"Ministry is tough and the devil hates the church and hates Christians. It is no different than with Jesus, now the devil persecuted the church, His body. The devil's tactic is the same; strike the shepherd and scatter the sheep."
I wrote these words after hearing the testimony of a very famous Christian leader. They had been in a ministry family and were well known world wide. At one point they were very successful and everything was going good. Through a series of events they lost their ministry assets and even the ministry itself. The pressure was so great it even threatened to end their marriage. Thankfully God is faithful and they are together today and still have a ministry and are moving forward together.
It is a sobering reality when you hear these types of testimonies from successful and influential people. Success and influence come with a fight. I believe the more significant of a work we do the greater the battle gets. I realize in many ways my ministry is built on the victories others won. I am very blessed to start my ministry where others have done so much. Having said that I can tell you that as I have risen in the ranks of church leadership that it isn't easier but harder. The struggles are greater and the challenges are more numerous.
The comfort I find in all this is that as I have progressed in life and ministry so has my faith. The Bible tells us that we go from faith to faith, strength to strength, glory to glory. Any time there is a repeat of a statement in the Bible it is for emphasis. The beginning of our faith is great. In fact we get saved through it. As we grow in our knowledge and experience with God we get stronger and stronger.
Be encouraged that God is growing you up. You are not where you used to be. The battles you face today are preparing you for greater things in the future. As you grow stronger you will be able to handle more. Jesus said that if we are faithful in the little things we will be put over much. We all want that growth but don't want the discipline and the fight to get there. Stay faithful and fight the good fight of faith and you will see the faithfulness of God and have a testimony to tell.
Showing posts with label encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label encouragement. Show all posts
Friday, January 26, 2018
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
The Gentle Push
"I found out he had been in rehab for alcohol addiction. It almost broke up his family but he said his wife stuck with him. I could tell he was ashamed and didn't want to really open up too much. I just gently pushed and he told me about it once he knew I was genuinely interested and wasn't just making small talk. I told him I was proud of him and he teared up and thanked me for really asking him and not just passing by."
The title of this post sounds like what my kids often try to do to each other at the edge of the pool. They don't want to get caught shoving their siblings in to the water so they look at me while gently try to edge their brother or sister over the edge. Most of the time I would catch on to what they were doing and stop them.
My thought from last year isn't kids playing jokes. It is a subtle push that most people need in order to know that you care. Yes, you may be trying to get them over the edge of something but the motive isn't mischievous. Genuine care in a fake world is hard to find. Have you noticed?
There have been times I have been on the receiving end of the push and appreciated it later. I was just reading about a day when I had the wrong attitude and went in to a situation with guns blazing only to have someone who cared about me remind me of what my purpose was in a direct but very lovingly gentle way. It made all the difference. If fact once I crossed over in to sanity again I became the one giving others the same encouragement that I had received.
There are people in the world who are looking for genuine relationships and real contact with others. They may be popular on social media or well known at work but when you get in close proximity you find they are lonely and searching for someone to share life with. While I risk sounding cliche the old saying is true that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Some of the words that pops out to me when I read about the Apostle Paul's ministry in his own words are genuine, sincere and care. He really loved the people he ministered to. So much so that at one point he likens himself to a nursing mother. How is that for imagery!? But could it be that this is the real reason why God was able to use him so mightily? He really loved and cared for the people. Not like a little brother pushing to get a laugh but like a mother pushing to get greatness out of her child. You can imagine him praying and preaching and pushing until he saw what he was desiring in the churches.
In the Proverbs it says that a soft answer can turn away great wrath and a gentle answer can break a bone. It may be that we fear the backlash of someone who is closed up. But if the push is giving in the right spirit it can have tremendous results.
Allow your love and care to push you to gently push others. Know where the boundary lines are and make sure your motives are pure. If you do this right though it will make all the difference in someone elses life.
