Practicality
Would you buy a one-way ticket to a place you only want to visit? Would you start to build a house if you only had money to dig a foundation? Would you buy a car if you did not have enough money to ensure monthly payments?
Do you believe that Jesus is coming soon? In your opinion, is the American economy in difficulty? Do you believe that God is dependent upon an American political system for His kingdom work to be done?
There are lots of other questions that occur to me. Questions are important. Answers are important. Questions are easier than answers.
Circumstances often require a decision be made in the absence of answers. A person must act upon the available knowledge or facts known. Under such restraints it is prudent to act cautiously and with lots of counsel.
In the medical world "booster shot" is a follow up dose of medicine to keep the original injection of medicine active. How easy it would be if a pastor had a closet of "booster shots" that could be put on the tongue like a pill or injected with a painless needle for those who have slowed down or gotten off-track in their lives.
Such a "booster shot" should include practical helps. A person ought to know how to balance a checkbook, use coupons in shopping, only buy when necessary or when there are "extra" funds, and restrain debt. A booster shot would include ingredients to speak softly, walk cautiously, be respectful, and be considerate of the rights of others.
A booster shot would clear the eyes to see reality. Helping a person to consider all the facts. Keeping a person away from negative voices. Reading and praying to internalize godly values. Getting up early, being to work on time and not clocking out until the last minute—i.e., putting in an honest day's work.
A booster shot would remind a person to make plans including opportunities for volunteering to help others. Time to call, visit, lend a hand, and encourage others—especially of the Body of Christ—would be as natural as water running down hill.
"If I can, I will" would be the heart of a person. A servant heart always thinking of others would be the spirit driving heartbeats.
Practical. Pastors have no booster shots. In the absence of booster shots pastors resort to prayer, words of counsel, and faith that wise persons will look and see that if there is a dark cloud on the horizon it is time to take shelter.
If our world is tenuous. If our economy is shaky. If there is a war without predictable end. If there is a spirit of the anti-christ. If Jesus is coming soon. Then we must be practical.
Well, again, not having all the answers it just seems wise to take shelter in faith and prayer. Exercise bold caution: Set your heart toward God to do all the things that you know are right and do them! Do not hesitate.
Exercise bold caution: If you discern that self is the first to be advantaged from some action, deed, or thought, bring self under control. Resist the devil.
My suggestion is that you make sure you are buying a ticket that gets you to the final destination. Do not be satisfied with esoteric points of interest. You are not home until you get home.
Take heed. Be wise. Keep your eyes upon Jesus and your self upon your cross!
With love,
Pastor Bare
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.