Most Christians I know want to live and do the will of God. They seek God in prayer and scripture reading to determine direction. This might include large things such as a vocation, what town to live in, what house to buy and where the kids go to college. It also includes the day to day things such as charitable giving, where to find a church home, what ministry to get involved with, and how to best steward time.
If I understand the perfect will of God it means getting in tune with God's plan for an individual's life and following that plan to its conclusion. What happens if you make a wrong turn and get off the plan. What happens say if you marry the wrong person, choose the wrong career, make an unwise financial investment that backfires, or pull a Jonah and rebel against God's promptings. Is the rest of your life sentenced to doom and gloom?
In some instances personal decisions have lasting ramifications. Ask Abraham and Ismael. Still that one bad choice did not keep God from using Abraham to become the father of the nation of Israel. Some of you may find yourself stuck. Stuck in a loveless marriage. Stuck in a dead end job. Stuck in heartache and misery of your own creation. If so what do you do now? It is not like you go back and undo every decision to get yourself back on track.
I am thankful for the wisdom of God to not only have His perfect will but also to have the contingent plan of His permissive will where He factors in those wrong turns in our lives and how to get us from where we are to where He wills us to be. There is good news here. If you did make a wrong turn along the way God is not finished with you. If you seek Him and follow His leadership He will faithfully guide you to where He wills you to be.
Early on in my pastoral ministry I was stuck in a dead end church. In hindsight I do not believe God willed me to serve that church but all I cared about was the fact that a door opened for me to pastor a church. I jumped through it. A little research would have told me I was not a good fit for that church and the church was not a good fit for me. I served that flock longer than I have served anywhere else at five years. Those were five tough years. The church split. The finances dwindled. My salary had to be cut twice. Attendance plummeted. I prayed my heart out during those years.
In the middle of all of that a church from Tyler, TX sent me a letter requesting my resume. Foolishly I shut that door by telling them to pray and seek God's man and refused to send a resume. I really was interested and even drove to Tyler to find the church. I hoped they would come back and revisit me. They never did and I had to endure another two and a half years of pain filled ministry. I am convinced God was offering me a way out of a difficult situation to get my life on track. What resulted. I spent another seven years in that area starting a full time traveling ministry and then starting a church. We experienced more trials than I can tell. Though we went through painful times God did not forsake us. He used that time to break me and then to rebuild me.
God's perfect will I don't believe would have ever lead me to that first church I served to begin with. God's permissive will allowed me to persevere and He used those years to teach me a lot about what it means to be a pastor. While I do not believe that was God's perfect will for the Edwards family I know in His permissive will He used that time to teach me and grow me. He used the whole twelve years we lived in that area.
Maybe you can identify the exact moment you got off the tracks of God's perfect will. You see it clear as day. What now? Acknowledge that and keep seeking God day in and day out. You may have to repent. You may have to face the facts that the difficulties you are facing are your own doing. Remain faithful where you are. Work at the marriage trusting God to make it a mutual blessing for you and your spouse. Keep doing your best at your job patiently trusting the Lord to put you where He wants you in His time by opening doors. Keep working trusting God to build your finances back and to dig you out of a financial hole.
Eph 3:20 says God is able. He is able to accomplish His purposes even when we get off track. He is able to forgive our mistakes and to sew a tapestry where all it gets woven together to create the purpose of His design.
Where are you today. If you one of those living out God's designs for your life and walking in His perfect will God bless you. Keep seeking, listening, and following. Surely your life is blessed and brimming with satisfaction. If you are not one of those people do not fret. Simply ask God to accomplish His will in your life right now where you are. Either way our Father is exceedingly able to work out His plans for us if we submit and are willing to obediently follow Him.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Where is your gaze? What is the focal point of your eyes? It should be on the finish line of Heaven looking to Jesus. I am not saying we should not seek to live the abundant life on life's journey in the here and now. I just know that life down here is filled with pain, confusion, heartache, disappointments as well as joy, triumph, healing, direction, and hope.
It is easy to get sidetracked by gazing at the pain. Many have stood by the freshly dug grave of a loved one still brokenhearted not wanting to go on in life without them. Others have forced themselves out of bed to deal with life's disappointments. There are some who will themselves to work and take care of daily responsibilities. If these are things you focus on it will only serve to drag you down to defeat.
Our eyes must continually look heavenward. No matter how hard it gets down here there is a finish line. There is a day when we the redeemed will step out of the sorrows, the heartaches, the pain, the trials, and adversity of this life as we step into life everlasting in eternity. As the winds of adversity blow against you know that they won't blow forever. One day the mortal will put on immorality and the corruptible put on the incorruptible.
Once again while riding my bike earlier this morning I had to climb up hill into a headwind to finish the ride. I kept my eyes trained toward the top of the last hill. I knew when I reached the top of that hill it would be down hill riding the rest of the way to the driveway. Life is hill we have to climb. Death for the child of God is the down hill ride into eternity. I press on up the hill looking to the finish line where everything after will be like one eternal downhill ride.
As you turn your gaze heavenward, be reminded all we have to do is get through this day. We do not concern ourselves with tomorrow. God will give us sufficient strength tomorrow for tomorrow's battles. Let's set our gaze on Jesus in order to get through this day. One day at a time.
I am looking to Jesus who not only authored the faith but also perfected it with joy though He had to embrace the cross. [Heb 12:2-3] None of our trials can match that. If I keep my eyes on Jesus first and foremost everything else falls into place. He is the prize my eyes are on. I keep pedaling through life seeking Him, longing for Him, being inspired by Him, and receiving strength from Him.
Today my eyes are on Jesus. My eyes are on the prize. I pedal against the wind and find peace, hope, and joy in the Lord. I hope you are able to do the same.
It is easy to get sidetracked by gazing at the pain. Many have stood by the freshly dug grave of a loved one still brokenhearted not wanting to go on in life without them. Others have forced themselves out of bed to deal with life's disappointments. There are some who will themselves to work and take care of daily responsibilities. If these are things you focus on it will only serve to drag you down to defeat.
Our eyes must continually look heavenward. No matter how hard it gets down here there is a finish line. There is a day when we the redeemed will step out of the sorrows, the heartaches, the pain, the trials, and adversity of this life as we step into life everlasting in eternity. As the winds of adversity blow against you know that they won't blow forever. One day the mortal will put on immorality and the corruptible put on the incorruptible.
