“Pastor, do you know that you have been my pastor all my life?”
Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending two high school graduations of two young ladies who I held in the hospital at birth and have now watched receive their diplomas. That’s one of the many joys of longevity in ministry in one location!
Continue reading “Counting the Joys!”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.
Pastor, are you ready to quit? Are you tempted to to “throw in the towel?”
You have some company in your misery. You may not know who they are or maybe you do, nevertheless they are all over the country.
Every pastor who is a faithful shepherd of the flock, a dedicated proclaimer of the Truth, a man of passionate prayer and a caring, compassionate friend will face times like these.
Continue reading “Don’t Quit!!”
How desperate are you to see God answer your prayers? Would you even ask a stranger to intercede for you, to enter into your burdens?
While seated at the Emory Hospital surgery waiting area in Atlanta, a dear lady approached my wife and me with small sheets of note paper in her hand. With a smile and an outstretched arm, she said, “I overheard your conversation, and I’ve written some prayer needs on these papers. Would join me in prayer?”
Continue reading “Will You Pray?”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.
And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. (Mark 6:46)
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12)
Every once-in-awhile, I have to literally go to the mountain and get along with the Lord. Living in East Tennessee, there are many wonderful locations from which to choose.
Due to various ministry demands, the recent death of my father-in-law, a bit of a spiritual empty tank, and just needing the solitude, I made my way to one of my favorite areas along the Appalachian Trail.
Continue reading “Go to the Mountain!”
There’s something about death that has a way of putting things into perspective.
Continue reading “Death Reviewed”
Back in October I saw this question on social media: Would you rather be a good man or be good at being a man?
How would you answer?
Continue reading “A Good Man or Good At Being A Man”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.
“The ministry would be fun if it wasn’t for people!”
This was said to me in jest and attempted humor many years ago.
Continue reading “Ministry Fun?”
Today marks the end of February but the continuation of building and blessing your marriage.
V – Value the grace gift of marriage
A – Advance your marriage through prayer
L – Love your spouse unconditionally
E – Energize your marriage
N – Nothing should come between you and your spouse
T – Take time to cherish your spouse
I – I must not get in the way
When troubling issues between a husband and wife descend upon a marriage, the default setting is to focus all the attention or blame upon the other person. When our “expectation comes from the Lord” (Psalm 62:5) for biblical change, then we must step out of the way. One of the ways to trust God for your marriage is to refuse to make things work, change others, and/or be in control. While you are praying for God to change your spouse and/or your situation, He has set out to change you, too. You can trust God for your marriage and your spouse.
N – Never go to bed angry and unrepentant
The Word is very clear about unresolved conflicts between spouses. Do not let the sun go down on your anger . . . . Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:26, 31-32). Please let these words of God soak into your soul and obey. Leave the results with God. Confess the idolatry of wanting your own way as you run to the cross of Christ. Here’s a highly recommended resource: Marriage Conflict, Talking As Teammates, 31-Day Devotionals for Life, Steve Hoppe.
E – Enjoy the journey
God said marriage was good before sin entered into this world (Genesis 2:18-25). For all aspects of marriage success and fulfillment, look to the Creator of marriage and trust Him day-by-day to grow you and your marriage for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31) and for the gospel (Ephesians 5:18-33). Do not set your expectations on your spouse and try to change them. Take your burdens and the issues of your heart to the Lord in intercessory prayer (1 Peter 5:6-7). Take your focus off of what you want and what you expect from your spouse and say, “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my hope is from Him” (Psalm 62:5).
If you have missed any of this series, just check out the previous posts. Set your affection on God first, soak your soul in Colossians 3 and may this gift of marriage be a tool of growth in Christ for the glory of God through all the joys, hardships, sorrows, disappointments, and pleasures!
We may be wrapping up the month of February, but working at our marriage is a daily practice. So far this month, using the acrostic V-A-L-E-N-T-I-N-E, we have seen some ways to grow and change in the blessed gift of a biblical marriage.
Continue reading “The Month of Love (T)”
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