Full Time Ministry: Doing Less to Do More

Working in full time ministry is not so much about ministering as it is about preparation.

The minister who neglects preparation will be overcome by the battle and overwhelmed by spiritual warfare. They will fall prey to doubt, fear and insecurity. They will inevitably give in, due to lack of preparation.

Those in full time ministry must remember that God is more concerned about their "being with Him" then His is about their "doing for Him".

If you go and be with your Father, you will find that He will prepare you for the battle, HIs word will guide you, His faith will fill you. His Spirit will empower you. Now, when it's time to minister you're ready, because its God who ministers through you.

Now, stop doing so much for God, burning yourself out and just go be with Jesus. When its time to minister God will raise you up, but don't feel the need to raise your own self up for fear of being classified as lazy, unmotivated or afraid. Let God and His word be your motivation. Drink deeply of its truth, hear His voice more clearly and you'll find yourself maximizing your time in ministry by doing less that does more for the kingdom. Instead of doing more that does little for the Kingdom. Due to being motivated by our own egos, or fears or outside voices we feel forced into filling up the calendar when we neglect to ask God about it first.

Those in full time ministry, be encouraged! It is by far one of the most difficult and challenging vocations, but God is FOR YOU! Do not give in or give up. He goes with you and before you. Just don't try to jump ahead of Him 

Perseverance: Holding Fast in the Midst of LIfe's Greatest Suffering

"perseverance must finish its work"....James 1:4

In the midst of our darkest hour is when we are able to experience Jesus Christ in all of His fullness.  It is there that we can relate with the Christ on the cross.  We must choose in our darkest hour to persevere, just as the Son of God choose to persevere for us on our behalf as he hung on a cross on Calvary's Hill. 

God is challenging me to a season of perseverance.  Most of us just want to give up and throw in the towel in the midst of deep suffering.  We wish to release ourselves from this pain so we choose to resign from it, flee from or or bury it so that we no longer have to deal with the depth of our suffering. 

I'm holding fast to the promises of God that call me to persevere, that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and that the eyes of the Lord range back and forth throughout the entire earth to strengthen those who hearts are fully committed to Him.

I remember Joseph who was sold into slavery, but did not give up hope and God blessed him for his perseverance.  I remember Job who endured such great suffering and loss that his wife told him to curse God and die, yet Job held fast to perseverance in the midst of suffering and God blessed him ten-fold.  Ruth held fast to the Lord in the midst of her desolation and God, by His grace brought deliverance for her. 

It is rare that God's greatest blessings are not first proceeded by life's most painful moments.  In fact, I'm almost convinced that we must always experience a deep loss or pain before God's greatest blessings. 

So many choose to give in, the suffering becomes to great and they miss out on the beautiful story that God wanted to write.  They miss out on the blessing to come because in the middle of their pain they could not see the beautiful story that God was weaving so instead they gave up. 

Hold fast to Jesus in your greatest moments of pain.  Do not give up or give in for there is hope for you in Jesus Christ.  I am believing that as I persevere a blessing will come.  If not in this life, then surely in the next. 

Lord Jesus, you are joy.  You are hope, life and peace.  Your word is full of people who chose to believe you in the midst of their suffering.  I choose to walk in that same faith, believing that you are using this to make me more like your Son, Jesus.  You are teaching me about the gospel in ways that I would never have experienced if I had not walked through this. 

My prayer is that you would refine my character, make me more like your Son and that soon you might bring deliverance, but even if you choose to make me wait I know that I have a Savior who walks with me.   Let perseverance finish its work in me.  In Jesus name, Amen. 

Faithfulness: Behind Closed Doors

Sunday morning worship should not be a good judge of how faithful someone is to Christ. What we do in front of others should not determine how committed we are to Christ. For example, raising hands in worship, singing a solo, offering prayer or even preaching a sermon should never define someone's faithfulness towards Christ.

Faithfulness is authenticated when the doors are closed and no one else is looking. The question becomes, will I be faithful and obedient to God's will above my own when its not for show? Will I choose to flee from my sin and respond in love when my spouse gets on my nerves? When a friend betrays me or when my waitress forgets to fill up my drink. When I come face to face in the heat of the battle with temptation, will I choose to give in or will I flee because of my love for Christ?

When the doors are closed do you turn to your vices? Is alcohol, anger, bitterness and rage what you turn to more than Christ? What is your life truly founded upon on an average Monday when no one is looking?