Once again while riding my bike earlier this morning I had to climb up hill into a headwind to finish the ride. I kept my eyes trained toward the top of the last hill. I knew when I reached the top of that hill it would be down hill riding the rest of the way to the driveway. Life is hill we have to climb. Death for the child of God is the down hill ride into eternity. I press on up the hill looking to the finish line where everything after will be like one eternal downhill ride.
As you turn your gaze heavenward, be reminded all we have to do is get through this day. We do not concern ourselves with tomorrow. God will give us sufficient strength tomorrow for tomorrow's battles. Let's set our gaze on Jesus in order to get through this day. One day at a time.
I am looking to Jesus who not only authored the faith but also perfected it with joy though He had to embrace the cross. [Heb 12:2-3] None of our trials can match that. If I keep my eyes on Jesus first and foremost everything else falls into place. He is the prize my eyes are on. I keep pedaling through life seeking Him, longing for Him, being inspired by Him, and receiving strength from Him.
Today my eyes are on Jesus. My eyes are on the prize. I pedal against the wind and find peace, hope, and joy in the Lord. I hope you are able to do the same.
Monday, October 22, 2012
Overcoming Adversity
Everybody faces adversity from time to time. None of us are immune. I have faced a fair share in recent days. We recently discovered our house in Seminole had a leak in the master bathroom. Repair estimates range between $4,000-$5,000. While mowing last week a part broke on the mower (a part under warranty thank God). When the mower broke I was in the middle of mowing two major yards. I ended up having to push mow both yards for five and a half hours. I did not finish mowing until it was dark.
Everybody faces adversity. Now here is the question. How do you cope with adversity? You could cope with it by giving up. You could deal with your afflictions by bemoaning the difficulties. You could waste mental energy, prayer, and your time with self pity.
Two experiences taught me a great deal about overcoming adverse circumstances this past week. When my mower broke last week I wanted to quit. I was about half way through mowing a huge lot and then had a large residential yard to mow before finishing for the night. Everything in me wanted to give up. I kept thinking, "I gave my word I would mow today. I have to keep my word." Twenty-four inches at a time I mowed a strip of that lot and that residential yard. It was hard.
Before the night ended my feet were killing me. I strained my groin at one point making it more difficult to push the mower and to walk in general. As my body screamed out for relief I pressed on one step and one strip at a time. One section at a time I mowed and then determinedly moved onto the next section. There were times when I had to sit down for a short break and get something to drink.
In the end I finished. I could barely see to load the equipment in the back of my truck. After a shower and some supper I crashed in my bed for a much needed night of rest. Mowing that day and into the evening is a metaphor for life. When we face adversity we just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. One step at a time we push forward. In time we will prevail if we do not lose heart. It might not seem we are making much progress but we do if we do not give up one step at a time.
I learned how to overcome adversity while training for my upcoming bike ride for Honduras. I rode twenty-three miles yesterday. Most of it went smoothly that is until I got to the last two miles. I had to ride into blustery headwinds. My feet were burning. My hands ached from gripping the handlebar. My legs were fatigued from miles of pedaling to conquer hills. My bottom hurt from the seat. My back ached from being bent over for so long. I wanted to be done but those last two miles the wind blew so hard I had to gear down and put my head down to push through it. On top of that I had to climb another short hill before I could make my way back home. Every revolution of the legs seemed more difficult. The adversity of the wind, the hill, and my fatigue were mentally challenging.
As I put my head down and quit looking at the hill but rather focused on steady and efficient pedaling I knew I would get to the top and eventually turn out of the wind. That is exactly what happened. The whole ordeal proved grueling. I kept my head down, lowered my shoulders and concentrated on pedaling. I kept thinking to myself, "Just keep pedaling." Eventually I made it to the top and breezed the rest of the way back to the house.
I see people facing adversity all around me. Some grieve the loss of family members. Others grieve dismal doctor's diagnosis. Some have to cope with daily chronic pain. Others labor to dig themselves out of financial pits ever so slowly. Many find themselves in miserable working conditions and want a better job.
We are going to face adversity in life. Just like I know when I ride my bike I am going to have navigate uphill climbs and brisk winds so are we going to face tough times. Mentally we must prepare by thinking on God's word. One of the things I have to focus on in my bike training is what I eat before and after a ride. What I eat before helps me to endure. What I eat afterward helps me to recover. What I read in God's word as the day begins helps me to endure. What I read throughout the day helps me to recover and get prepared for the next day.
What I learned from my mowing experience and riding experience is yes adversity does come. I also learned that adversity comes to an end. It may not seem like it when you are the middle of it. Sooner or later the trials will ease, the pain will subside, and the rest will come. I felt so good after a night of sleep and some right nutrition I got up this morning and rode again. It seemed much easier this morning.
You can overcome adversity of all shapes and sizes because Jesus Christ lives in you and strengthens you if you have trusted Him for salvation. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us. [Phil 4:13] These momentary afflictions cannot compare to what awaits every redeemed child of God in eternity. Press on and do not give in or give up.
Everybody faces adversity. Now here is the question. How do you cope with adversity? You could cope with it by giving up. You could deal with your afflictions by bemoaning the difficulties. You could waste mental energy, prayer, and your time with self pity.
Two experiences taught me a great deal about overcoming adverse circumstances this past week. When my mower broke last week I wanted to quit. I was about half way through mowing a huge lot and then had a large residential yard to mow before finishing for the night. Everything in me wanted to give up. I kept thinking, "I gave my word I would mow today. I have to keep my word." Twenty-four inches at a time I mowed a strip of that lot and that residential yard. It was hard.
Before the night ended my feet were killing me. I strained my groin at one point making it more difficult to push the mower and to walk in general. As my body screamed out for relief I pressed on one step and one strip at a time. One section at a time I mowed and then determinedly moved onto the next section. There were times when I had to sit down for a short break and get something to drink.
In the end I finished. I could barely see to load the equipment in the back of my truck. After a shower and some supper I crashed in my bed for a much needed night of rest. Mowing that day and into the evening is a metaphor for life. When we face adversity we just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other. One step at a time we push forward. In time we will prevail if we do not lose heart. It might not seem we are making much progress but we do if we do not give up one step at a time.
