“Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled,
putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a
helmet.” (1Thessalonians 5:8 NIV)
While attending seminary, our Dean established a Pastoral
Care Group program to which every student was assigned and obligated to attend.
He instituted this program, he said, “because 75-90 per cent of seminary
students lose their faith while in seminary and I don’t want that to be true
here.”
Care Group program to which every student was assigned and obligated to attend.
He instituted this program, he said, “because 75-90 per cent of seminary
students lose their faith while in seminary and I don’t want that to be true
here.”
It seems that seminary students get so engrossed in
studies and school activities that they fail to practice their spiritual
disciplines. Papers must be written, books read, preparation for exams, etc and
before they realize it, Christ is on the waiting list.
studies and school activities that they fail to practice their spiritual
disciplines. Papers must be written, books read, preparation for exams, etc and
before they realize it, Christ is on the waiting list.
Somehow in all that study about God, they find themselves
slipping away from time in worship of and fellowship with God. Sure they go to Chapel . . . sometimes . . .
but usually school work is on their minds.
slipping away from time in worship of and fellowship with God. Sure they go to Chapel . . . sometimes . . .
but usually school work is on their minds.
As a pastor, I discovered several years ago that it is
easy to become so busy working in the Kingdom that one fails to spend time with
the King. And I also decided then that spending time with the King is more
important to a Christian than being busy in the Kingdom.
easy to become so busy working in the Kingdom that one fails to spend time with
the King. And I also decided then that spending time with the King is more
important to a Christian than being busy in the Kingdom.
Purifying myself through daily talks with God empowers me
to be more effective in the Kingdom. All I have to do is put on the breastplate
and helmet, He’ll provide the protection.
to be more effective in the Kingdom. All I have to do is put on the breastplate
and helmet, He’ll provide the protection.
Dear Father, thank you for the hope we have in Christ
Jesus. Empower us with faith in him and love for him that ignites our hope.
This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Jesus. Empower us with faith in him and love for him that ignites our hope.
This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and courageous today in your faith and love and
hope,
hope,