Monday’s Ministry Encouragement: Written to encourage you, my friend in ministry, to be refreshed and renewed as we live for Christ and look toward the Bema.
Tis the season to be . . . extremely busy!! Well, the song as you know says “jolly” and not “busy,” but so many ministry events happen in this final stretch of the year that “busy” can and many times does eclipse “jolly!”
Coming out of Thanksgiving with our hearts filled with gratitude, we should be entering into the Christmas season with great joy and anticipation of celebrating the virgin birth of the Lord Jesus Christ (“O Little Town of Bethlehem”) through His kingly coming in the Millennium (“Joy to the World”)!
How can this Christmas ministry season be more jolly, merry, and bright than just busy?
Guard your personal worship of the Savior. Busyness does not equate spirituality. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is be still, to rest. Meet with the Lord in the quiet place. Choose the best part! May your walk with Christ during this month not be one of just another Christmas season, but genuinely fresh as you relish in the personal application of the incarnation of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Guard your marriage worship of the Savior. You and your wife could read a daily advent devotional book like Paul Tripp’s book, Come Let Us Adore Him during a slowed-down breakfast or a shared coffee time later in the day. Intentionally plan times of worship and service that you can participate in together. Remember, pastor, your first ministry is your wife.
Guard your family worship of the Savior. Work through an Advent Calendar. Read age-appropriate Christmas devotionals as a family at supper or before bedtime. Mark out some family events on your calendar that are “for your family only.” Pastors, if you have a habit of sitting on the platform before you preach, may I encourage you to worship with your family? Make this month one of worshiping the King of kings and Lord of lords family-style! You will teach from the pew by your example as much as you do from the platform.
Yes, this is the season to be jolly, to celebrate, to rejoice and to worship the incarnate Son of God!
Don’t let busy crowd out the Savior!
From A Pastor's Heart 
Thank you, my dear Brother!
And thank you for reading! You are always an encouragement to my heart!!