me and I will draw near to you. Ask and you shall receive...
My final challenge comes from Hebrews 10:22-24
"22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works"Love to you all...may your hearts be full and zeal return to those sleeping...
Awesome! Amen! Thank you, Father, for your faithfulness, especially when we stink. What a great example! We are to be faithful (to your Word, You, etc.) even when other people STINK! Wow, thanks. I knew that; I tell my kids that all of the time... still a slap in the face though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie. I needed that again this morning even after you sent the verses to my comments. Seek seek seek and you can't not find him, hear him and be drawn to him. I think I've said this before but if we have Christ in us then we remain in the presence of greatness...Oh, Lord...may we always respond appropriately!
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