I learned how to overcome adversity while training for my upcoming bike ride for Honduras. I rode twenty-three miles yesterday. Most of it went smoothly that is until I got to the last two miles. I had to ride into blustery headwinds. My feet were burning. My hands ached from gripping the handlebar. My legs were fatigued from miles of pedaling to conquer hills. My bottom hurt from the seat. My back ached from being bent over for so long. I wanted to be done but those last two miles the wind blew so hard I had to gear down and put my head down to push through it. On top of that I had to climb another short hill before I could make my way back home. Every revolution of the legs seemed more difficult. The adversity of the wind, the hill, and my fatigue were mentally challenging.
As I put my head down and quit looking at the hill but rather focused on steady and efficient pedaling I knew I would get to the top and eventually turn out of the wind. That is exactly what happened. The whole ordeal proved grueling. I kept my head down, lowered my shoulders and concentrated on pedaling. I kept thinking to myself, "Just keep pedaling." Eventually I made it to the top and breezed the rest of the way back to the house.
I see people facing adversity all around me. Some grieve the loss of family members. Others grieve dismal doctor's diagnosis. Some have to cope with daily chronic pain. Others labor to dig themselves out of financial pits ever so slowly. Many find themselves in miserable working conditions and want a better job.
We are going to face adversity in life. Just like I know when I ride my bike I am going to have navigate uphill climbs and brisk winds so are we going to face tough times. Mentally we must prepare by thinking on God's word. One of the things I have to focus on in my bike training is what I eat before and after a ride. What I eat before helps me to endure. What I eat afterward helps me to recover. What I read in God's word as the day begins helps me to endure. What I read throughout the day helps me to recover and get prepared for the next day.
What I learned from my mowing experience and riding experience is yes adversity does come. I also learned that adversity comes to an end. It may not seem like it when you are the middle of it. Sooner or later the trials will ease, the pain will subside, and the rest will come. I felt so good after a night of sleep and some right nutrition I got up this morning and rode again. It seemed much easier this morning.
You can overcome adversity of all shapes and sizes because Jesus Christ lives in you and strengthens you if you have trusted Him for salvation. We can do all things through Him who strengthens us. [Phil 4:13] These momentary afflictions cannot compare to what awaits every redeemed child of God in eternity. Press on and do not give in or give up.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Battle for the Mind
Every day there is a battle for control of our minds. What thoughts dominate lately? Are they Christ honoring and exalting? Are they thoughts of faith? Do your thoughts sink into the slime of doubt and the disgusting? Do you dwell on things that discourage and depress you?
What you think upon and dwell upon can have great impact on how you feel and how you live. We are told to take every thought captive in [II Cor 10:5] as well as to destroy speculations that raise theirselves against the knowledge of God. Paul exhorts us in [Col 3:2] "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."
That takes discipline. Our minds are bombarded with thousands of thoughts a day. We have to be careful what we allow our minds to dwell on. If I dwell on the fact I do not feel good all day sure enough I can think myself into not feeling good. If I dwell on sin sooner or later I most likely will act out that sinful behavior. On the other hand if I dwell on scripture that truth will dominate my thinking. If I fill my mind with truth then truth will rule out throughout the day. How do we fill our minds with truth.
Simple. [Ps 119:15-16] "I will meditate on your precepts and regard your ways. I shall in your statutes; I will not forget your word." [Ps 119:18] Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from your law." [Ps 119:9,11] "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to your word. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against you."
The battle will never let up. Our weapons are scripture, prayer, and the discipline of taking our thoughts captive and choosing intentionally what we dwell on and what we dismiss. Dwell on the things that are above and not those things that are on earth. Fill your mind with the truth of God's word. Dwell on those truths. If you do you will find God winning the battle of your mind.
What you think upon and dwell upon can have great impact on how you feel and how you live. We are told to take every thought captive in [II Cor 10:5] as well as to destroy speculations that raise theirselves against the knowledge of God. Paul exhorts us in [Col 3:2] "Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."
That takes discipline. Our minds are bombarded with thousands of thoughts a day. We have to be careful what we allow our minds to dwell on. If I dwell on the fact I do not feel good all day sure enough I can think myself into not feeling good. If I dwell on sin sooner or later I most likely will act out that sinful behavior. On the other hand if I dwell on scripture that truth will dominate my thinking. If I fill my mind with truth then truth will rule out throughout the day. How do we fill our minds with truth.
Simple. [Ps 119:15-16] "I will meditate on your precepts and regard your ways. I shall in your statutes; I will not forget your word." [Ps 119:18] Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from your law." [Ps 119:9,11] "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to your word. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against you."
The battle will never let up. Our weapons are scripture, prayer, and the discipline of taking our thoughts captive and choosing intentionally what we dwell on and what we dismiss. Dwell on the things that are above and not those things that are on earth. Fill your mind with the truth of God's word. Dwell on those truths. If you do you will find God winning the battle of your mind.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Ride for Honduras
On Dec 8th I will attempting a 100 mile bike ride here in Paradise to raise money for the hospital in Honduras. The doctors have secured the building and remodeled the facility. They are currently practicing medicine in the new facility.
The owner of the land agreed to give them one year interest free on a loan for the building. Starting in January the doctors will be charged interest on what is not raised. To date we have only raised $21,000 and all of that was raised while I still served in Seminole, TX.
I need pledges per mile for this ride to take place, weather permitting, Dec 8th, 2012. I need every penny, nickel, dime, and dollar per mile I can get. I have never ridden over 50 miles before but this is all I can think of how to raise more money. I need you to get the word out for me as well. If you help me I think we can knock a huge dent in the remainder of the $130,000 needed to pay the facility off free and clear.
Here is what I am asking you to do. First, I am asking you to pray. Pray about your involvement in this project. Ask the Lord if you are supposed to give to help move this mountain of debt. You might not be able to give a great deal but all God wants is your availability and your obedience. He may not call all of you to give. Second, pray for my strength to complete the ride. I am in training now but have a long way to go and not very long to prepare.
Your tax deductible donations can be sent to:
No Compromise Ministries
Ride for Honduras
P.O. Box 308
Paradise, TX 76073
The owner of the land agreed to give them one year interest free on a loan for the building. Starting in January the doctors will be charged interest on what is not raised. To date we have only raised $21,000 and all of that was raised while I still served in Seminole, TX.
