August 2, 2015

2015-08-02 Pastors CornerThis past week, our Bible reading schedule had Sue and me in final third of Acts. When we came to Chapter 18, I was reminded of eight traits that made the Apostle Paul such a great shepherd of souls. I invite you to pray for these qualities in the life of your pastor and Elders. Pray them for your own life as well. D. L. Moody said, “Every great movement of God can be traced to a kneeling figure.”  Those who lead will stand taller, stronger and longer if the people of the people of the church are on their knees in prayer.

Each of these statements from Paul comes from verses 17 to 38 if you’d like to read them in context. Paul was …

  1. Consistent: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you
  2. Compassionate: I served the Lord with great humility and with tears
  3. Conscientious: I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you
  4. Compelled: And now, compelled by the Spirit
  5. Committed: I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me
  6. Courageous: I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.
  7. Circumspect (He could command other to do be watchful, because he had): Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.
  8. Christ-like: In everything I did … remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

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