"For I have no one like-minded, who will care for your state (also translated, 'welfare, well-being'). For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:21)
".....the things which are of Christ Jesus." What are these, "things"? Perhaps at least one of them is, "sincerely care for your state, welfare, well-being." Remember, Jesus told Peter that if Peter did indeed love Jesus, Peter would, "Feed, tend, ('care for'?) my sheep." The demonstration of our love for Jesus is our, "care for," all who are His.
The phrase, "care for," has a sense of caring almost to the state of anxiety, distraction. This is the heart of a true shepherd/pastor, someone whose primary concern is for the "sheep," and who looks for others with the same, "care for," the sheep to assist him. Furthermore, I believe that every "fivefold ministry" should be motivated by a, "care for," pastor's heart.
Some are saying that the recent riots in Baltimore, Maryland, are caused by pent up frustration, feelings of neglect, nobody caring. There may be some truth in this, though allowing all the aforementioned to lead to hatred, which is what I saw in so many of the rioters, even news pundits, is inexcusable. There is something in those rioters, however, which is also in many who attend church gatherings today, viz., frustration, feelings of neglect, nobody caring. Many people over the years have left one church for another church in order to find "cures" for such feelings. But I also suspect that, having not found what they so desperately need, many are just putting up with larger, busier, more entertaining churches in an attempt to fill that void of, "sincerely cares for your state."
And this is not just a "word" for "professionals." Every person who claims to follow Jesus Christ should have such a heart of----- "sincerely cares for your welfare."
Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to always have a heart of, "sincerely cares for your welfare," a heart more intent on giving than receiving. Amen.
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* DC Tomorrow
".....the things which are of Christ Jesus." What are these, "things"? Perhaps at least one of them is, "sincerely care for your state, welfare, well-being." Remember, Jesus told Peter that if Peter did indeed love Jesus, Peter would, "Feed, tend, ('care for'?) my sheep." The demonstration of our love for Jesus is our, "care for," all who are His.
The phrase, "care for," has a sense of caring almost to the state of anxiety, distraction. This is the heart of a true shepherd/pastor, someone whose primary concern is for the "sheep," and who looks for others with the same, "care for," the sheep to assist him. Furthermore, I believe that every "fivefold ministry" should be motivated by a, "care for," pastor's heart.
Some are saying that the recent riots in Baltimore, Maryland, are caused by pent up frustration, feelings of neglect, nobody caring. There may be some truth in this, though allowing all the aforementioned to lead to hatred, which is what I saw in so many of the rioters, even news pundits, is inexcusable. There is something in those rioters, however, which is also in many who attend church gatherings today, viz., frustration, feelings of neglect, nobody caring. Many people over the years have left one church for another church in order to find "cures" for such feelings. But I also suspect that, having not found what they so desperately need, many are just putting up with larger, busier, more entertaining churches in an attempt to fill that void of, "sincerely cares for your state."
And this is not just a "word" for "professionals." Every person who claims to follow Jesus Christ should have such a heart of----- "sincerely cares for your welfare."
Father, in Jesus' Name, help me to always have a heart of, "sincerely cares for your welfare," a heart more intent on giving than receiving. Amen.
***************
* DC Tomorrow
* New Article at: jhs58.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
