Ministry
Article: Accepting God's Will
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/LuisToro 1. There are times when we will not accept God’s will because it is not inline with what we want to do or believe is right at the time. In reading the story of Jonah, he was called of God to go to Ninevah to cry against it. Jonah therefore arose and fled from the presence of God in the opposite direction of Ninevah (Jonah 1:1-3). After he spoke against the city, it is discovered that He didn’t want to see the people of Ninevah repent of their evil (Jonah 4:1-3). He knew God would forgive them if they repented of their evil. There are many things God will...
Article: Do Not Lord Over Them
Photo courtesy of iStockPhoto/kabliczech Matthew 20:25-28 (KJV) - But Jesus called them [unto him], and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. In reading Matthew 20, after Jesus explains how the last will be first and the first last...
Article: Dream Again
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/JulioPenada Each of us have been given a purpose from the Lord. A purpose that reflects His divine will and glory among His creation. A purpose that no one can take away from you, challenge, or remove. It comes from God. However, there are times when we allow circumstances, our environment, people, frustration, and fear to stagnate the move toward what God has already called us to. Now, many people know what God wants them to do, but will remain motionless saying they're waiting on God to tell them. But God has already spoken...long ago, but we wait and wait and wait. What we're...
Article: Including Your Spouse in Ministry
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/l4red0 Genesis 2:24 (KJV) - Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Two become one flesh... This is what the Lord explained to Adam after the woman God made from his rib was brought to him. Adam said, And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man (Genesis 2:23). Though we are two people, in the eyes of God we are one flesh. Very often today, many people in ministry...
Article: It Does Not Mean They Like You
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/apletfx In church leadership, pastors, ministers, musicians, and others that come before the church are often respected, appreciated, and supported. Their presence, anointing from God, and character/charisma can be an awe-inspiring representation of the things many hope to see in themselves and especially others (i.e. spouse). However, what begins as appreciation and thankfulness from afar can become much more within - and this is from the leader. If the leader is not careful, they can misinterpret the person's true intent and believe the person(s) have a hidden agenda to...
Article: Journal Jocks
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/sandaralee Blogging has become an explosive entity on the web. Blogging has provided a 'voice' for individuals to connect around the world. Depending on what you're looking for, there's a blog for almost every imaginable topic through many different people and organizations. At times it seems hard to find a good blog that meets your need, and if you consider blogging, you may feel that one more voice on the web isn't needed. However, I wanted to share a couple of points to consider why blogging (regardless of one's following or content) is important for today's disciples of Christ. Here's a few of...
Article: Lifelong Learners
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/kalilo Proverbs 23:12 (KJV) - Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge. After years of public school (college, etc.), the last thing many people want to do is read and study. As disciples of Jesus Christ, you will learn that a life of learning will be necessary for your success. Reading, meditation, and study are ways in which you can grow in knowledge, understanding, and find success (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:104 ; Proverbs 24:3-4). You may not need to attend Seminary or some other formal training, but you...
Article: Moving for the Sake of Moving
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/JeffHire There may come a time in your life or ministry when you feel you must be constantly giving something or constantly doing something. You feel that if you're not 'moving' then you're not being a faithful servant to God. So, you begin doing 'stuff' for the sake of doing stuff and you find that you're just as far along as you were before. So, you keep doing 'stuff' for the sake of doing stuff again, hoping that (sooner or later) things will change (as you desire).
Article: Pointers for the Journey of Truth
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/webscribe 2 Timothy 3:1-7 (KJV) - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep...
Article: Pray for Laborers
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/funny-p Matthew 9:35-38 (KJV) - And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. As...
Article: Right Thing vs. Good Part
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/valerio Luke 10:38-42 (KJV) - Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and...
Article: Service with Thanksgiving
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/everywhere Right now, thousands of Christians are waiting for the opportunity to go into 'full-time' ministry. We are working jobs we dislike (mainly because they keep us from full-time service); supporting bosses we don't care for; and are surrounded by people that drive us crazy! As we think about the plight of our situation, we only become more discouraged and enraged because we cannot be where we like and do what we love. Dreams and visions of 'running free' for the Lord would dance through our minds, then in a flash, reality sets in – too far from our desire and too c...
Article: Superhero Series
Photo courtesy of Stock.xchng/ebdot HIDDEN IDENTITY As children, most of us watched superhero cartoons. We would witness people with superhuman strength and abilities entrusted to stop evil and create a safer environment for city. Many of the superheroes had a separate identity among the public. (I never understood why the animators would do this because it would be a lot easier to for the superhero to remain ‘super’ all day, but I guess superheroes have to make a living too.) They could easier conceal their identity and no one could figure out who they were. As Chr...
