Two Things I'm Thankful For (by Stephen Simpson)

I wanted to use today's post to accomplish a couple of things. First, we recently had some great family pictures taken. I thought I'd share a couple with you today.

Secondly, since Pastor Brock opened the subject of Thanksgiving yesterday, I thought I would continue that theme today.

There are numerous things I am thankful. Today I mention two. First, I am immensely thankful for my wife, Nicki. She completes me. I would be so lost without her. I was thinking just this morning of how difficult my life would be without her. I am so thankful that God has brought us together. She is truly an excellent wife. Not only that, she is an excellent mother. Abi has got it made!! She has the best mother.

Which brings me to the second thing I'm thankful for, my daughter Abi. I am so thankful to God for the baby girl that He has given us. What a blessing it is to come home from work and watch Abi get all excited when I walk in the room.

God has blessed me with so many wonderful things. I praise Him for His goodness and kindness towards me. What are you thankful for?

Early Thanksgiving Thoughts (by Peter Brock)

With Thanksgiving a little more than a week away, I thought it would be interesting to take a brief look at the holiday and its beginnings in the United States. Next week we'll read the words of Abraham Lincoln regarding Thanksgiving, but this week we'll begin with our first president, George Washington. I read with great interest his Thanksgiving proclamation found below. As you read the proclamation, you will gain insight into Washington's understanding of almighty God. May you be challenged, as I was, by Washington's acknowledgment of God as the Sovereign Author of all life and goodness, the Lord and Ruler of nations.

A NATIONAL THANKSGIVING

"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and

Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness":

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplication to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best."
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, AD 1789 George Washington

Pilgrim's Progress 2

Good morning and welcome to our online book study of Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress. For more information regarding this study click HERE. Also, remember that we are going to discuss the book according to the various stages detailed HERE.

Today we have reached Stage Two: the Gate, conversation with Good-Will, the Interpreter's House, Christian entertained, and the sights there shown him.

When we left Christian last week, He had just been confronted by Evangelist who had redirected him. Having returned once again to his original path, Christian reaches the Wicket-Gate. He knocks and asks for admission. Good-Will opens the gate and pulls him in.

Christian and Good-Will have an interesting conversation. One highlight for me was when Christian asks for help with the burden on his back. Good-Will replies, "As to thy burden, be content to bear it until thou comest to the place of deliverance; for there it will fall from thy back of itself." There is much to think about in Good-Will's answer. Good-Will tells Christian to be content to bear the burden of his sin. In other words, "stop trying to remove the burden in your own strength. When you come to the cross, the place of deliverance, your burden will be removed all by itself."

Christian comes to the Interpreter's house and sees many wonderful things there. I will readily admit that I did not understand the full significance of everything Christian saw here. One scene I really enjoyed was the parlour scene. Bunyan lets us know that the parlour represents our own heart before salvation. He then masterfully illustrates the effect of the law upon the sinful heart. He shows how the Law, "instead of cleansing the heart from sin, doth revive, put strength into, and increase in in the soul...for it doth not give power to subdue." The heart is only cleansed by the Gospel, represented by the water which was sprinkled throughout the parlour.

The Interpreter then takes Christian to another room and shows him Patience and Passion. The Interpreter, in explaining this scene to Christian gives a reminder to all of us, "the glory of the next world will never wear out."

Again, Bunyan gives an amazing illustration through the scene of the fire "burning against a wall." On one side of the wall stands the Devil throwing water on the fire to extinguish it. On the other side of the wall stands Christ pouring oil on the fire to keep it burning. Too often, we only see the Devil trying to extinguish this fire, which is the work of grace in our hearts. We fail to remember that Christ is working on our behalf. He stands fueling our fire and sustaining it.

The Interpreter shows Christian two more things: the palace and the man in the iron cage. After showing all these things to Christian, the Interpreter gives some final words of instruction and sends him on his way.

Your Turn
Now obviously, I cannot comment on everything. This post is already long enough. I only comment on those sections which really encouraged or stimulated my mind. Now it is your turn. Don't be shy. Share your highlights from this section.

Next Week
Next Monday, we will discuss The Third Stage: Loses his burden at the Cross - Simple, Sloth, Prsumption, Formalist, Hypocrisy - hill difficulty - the Arbor - misses his roll - the palace Beautiful - the lions - talk with Discretion, Piety, Prudence, and Charity - wonders shown to Christian - he is armed

God My Way? (by Peter Brock)

Due to a conference I attended recently, as well as some current reading, I have been challenged as to the magnificence and greatness of our almighty God. In today’s church culture, there is the temptation to be culturally relevant rather than God-honoring. There is the temptation to make God “palatable” to unbelievers and believers alike. At times we want to make God our friend, forming Him into something acceptable to our chosen Christian life style. Yet, as I have been reminded from the Scriptures, our God is much different than what we often make Him out to be.

