Our Own Worst Enemy - Friday May 24, 2013
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3
We all know how much trouble we get into when we try to do something we're not good at, or try to be someone we're not. We can look foolish, embarrass ourselves, and even embarrass our friends. Now there may be a time and place for foolishness. For example, it is normal to look silly when you "speak" with your grandchildren and entertain them with funny faces. But to consistently live outside the realm of who God created you to be can be frustrating, and it will wear you out. It is not God's will if it is killing you and others to do it! It could be that you are attempting God's will in your own strength, or it could be you are doing something He never intended for you to do in the first place.
I have a deep concern for pastors and the stress they live under. I have been a pastor for many years, so I can relate to their dilemma. Many pastors are expected to "run the entire show": administration, preaching, counseling, wed-dings and funerals, doing things that no man should ever be asked to do alone. Recently I met with a longtime friend and pastor who poured his heart out about some serious family needs. He came to me because he did not feel comfortable unloading with anyone in his congregation. Why didn't he have other men with whom he could be open? How did he get himself into this predicament?
What have you gotten yourself into that God never asked you to do? Ask Him for the grace to get out, or to make the changes necessary to preserve your health, your family, your marriage, and your soul.
Submitted by:
Stephen S. Nelson
Atlanta House Churches
Atlanta, Georgia
One-Year Reading Plan:
2 Samuel 4:1-6:23
John 13:31-14:14
Psalms 119:17-32
Proverbs 15:31-32
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SCRIPTURE REFERENCB-ES: Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible B) The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the Holy, Bible, New International Version, copyright B) 1973, 1978, 1984 by InternaB-tional Bible Society; (NKJV) are from New King James Version B) 1982 by Thomas Nelson; (NLT) are from the New Living Translation, B) 1996, Tyndale House Publishers; (ESV) are from English Standard VersionB., B) 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers; (TM) are from The Message B) 1993 by NavPress Publishers.