Elders: They Care For You!

I love the elders of this congregation. I get the privilege of serving under them and fortunately get to see some of the unseen works of these men. These men live out their salvation with their dedication to the Lord and His church.

Hebrews 13:17 gives us these words,

"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you."

This seems straightforward, doesn’t it? Then why do we not do it all the time? It is our souls over which they are watching. These men who serve the church do so willingly and sacrifice time, effort, and their talents for our benefit. The job is hard, and they know it. The job comes with extra accountability. They will have to give an account for not only their actions, but for the Christians they are charged with shepherding (see 1 Peter 5:2).

They seek to help and encourage; they pray without ceasing, and, for that, the church must be grateful with love, support, and even submission. This is not because they said so, or the preacher said so. It is because the Word of God declares so. When the elders uphold the doctrine of Christ, they are doing so with souls in mind.

In a world where selfishness is the norm, let us seek to be selfless like our elders who are reflecting the Savior to whom we belong. Please pray for them; they certainly do for you.

Grace and Peace,

R.D. Beavers

Comments

Don't Raise an Ahaz

Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God, like David his father. But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Jehovah cast out from before the children of Israel. And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree . 2 Kings 16:2-4 When was the first time you drove a car? What about the first time you jumped off a diving board or gave a speech? After that first time, it certainly became easier. What about the first lie you told? Did it become easier? King Ahaz of Judah was evil and far from the example of David. Ahaz was the first to offer child sacrifices to t...

At the Feet of Jesus

How amazing it must have been to sit at the feet of Jesus. Have you thought much about that? What would it have been like to be around the Master? It was obviously life altering for His disciples, the majority of which (by historical accounts) would go on to violent deaths. Christians would go on to be persecuted throughout the centuries. Why? Jesus is worth the shame (Acts 5:41). Jesus is worth it all, because “there is no other name, under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). It is for this very reason we think about how amazing it would have been to personally sit at the feet of Jesus. To Talk to Him Must Have Been Tender Talking to Jesus must have been so tender. We know that He would tell people what they needed to hear, and sometimes that was rather forthright (see Matt. 23), but he was loving and compassionate to those who wanted to learn from Him. Remember when parents were b...

Jehoram and Accent

Jehoram was thirty and two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, like as did the house of Ahab: for he had the daughter of Ahab to wife: and he wrought that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD. 2 Ch 21:5-6 Regional accents are quite interesting when you consider all their quirks and differences from each other. However, as one who has lived in varying locations and cultures in the United States, my accent is sort of all over the place. When I was visiting some family in Eastern Arkansas, my cousin correctly introduced me as my cousin Ryan from Texas. However, the young lady to whom he introduced me said, "You're from Texas?" I affirmed yes. To which she replied, “You don't sound like you're from Texas.” Maybe it was the fact that I grew up right on the Rio Grande or maybe this girl just e...

Ironworks

Search This Blog