Tag: pastoring
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The fishbowl
Discouragement is a natural part of the ministry. You have ups and downs. You have good days and bad days. That is true about any profession. The ministry perhaps is unique in the fact that not only is it a job, it ought to be far more than that. It’s easy to wear your emotions… Read more
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Satan’s most astute device
Words: 823 Time to read: 4 minutes One of the most effective devices that Satan has in his war against the Christian is bitterness. We begin to resent spiritual authority and magnify hurts, perceived or realized, that contribute to calcifying the heart towards the soft and tender voice of God. This is not to say that… Read more
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Be an example
Words: 364 Time to read: 2 minutes Paul exhorted Timothy to be an example. Timothy was younger than perhaps the majority of the church. Yet, God had given him the solemn task of leading others to Christ and spiritual maturity. This is not always an easy task, especially for someone young in age. Perhaps Timothy had… Read more
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Faithful to the faith
Words: 351 Time to read: 2 minutes One day we are going to pass off the scene. The legacy that we leave behind of faith and faithfulness will be far more enduring than the material possessions we bequeath, regardless of their value intrinsic or otherwise. Both are essential ingredients. Faith is not merely believing in vagaries… Read more
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A revival of thirsting hearts
Words: 225 Time to read: 1 minute We would do well to remember that the doctrines of devils foretold by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul are active and becoming ever more influential in the religious landscape. Often I am astounded by the lack of spiritual wisdom in promoting certain leaders and ideas. Not that… Read more
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Successful ministry
Words: 249 Time to read: 1 minute Successful ministry is not always measured in the visible result of the work. Many times it’s the invisible growth and personal faithfulness that counts. I can’t help but think of the Old Testament prophets. These men were social pariahs proclaiming God’s infallible word to a rebellious people who were… Read more
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The overflow
It’s rare to find someone who truly cares and flips the switch on or off. It’s rare to find someone who makes a profound difference in the life of another who is doing it just 9 to 5. It’s rare to encounter someone who is impacting others who is doing it simply for the paycheck.… Read more
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The great work of prayer
“[Satan] is much more afraid of our prayer than of our work.” So Elizabeth Elliot summarizes the whole thrust of the spiritual battle in which we are engaged. It is far easier to engage in work because there can usually be immediate tangible results as opposed to the often soul-searching labor that is prayer. We… Read more
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In the eternal view
There’s a popular concept to take the long view. Don’t settle for doing things necessarily more cost-effective in the moment, because believe it or not, it may actually be more expensive in the long run. To me the first thing that comes to mind are shoes. Not inherently obvious is the cost of the shoe… Read more
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The decadence of the modern church
When we put ourselves in a position of attempting to bear every ministry burden on our shoulders, we open ourselves to frustration and weight that God never created us to bear nor are we capable of bearing. We should always be looking for a way to train others in the areas in which we serve.… Read more
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The only One that matters
Our human nature clamors for recognition of contribution. Our motivation in the Gospel ministry cannot be which conference I will be asked to speak at, or what monetary gift I will receive, or how ministry partners will perceive what I’m doing (or not). I can have a large ministry. I can have a large influence.… Read more
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An alluring substitute
The Lord saved me when I was 6 years old and called me into the ministry when I was 9. Not only did I receive my call to ministry at that early age, but I was already well guided in the direction of Brazil. The Lord had put 2 Brazilians in our church at the… Read more
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Hanging on to hurt
Do you want to hang on to this hurt? I’d asked that question many times before. The response I received this time startled me somewhat, “I’ll have to think about it.” I may have graciously (or not so) recovered from that response. I didn’t even know people were so willing to hang on to something… Read more
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(Not) all in a day’s work
What can you get done in a day? The possibilities certainly seem endless. Still, there are numerous factors. Calendar. Meetings. Interruptions. Conversations. Ideas. Eating. More meetings. Commuting. Coffee–or two—or three. But each day brings its own set of unique challenges and opportunities. And as creatures of order (at least to some degree) we like closure.… Read more