About

by Michael Crouch on October 14th, 2010

THIS BLOG exists as a repository for my personal Bible study projects.   The posts you find here snapshots of my spiritual journey.  God is preparing me for ministry.  What kind?  I’m not sure yet.  But one of the first things God told me to do was to write down what He’s teaching me.  That’s where this blog comes in.

First and foremost, this blog is intended for me.  It’s a place where I can organize my thoughts and have access to them from almost anywhere.  As an added benefit, a blog enables me to do this in a way that allows others to follow along should they care to.

The idea behind “Steward’s Portion” comes from two biblical concepts.  The first has to do with being a good and faithful steward over the portion which God has granted us.   This stewardship, if handled properly, should cause us to hear:

Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. (Matthew 25:21, NKJV)

This has become coupled in my heart with a question the Lord has made personal towards me:

And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?  (Luke 12:42, NKJV)

My glaring inadequacy to serve God in the flesh has been used as a perpetual reminder that faithfulness in stewardship is judged not by my efforts, but by how much God was allowed to work out the pleasure of His will through me. 

For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  (Philippians 2:13)

For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.  (1 Thessalonians 2:13, NKJV)

Thus, our “portion” is comprised of gifts, both natural and spiritual, and the power and direction to use them.  In general, our portion consists of those things granted us at birth which make us who and what we are (1 Corinthians 4:7).  Our portion can vary according to our calling and habitation in life (Acts 17:26).  And for those indwelt by the Holy Spirit, our portion also contains the spiritual; such as our measure of faith (Romans 12:3), spiritual gifts (Ephesians 4:7), wisdom (James 1:5-7) our authority to preach the gospel to all the world (2 Corinthians 10:13-17), and the empowering gift of the manifold grace of God by which we walk and overcome:

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  (1 Peter 4:10, NIV)

My charge, and the goal of this website, is this:

“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: {2} Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. {3} For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. {4} They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. {5} But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. (2 Tim 4:1-5, NIV)

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Please feel free to leave comments or questions as you browse through content.

I appreciate constructive criticism, as that inspires thought and careful examination. I don’t mind hearing from those who respectfully disagree, as long as I may return those sentiments in kind. And I love those who offer well-reasoned explanations for their positions, even if they stand opposed to my own conclusions.

I have provided a brief list, below, which offers a few ideas on how you can assist me. I will happily receive any kind of input you can offer, regardless of whether I have listed it below.

LITERARY PRESENTATION:

You could help me by:

  • Offering suggestions for correcting and improving grammar.
  • Identifying and suggesting alternatives for overused phrases and words.
  • Identifying unnecessary repetition, useless information, and dull content.
  • Noting proper placement and use of typographical symbols such as , : ; ” ‘ – … et cetera.
  • Identifying confusing paragraphs or explanations.
  • Telling me how you feel about the flow of thought in a post, and how it can be improved.

THEOLOGICAL ACCURACY:

You could help me by:

  • Identifying statements and arguments that need better scriptural support, or which are contradictory to scripture.
  • By playing the “devil’s advocate” and countering my thesis with counter arguments that I haven’t addressed, even if you don’t believe them yourself.
  • By suggesting additional verses, topics, or arguments that you would like to see addressed.

And above all, let’s do our best not to be reactionary when confronted with opposing opinions. It’s not our job to change people’s minds, but only to be available for the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men. (Acts 24:16, KJV)