Everyone always wants to look good to other people. I'm speaking towards my own struggle here. We seek the approval and praise of others more than the praise and glory of an all-knowing and righteous God. We want to do lots of stuff for God, forgetting that one of our main purposes in being a Christian is just knowing Him. Throughout the week is the word of God our delight, do we sing and make music unto the Lord during an average Thursday? Do we treat that Mcdonald's worker with the same respect and love we would if we were entertaining angels?

Truth is, one cannot minister well if one's relationship to God is on the rocks. Yes, God certainly uses moral failures to do His will. We see that all throughout scripture, but those who failed never stayed there in their sin. They rose above it through the repentance.

If you and I really want to be transformed we've gotta get real about who Jesus is. Jesus called those who wished to follow after Him to die to themselves daily and to walk as He did. This is not call for the weak, but only for those who wish to join with King Jesus in battle. It is only for those who are willing to join in the Lord's army, to become a soldier for Christ giving up complete control to their commanding officer.

If only we would join alongside our King on daily basis, truly, we would see our lives, communities and churches transformed. If only we would be so brave to move past people pleasing church to God-honoring worship throughout the week we would see lives be healed and the broken be made brand new.

Yes, and so today on an ordinary Thursday I chose to die to myself and to live for my King, even when no one else is looking.

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I'm Kind of a Big Deal: Teens and Self-Directed Worship

Today's youth culture is experiencing a worship problem.  The act of worship is not something they lack.  They have no problem worshipping.  However, the object of their worship is misguided and misdirected.  

They live in the midst of a culture that has told them its totally acceptable and even honorable to worship themselves. The worship of self isn't all together obvious.  It's usually quite subtle.  It's difficult to ascertain at first, but once the surface has been scratched, self-directed worship starts to ooze from the cresses of materialism, pride, selfies, "likes", and how many followers one has on Twitter.  

I wonder what would happen if we really starting getting into the lives of these young people who hide behind their smartphones and Facebook statuses.  A lot of the time a Facebook status or Tweet reveals a teenager who is crying out to belong or who wishes someone would notice the pain they feel so deep in their soul.  

Social media has opened up a whole new window into the soul of a teenager and adults who don't care to dig too deeply allow teens to be taught by Google and YouTube instead of by true wisdom and real relationships with adults who can speak truth into their lives.  

Misdirected worship makes selfish, hedonistic people.  Life becomes all about them, what they can gain, and receive instead of what they can give and who they can serve.  

Worship of the one True God causes us to take the focus off ourselves and plugs us into a plan far greater than one that we could ever dream or imagine.  It teaches us to say no to self and yes to sacrifice and service.  It points us to hope and joy in Jesus Christ.  It gives life and peace, real, lasting peace.  Not temporary happiness or fleeting hope.  

We will always worship something.  Teenagers will choose to follow the message of the culture if no other message if being taught to them.  Jesus calls us to live set apart lives.  For us to be in the world, but not of it.  When was the last time you spoke the words of truth into a teenager who has been misguided believing they need to run the race of popularity and self-worship like everyone else?  

They need your wisdom.  They need the hope and joy of Jesus Christ.  They need adults who would be willing to invest in their lives.  To give of their time to teach them.  Lets not allow our children to be taught by the culture anymore.  There is a better way offered in Jesus Christ for all who would call on His name.  

A Youth Ministry on Fire: The Role of the Holy Spirit

Without the Holy Spirit at work in our youth ministries they will certainly fail.  While the apostles were being persecuted by the Sanhedrin, Gameliel, a Pharisee said,  “I advise you, leave these men alone, let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Zondervan, Acts 5:38-39)

Gamelial knew that if these men were from God, being empowered and lead by the Holy Spirit of God that nothing could stop the work they were doing.  On the same note, he understood that if they were not from God and acting out of their own power that their plans would fail. 

We as Youth Ministers should take seriously these words of wisdom from the Jewish Pharisee.  If we truly want vibrant youth ministries alive with students who deeply love and adore Christ we must have ministries that are lead and directed by the life giving power of the Holy Spirit.  

A Youth Minister who tries to put plans in place without seeking God wisdom through the Spirit will find themself frustrated and angry, because their efforts constantly fail.  It might have a “flash in the pan” type of excitement at first, but programs without God’s Spirit behind them will soon come crumbling down.