- Scriptures teach us that God the Father, the first Person of the Trinity, orders and disposes all things according to His own purpose and grace.

- He is the one living and true God.

- He is infinite, and perfect in all His attributes.

- He is the Almighty Creator of all things.

- Because He is the absolute and omnipotent Ruler in the universe, God is perfectly sovereign in creation, providence, and salvation.

- All that comes to pass is ultimately for His own glory.

- He continually upholds, directs, and governs all creatures and events.

- By His perfect grace, He has chosen from eternity past those whom He would have as His own.

- He saves from sin all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

How do I/we worship the God of Scripture? In my personal daily life my worship of God is evidenced in my every thought, action, choice, attitude and word. In corporate worship, every part of worship should direct our attention to our God and who He is in His perfect character. Our worship needs to be different from the world because our God is holy and righteous. It needs to be different because our God is eternal and sovereign over all creation.

May we, as individuals and as a body of believers, maintain a high view of the God of Scripture that affects every aspect of personal and corporate worship. Allow the words of Psalm 104 to remind you of the greatness of our God.

Psalm 104

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty,

2 covering yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent.

3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind;

4 he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.

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31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works,

32 who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke!

33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

35 Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more!

Bless the LORD, O my soul! Praise the LORD!

Pilgrim's Progress 1

Good morning. Today we begin our study of John Bunyan's classic work, The Pilgrim's Progress. For more information regarding this study click HERE. Also, remember that we are going to discuss the book according to the various stages detailed HERE.

Today we are on the First Stage: Christian's deplorable condition, Evengelist directs him, Obstinate and Pliable, Slough of Despond, Worldly Wiseman, Mount Sinai, Conversation with Evangelist.

Our story begins with Christian, a man with "a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back." The more he reads his 'book' the more distressed he becomes until he finally exlaims "What shall I do to be saved?" It is amazing to me that as soon as he asks this question he meets Evangelist. To me, the timing is important. It appears that Evangelist is sent in response to Christian's question. Evangelist gives the word, "Fly from the wrath to come." He sends Christian towards the wicket-gate.

I hope you noticed that as Christian fled towards the gate, Bunyan writes that "the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying, Life! Life! Eternal life!" He shut all of the cries from his family and friends to stay behind. He left everything to journey towards the wicket-gate in hopes of being rescued from the terrible burden upon his back. Do you see the parallel between this and many who come to Christ today? They often lose those close them because of their relationship with Jesus Christ.

As Christian sets out, two of his neighbors, Obstinate and Pliable, pursue after him in hopes of convincing him to return home. Obstinate gives up his effort rather quickly. Pliable continues on with Christian until the way gets difficult. Once they reach the difficulty of the Slough of Despond, Pliable abandons his journey and returns home. Later on, this sad tribute is given of Pliable, "Is the celestial glory of so small esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazards of a few difficulties to obtain it?"

Once he is past the Slough of Despond, Christian meets Mr. Worldly Wiseman who lives in the town of Carnal Policy. Their discussion is very interesting. One highlight is when Worldly Wiseman asks Christian "How camest thou by the burden at first?" Christian replies, "By reading this book in my hand." How true this is of so many of us. Upon reading God's word, our eyes are opened to the total depravity of our souls. We accurately see the great burden that we carry. But, we also are shown the path to freedom from that great burden. Praise God for His Word!

Worldly Wiseman proceeds to give Christian a 'shortcut' to removing his burden. He offers another path, one of ease and convenience. He sends Christian to the town of Morality to visit Legality and Civility. The picture is very vivid. Christian is pointed down the path of doing good works. The interesting thing is that he approaches the hill which contains the town of Morality he fears that the hill will fall on his head. Just a page or two later this hill is called Mount Sinai (which is where the law was given in the OT). Here we see Christian literally feeling the weight of being under the law. No one can do enough good works. Christian experiences this as he approaches Morality.

Fortunately, Evangelist appears again and confronts Christian. He exposes the errors of Worldly Wiseman's doctrine and sets Christian again on the path toward the wicket-gate.