I need pledges per mile for this ride to take place, weather permitting, Dec 8th, 2012. I need every penny, nickel, dime, and dollar per mile I can get. I have never ridden over 50 miles before but this is all I can think of how to raise more money. I need you to get the word out for me as well. If you help me I think we can knock a huge dent in the remainder of the $130,000 needed to pay the facility off free and clear.
Here is what I am asking you to do. First, I am asking you to pray. Pray about your involvement in this project. Ask the Lord if you are supposed to give to help move this mountain of debt. You might not be able to give a great deal but all God wants is your availability and your obedience. He may not call all of you to give. Second, pray for my strength to complete the ride. I am in training now but have a long way to go and not very long to prepare.
Your tax deductible donations can be sent to:
No Compromise Ministries
Ride for Honduras
P.O. Box 308
Paradise, TX 76073
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Grab the Crown - Avoid the Cross
I recently read this statement and it set me to thinking. "Grab the crown but avoid the cross." We like success, notoriety, fortune, and elevated status. We equally dislike the cross when it comes to our suffering, trials, sorrows, and death to the flesh inside us.
People live life to grab the crown. They want their kids to excel. They want their economic status to increase along with the toys that are associated with success. They want the newest and best. How many will really wake up this morning wanting more of the cross. Did you wake up today thinking you wanted the world crucified to you and you to the world. [Gal 6:14] That is not normal thinking.
We do not mind following Christ. The subtle message in many churches is this, "Come try Jesus. He will enhance your life. He will bless you." Few there are who preach the message Jesus preached, "If anyone wants to come after Me let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. [Matt 16:24] Taking up your cross is a call to die to self and to be willing to suffer for the cause of Christ. Not many takers for that.
We like the idea of increase, success, blessing, and God's favor. We dislike the idea of suffering, death to selfish dreams and desires, hardships, trials, and sorrows. We think anyone who follows Jesus should have an easy road. I have found from reading Christian history that many of those who loved Jesus most also embraced the cross and suffered the most.
Shouldn't it be said, "Embrace the cross and dismiss the crown." People are going to be called to suffer for Christ. I am reading a book written by Watchman Nee. He embraced the cross and suffered. Dietrich Bonhoeffer suffered. John Wesley suffered persecution as well as the apostle Paul. Martin Luther lived in exile for a season because he was a wanted man by the church at Rome. Polycarp embraced the cross even when it meant being burned at the stake. I could go on and on. I think you get the point.
I don't like trials. I do not enjoy suffering on any level. If called to embrace the cross along with persecution, misunderstandings, and personal loss may God help me to do so willingly. If God chooses me to be elevated may I do so humbly.
May we all live to embrace the cross and to dismiss the crown. "To the old rugged cross I will ever be true. I will cling to the old rugged cross until all my trophies I lay down and exchange it some day for a crown." I love that old hymn. I cannot tell you the last time I heard it sung in any church I attended. It is an old fashioned song for a new fangled age. We no longer love the old rugged cross. How I pray we would once again learn to embrace the cross and dismiss the crown.
People live life to grab the crown. They want their kids to excel. They want their economic status to increase along with the toys that are associated with success. They want the newest and best. How many will really wake up this morning wanting more of the cross. Did you wake up today thinking you wanted the world crucified to you and you to the world. [Gal 6:14] That is not normal thinking.
We do not mind following Christ. The subtle message in many churches is this, "Come try Jesus. He will enhance your life. He will bless you." Few there are who preach the message Jesus preached, "If anyone wants to come after Me let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. [Matt 16:24] Taking up your cross is a call to die to self and to be willing to suffer for the cause of Christ. Not many takers for that.
We like the idea of increase, success, blessing, and God's favor. We dislike the idea of suffering, death to selfish dreams and desires, hardships, trials, and sorrows. We think anyone who follows Jesus should have an easy road. I have found from reading Christian history that many of those who loved Jesus most also embraced the cross and suffered the most.
Shouldn't it be said, "Embrace the cross and dismiss the crown." People are going to be called to suffer for Christ. I am reading a book written by Watchman Nee. He embraced the cross and suffered. Dietrich Bonhoeffer suffered. John Wesley suffered persecution as well as the apostle Paul. Martin Luther lived in exile for a season because he was a wanted man by the church at Rome. Polycarp embraced the cross even when it meant being burned at the stake. I could go on and on. I think you get the point.
I don't like trials. I do not enjoy suffering on any level. If called to embrace the cross along with persecution, misunderstandings, and personal loss may God help me to do so willingly. If God chooses me to be elevated may I do so humbly.
May we all live to embrace the cross and to dismiss the crown. "To the old rugged cross I will ever be true. I will cling to the old rugged cross until all my trophies I lay down and exchange it some day for a crown." I love that old hymn. I cannot tell you the last time I heard it sung in any church I attended. It is an old fashioned song for a new fangled age. We no longer love the old rugged cross. How I pray we would once again learn to embrace the cross and dismiss the crown.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Famine in the Land
For weeks I am hearing the same message from people. They are starving. People are starving to death but probably not in the way you are thinking. They are starving to hear the word of God. Some have given up on the entertainment driven church. While in many of those churches the crowds swell the maturity and deepening in Christ often does not. Others have told me, "If I wanted to go to a concert I would buy a ticket."
There is a famine in the land. "'Behold, day are coming,' declares the Lord, 'When I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea and from the north even to the east, they will go to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.'" [Amos 8:11-12]
I hear the same story over and over again. Some family has been seeking a church home for some time. They have visited all the bigger churches and just want to go to a church where they are not being entertained and where the full counsel of God's word is preached. I recently visited with a lady who came as a guest to our church. She told me later she wanted to go to a church where words like sin, repentance, holiness were used. Recently a senior adult lady who came to celebrate the baptisms of her grandsons walked up to me and told me repeatedly, "Thank you for preaching the word of God." I got the distinct impression this is more of a rarity these days.
Come on preachers. I have read many of the same books you have. Seeker sensitive or seeker driven and purpose driven are not the only ways to build a church. People are starving spiritually for all the fluff they are given. Many preachers drive themselves to be creative, cutting edge, relevant, and practical. You might come back and say you are after the lost. You will use whatever you can to reach the lost. I remind you the great commission is not just a commission for evangelism. We are to go and make disciples. Discipleship takes time and the teaching of the full word of God.
