01/24/24 NOT OF INTEREST TO EVERYONE

01/24/24 NOT OF INTEREST TO EVERYONE

Bear with me... the first thoughts are not just ramblings.

A person brought up with a strong Bible focus in the home and church has a better chance of finding and following Christ than the average person.

The person brought up with no Bible or a warped Bible teaching in the home has a greater chance of not finding and following Christ.

A person brought up with a strong Bible focus in the home and church can become as corrupt as any heathen or pagan.

A person brought up with no Bible or a warped Bible teaching in the home can become a great warrior for Christ.

And there is a wide spectrum of possibilities between these scenarios.

Okay, here is my point. I am a Christian. I am a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather. I am a pastor and have been a faithful Bible teacher for over 50 years. I am nothing more than a mortal man, but I am a blood washed, Spirit filled, Bible following, faithful man of God, in my family and my ministry roles. I have cherished my opportunities to teach, preach, counsel untold numbers in the past and I have watched with joy as lives have been transformed and restored through my ministry. Therefore, my desire is totally understandable.

Here is my desire. It has always been my desire to teach and lead my family in all of the truths of God that I know. Regardless of what they would do with my leadership, I desired to teach them Biblical truths (many of which are no longer taught in modern Church-i-anity) and I always wanted to teach them the doctrinal and practical truths of salvation, in order that they might live godly in this present evil world.

As a Bible taught, Spirit led, God called, spiritually gifted pastor/teacher, I wanted to give my family the whole counsel of God, and I wanted to equip them for victorious living and productive personal ministry.

I did not have money, property or a thriving business to pass on to them, and even if I had a choice, I would rather have given them the eternal riches of Biblical truth and holy living.

If I could have the cure for cancer or other physical ailments, I would still rather have the remedy for sin and spiritual sickness and broken heartedness and broken lives and broken relationships. I would rather offer them eternity with God rather than momentary success in this life.

I have had the most definite and most valued treasures available to mankind and I wanted to pass these on to my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

See, as a pastor/teacher and loving father, I know there is no pastor who could ever have loved my family more than I loved them and I don't know of any pastor who could have been a better pastor to them than I would have been.

By the way, I realize I am not the only man (pastor, parent) who has ever felt this way. I am sure that many would say, "amen" to this post. I just thought I would say it while I have the opportunity. There will come a time when I won't be able to say it.