Your Turn
As you can see, there is so much that can be said concerning this book. I have simply given a few of my personal thoughts. Now it is your turn. What jumped out at you as you read these first few pages? There is no wrong answer. I simply invite you to share with us some of your thoughts.

Next Week
We will discuss Stage Two: The Gate, conversation with Good-Will, the Interpreter's House, Christian entertained, the sights there shown him

Evolution in our Schools (by Stephen Simpson)

On Wednesday, October 24th, The Ledger published an article entitled, "Plan to Require Evolution to Be Taught in Schools." Personally, the article was revolting and very discouraging. On the one hand, I understand that this is to be expected. I shouldn't really be surprised. This sort of thing has been happening all over our country for a long time. On the other hand, it is much more irksome when it hits close to home. This is what will be taught to my daughter if we choose public education for her.

The irony of this is that they (the State Department of Education) would say that they are simply taking religion out of the classroom in favor of science. In reality, what they are doing is forcing religion upon these children. It is a religion that says there is no God. It is a religion that says that there is no higher power. It says there is no supreme authority in this universe. Consider the ramifications of that last statement.

There is another irony in this. Christians are often labeled as being intolerant. We believe that there is one way to heaven and only one way. All other ways are wrong and individuals who follow another path are ultimately headed to hell. That is what we believe and because of that we often are accused of being intolerant of other views. Now we have the State Department of Education doing the same thing. They say that they believe "life, including plants, animals and humans, developed through a series of small changes over very long periods of time." In other words, they believe in evolutionary science and that all other beliefs are wrong. Somehow, they get a pass on being labeled intolerant by the media.

What does this mean for us? For me, it forces me to think long and hard about my daughter's education, even though she is still several years away from beginning school. Do I want my daughter learning in a school system which, beginning in third grade, will teach her that our world came into existence because of some random explosion millions of years ago? Do I want her taught that this theory is the only scientific explanation for how we came into existence? Or, do I want her taught that an All-Powerful Sovereign God created her in His image?

I challenge you to seriously consider this issue and the ramifications of it. Educate yourself. Take an active part in your children's education by becoming aware of what they are being taught.

All Hallows Eve (by Peter Brock)

Today, October 31 is the calendar day dedicated to Halloween. I find it interesting to observe Christians and their response to this "holiday". Some take a position of avoiding the day and refuse to participate at any level. Some opt for alternate events such as a fall-fest or similar event. Others seem to embrace it and don't appear to be threatened by the day and it's practices.
As believers in Jesus Christ, how are we to respond to Halloween? Do we avoid it or embrace it? Or do we find a middle ground?
Grace to You has written a great article that traces the origins of Halloween, its practices and where it has arrived in today's culture. The article also addresses Biblical and practical responses for the believer. I challenge you to read the article and gain some sound Biblical teaching regarding a God-honoring response to Halloween.

Anniversary - Today is Reformation Day—the 490^th anniversary of the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of Wittenberg’s Schlosskirke. Praise God for men like Luther that stood for Biblical truth.

The Pilgrim's Progress - Introduction

Good morning. Last Monday, I mentioned that I would like to start an online 'book study.' Well, I have decided to do so using the book, The Pilgrim's Progress. This is one book that I have been wanting to read for a long time. I remember going through it in a Sunday School class as a child, but I have never read it as an adult. It has been called "the most influential religious book ever written in the English language." I think it will serve as a great book for our purposes here.

If you want to participate, the first thing you must do is secure a copy of the book. This should not be difficult. There are numerous editions available. There are also free online versions available HERE if you want to read it on your computer screen. One logistical difficulty with this book is that there are no chapter divisions. So, I am planning to follow the divisions listed HERE which divides the book into stages. I encourage you to do the same. Try to schedule it into your weekly schedule. Each Monday morning I'll post a short summary of what I've read and then post some discussion questions which will solicit your responses. My hope is to foster some profitable discussion here on our blog.

Today I want to give just a short introduction to the book. John Bunyan was born in 1628 in the parish of Elstow, England. He began writing his masterpiece, The Pilgrim's Progress, while he was in jail in 1675. It was written in two parts. The first being published in 1678 and the second in 1684. HERE is a great article with more biographical information regarding Bunyan and The Pilgrim's Progress.