In this day and age church has become big business and small ministry. One lady recently commented to me that she longed for reverence in the church once again. Church has become so casual. God is not casual. He is holy. He is uncommon. We must have preaching from the word of God that reminds people of God's character. We must be reminded of the call on us to live lives of distinction. We need preaching that calls people to salvation and calls the backslidden to repentance. We need preaching that both comforts and challenges as well as exhorts and convicts.
The diet preached from some pulpits would be like a family never having anything for dinner other than desert. The kids might love it at first but sooner or later the ill effects would begin to show. Our bodies crave nourishment. Last night Brenda made vegetable soup. The night before we had meat loaf, mashed potatoes and turnip greens. These are hearty meals. They provide strength and energy for the day.
Paul urged us to preach the word of God. "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." [II Tim 4:1-2]
We need preaching like that. We need messages from the word of God that help people to press through adversity, to endure suffering, to survive tragedy, and to cope with failure. We need preaching that calls people to live in holiness, to resist sin, to deny lust, and to be content regardless of external circumstances. We need preaching that reminds people we are living for something more than this life. We need to preach in such a way we prepare people to face the judgment seat of Christ.
You can find preaching everywhere. Still there is a famine in the land. All people really want is a true encounter with the living God. They do not need our eloquence or the latest greatest technology. They need the steady diet of preaching God's word week in and week out. We as preachers and teachers must put an end to this famine. So long to preaching that tickles the ears. Hello to God honoring preaching that remains faithful to the biblical text. Let the lush pasture of God's word be supplied to hungry and malnourished sheep from the pulpit until there is no more famine in the land for hearing the word of God.
There is a famine in the land. "'Behold, day are coming,' declares the Lord, 'When I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea and from the north even to the east, they will go to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.'" [Amos 8:11-12]
I hear the same story over and over again. Some family has been seeking a church home for some time. They have visited all the bigger churches and just want to go to a church where they are not being entertained and where the full counsel of God's word is preached. I recently visited with a lady who came as a guest to our church. She told me later she wanted to go to a church where words like sin, repentance, holiness were used. Recently a senior adult lady who came to celebrate the baptisms of her grandsons walked up to me and told me repeatedly, "Thank you for preaching the word of God." I got the distinct impression this is more of a rarity these days.
Come on preachers. I have read many of the same books you have. Seeker sensitive or seeker driven and purpose driven are not the only ways to build a church. People are starving spiritually for all the fluff they are given. Many preachers drive themselves to be creative, cutting edge, relevant, and practical. You might come back and say you are after the lost. You will use whatever you can to reach the lost. I remind you the great commission is not just a commission for evangelism. We are to go and make disciples. Discipleship takes time and the teaching of the full word of God.
In this day and age church has become big business and small ministry. One lady recently commented to me that she longed for reverence in the church once again. Church has become so casual. God is not casual. He is holy. He is uncommon. We must have preaching from the word of God that reminds people of God's character. We must be reminded of the call on us to live lives of distinction. We need preaching that calls people to salvation and calls the backslidden to repentance. We need preaching that both comforts and challenges as well as exhorts and convicts.
The diet preached from some pulpits would be like a family never having anything for dinner other than desert. The kids might love it at first but sooner or later the ill effects would begin to show. Our bodies crave nourishment. Last night Brenda made vegetable soup. The night before we had meat loaf, mashed potatoes and turnip greens. These are hearty meals. They provide strength and energy for the day.
Paul urged us to preach the word of God. "I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction." [II Tim 4:1-2]
We need preaching like that. We need messages from the word of God that help people to press through adversity, to endure suffering, to survive tragedy, and to cope with failure. We need preaching that calls people to live in holiness, to resist sin, to deny lust, and to be content regardless of external circumstances. We need preaching that reminds people we are living for something more than this life. We need to preach in such a way we prepare people to face the judgment seat of Christ.
You can find preaching everywhere. Still there is a famine in the land. All people really want is a true encounter with the living God. They do not need our eloquence or the latest greatest technology. They need the steady diet of preaching God's word week in and week out. We as preachers and teachers must put an end to this famine. So long to preaching that tickles the ears. Hello to God honoring preaching that remains faithful to the biblical text. Let the lush pasture of God's word be supplied to hungry and malnourished sheep from the pulpit until there is no more famine in the land for hearing the word of God.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Walk Through or Walk Out
I just read a statement written by Charles Swindoll causing me to reflect. Here is the statement. "The roots grow deep when the wind blows. Working through is always - always - more painful than walking out. "
In your situation what are doing? Are you walking through your trials with persevering faith, pressing ahead, and overcoming? Or are you contemplating walking out? Is your marriage not as strong as it used to be. Have you begun entertaining thoughts of romance with a friend or co-worker. Have you made up your mind to walk out rather than to press through.
Maybe you are enrolled in college and the pressures of class assignments, papers, and tests are getting the best of you. Maybe even as you read this you are mulling over the thought of just dropping out and going back home. Maybe you feel stuck in a dead end job and you are just about ready to walk out offering your resignation seeking gainful employment in greener pastures. Maybe you are an athlete being passed over and you do not feel you are being given your fair shot. You are about to turn in your equipment and walk out.
Working through is painful. It is much harder than walking out. It takes resolve to work through, to stay the course, and to finish. Anyone can walk out.
When I was a boy playing on a flag football team I got mad at our coach one day. I stormed off the practice field determined not to play another down. Only one problem. Football was a passion for me. I was miserable until I went back to my coach days later and apologized for my behavior. Working through proved more painful than walking out. Working through proved the right choice.
We have a rule in our house. If you commit to some task, sport, or extra curricular activity you have to finish. You cannot quit. Not every activity or sport has been pleasant. Some times the boys had to endure long and difficult seasons. Sometimes they did not even get play much. They found working through to be more painful than walking out. Yet they learned valuable life lessons in the process.
I have walked out a few times in my life and have regretted those decisions. If I could turn back time I would undo walking out and would have worked harder at walking through. I cannot go back and undo the past. I can only walk through today.