Have you ever had that gentle push? How did it make you feel? Have you successfully given someone else this push? What does this look like in family vs. friendship?
The title of this post sounds like what my kids often try to do to each other at the edge of the pool. They don't want to get caught shoving their siblings in to the water so they look at me while gently try to edge their brother or sister over the edge. Most of the time I would catch on to what they were doing and stop them.
My thought from last year isn't kids playing jokes. It is a subtle push that most people need in order to know that you care. Yes, you may be trying to get them over the edge of something but the motive isn't mischievous. Genuine care in a fake world is hard to find. Have you noticed?
There have been times I have been on the receiving end of the push and appreciated it later. I was just reading about a day when I had the wrong attitude and went in to a situation with guns blazing only to have someone who cared about me remind me of what my purpose was in a direct but very lovingly gentle way. It made all the difference. If fact once I crossed over in to sanity again I became the one giving others the same encouragement that I had received.
There are people in the world who are looking for genuine relationships and real contact with others. They may be popular on social media or well known at work but when you get in close proximity you find they are lonely and searching for someone to share life with. While I risk sounding cliche the old saying is true that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
Some of the words that pops out to me when I read about the Apostle Paul's ministry in his own words are genuine, sincere and care. He really loved the people he ministered to. So much so that at one point he likens himself to a nursing mother. How is that for imagery!? But could it be that this is the real reason why God was able to use him so mightily? He really loved and cared for the people. Not like a little brother pushing to get a laugh but like a mother pushing to get greatness out of her child. You can imagine him praying and preaching and pushing until he saw what he was desiring in the churches.
In the Proverbs it says that a soft answer can turn away great wrath and a gentle answer can break a bone. It may be that we fear the backlash of someone who is closed up. But if the push is giving in the right spirit it can have tremendous results.
Allow your love and care to push you to gently push others. Know where the boundary lines are and make sure your motives are pure. If you do this right though it will make all the difference in someone elses life.
Have you ever had that gentle push? How did it make you feel? Have you successfully given someone else this push? What does this look like in family vs. friendship?
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Day 364 - Be Careful What You Ask For
"I watched Honey I Shrunk the Kids with the kids and they liked it. I forgot the fun parts and the fantasy of that movie. Who wouldn't think being small was cool until you realize the peril of the larger world you have to encounter?"
I have been so thankful over the years that God, in His wisdom, has not answered every one of my prayers. That sounds surprising doesn't it? Who is thankful for unanswered prayers? I am.
Let me explain. There was a time when I wanted to be a musician full time. More specifically I wanted to be a rock star. I wanted the big stage; televised concerts and such. Looking back now I know if my prayers were answered it would have destroyed me. Also, I would not be where I am at today. My life is so much greater than I ever could have imagined. If I had my prayers answered I would be empty and might end up shipwrecked concerning the faith.
One more prayer that I am glad wasn't answered? Well, I remember praying about a girl. It just got personal but I know many of you have prayed about a relationship. I was praying that God would make it happen because we would be great together. Now in hindsight I realize that it would have been terrible. We would have killed each other. Don't get me wrong, she is a great person and her life is where God knew it needed to be. We would have never made it or we would have been miserable. I know that God had my perfect wife waiting for me now that I have her. I wouldn't trade her for anyone else. We are so in love that I am very thankful that God didn't answer that prayer.
When our prayers go unanswered it can be discouraging. We get depressed or angry with God. But if we stop to think that God is good and has our best interests in mind doesn't it make sense that He knows what He is doing when He doesn't answer our prayers? In 1 John 5 it tell us that God hears the prayers that are according to His will. When He hears our prayers then we have what we asked. We can conclude then that the prayers we pray that are not according to His will go unheard and unanswered. That should be a comfort to all of us. It protects us from the wrong things we ask for our life.
So what should we do? Pray. Ask away! Know that God will work it out and answer according to His will and His goodness. Don't get discouraged if things don't go your way. God has a better plan than we do.