It is important to understand that Bunyan's book is an allegory. "Allegory is a form of extended metaphor, in which objects, persons, and actions in a narrative, are equated with the meanings that lie outside the narrative itself. The underlying meaning has moral, social, religious, or political significance, and characters are often personifications of abstract ideas as charity, greed, or envy. Thus an allegory is a story with two meanings, a literal meaning and a symbolic meaning." In other words, The Pilgrim's Progress is a book with a meaning that extends far beyond the literal meaning. It is filled with symbols and pictures. As such, a cursory reading of this book will not do it justice. We will have to read with an engaged mind.

So, I trust you will participate in this endeavor. If not, oh well, at least I will be able to cross another book off of my 'books to read' list.

Jim, Ron and Ken, Part 2

The blog entitled “Jim, Ron and Ken, Part 1” contains the leadup story to today’s blog. From the book entitled Sailors to the End, by Gregory A. Freeman

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Despite their fatal injuries, and with the knowledge that they would die in the compartment, the men responded well to the order to transfer the steering of the ship to the starboard control. Rowland stayed on the phone with Blaskis as the men completed the task and then he listened as each of them died. Blaskis told him when Ogring and Fasth died and then slowly Blaskis became silent.
Rowland put down the phone and cried. He cried from frustration because there was nothing that he could do. He also cried because he admired the men's determination and bravery. The men's obedience in the face of death allowed the ship and thousands of shipmates to be saved.
The chapter relating their story ends with these words, "They were sailors to the end. They never begged for mercy. They never whined. They never whimpered."
As I read the story, I was struck by those last words. My mind went to the duty that the men carried out. My mind went to the obedience to orders in spite of fatal injuries. It went to the many excuses the men had to not obey the order.

The three men carried out their duties knowing full well they would soon be dead. It was, as are so many stories of war, the ultimate sacrifice, the giving of one’s own life for the greater cause.

There are a number of ways in which a story like this illustrates Biblical truths. A reading of 2 Timothy, chapter 2 reminds us of our duty as soldiers of Christ. “You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” vv1-5

According to these verses, a soldier of Christ endures hardship for the sake of Christ. He does not entangle himself in daily civilian affairs because that would distract him from his higher duty to please Christ. Commitment and obedience are in view. Doing what needs to be done, no matter the suffering that is required.

The men in our story were motivated by a commitment to a cause, to a military code. They were motivated by a duty to obey their commanding officer.

As soldiers of Christ the motivation for our commitment comes from…where? Verses 8 – 10 of 2 Timothy make it very clear. “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."

Thoughts:

- Paul’s suffering was due to his commitment to Jesus Christ. (“Suffering” in this verse refers to misfortunes and trials endured because of one’s faith in Christ.)

- Paul endures these hardships willingly because he knows that the Word of God is not bound, but rather that it has the power to change men’s lives. Paul knew that God's Word cannot be chained or hindered by human force. He knew that the Word of God would act upon men’s hearts and consciences.

- Paul endures all suffering so that the elect could obtain salvation through Jesus Christ.

May we, as soldiers of Jesus Christ, dutifully endure hardship for the sake of the elect, knowing that the Word of God is not bound and that it will act on men's hearts. May our duty and commitment and obedience be uncluttered by daily affairs and main we be singularly focused on glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lay it Down, Pick it Up, and Follow Jesus (by Bobby Thompson)

There is no such thing as a Christian who does not become a disciple of Jesus Christ. I did not say that as soon as one professes Christ his life automatically becomes spiritually disciplined and passionately persues the glory of God in all things. What I am saying is that the Bible does not allow for perpetual indifference in the life of a believer. There are no instructions for those who wish to become the best mediocre Christian they can be. It dosent even make sense. The only kind of Christian described in the Bible is the Christian disciple - learning about Him, living like Him, loving like Him.
One very concise statment of Christian discipleship is found in Luke 9:23:
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."
Three quick observations:
1. A disciple of Christ must deny himself. Self denial is not popular, fun, or easy - but it is God's way. Lay down our rights. Lay down our wills. Lay down our lives.
2. A disciple of Christ must take up his cross daily. Jesus has a cross for each of us to bear. It may come in different forms, but if you are a believer, be sure that it will involve bearing the reproach of Christ. (Hebrews 13:13) 1 John 3:13 says "Don't be suprised if the world hates you (because it hated Jesus first - John 15:18).
3. A disciple of Christ must follow Christ. "Where he leads me I will follow" - We sing it, and we preach it but are we prepared to do it?
I want to leave you with the next two verses of Luke 9, because they help us see that following Christ is not an optional matter for the true believer:
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and looses his own soul?"

