Pay Careful Attention

Good Morning!!!

Our Bible study group studied Acts 20 yesterday. It was a good study, one in which Paul admonishes the overseers of the church in Ephesus thusly:

Acts 20:28-32 (English Standard Version)
28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. 32And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

The phrase that struck me as important is for these leaders in the church to pay attention to themselves. Paul understood that being a leader in the church had some pitfalls. He knew there was a possibility that these men or people under their watch care could be impacted by power, fame, riches, and other negative influences. We, ourselves, have seen instances where good people with good intentions are drawn away by the influence of our culture today. So the caution that Paul gave these leaders is appropriate for us today. We need to pay attention to ourselves – understand how our words and deeds impact those around us, either leading them to follow Christ or leading them astray. Good stuff.

I hope each of you who are fathers had a good weekend. I certainly did, hearing from or seeing most of my children and most of my grandchildren. I even got treated to lunch at the Varsity!!!

Have a blessed Monday!

Agape’

Mr. Jim