We love to measure things. And we have, at our disposal, highly accurate gauges for measuring just about anything, including the progress of our lives. I mean, we never have to wonder which careers are most prestigious; which jobs are most coveted; which neighborhoods are most exclusive; which vacations are most glamorous; which cars are most luxurious. Our culture makes sure its gauges remain well calibrated.
We love to measure things. And we have, at our disposal, highly accurate gauges for measuring just about anything, including the progress of our lives. I mean, we never have to wonder which careers are most prestigious; which jobs are most coveted; which neighborhoods are most exclusive; which vacations are most glamorous; which cars are most luxurious. Our culture makes sure its gauges remain well calibrated.
“Listen carefully . . . and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world . . .” (Mark 4:24 MSG).
The problem is, such things are not proper for measuring the progress of any life. There’s nothing wrong with careers or communities or cars, in-and-of themselves. They’re just not appropriate gauges in this context. Using them is like using a thermometer to measure the weight of a steel beam. It doesn’t work. Likewise, improper gauges won’t work for us, for measuring our lives as men. We must create and calibrate new gauges, ones that can properly measure our lives, because they measure the right stuff—like how we’re doing as husbands or wives, as fathers or mothers, as friends, as neighbors; and how we’re doing toward becoming the person God intends us to become.
Build new gauges for yourself, ones that measure things like . . . how many nights you are home for dinner; or how often you sit down and pray with your wife or girlfriend; or how often you have conversations with your sons or daughters about their dreams or their fears; or how often you meet with brothers in community; or how often you drop what you’re doing to spend time with friends in need. Get practical. Build a simple spreadsheet, for example. Or create a calendar. Do what makes sense for you, but start measuring, today.
Have a blessed Thursday
God's blessings.
Priory of St.Miltiades
Freedom in Christ (Libertas in Christo)🇿🇦🇬🇪🇮🇱⚔️
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ— James 2:1
We tend toward partiality. Sometimes with forethought, many times with no thought, we give or withhold based upon characteristics of the potential recipients. We can, therefore, find ourselves directing all our time and attention, our kindness and generosity, toward only those who live, look, sound, spend, sin . . . like we do. This plays out in many areas of life and, therefore, ... moreGood day Templar family
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ— James 2:1
We tend toward partiality. Sometimes with forethought, many times with no thought, we give or withhold based upon characteristics of the potential recipients. We can, therefore, find ourselves directing all our time and attention, our kindness and generosity, toward only those who live, look, sound, spend, sin . . . like we do. This plays out in many areas of life and, therefore, many areas of faith—in service, giving, worship, and certainly in brotherhood.
But James, brother of our King, Jesus Christ, cautioned us to oppose this tendency:
“For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” ( James
2:2-4).
So, what’s wrong with partiality? Well, intending to or not, we harm people. We harm them by disregarding them, those whom God wants us to impact or serve or befriend, but who don’t quite make our cut (Proverbs 28:21). God put us here for one another (Matthew 22:39). Partiality means we forsake people who need us. And if that’s not bad enough, we harm ourselves. We cut ourselves off from relationships—and often the weightiest. You see, those we’re meant to impact are meant to impact us, right back.
How’re you doing with this,? The test is simple—look around. Who are you spending time with? Whom are you serving? There should be people in your life who’re nothing like you. Are there?
Have a blessed Tuesday
God's blessings.
Priory of St.Miltiades
Freedom in Christ (Libertas in Christo)🇿🇦🇬🇪🇮🇱⚔️
. . . on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it—Matthew 16:18
We’re designed for battle by our Father God; we’re led into battle by our King, Jesus Christ; we’re aided in battle by God the Holy Spirit. These battles are waged “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). The places where we m... moreGood day Templar family
. . . on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it—Matthew 16:18
We’re designed for battle by our Father God; we’re led into battle by our King, Jesus Christ; we’re aided in battle by God the Holy Spirit. These battles are waged “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). The places where we meet our enemies have names like “impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, and things like these” (Galatians 5:19-21). Though perhaps less dramatic than battles fought on the ground or in the air or on the sea, their outcomes are more momentous. They determine not only how we spend our lives, but our eternities too (Galatians 5:21).
We have enemies. They’re real. They’re powerful. They’re cunning, relentless, scheming always against us—scheming right now. We too, must be cunning and relentless. We too must be prepared.
Create a battle plan. Resist any “this isn’t necessary” or “do it later” tendencies. Create a plan to bring the fight to our enemies. They’ve brought it to you long enough. Write it out today. Make it explicit. Make it practical.
1. Definition of Battle . . . what problem would you like to finally overcome?
Good day Templar family
There are times when we are to remain silent and there are times when we are to speak up. The times when Christians are to remain silent are when we’re removing ourselves from conflict, listening to instruction, and when controlling our speech. Sometimes we must go before the Lord and stand still in His presence. Sometimes we need to be silent and get away from distractions to hear the Lord.
It is essential in our walk with the Lord that we learn how to be in silence be... moreGood day Templar family
There are times when we are to remain silent and there are times when we are to speak up. The times when Christians are to remain silent are when we’re removing ourselves from conflict, listening to instruction, and when controlling our speech. Sometimes we must go before the Lord and stand still in His presence. Sometimes we need to be silent and get away from distractions to hear the Lord.
It is essential in our walk with the Lord that we learn how to be in silence before Him. Sometimes silence is a sin.
It is a shame that many of today’s so-called Christians are silent when it’s time to speak out against sin and evil.
As Christians we are to preach the Word of God, discipline, and rebuke others. Many Christians are so worldly they’re afraid to stand up for God and save lives. They would rather people burn in hell than tell people the truth.
It’s our job to speak up against evil because if we don’t who will? I encourage everyone to pray for courage to help with speaking up for what’s right and pray for help to remain silent when we must be silent
Have a blessed Thursday
God's blessings.
Louis Steyn
Priory of St.Miltiades
Freedom in Christ (Libertas in Christo)
Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. And unselfishness is letting other people's lives alone, not interfering with them. Selfishness always aims at creating around it an absolute uniformity of type. Unselfishness recognizes infinite variety of type as a delightful thing, accepts it, acquiesces in it, enjoys it. It is not selfish to think for oneself. A man who does not think for himself does not think at all. It is grossly selfish to... moreSelfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. And unselfishness is letting other people's lives alone, not interfering with them. Selfishness always aims at creating around it an absolute uniformity of type. Unselfishness recognizes infinite variety of type as a delightful thing, accepts it, acquiesces in it, enjoys it. It is not selfish to think for oneself. A man who does not think for himself does not think at all. It is grossly selfish to require of one's neighbor that he should think in the same way, and hold the same opinions. Why should he? If he can think, he will probably think differently. If he cannot think, it is monstrous to require thought of any kind from him. A red rose is not selfish because it wants to be a red rose. It would be horribly selfish if it wanted all the other flowers in the garden to be both red and roses.
