Daily Reading - "We Who Teach Will Be Judged More Strictly." James 3:1 NIV

Here is how it read today...

Wed. April 22
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"WE WHO TEACH WILL BE JUDGED MORE STRICTLY." (JAMES 3:1 NIV)
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Three questions for leaders

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If you're a leader in God's work you must constantly ask yourself three questions:

.........(1) Am I accountable to anybody? If not, you're on dangerous ground. Only God can handle unquestioned authority. Who knows you well enough to pray with you, advise you and strengthen you in your vulnerable areas? We keep discovering that authority without accountability leads to disaster. (2) Are my priorities in order? Priorities have a way of sneaking out of position when we're not paying attention. Too many of us only become successful at the cost of broken homes or failing health because our priorities shifted somewhere along the line. (3) Is my personal walk with God up to date? If that doesn't prompt a quick yes, you're too close to the edge. A disciplined daily walk with God is your best protection. "Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You" (Ps 119:11 NAS). If you're not spending time with God, you're spending it on whatever has become more important to you than Him. Pay attention to that word "treasured." It means to protect something, to let nothing threaten it. You must discipline yourself to spend time in God's Word and guard that time from interruptions. Give God your mind each day when it's fresh. Pastor, your first calling is not the building project, the board meeting or the budget, it's: Feed my sheep" (Jn 21:16). If Saturday finds you anxious because you've nothing prepared for Sunday, make some changes. Start delegating. "Seek out from among you...men...whome we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word" (Ac 6:3-4 NKJV).