It has been during the walking through seasons of my life where the roots in my relationship with God have grown deeper against the stiff winds of adversity. I am not saying thousands of times I did not want to quit college, work, and ministry. Many a Monday morning over the years I have thought about leaving the ministry but always God has drawn me back. Because I have walked through ministry with Him for the past twenty-nine years I have learned and come into relationships with some wonderful people.
I don't know your situation today. You may be right on the verge of walking out of something you would be better served to walk through. I pray you make the right decision.
In your situation what are doing? Are you walking through your trials with persevering faith, pressing ahead, and overcoming? Or are you contemplating walking out? Is your marriage not as strong as it used to be. Have you begun entertaining thoughts of romance with a friend or co-worker. Have you made up your mind to walk out rather than to press through.
Maybe you are enrolled in college and the pressures of class assignments, papers, and tests are getting the best of you. Maybe even as you read this you are mulling over the thought of just dropping out and going back home. Maybe you feel stuck in a dead end job and you are just about ready to walk out offering your resignation seeking gainful employment in greener pastures. Maybe you are an athlete being passed over and you do not feel you are being given your fair shot. You are about to turn in your equipment and walk out.
Working through is painful. It is much harder than walking out. It takes resolve to work through, to stay the course, and to finish. Anyone can walk out.
When I was a boy playing on a flag football team I got mad at our coach one day. I stormed off the practice field determined not to play another down. Only one problem. Football was a passion for me. I was miserable until I went back to my coach days later and apologized for my behavior. Working through proved more painful than walking out. Working through proved the right choice.
We have a rule in our house. If you commit to some task, sport, or extra curricular activity you have to finish. You cannot quit. Not every activity or sport has been pleasant. Some times the boys had to endure long and difficult seasons. Sometimes they did not even get play much. They found working through to be more painful than walking out. Yet they learned valuable life lessons in the process.
I have walked out a few times in my life and have regretted those decisions. If I could turn back time I would undo walking out and would have worked harder at walking through. I cannot go back and undo the past. I can only walk through today.
It has been during the walking through seasons of my life where the roots in my relationship with God have grown deeper against the stiff winds of adversity. I am not saying thousands of times I did not want to quit college, work, and ministry. Many a Monday morning over the years I have thought about leaving the ministry but always God has drawn me back. Because I have walked through ministry with Him for the past twenty-nine years I have learned and come into relationships with some wonderful people.
I don't know your situation today. You may be right on the verge of walking out of something you would be better served to walk through. I pray you make the right decision.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Lessons Learned: Start Over - Rewind
Ever had one of those days you wish you could push the rewind button and start over. Maybe you are having one of those months or years. A fresh start can be a good thing.
While on my prayer retreat I have already written about going back to my early call into ministry. As I began meditating on starting over I went back to those early days. My first ministry assignment called for me to give my testimony to some students. I was nervous and finished in seven minutes. I was excited about the opportunity.
The other opportunities did not come so readily. I rarely got to preach until I came home my first summer after my freshman year at Howard Payne University. My pastor gave me and a friend the opportunity to start traveling around Lake Sam Rayburn and preaching at different camp sites. At least that was the original vision. We ended up planting a church at the Shirley Creek Marina. We did not know we were planting a church. We just preached and visited people. We dutifully set up chairs on the shore of the lake early each Sunday and alternated preaching each week. We traveled down to the marina during the week to make visits. To this day the church still holds a service inside the marina even though now they have built a church facility of their own.
After that I got a few opportunities to fill in for some preachers here and there. I relished those opportunities even though the preaching was woeful. Eventually I became a youth pastor and well you know the rest of the story.
Taking a new start I have thought about the excitement of those early days in ministry. I want to translate that same enthusiasm to my ministry now even though that has been twenty-nine years ago. We have been wounded by churches during that time. We have also been blessed by churches during those near three decades. We have rejoiced in revival and wept with the grieving. We have dreamed big and at times suffered long all for the cause of Christ.
I do not want my enthusiasm for ministry to wane. Not in the good times or the tough times. Yesterday we participated in the homecoming parade with a float from Faith Community Church. Our theme was highway to heaven. We had little cars on the sides of the trailer with kids sitting behind throwing out candy. Older kids walked alone side the trailer passing out little toy cars. Each car on the trailer had part of the Roman Road written on it. On top of the gooseneck we had a large white cross with a highway leading up to it. It measured over fourteen feet high from the road. I enjoyed passing out cars and interacting with different people in the crowd. After that I worked in the concession stand during the community wide pep rally at the football stadium. I made the nachos and frito pies and had a blast. Again I had the chance to interact with a lot of people. I had a good night.
I am reminded people make ministry worth it. It is the tangled web of relationships I enjoy most about serving as a pastor. I have enjoyed those relationships from east Texas to west Texas and several points in between. Tomorrow I will get to teach a handful of people a Bible study. I look forward to that opportunity and Sunday I will again stand before a congregation to communicate the truth of God's word Lord willing. I have preached thousands of times in the past twenty-nine years. I don't want it grow old. I want a fresh passion in my heart for ministry no matter how long I have been doing this. I want to start over like each Sunday is my first Sunday with joy and passion.
Ministry can become a grind if you let it. There are trials and hardships and my family is no stranger to them. Still I am called to this and for as long as God gives me strength and mental health I want to serve Him faithfully wherever He wills and plants me. When I first started preaching the size of the crowd did not matter. I was glad to just get to preach. I want to carry that same enthusiasm to my grave. I am grateful to get to preach and to have a flock to serve. I am also grateful for a chance to rewind and start over.
While on my prayer retreat I have already written about going back to my early call into ministry. As I began meditating on starting over I went back to those early days. My first ministry assignment called for me to give my testimony to some students. I was nervous and finished in seven minutes. I was excited about the opportunity.
The other opportunities did not come so readily. I rarely got to preach until I came home my first summer after my freshman year at Howard Payne University. My pastor gave me and a friend the opportunity to start traveling around Lake Sam Rayburn and preaching at different camp sites. At least that was the original vision. We ended up planting a church at the Shirley Creek Marina. We did not know we were planting a church. We just preached and visited people. We dutifully set up chairs on the shore of the lake early each Sunday and alternated preaching each week. We traveled down to the marina during the week to make visits. To this day the church still holds a service inside the marina even though now they have built a church facility of their own.
