Ruling with Diligence
Joe Slater
	In freedom-loving America, we cringe at the idea of anyone ruling over us. Our nation was born in revolt against tyranny; individual liberty is a cherished national ideal. Politically and even spiritually, personal freedom has much to commend it; but it also has definite limits. In His infinite wisdom, God has placed civil government over us (Romans 13:1-7); He has also ordained a government within the church. Thus Paul exhorts those who rule to do so with diligence (Romans 12:8).
	Who are those who rule within the body of Christ? Only two other scriptures use the word “rule” relative to the church. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 exhorts Christians to “recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.” And 1 Timothy 5:17 directs, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” In both cases, the obvious reference is to the elders of the local congregation.
	“Rule” literally means to “stand before,” showing that ruling God’s church is not done by bossing people around, but by leading and showing the way. In this manner the shepherds of Palestine pastored their flocks (John 10:4). It is also how a father is to rule his family   (1 Timothy 3:4, 5, 12).
	Ruling in any capacity is a heavy responsibility, but especially in the church. Paul had good reason to call for diligence (urgency, zeal, earnestness). Marauding wolves threaten the safety and well-being of the flock; staying current on who these false teachers are and what they are doing requires diligence!
	Not only that, but sheep tend to stray (Isaiah 53:6). Bringing back the wanderers while keeping the ninety-nine safe takes diligence! Such earnest care is motivated first by love for souls, and second by the knowledge that they “watch out for your souls as those who must give account” (Hebrews 13:17).
	Let us continue to pray for those who rule over us, and to uphold their hands in every good work. Let us be submissive as they lead us in righteousness, that their accounting for us may be “with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).
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What’s In Your Bucket?
	If you were walking from a well, carrying a bucket of water, and someone jostled you, you could spill only that which your bucket already contained.
	As you walk along the path of life, people are constantly bumping into you. If your life is full of ill nature, bad temper, and ugly disposition, those things will be spilled from you.
	If you are full of proper Christian spirit, you will spill a smile or a pleasant remark.
	You can spill from your bucket only that which it contains!
	--via Chandler Street bulletin (Kilgore, TX)

The Handprint
	Today I found a handprint
		That I started to wipe away.
	But something said, “Don’t do it!
		“You’ll be happy you didn’t some day.
	That dirty little handprint,
		Looks so bad there on the wall;
	But what if there were no little child
		To put it there at all?
	Children are so precious,
		We love them all so much;
	So why should we get all upset
		When we see a smudgy touch?
	So innocently it was put there,
		As they went about their play
	Able to run and jump and yell,
		And all the other things they can do today.
	Tomorrow holds no promise
		For what a child can do,
	Or even if he’ll be here.
		This is a sad fact, but true.
	So cherish the child each day,
		Hold them close and hug.
	Tell them that you love them,
		And cherish that handprint smudge.
		-- Roy Crutcher (Mt. Carmel, IL)