We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

1. While we will regret setting the bar below the standards of Scripture in recognizing men called to the eldership, we can also in our zeal set it artificially higher than the Scriptures, and fail to recognize that some of the best gifts grow in ministry. 2. Especially remember that “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:3), with its corollary of being able to “rebuke” (Tit. 1:9, i.e. to use the Scriptures for the ends for which they were given [2 Tim. 3:15-16]) does not specify an arena. Some are “able to teach” who are not suited to regular public preaching. 3. Look for men whose lives exhibit the spirit of, as well as an intellectual grasp of, sound doctrine. Orthodoxy with approachability is a great desideratum in an elder (approachability being the very least that “hospitable” means; Tit. 1:8). 4. Pose the most neglected question—”Do outsiders think well of him?” (1 Tim. 3:7)—and ponder why that question is important. 5. Choose those who are already “among” the flock, and the flock “among” them (1 Pet. 5: 2). Moral, domestic, occupational, didactic qualifications being met, ask, “Does this man love the flock and is he beloved by them?” Commitment to corporate prayer is often a litmus test. 6. Avoid appointing those who would commit to loving the flock if they were asked to be elders. Better by far to have men who love the sheep than men who love being shepherds (the former will become the latter, but not vice-versa). 7. Seek men who are simultaneously gentle but prepared to be courageous, and prepared to suffer if need be—to get in front to protect as well as behind to follow! An elder must be capable of both biblical rebuke and gentle restoration (Gal. 6:2). Quieter men, with quiet hearts, are worth their weight in gold and may astonish us by their wisdom. 8. Ask the question, “Would our church be willing, if need be, to pay this man a stipend to labor among us as an elder?” The answer may tell a great deal about his ministry in the flock and his esteem in their eyes. 9. Consider how well a man’s life echoes the principles of the Lord’s shepherding in Psalm 23.

Sinclair Ferguson

We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Trash Snack Mix

January 25, 2023

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Grains, Vegetables		Snacks	1	Servings

INGREDIENTS

1	c	Toasted oat cereal
1	c	Old fashioned rolled oats
1/2	c	Shredded coconut
1/2	c	Whole unsalted almonds
1/2	c	Wheat germ
1/2	c	Shelled unsalted sunflower
		Seeds
1/2	c	Raisins
1/2	c	Honey
1/4	c	Light corn syrup
1/4	c	Vegetable oil
1	ts	Vanilla extract
1	ts	Almond extract

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  In a large bowl, stir together first 7
ingredients.  In a medium bowl, use medium speed of an electric mixer to
beat remaining ingredients until well blended.  Pour honey mixture over dry
ingredients, stirring until well coated.  Spread evenly on a greased baking
sheet.  Bake 20 to 25 mins or until brown.  Cool completely in pan. Break
into pieces. Store in airtight container. Makes about 5 1/2 cups. Can be
doubled or tripled.
Posted to MM-Recipes Digest V4 #008
From: sewin <hammer@imag.net>
Date: Tue, 07 Jan 1997 10:46:14 -0800

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