Articles
Job issues. Money problems. Bad situations with family and friends. Kids. Car Problems. Home at risk.
There’s so many things going on in our lives each day that seem to pull us in several directions at once. At times we just want a little peace and quiet to get away from the day, but we’re welcomed with another issue. Then, on top of all this, we have to live right before God…then temptation shows up. Many times temptation seems like the straw that breaks our back and we want to give up and give in. It may seem that giving into our desires and temptations is an easy road out and will give us temporary relief from our problems (a bit of a distraction) – one less thing to fight off. But giving in and giving up never solves our problems, it only make things worse:
Matthew 5:14-16 – Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
When the time for glorifying God comes, some redirect the attention away from God unto themselves. Now, they don’t intentially take away His glory in that manner (some do), but in themselves, they want to be acknowledged for the hard work they accomplish; God using them to bless someone; and to please their own pride/ego.
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 they have an ‘agenda’ to establish an intimate relationship. Some leaders would also use intimacy as a way of expressing their appreciation. They may assume there is an attraction and may even act on that assumption, not realizing that the person did not like them in that manner.
This is for both single and married leaders.
Many churches around the world receive new visitors. It is important that we emphasize, support, and acknowledge visitors on each visit. We should go out of our way to allow them to feel comfortable, loved, and prepared to worship the Lord. Sadly however, many churches (and members) give very little attention to visitors or seek to use them as commodities. Most visitors on their first (or second) visit experience the following:
- Offers to work immediately in a ministry.
- Compelled to give (financially) beyond what is in their heart.
- Largely ignored by over half the congregation.
- Criticized for their dress, status, or behavior (or their children’s behavior).
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 Lord’s pulpit, you speak and interact with people. The life of a minister (on any scale) is:
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.
However, there are times when we allow circumstances, people, frustration, and fear to stagnate our move toward what God has already called us to. Then there are others that know what God wants them to do, but will remain motionless. God has already spoken to them…long ago, but they wait and wait and wait. Some are waiting for the perfect ‘conditions’ to facilitate their move (Ecclesiastes 11:4). They’re looking for the right season, church, people, and ministry that will launch them into another ‘dimension,’ rather than beginning with what they have, right where they are, and serving the people they are among.
There’s a big world out there that God is calling us into. Pull the God-given dream off the shelf, dust it off, and begin again. God will help us, strengthen us, teach us, and give us every resource needed to accomplish His purpose.
The size of the dream does not matter – for what you have been given is from God. As with the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), each person received a portion based upon their ability. The key is to be faithful to what we’ve been given. May we allow the Lord to breathe life into our dreams again…and please His heart.
Photo courtesy of Flickr.com/h-k-d. Image covered under Creative Commons License.
Temptation is similar to the cheese on the mousetrap. Though WE understand the purpose of the mousetrap (to kill the mouse), the mouse is only drawn to the potential ‘benefit’ of having something to eat. The mouse has no concern of its location or any associated dangers…just a desire to be fed. In the end, it is the desire that leads to its demise.
What about you? What desire is drawing you to the trap of sin?
There are times when we wish we had a million-dollar budget, had direct access to the President’s private line, and could harness any talent imaginable. Yet, in reality, we seem to have a very limited budget, little access to anyone, and hardly the skills necessary to get the job done the way you desire.
Do the best you can with what you have.
Serving the Lord isn’t about having the best, most expensive, or some technologically savvy ministry. Serving the Lord is about giving Him and others the absolute best of your ability. The Lord will honor your service before Him as you do it unto Him for His glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). You don’t need these things to be effective and reach people for Jesus Christ.
You may not have the most talent or the best resources, but you have access to the ONE that has all power in His hands.
Photo courtesy of freeimages.com/Josh Klute
Proverbs 30:8-9 – Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
Here are the words of Agur…a prayer unto the Lord to live with integrity (and balance) in His presence. When many people are asking God for more success, money, and power, Agur prayed that he have neither poverty nor riches and to be fed with food that’s convenient for him. When many people are waiting for their ‘overflow’ of blessings, Agur desired to remain in a state where he would neither deny the Lord or take His name in vain through His actions.
Most people understand compromise to be a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles. Compromise is also known as an endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion (Dictionary.com).
Each day we face numerous decisions that can affect our lives before the Lord. One choice decision can change the course of our lives on earth and beyond. There comes sometimes when you would want to please your spouse (1 Corinthians 7:32-33), children, family, friends, or associates when you know God’s will is entirely different. There is a compromise that occurs, but it is at your (and other’s) expense.
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