Have you had prayers you are glad God didn't answer? How did God make it better in the end?
I have been so thankful over the years that God, in His wisdom, has not answered every one of my prayers. That sounds surprising doesn't it? Who is thankful for unanswered prayers? I am.
Let me explain. There was a time when I wanted to be a musician full time. More specifically I wanted to be a rock star. I wanted the big stage; televised concerts and such. Looking back now I know if my prayers were answered it would have destroyed me. Also, I would not be where I am at today. My life is so much greater than I ever could have imagined. If I had my prayers answered I would be empty and might end up shipwrecked concerning the faith.
One more prayer that I am glad wasn't answered? Well, I remember praying about a girl. It just got personal but I know many of you have prayed about a relationship. I was praying that God would make it happen because we would be great together. Now in hindsight I realize that it would have been terrible. We would have killed each other. Don't get me wrong, she is a great person and her life is where God knew it needed to be. We would have never made it or we would have been miserable. I know that God had my perfect wife waiting for me now that I have her. I wouldn't trade her for anyone else. We are so in love that I am very thankful that God didn't answer that prayer.
When our prayers go unanswered it can be discouraging. We get depressed or angry with God. But if we stop to think that God is good and has our best interests in mind doesn't it make sense that He knows what He is doing when He doesn't answer our prayers? In 1 John 5 it tell us that God hears the prayers that are according to His will. When He hears our prayers then we have what we asked. We can conclude then that the prayers we pray that are not according to His will go unheard and unanswered. That should be a comfort to all of us. It protects us from the wrong things we ask for our life.
So what should we do? Pray. Ask away! Know that God will work it out and answer according to His will and His goodness. Don't get discouraged if things don't go your way. God has a better plan than we do.
Have you had prayers you are glad God didn't answer? How did God make it better in the end?
Friday, November 13, 2015
Day 318 - Hurdles on the Road
"At lunch Shane and I went and got the author copy of the book and we were disappointed. The quality was sub-standard. I now have to go through another round with them to get it right. I am trying to stay in faith and stay positive. Hurdles on the road."
Let me introduce you to my illustrator Shane. The guy is brilliant. His drawings are top notch, his graphic design has no equal, his wit and humor...hilarious. He has been a friend and a great encouragement in the ministry and now with the children's book Sarah's Silly Sock Day.
It has been a journey of faith to produce this book and I could not have done it alone. My wife has been a constant encouragement. My children's excitement has often fueled my drive to go on. Which brings me to Shane. When we hit the hurdle we were pretty disappointed. Our long awaited book was not what we wanted it to be.
It turned out that the problem was with the transfer of files. Layers of the images were being lost and others were pixelated. We had to go back through part of the process and it was lengthy and difficult at best.
What really helped was Shane's positive attitude and quick wit. He saw what I saw in faith. He had a book in mind and knew the quality he wanted to see. After months of going back and forth we got it right and now have a real quality book with beautiful images that capture the imagination of children (and adults!).
Stay in the fight if you are encountering problems. Hurdles are not something to stop you. They are to be overcome. Surround yourself with faith filled people who will take the hurdle with you. It makes the journey better and the trial more tolerable.
What hurdles are you encountering and how do you intent to overcome them? Who is around you that can be a faith partner to encourage and go on the journey with you?
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Day 313 - Words That Stick
"...some of his words are still ringing in my ears."
There are words that we hear and never stick. The book of Proverbs tells us that a curse won't land on an unintended victim like a bird that darts off. Thank God for that! I'm sure you have heard things you are glad you forgot shortly after.
Some things we hear stick. Some good and some bad. I had a conversation just the other day that bugged me. I left the room and the person but the words stayed with me. I finally had to pray it off! When these words stick to us they are like acid or some corrosive material that eats away at us. These words destroy and tear down. The old saying that sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me is great for personal morale but probably in practice far from the truth.
