our shepherds

They are the shepherds of our souls....

the men who open up the

Bible

and teach us what it says.

The men who study hour after hour

to be able to

"rightly divide the word of truth."

I found this in my readings today.....

thought it was very worth sharing.

"The character

of a really great & successful minister of God."

Luke 1: 13~18

Speaking of John the Baptist.....

and all of you pastors out there.

"He is one who will turn hearts,

turn them from

ignorance to knowledge,

from carelessness to thoughtfulness,

from sin to God.

He is one who will go before the Lord,

he will delight in nothing so much

as being the messenger and herald of Jesus Christ. 

 He is one who will make ready

 a people for the Lord. 

He will strive to gather a company out of this world,

 a company of believers,

who will be ready to meet the Lord in the day of His appearing."

Beautiful,

profound description of a pastor.

I just love this!

Lastly....

"For such ministers let us

 pray

day and night.

They are the true pillars of the church,

the true salt of this earth,

the true light of the world. 

Happy is that church and happy is the nation,

which has many such men."

JC Ryle

Expository Thoughts