http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=79859&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Why we are called to be A Shepherd?
Do you know where you are going? Do you have not just the vision, but the true Truth of His call and Way? We have to know where the well is before leading others to it! Christ and His precepts are the well, and we follow the path by example, nurture and service with faith, fruit, character and maturity so others can partake of His wonders. We have to know, and to do this, we have to grow. If we are not growing in the faith, we are useless and unable to lead or equip others. We will lord over by pride, teach falsely or sloppily and lead others astray; we will dishonor our Lord.
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=58687&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Love is Kind!
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=31426&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Simply put, the Lectio Divina means to be praying in and with the Scriptures for understanding, worship, and intimacy in God's presence to benefit our faith, character, and spiritual growth. Thus, reading as a practice and a discipline means that as we read the Bible, we can and should be praying to our Lord, too. This combines two essential aspects of our Christian walk...
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=79251&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
God calls us as pastors and church leaders to be a people who shepherd.
Being a Shepherd also means being God's commissioned leader; our Guide is Jesus the Holy One who gently leads us and guides His leaders to care for His flock, the Church. Consider that Jesus comes to us as the Good Shepherd, also a name for Jesus, to rescue His lost sheep. We have all gone astray and have given in to sin; He brings us back to His fold...
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=33167&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Conflict and discipline may conjure up medieval inquisitions, emotional trauma from being overly disciplined as children, or libelous defamation of other's character. Personal accountability has gone under the strata of the Jurassic period, that it now takes a pastoral Archeologist to dig it up again. Personal confrontation and the sharing of ethics have become a repulsive by-word in our society and not the virtue, as it should be.
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=36285&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
"Take my life and let it be, consecrated, Lord, to Thee" is probably Frances Ridley Havergal's best-known hymn, and it is a fitting summary of her life. It was her whole-hearted devotion to God that characterised everything about her. What we find in her hymns is an expression of her heart's desire to know Christ better; and to serve Him more devotedly
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=57669&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Christ must become more in us!
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=32839&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Biblical definitions of Spiritual Gifts, as defined by the Bible, presented in no particular order. The definitions and supporting Scriptures do correspond to the characteristics of the Gifts as also expressed in most Evangelical and Reformed thinking.
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=32327&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
Mark the grand characteristic of true prayer¾"In the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20). The seed of acceptable devotion must come from Heaven's storehouse. Only the prayer which comes from God can go to God. We must shoot the Lord's arrows back to Him. That desire which He writes upon our hearts will move His heart and bring down a blessing, but the desires of the flesh have no power with Him.
http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/default.asp?blogid=0&view=post&articleid=31564&link=1&fldKeywords=&fldAuthor=&fldTopic=0
The Seventh Step of Inductive Bible Study is Asking the Big Question, "How does this apply to me?"
We are called to be the person who gets in His Word, who sees, knows, and applies it, will be growing and useful for Christ. He or she will be exhibiting good character and godliness as he or she moves into actually applying Christianity, to be Doers of His Mighty Word! Remember the Word of God's purpose is to transform us into His image and character!