After that I got a few opportunities to fill in for some preachers here and there. I relished those opportunities even though the preaching was woeful. Eventually I became a youth pastor and well you know the rest of the story.
Taking a new start I have thought about the excitement of those early days in ministry. I want to translate that same enthusiasm to my ministry now even though that has been twenty-nine years ago. We have been wounded by churches during that time. We have also been blessed by churches during those near three decades. We have rejoiced in revival and wept with the grieving. We have dreamed big and at times suffered long all for the cause of Christ.
I do not want my enthusiasm for ministry to wane. Not in the good times or the tough times. Yesterday we participated in the homecoming parade with a float from Faith Community Church. Our theme was highway to heaven. We had little cars on the sides of the trailer with kids sitting behind throwing out candy. Older kids walked alone side the trailer passing out little toy cars. Each car on the trailer had part of the Roman Road written on it. On top of the gooseneck we had a large white cross with a highway leading up to it. It measured over fourteen feet high from the road. I enjoyed passing out cars and interacting with different people in the crowd. After that I worked in the concession stand during the community wide pep rally at the football stadium. I made the nachos and frito pies and had a blast. Again I had the chance to interact with a lot of people. I had a good night.
I am reminded people make ministry worth it. It is the tangled web of relationships I enjoy most about serving as a pastor. I have enjoyed those relationships from east Texas to west Texas and several points in between. Tomorrow I will get to teach a handful of people a Bible study. I look forward to that opportunity and Sunday I will again stand before a congregation to communicate the truth of God's word Lord willing. I have preached thousands of times in the past twenty-nine years. I don't want it grow old. I want a fresh passion in my heart for ministry no matter how long I have been doing this. I want to start over like each Sunday is my first Sunday with joy and passion.
Ministry can become a grind if you let it. There are trials and hardships and my family is no stranger to them. Still I am called to this and for as long as God gives me strength and mental health I want to serve Him faithfully wherever He wills and plants me. When I first started preaching the size of the crowd did not matter. I was glad to just get to preach. I want to carry that same enthusiasm to my grave. I am grateful to get to preach and to have a flock to serve. I am also grateful for a chance to rewind and start over.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Lessons Learned: Pastor or Evangelist
I will not forget one Sunday evening back in the spring of 1985. I was sitting on a the pew in the old sanctuary at Denman Avenue Baptist Church listening to Brother Charles Roberts preach. That was the first time I felt any prompting from the Holy Spirit that I had been selected for ministry.
I quickly dismissed the thought and went on about my senior year. In late June of 1985 I attended a leadership youth camp. Over and over again I felt the Lord calling me into ministry. I resisted. One night I sat in the closet of my dorm room on the campus of Baylor University in tears.
The following week I attended another youth camp. For three nights in a row I resisted God's call on my life. Finally on July, 4, 1985 I surrendered at the Pineywoods Baptist Encampment. I came to my home church the next Sunday morning and made the commitment public. I recall scores of people lining up to shake my hand after the service and I heard this question over and over again. "Are you going to be a pastor, youth pastor, evangelist, missionary?" I gave the same answer every time. "I don't know. God just called me to preach."
In my years in ministry I have been a youth pastor, pastor, and an evangelist. Right now I am serving as both pastor and youth pastor. I feel called to serve as a pastor but many around me see more as an evangelist.
I recently held an informal survey of about two dozen friends. I asked this simple question. "Do you see more as a pastor or an evangelist." I did not qualify why I was asking the question. Out of two dozen responses twenty-two said evangelist. Two people said pastor. Out of the twenty-two who said evangelist five said they saw me as both but more as an evangelist. The longer I thought about their comments the more disheartened I became. I have served as a pastor in four different churches now for more than eleven years. It seems I have not excelled in those ministries as a shepherd.
I found myself reading [Eph 4:11], "And He gave some as apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds (pastors) and teachers."
On my retreat I asked God what His calling on my life entailed. I wanted to know if He called me to be a pastor or an evangelist like so many people thought. I could see me in both roles. I have served in both capacities. There are even things I like about both ministries.
The answer did not come immediately but when it did come it surprised me. The answer is both! Primarily I am a pastor. I love feeding the flock the word verse by verse. I enjoy developing relationships though I know I have a tendency to keep many people at arm's length. Hundreds of times I have made hospital visits and ministered to people in sickness and tragedy. I have preached many funerals and feel God has used me to bring comfort to grieving people. Though never easy this is the part of serving as a pastor I take seriously.
Before the Shake the City Revival in Seminole back in the summer of 2010, I made many hospital visits. On one day the week the the revival started I made three visits in one day in three different towns. Once the revival started I felt something shift inside me. I no longer felt like a pastor and preached like an evangelist. God gave me powerful messages during those three weeks. Just as clearly I remember when the revival ended I felt the Lord shifting my heart to serve as a pastor again. For those weeks during the revival there were no hospital visits to be made. God kept us healthy in those days. Once the revival ended there were hospital visits, counseling, funerals and week to week preaching.
All my ministry God has opened doors for me to preach youth camps, retreats, and revivals. When those doors have opened I walk through them prayerfully. Some times I turn down the invitations if they require me to be gone from the pulpit at the church I am serving on Sundays. While those invitations come I accept some of them and when I do I operate under the anointing and call of God to be an evangelist. I love preaching in those settings and I have seen God move very powerfully.
That is not my favorite thing. I love faithfully feeding the flock week after week as we study through a book of the Bible. At CentrePointe we did this with James and Luke. At FBC Paradise we did this through I Peter, Acts, Colossians, and Luke. At Seminole we studied through Phillipians, I John, I Corinthians, and several Bible Characters. Here at Faith Community we have studied Joel, I Timothy, I Thessalonians, and are working our way through Mark now. This is my favorite preaching and teaching. This forces me to study and we dig into deep truth.
I serve as a pastor today and also a student pastor. Every Wednesday night I teach adults and then walk across the parking lot to teach our students and I feel God's anointing to do both. The bottom line is I cannot be shoved into any one mold. God has uniquely gifted me to serve as both a pastor and an evangelist in different settings. I embrace both callings on my life along with the calling to write. I can't explain it but I know God uses me to minister to and relate to children, students, and adults. While it all seems natural to me I know this is because of God's unique calling and gifting in my life.