On the other hand the kinds of words that we want to stick are the words that build. As we hear them they add to our life. They build inside of us a support structure that holds us together and hold us up. They come as defining moments in our lives from people we respect and love and who love us. The Apostle Paul said that we should speak in a way that imparts grace and that which is good for necessary edification. That word edification is similar to the word edifice. Like a building that has been raised up we need these types of words to build our lives.
In order to have more of the right words in your life stuck to you all you have to do is get in the right places with the right people. You will have destructive words come but don't let that stop you. Find the people who you trust to speak into your life. Also, be an encourager and speak the right thing to others. As you do what you have sown you will also reap.
How do you choose the right people to speak into your life? What are some good things to say to build others up?
There are words that we hear and never stick. The book of Proverbs tells us that a curse won't land on an unintended victim like a bird that darts off. Thank God for that! I'm sure you have heard things you are glad you forgot shortly after.
Some things we hear stick. Some good and some bad. I had a conversation just the other day that bugged me. I left the room and the person but the words stayed with me. I finally had to pray it off! When these words stick to us they are like acid or some corrosive material that eats away at us. These words destroy and tear down. The old saying that sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me is great for personal morale but probably in practice far from the truth.
On the other hand the kinds of words that we want to stick are the words that build. As we hear them they add to our life. They build inside of us a support structure that holds us together and hold us up. They come as defining moments in our lives from people we respect and love and who love us. The Apostle Paul said that we should speak in a way that imparts grace and that which is good for necessary edification. That word edification is similar to the word edifice. Like a building that has been raised up we need these types of words to build our lives.
In order to have more of the right words in your life stuck to you all you have to do is get in the right places with the right people. You will have destructive words come but don't let that stop you. Find the people who you trust to speak into your life. Also, be an encourager and speak the right thing to others. As you do what you have sown you will also reap.
How do you choose the right people to speak into your life? What are some good things to say to build others up?
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Day 254 - The Grind
"I am tired after another long full day."
A year later I could say the same thing about today. We got started early and finished late. The range of situations we dealt with were diverse. Both personal and business lines were blurred and bled over into each other. Not everything was clean and nice. We dealt with a lot of mess all the while wondering if we were doing the right things.
I find comfort in looking at the life of Jesus. He had long days, missed meals, prayed a lot and even slept in the middle of a storm. The messes He dealt with weren't just the sick and demon possessed but also from those of His company. The wonderful thing about Jesus life and ministry is that those messes became the message.
If your days are long and life feels like a drag know that your labor is not in vain. The prayers and hard work will pay off. All the effort and energy you spend on faith, family, business, and people will be rewarded. The fact that you're tired means that you have been living.
How do you keep going when you feel like life is a grind? What sense of accomplishment is there when you feel tired from a long days work?
A year later I could say the same thing about today. We got started early and finished late. The range of situations we dealt with were diverse. Both personal and business lines were blurred and bled over into each other. Not everything was clean and nice. We dealt with a lot of mess all the while wondering if we were doing the right things.
I find comfort in looking at the life of Jesus. He had long days, missed meals, prayed a lot and even slept in the middle of a storm. The messes He dealt with weren't just the sick and demon possessed but also from those of His company. The wonderful thing about Jesus life and ministry is that those messes became the message.
If your days are long and life feels like a drag know that your labor is not in vain. The prayers and hard work will pay off. All the effort and energy you spend on faith, family, business, and people will be rewarded. The fact that you're tired means that you have been living.
How do you keep going when you feel like life is a grind? What sense of accomplishment is there when you feel tired from a long days work?
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Day 235 - A Fork In The Road
"I am taking the encouragement road right now instead of the chastening road."
When leading it is good to have a process by which you motivate others to head in the direction you are leading. Leaders should always lead by example and be all in on what they are encouraging others to do.
The process is simple. Tell others what you want them to do, encourage them, correct them if they get off track and then praise them when they get it right.