Jim, Ron and Ken, Part 1

Before we get to Jim, Ron and Ken, check out this book by Jerry Bridges. Interesting in light of recent study and sermons in Psalm 51.
Now, today's blog.

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I love learning about the "sub-plots" in US history, particularly those related to the Civil War, World War 2 or the Vietnam War. For that reason I was drawn to a book entitled, Sailors to the End, by Gregory A. Freeman. In that book I learned of James Blaskis, Ronald Ogring, and Kenneth Fasth. Let me briefly tell you the first part of their story in today's blog. The date was July 29, 1967. The location was the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam. The USS Forrestal was the world's first "super carrier", the largest and most powerful warship at that time. It was tasked to a location in the Gulf of Tonkin called Yankee Station, approximately 75 east of the Vietnamese coast. The Forrestal's role was to be a platform for launching air strikes against various targets in North Vietnam. James Blaskis, Ronald Ogring, and Kenneth Fasth were at their duty post in the port aft steering compartment, a small room located at the very rear of the ship, on the left side and several decks down from the flight deck. Up on the flight deck preparations were underway for an air strike scheduled to begin at 11:00AM. Planes loaded with rockets, missiles and bombs packed the rear portion of the mighty carrier. At 10:51AM, a rocket was accidentally (electrical surge) fired from a plane. The rocket shot across the flight deck and pierced an external fuel tank on the A-4 Skyhawk piloted by Lt. Comdr. John McCain. The resulting explosion set off a chain reaction of explosions and burning jet fuel. The explosions of 1,000 lb bombs opened gaping holes in the flight deck and were so powerful that they tore through several decks into the port aft steering compartment where the three men were working. As a result of the explosions all three men suffered grave injuries including missing limbs. In spite of their injuries, all three remained conscious and did their best to avoid the burning jet fuel that poured like a burning waterfall into the compartment. As the conditions in the steering compartment became worse, Blaskis called to damage control to ask for a rescue party. He was kept in communication for the next few hours by a number of sailors in damage control. Every single person that talked to Blaskis that day was left with one overriding impression - that in spite of his own severe injuries, Blaskis was concerned only for the welfare of his shipmates.
As the flames increased, it became obvious that the men were trapped and rescue was impossible, the chief engineer of the carrier, an officer named Rowland, got on the phone and told Blaskis the stark truth; the three men were on their own. Baskis responded with three words, "Sir, we're dying." Rowland tried to encourage the men as much as he could, yet he knew that James Blaskis, Ronald Ogring and Kenneth Fasth would die in the compartment. He told Blaskis that there was nothing he could do. Blaskis answered quietly and simply, "Yes sir".
But then Rowland realized that there was something the dying men could do for the carrier. Because the port aft steering compartment in which the men were dying was so badly damaged, steering control had to me transferred to the starboard aft steering. If this didn't happen soon, total control of steering would be lost and the carrier would flounder and most likely be totally lost. If the steering control could be transferred, the ship could be saved along with thousands of sailors. The order had to be given before the men died.
So, Rowland gave the order to the dying men, "transfer steering"...

Related Posts:

• Jim, Ron and Ken, Part 2

Are you concerned for the lost? (by Stephen Simpson)

Have you ever noticed the words of Paul in Romans 9. Notice what He writes in verses 1-3:

"I am speaking the truth in Christ - I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit - that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh." (ESV)

As I read those words last week it struck me that I had never actually noticed what Paul was saying before. What Paul writes is truly remarkable. He expresses a desire to literally trade "spiritual" places with Israel. In verse 2, he writes of the "great sorrow and unceasing anguish" which he felt over the spiritual condition of his kinsmen, the Israelites. Notice the intense emotion and passion that Paul felt for the lost. He reaches his climax by wishing that he was "accursed and cut off from Christ" for the sake of his brothers. Paul expresses a willingness to trade his eternal security for eternal separation in order to win his brothers to Christ. What love! What concern for the lost!

I don't know about you, but seeing Paul's example brings a horrible conviction. I know of many people, including many of my 'kinsmen,' who don't know Christ. The sad truth is that too often I sit and do nothing. I fail to pray for them. I fail to engage them in conversation concerning the Gospel. I excuse my inaction by saying that "It's all up to God anyway." While reading these verses convicts me, it also motivates me and stirs my heart. I see the example of Paul and I think, "God help me to be more like Paul."

Let us use Paul's example to motivate us. We must be more concerned for the lost. We must always have a passion for the lost. We must always care about their spiritual condition. We must pray for God to give us the strength and the courage to act.