There are some who will never understand me and this dual calling on my life. I have surrendered to God to serve as a full time evangelist if that is what He wants. To date the phone does not ring with invitations to preach. For the first time in years I do not have one outside preaching engagement at this time. So I continue to labor as a pastor and a student pastor. Back this summer when I preached our two week revival at Faith Community Church I once again felt God calling me to operate in the evangelistic anointing and calling He has put on my life during those meetings.
While I was in the middle of my full time evangelistic meeting I was asked to serve as an interim pastor at a church in Lufkin, TX. I loved those times with those people. Eventually I got so busy traveling that it became necessary for me to step out of the interim role.
I know I have a pastor's heart. I also know I have an evangelistic calling. I will do my best to serve in both capacities as God allows. I simply do what God puts before me to do. I am comfortable in both roles. I enjoy serving as a pastor more but will always remain open and to travel and preach where God opens doors. Think of me as an evangelistic pastor.
What is your role and ministry. I did not write this just so you could sit on the outside of my life and form your own opinion of what I am. What ministry has God called you to? What gifting has He bestowed on you for service?
All of us in Christ were created for good works which God prepared before hand. [Eph 2:10] We are to walk in those. Find yours and labor faithfully for the Master.
I quickly dismissed the thought and went on about my senior year. In late June of 1985 I attended a leadership youth camp. Over and over again I felt the Lord calling me into ministry. I resisted. One night I sat in the closet of my dorm room on the campus of Baylor University in tears.
The following week I attended another youth camp. For three nights in a row I resisted God's call on my life. Finally on July, 4, 1985 I surrendered at the Pineywoods Baptist Encampment. I came to my home church the next Sunday morning and made the commitment public. I recall scores of people lining up to shake my hand after the service and I heard this question over and over again. "Are you going to be a pastor, youth pastor, evangelist, missionary?" I gave the same answer every time. "I don't know. God just called me to preach."
In my years in ministry I have been a youth pastor, pastor, and an evangelist. Right now I am serving as both pastor and youth pastor. I feel called to serve as a pastor but many around me see more as an evangelist.
I recently held an informal survey of about two dozen friends. I asked this simple question. "Do you see more as a pastor or an evangelist." I did not qualify why I was asking the question. Out of two dozen responses twenty-two said evangelist. Two people said pastor. Out of the twenty-two who said evangelist five said they saw me as both but more as an evangelist. The longer I thought about their comments the more disheartened I became. I have served as a pastor in four different churches now for more than eleven years. It seems I have not excelled in those ministries as a shepherd.
I found myself reading [Eph 4:11], "And He gave some as apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds (pastors) and teachers."
On my retreat I asked God what His calling on my life entailed. I wanted to know if He called me to be a pastor or an evangelist like so many people thought. I could see me in both roles. I have served in both capacities. There are even things I like about both ministries.
The answer did not come immediately but when it did come it surprised me. The answer is both! Primarily I am a pastor. I love feeding the flock the word verse by verse. I enjoy developing relationships though I know I have a tendency to keep many people at arm's length. Hundreds of times I have made hospital visits and ministered to people in sickness and tragedy. I have preached many funerals and feel God has used me to bring comfort to grieving people. Though never easy this is the part of serving as a pastor I take seriously.
Before the Shake the City Revival in Seminole back in the summer of 2010, I made many hospital visits. On one day the week the the revival started I made three visits in one day in three different towns. Once the revival started I felt something shift inside me. I no longer felt like a pastor and preached like an evangelist. God gave me powerful messages during those three weeks. Just as clearly I remember when the revival ended I felt the Lord shifting my heart to serve as a pastor again. For those weeks during the revival there were no hospital visits to be made. God kept us healthy in those days. Once the revival ended there were hospital visits, counseling, funerals and week to week preaching.
All my ministry God has opened doors for me to preach youth camps, retreats, and revivals. When those doors have opened I walk through them prayerfully. Some times I turn down the invitations if they require me to be gone from the pulpit at the church I am serving on Sundays. While those invitations come I accept some of them and when I do I operate under the anointing and call of God to be an evangelist. I love preaching in those settings and I have seen God move very powerfully.
That is not my favorite thing. I love faithfully feeding the flock week after week as we study through a book of the Bible. At CentrePointe we did this with James and Luke. At FBC Paradise we did this through I Peter, Acts, Colossians, and Luke. At Seminole we studied through Phillipians, I John, I Corinthians, and several Bible Characters. Here at Faith Community we have studied Joel, I Timothy, I Thessalonians, and are working our way through Mark now. This is my favorite preaching and teaching. This forces me to study and we dig into deep truth.
I serve as a pastor today and also a student pastor. Every Wednesday night I teach adults and then walk across the parking lot to teach our students and I feel God's anointing to do both. The bottom line is I cannot be shoved into any one mold. God has uniquely gifted me to serve as both a pastor and an evangelist in different settings. I embrace both callings on my life along with the calling to write. I can't explain it but I know God uses me to minister to and relate to children, students, and adults. While it all seems natural to me I know this is because of God's unique calling and gifting in my life.
There are some who will never understand me and this dual calling on my life. I have surrendered to God to serve as a full time evangelist if that is what He wants. To date the phone does not ring with invitations to preach. For the first time in years I do not have one outside preaching engagement at this time. So I continue to labor as a pastor and a student pastor. Back this summer when I preached our two week revival at Faith Community Church I once again felt God calling me to operate in the evangelistic anointing and calling He has put on my life during those meetings.
While I was in the middle of my full time evangelistic meeting I was asked to serve as an interim pastor at a church in Lufkin, TX. I loved those times with those people. Eventually I got so busy traveling that it became necessary for me to step out of the interim role.
I know I have a pastor's heart. I also know I have an evangelistic calling. I will do my best to serve in both capacities as God allows. I simply do what God puts before me to do. I am comfortable in both roles. I enjoy serving as a pastor more but will always remain open and to travel and preach where God opens doors. Think of me as an evangelistic pastor.
What is your role and ministry. I did not write this just so you could sit on the outside of my life and form your own opinion of what I am. What ministry has God called you to? What gifting has He bestowed on you for service?
All of us in Christ were created for good works which God prepared before hand. [Eph 2:10] We are to walk in those. Find yours and labor faithfully for the Master.
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