Phillip Keller
“Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me”: — Psalm
23:4
The shepherd?s staff is normally a long, slender stick, often with
a crook or hook on one end. It is selected with care by the owner; it is shaped,
smoothed,and cut to best suit his own personal use.
John Foxe
“In every thing give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you” (1 Thess.5:18).
The next time you read your English Bible, remember the following three
incidents and then give thanks that you have a Bible to read in English.
There is liberty for the exercise of gifts by the Holy Spirit.
Bob Gessner
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists;
and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:11,12). Having then gifts
differing according to the grace that i given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy
according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he
that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation; he that giveth, let him
do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence, he that sheweth mercy, with
cheerfulness (Rom. 12:6-8).
Steve Hulshizer
The following was first given as a message at the May, 1999 Elders and
Workers Conference in Markham, Ontario.
In my travels among the assemblies it is evident that the general
spiritual condition of many of them is poor. Attendance is often a small portion of those
who would claim to be in fellowship. Worldliness has made inroads and it is manifested in
a lack of commitment to the local assembly and a strong commitment to careers, hobbies,
sports, and recreation.
Steve Hulshizer
As the apostle Paul nears the end of his life, much of which had been
poured out for the Lord, his heart is moved towards Timothy and what his son in the faith
will face in the coming days. Writing from his dungeon, the veteran missionary pours out
his heart and concerns for the younger, and perhaps discouraged Timothy. Surely, the
younger saints of our day would benefit from listening in as Paul, who is about to depart
this world, gives Timothy his final instructions.