Leadership
The popular author and theologian John C. Maxwell once said, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” At some point or another in our lives, we will be in a position of leadership. Scripture gives many examples of great leaders, but one of the finest was Nehemiah.
Nehemiah was a Jewish servant of the King of Persia who lived in the mid 5th century B.C. He was determined to restore and rebuild the destroyed walls of Jerusalem so God’s people could live in safety. A careful study of the Book of Nehemiah shows the qualities all good leaders should possess. We see a man who truly cared about those he led. Nehemiah was a humble man, yet also a man of boldness, courage, and vision. He inspired the people of Jerusalem so that they amazingly rebuilt the walls of the city in only 52 days (Neh. 6:15)!
But Nehemiah’s most important leadership qualities were spiritual ones. He was a man of prayer; he never made a decision or confronted a problem without praying to God first. He had an unshakeable faith in the power and providence of God. And Nehemiah was one who knew, taught, and lived the Word of God and never compromised its teachings! May God help us all to be good leaders like Nehemiah was! Via Bulletin Digest/Travis L. Quertermous
"FOUL LANGUAGE"
Larry Yarber
"But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not once be named among you, as becometh saints, Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks, For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" (Ephesians 5:3-5).
Strong defines 'Filthiness', "151 - aischrotes, ahee-skhrot-ace; from aischros; shamefulness, i.e. obscenity: - filthiness" (STRONG, pgs. 468 and 7). 'Foolish talking', 3473 - morologia, mo-rol-og-ee-ah; from a comp. of moros and lego; silly talk, i.e. buffoonery: - foolish talking" (STRONG, pgs. 484 and 65). 'Jesting’, "2160 - eutrapelia, yoo-trap-el-ee-ah; from a comp of eu and a der. of the base of trope (mean. well-turned, i.e. ready at repartee, jocose); witticism, i.e. (in a vulgar sense) ribaldry - jesting" (STRONG, pgs. 728 and 43).
Burtman Coffman, in his commentary on Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, makes this observation about the above verses, " 'Filthiness ... foolish talking ... jesting ...' Filthiness of moral character leads inevitably to filthiness of conversation; and Paul also condemned that. The smutty story, the foolish jesting, the empty nonsense that passes in some quarters for conversation - all of these are proscribed and forbidden. Dummelow interpreted the reference to jesting, etc., as jesting about such sins as were just mentioned. 'Do not get near these topics for the sake of being amusing'. McKnight rendered jesting as 'double meanings', citing that as the meaning of 'artfully turned discourse' (Greek), specifically identifying these as 'chaste expressions which convey lewd meanings.' " "Whereas the Puritans went too far in their over-strict interpretation of Paul's words here, it may not be denied that our own generation has erred in the other direction. This passage condemns much of the conversation of many Christians, which at best, in many cases, is 'borderline'. Bruce believed that, 'Above all, all light and irreverent talk about sacred things is to be utterly reprobated' " (pgs. 200 - 201).
In light of all that is said above, it would behoove each one of us to mark our own words before we speak. Much of the Hollywood gibberish is nothing more than lewd innuendos about filthy and/or sinful acts. The same can be said of many of our modern songs. Their insinuations and lyrics speak to things which should not once be named among us as becometh saints. This is exactly the type of language and speech that is condemned above. Just because it wears the disguise of a joke or a song, does not make it acceptable to God. To this Jesus added, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37). Here again, this statement seems to be tied to the derogatory speech of some about or toward sacred things. A common practice seen and found in today's world of 'so-called' entertainment. All such speech is contemptible to God and should never be embraced or practiced by a Christian. Nor should we support or condone this type of behavior. Paul warned, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" (Romans 1:32). It would be our hope that none of us hear or watch those who do these things on television or on the radio, lest we be guilty of bidding them Godspeed in their sinful activity, "If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed: For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds" (2nd John v10-11).