This is one of those times when you are rushing to meet all your deadlines and wrap up all your sermons/papers/SS lessons and then in the mist of it all you have a thought… “I really need to just slow down and very prayerfully give attention this!”  Have you ever been there?  I suspect that many of us have.

Today’s questions strike at the heart of that kind of mentality (i.e. the ministry becomes duty and not delight).  We can not work hard to nurture others souls while we are becoming hollow inside. We must discipline ourselves and not neglect the thorough attention of the study & living of Scriptures… .  We must exemplify Christ not just in the pulpit or in the study, but in our homes and communities.  The Gospel Ministry is to be learned, loved, and lived!

Here are Isaac Watts’ Questions for Ministers, “Of Faithfulness in the Ministry”

11. Do I preach to the people, ‘not myself, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and myself as their servant for Christ sake?’ 2 Cor. 4.5.

12. Do I, in my study and my preaching, ‘take heed to my doctrine and my exhortations, so that I may save myself and them that hear me?’ I Tim. 4.16.

13. Do I ‘watch over the souls of men as one that must give an account, being solicitous that I may do it with joy, and not with grief?’ Heb.13.17.

Enjoy!