You are here: Home / Archives for Ken Blue

GOADS AND NAILS

by

GOADS AND NAILS

By Ken Blue

“And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. 12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” Ecclesiastes 12:10-12.

 Those who minister to God’s people could learn much from Solomon, the Master Preacher. The first thing we discover is that the preacher must be apt to teach and give the people knowledge. Not only must he give heed to the Scriptures, he is also to be observant of people and his surroundings. When Solomon saw a broken or a vine-covered wall, he discovered a practical truth worth teaching.

In addition, he was able to set in order his findings so the mind could assimilate them. The preacher must master this art. Solomon was sure the words he taught were upright and the truth. This assurance gives the preacher confidence and the power needed in the pulpit.

When handled properly, the Word of God becomes goads and nails in the hand of the teaching pastor. A goad was a long stick, sharpened to a point and used to prod the oxen to greater commitment. Sometimes a sharp piece of steel was fastened to the end of a stick. It served as an ox goad and a weapon of war. There are times when the preacher must goad the people to get them moving in the right direction for Christ. 

Nails served two purposes in Scripture; sometime they fastened timbers together to frame a building. The other purpose for nails was to hang something on. Thus the preacher must observe scripture and world events in order to teach and motivate God’s people. Also, his task is to build up the people by rightly dividing the Scriptures and giving correct doctrine for this dispensation. He must know which promises are for the body of Christ and then help others hang their faith on these. Many of God’s people are given false promises which do not belong to the church. This is a great tragedy in preaching.

Although there is no end to the production of good books, the preacher must be careful that he does not neglect the Word of God for the books of men. Study in hard work, and it is the work all pastors are called to do.

A LITTLE BIRD TOLD IT

by

A LITTLE BIRD TOLD IT

 little birdBy Ken Blue

“…A bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.” Ecc. 10:20.

There’s no lack of little birds these days waiting to wing the message to willy and willing ears. That ought to put the fear of God in us when tempted to gossip. Rest assured you will be quoted no matter where you are or what you say. Remember, your best friend also has a best friend who also has a best friend and on and on it goes.

There is also a warning to those of you who are eager to hear the latest gossip. You need to be certain when a little bird delivers some juicy tittle-tattle, it wasn’t a cuckoo bird you were entertaining.  You wouldn’t want to destroy someone’s life and reputation by listening to a cuckoo, would you?

GOSSIP

by

                 GOSSIP

             By Ken Blue

I emptied feathers out a window

They drifted carelessly on the wind

I searched throughout the neighborhood

To get them back again

 

My efforts were all futile

My searching was in vain

The feathers had disappeared

Down  endless winding  lanes

 

So it is with gossip

And every idle tale

Efforts to retrieve them

Are destined all to fail

 

So let your words be few

Don’t toss them on the wind

For as we’ve clearly seen

We can’t get them back again

LITTLE BY LITTLE

by

 

LITTLE BY LITTLE

By Ken Blue

“By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.” Exodus 23:30

It’s difficult to be patient when you have promises like those in this chapter. You would think forty years was long enough to wait, but it wasn’t, there was still a need for protection and growth.

 

If we fail to grow, we fail to receive that which God has for us. Each person believes he is more mature than he really is. If only we could get the breaks others get; if we were in a different location or had different people we would do much, much better. However, the truth may be that we have all we are able to minister to.

 

Little by little we grow, and as we do are given greater responsibly.  It may be a year or two, but most likely, it will take decades. If you apply yourself by learning all you can about the ministry, you too will increase and “little by little” inherit that which God has for you.

THE SCENT OF SAUSAGE

by

 

THE SCENT OF SAUSAGE

 

By Ken Blue

 

I have a beautiful Chocolate Lab who follows me to the end of the fence line each morning and greets me when I arrive home at the end of the day. My wife gives him a cup of Science Diet as we leave and when we get home.

 

Yesterday morning she placed a leftover Jimmie Dean Sausage in the bottom of his dish and poured the Science Diet over it. I noticed as we left he could not make up his mind whether to run the fence or follow the scent back to the feeding dish. He would run a little, then halt and look back where the dish was. Finally, he bolted and ran back to the sausage.

 

When we arrived home, I noticed that he had nuzzled the Science Diet out on the ground and only eaten the sausage. The scent of sausage caused him to loose his appetite for the best Dog food money can buy. We must be careful that the scent of the good doesn’t ruin our appetite for the best.