There is more to this when dealing with people who are more than just followers. If they carry the title member or staff (children...) or whatever your organization calls them whether they have been hired or signed on. For these individuals it must be clear expectations with follow up and follow through.
When these individuals know what they are to do and don't do it then there is a motivation problem. Start with encouragement. Share a story or set a goal. It doesn't have to be ridiculous it just has to be real. People will go as far as you encourage them.
If they continue to not do what they should be doing then it is time to discipline. There needs to be a real process for discipline and it should be clearly understood and held to. Just like when we were kids and our parents had rules that if we broke them there were consequences there should be in any organization a set of consequences for wrong behavior.
When we encourage and properly discipline it makes life better. People will feel empowered and it will set a wonderful atmosphere. These principles work at home, church, or even in business.
How do you encourage? Is there a right or wrong way to discipline?
When leading it is good to have a process by which you motivate others to head in the direction you are leading. Leaders should always lead by example and be all in on what they are encouraging others to do.
The process is simple. Tell others what you want them to do, encourage them, correct them if they get off track and then praise them when they get it right.
There is more to this when dealing with people who are more than just followers. If they carry the title member or staff (children...) or whatever your organization calls them whether they have been hired or signed on. For these individuals it must be clear expectations with follow up and follow through.
When these individuals know what they are to do and don't do it then there is a motivation problem. Start with encouragement. Share a story or set a goal. It doesn't have to be ridiculous it just has to be real. People will go as far as you encourage them.
If they continue to not do what they should be doing then it is time to discipline. There needs to be a real process for discipline and it should be clearly understood and held to. Just like when we were kids and our parents had rules that if we broke them there were consequences there should be in any organization a set of consequences for wrong behavior.
When we encourage and properly discipline it makes life better. People will feel empowered and it will set a wonderful atmosphere. These principles work at home, church, or even in business.
How do you encourage? Is there a right or wrong way to discipline?
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Day 197 - Get To Talking
"We had a long conversation about it."
Life carries a lot of trials with it. I have found that burdens carried alone are heavy. Sharing the burden makes them light. We are told to cast our cares on the Lord because He cares for us. Additionally we as Christians are encouraged to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ, that is, the law of love. It is out of love that we can encourage one another and lift each other up.
Many times I have thanked God for my wife, close friends and mentors who have listened to me and took the time to talk things through with me. Without someone to lift me up I would have surely fell under the weight of the cares.
I am always grateful to be that person for others too. It is a wonderful feeling when you know that you have been used by God to encourage someone in their life. Sometimes all it takes is a listening ear or sharing a scripture that helped you.
Have you ever been encouraged by someone through a good conversation? What are some ways we can encourage others?
Life carries a lot of trials with it. I have found that burdens carried alone are heavy. Sharing the burden makes them light. We are told to cast our cares on the Lord because He cares for us. Additionally we as Christians are encouraged to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ, that is, the law of love. It is out of love that we can encourage one another and lift each other up.
Many times I have thanked God for my wife, close friends and mentors who have listened to me and took the time to talk things through with me. Without someone to lift me up I would have surely fell under the weight of the cares.
I am always grateful to be that person for others too. It is a wonderful feeling when you know that you have been used by God to encourage someone in their life. Sometimes all it takes is a listening ear or sharing a scripture that helped you.
Have you ever been encouraged by someone through a good conversation? What are some ways we can encourage others?
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Day 184 - Glimpses of Goodness
"He is a good guy and I am happy he and his family are going forward with God."
Every now and then I get to see people who I have worked with to get them on track with God. Sometimes they are not well. Sometimes they didn't listen to sound advice and wisdom. But then there are the wonderful moments when I get to see someone who I worked with who did listen and is doing well.
As a pastor my purpose is to help people. I watch and guard, guide and feed, nourish and fold. There are many heartbreaks and it is a tough job. You don't leave your work at the office and contrary to the awful statement that says pastors work one day a week it actually is a job that you never clock out.
