Sublime

It is dangerous to live without your heart being captured by awe of God, because awe of God is quickly replaced by awe of you.

In Peter’s words to his fellow elders he reminded them that they were to shepherd the flock, “nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).

Worship helps you see once more that it is only when you live for God that your heart finds the peace, satisfaction, and security that it seeks. And it is only God’s glory that has the power to rescue you from all the earthbound glories that so easily capture your heart.

We are often hindered from giving up our treasures to the Lord out of fear for their safety; this is especially true when those treasures are loved relatives and friends. But we need have no such fears. Our Lord came not to destroy but to save. Everything is safe which we commit to Him, and nothing is really safe which is not so committed.

There are many New Testament scriptures we can start with, but I believe this one sets the tone: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28–29 NKJV)

There’s room to breathe in this reality. And room to obey with heads held high, straightened backs, soft hearts, and thick skins. It is for freedom we’ve been set free. When Paul gives the pastoral admonition to Timothy to “flee” sins and “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Tim. 6:11), he is picturing a

The action to which both terms point and to which elders and overseers must be committed is “to shepherd the church of God.”