Article: Supporting the Leader
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/TonyDeSantis Exodus 17:8-16 (KJV) - Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat...
Article: The ABC's of Counseling
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/Valsilvae 1. Be available. Windows of opportunity come unexpectedly. 2. If the opportunity to counsel came upon you suddenly, say a short prayer. Your prayer should focus on the Lord assisting the person; receiving an answer from the Lord; and the root issue is revealed. 3. They should speak more than you. Keep your comments short, simple, and to the point. 4. Allow the other person to tell their story - to share their heart. 5. Ask (appropriate) questions that help you understand the situation. It...
Article: The Elder's Responsibility
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/Nota 1 Peter 5:1-3 (KJV) - The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. Elders have a very important responsibility within the body of Christ. They are often the direct conduit for administering God's...
Article: The Gift Makes Room for You
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/nosheep Proverbs 18:16 (KJV) - A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. As Solomon describes in Proverbs, it is the gift that makes room for a man, not the other way around. We are to bring glory to the Lord through our good works (Matthew 5:14-16; 1 Corinthians 12) - the gifts are HIS, used for HIS purpose, and bring HIM glory upon the earth.
Article: The Gospel of Availability
Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/G-MO As we follow the example of our Lord and Savior, we can glean some insights of discipleship through His interaction with people. There is so much we can learn from our Lord, but I would like to point out few 'points' within the context of our discussion. Jesus allowed people to approach Him with the questions and concerns on their heart. Let's look at a few examples: (1) Nicodemus - John 3:1-11
Article: The Influence of Music: Part 1
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/JeffBoriss Music has a powerful influence upon people. The beat of a song can usher us into joy, deep reflection, inappropriate behavior, and others make us feel invincible. The beat has a powerful draw upon us, often something we can't explain, but we feel it running through our soul. Now, secular music (secular means separate from religion) we can imagine all the influences of sin, flesh, and the devil, but can such music infiltrate Christian borders? It sure can...and has.
Article: The Influence of Music: Part 2
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/JeffBoriss When being told certain genres of Christian music are not appropriate for our lives before God, many questions arise: What am I suppose to listen to? What about the youth? What do you give them? How do I distinguish between songs and artists? To answer these questions, let's review our greatest commandment: Matthew 22:36-38 (KJV) - Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all...
Article: The Position to Lead
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/kipcurry References: Acts 6:1-6; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:4-9. Many pastors feel their day of ministry are long, the to-do list is never ending, and they need 27 hours each day. With so much going on, pastors have the desire to place people in leadership positions to support them and the ministry. The desire for help should not be for warm bodies as oppose to the right people called by the Lord. There are many churches overfilled with people that are placed prematurely (and inadequately) in positions of leadership and authority....
Article: The Pulpit: A Young Minister's Dream
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/madmaven For many young men and women accepting the Lord's calling to preach, a wonderful purpose in God awaits. Their hearts and minds are filled with anticipating of preaching and teaching across a pulpit to share God's truths to His people. And week after week and year after year, many eagerly wait for their chance to preach. Some will have opportunities at Sunday evening service, Saturday service, or maybe Sunday school, but nothing would compare to Sunday morning service. However, there is more to being a minister of the Lord than speaking on Sunday. Long before you preach a sermon across the...
Article: The Smallness of BIG Ministry
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/jwmpap 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (KJV) - Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God...
Article: The Textbook Ministry
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/nkzs Around the world and throughout the halls of academia, one of the basic tools for learning is the textbook. For some college students, the college books for a class are more expensive than the course itself. But even in the most evangelical and religious of institutions, there is one question that has stayed on my mind: Why can't we give away the books we purchase or receive? Now, it is a person's 'right' to sell their books, but you never know someone's situation. Your blessing may be the answer someone prayed for.
Article: True Customer Service
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/keb In the world of business, we are taught that the higher one attains in position, the least 'hands-on' or menial work they are to do. The manager no longer runs errands or buys the office lunch. They tell someone else to do it. They no longer have to drive around the parking lot, they have a designated spot of their own. They set deadlines, make decisions that affect policy and personnel, write checks, rate work performance, and gain greater respect among their peers. However, in the midst of the 'business' of life, there are some lessons a disciple of Jesus can never forget:
Article: Work While it is Day
Photo courtesy of Stock.XCHNG.com/andrewmill John 9:1-5 (KJV) - And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. When the disciples saw the blind man, they asked Jesus who sinned, the man...