It would be easy to give up and walk away from a job like this. Discouragement is common among pastors. But when you see someone who 'got it' you find that you can make it another day and preach another message. Someone is listening. Someone is blessed. Someones life is changed because of what you did.
We all need encouragement that what we do matters. Look for those glimpses of God's goodness. He will reveal to you the value and purpose for what you do. We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony; the testimony reminds you of that goodness that God has done in your life.
What glimpses of goodness have you had? How has it encouraged you to continue?
Every now and then I get to see people who I have worked with to get them on track with God. Sometimes they are not well. Sometimes they didn't listen to sound advice and wisdom. But then there are the wonderful moments when I get to see someone who I worked with who did listen and is doing well.
As a pastor my purpose is to help people. I watch and guard, guide and feed, nourish and fold. There are many heartbreaks and it is a tough job. You don't leave your work at the office and contrary to the awful statement that says pastors work one day a week it actually is a job that you never clock out.
It would be easy to give up and walk away from a job like this. Discouragement is common among pastors. But when you see someone who 'got it' you find that you can make it another day and preach another message. Someone is listening. Someone is blessed. Someones life is changed because of what you did.
We all need encouragement that what we do matters. Look for those glimpses of God's goodness. He will reveal to you the value and purpose for what you do. We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony; the testimony reminds you of that goodness that God has done in your life.
What glimpses of goodness have you had? How has it encouraged you to continue?
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Day 29 - Faith
"I preached faith tonight."
I am amazed at how closely this year mirrors last year. I preached the Wednesday service this week as well.
I look at that statement and really there is no other way to preach. It is a simple gospel that must be believed and received.
I love what Peter Bohler said to a discouraged John Wesley, "Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, preach faith." There is no other way to please God than by living a life of faith. If that is true then we need more simple faith preaching!
What stirs your faith? Do you have a go to scripture for faith?
I am amazed at how closely this year mirrors last year. I preached the Wednesday service this week as well.
I look at that statement and really there is no other way to preach. It is a simple gospel that must be believed and received.
I love what Peter Bohler said to a discouraged John Wesley, "Preach faith till you have it; and then, because you have it, preach faith." There is no other way to please God than by living a life of faith. If that is true then we need more simple faith preaching!
What stirs your faith? Do you have a go to scripture for faith?
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Day 1 - First thoughts
"I am listening for the voice of The Lord for this coming year. In my prayers I have been desiring to hear His voice and follow Him. I am also fasting this month to silence my appetites and hear Him more clearly."
We have been doing a fast in January for several years now. Every time we do the Lord speaks and reveals some of His plan or counsel. I remember one year I heard nothing for the whole month and right at the end of the fast God gave me a word of encouragement.
Looking at last year's thoughts I see how my situation hasn't changed but I have. There was a list of things that I was believing God for that today I still am in faith for. This could be a discouraging thought but since I know my God and since I am not the same man I was last year it doesn't bother me.
I can also see that there is a real difference between a want and a desire. I had some things listed that I wanted to do but didn't. There were desires that I committed to and I finished. That feels good. I would rather be strong enough to handle tough things than be weak and live a cushy, no problem, life.
When you look back on 2014 are you encouraged? Did your situation change or did you?
We have been doing a fast in January for several years now. Every time we do the Lord speaks and reveals some of His plan or counsel. I remember one year I heard nothing for the whole month and right at the end of the fast God gave me a word of encouragement.
Looking at last year's thoughts I see how my situation hasn't changed but I have. There was a list of things that I was believing God for that today I still am in faith for. This could be a discouraging thought but since I know my God and since I am not the same man I was last year it doesn't bother me.
I can also see that there is a real difference between a want and a desire. I had some things listed that I wanted to do but didn't. There were desires that I committed to and I finished. That feels good. I would rather be strong enough to handle tough things than be weak and live a cushy, no problem, life.
When you look back on 2014 are you encouraged? Did your situation change or did you?
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