A Youth Ministry that is centered on Christ, is one that is centered on the Spirit.  It is the Spirit who convicts students of sin, it is the Spirit who transform them and calls them into a deeper walk with Jesus.  It is Christ inside that student, alive and well that draws them away from deception and into the light. 

Students don’t need better programming, they need to see the power of the Holy Spirit displayed.  They need to have an encounter with the living God.  They need to see and savor Jesus Christ for themselves and a Youth Ministry that is saturated in the Spirit will certainly bring about the power and that truth for students to see.  Students don’t need more games or fun.  They need authentic Christianity being lived out and preached by the power of the Holy Spirit.   

What we draw students with is what we will shape them to be.  If we draw them with games and fun, we’ll make them selfish consumers, but if we draw them with the Spirit and the word of God, then we will make disciples.  Sure, we may not have BIG youth groups, but that isn’t the point.  God has called us to make disciples, who in turn make disciples.  As difficult as it is, we must stay focused on the BIG picture and not allow numbers to define our ministries, but we must do the hard work of discipleship.  Where we may not see results for 15 years! 

 If we remain obedient and faithful to God lifting high the name of Jesus and trusting only in the power of the Spirit to transform our students lives then we will see the lost be found, students run from sin and new life really begin!

The 30 year old virgin: 8 reasons why I'm choosing to wait

SEX.

We're obsessed with it.  It's everywhere, television, movies, the internet.  Our culture is saturated with sex.  Teenagers are finding it harder and harder to wait because, quite honestly the messages being sent to them through the media is not one of walking in purity.  

So why as a 30 year old woman have I chosen to wait?  Why after all these years have I not given into the pressure?  What are the reasons I've kept my virginity?  

Here are  8 reasons why I've chosen to wait.

1.  I'm worth it.  I am beautiful and valuable in the eyes of the Lord Jesus.  My virginity is a one time gift that I will give away someday and I long to give that gift to my husband.  It's something that I cherish.  The right person will cherish that gift too.  They'll see me for who I am in the eyes of Jesus, not for what they can get from me.  

2.  I trust that God's design is best.  In a world where the cultural pressures to have sex are rampant I believe that God's design for sex is best.  God created sex, therefore, sex is good, but God has set certain boundaries for sex that He desires us to live out.  Not to restrict us, but to protect us and to bless us.  The bible is quite clear that anything other than sex inside of marriage is wrong.  Sex inside a committed marriage is safe, there's no risk of unwanted pregnancy or living with regret.  God will bless sex inside a marriage, but He will not bless sex outside of marriage.  

3.  I love Jesus.  As I've walked closely with Him and sought hard after His will for my life He's grown a heart of love so deep in me the thought of having sex before marriage is almost unthinkable.  To me, Jesus, is like a well that never runs dry.  He's like a spring of cool water always quenching my thirst.  I long for Him.  I love Him.  I want to please Him.  

4.  My worth and value are in Christ, not in a man.  A lot of young girls look to guys to fill a deep longing for love in their souls.  I've found that the only person that can satisfy the deep longings of my soul is Jesus.  If I give myself sexually to a man it will not satisfy the deep longings of my heart to be affirmed as beautiful, worthy and valuable.  It might momentarily, but in the end I will only feel shame and regret for exposing myself so intimately with someone who is not my husband. 

5.  I've chosen not to believe the lie that the guy I'm dating is going to be my husband so its ok if we have sex.  I almost gave in because of this lie.  I allowed this lie to control my thought life in previous relationships, but since then I have repented of those impure thoughts and sought the Lord for healing.  I would tell myself I'm not doing it physically so its OK if I think about it, because he's going to be my husband anyways.  Once that relationship ended I was brought face to face with my sin of lust.  Since then every time an impure thought wants to enter my mind I quote Philippians 4:6-7.  I've asked for God to transform my mind and He certainly has.  Now, as I look at being married in less than three months I very easily could buy into the same lie, but I choose not too, because quite honestly, not only is my purity worth it, but most importantly honoring God is of greatest importance to me.   

6.  I don't feel because I'm a virgin I've missed out on anything.  I know that I have a hope that awaits me in heaven.  I have a Savior who welcomes me into His home and I long to see Him face to face.  I could die a happy as a virgin as long as I'm headed to see my Savior face to face.  I have all the promises of God in the Lord Jesus.  

7.  I don't want a STD or unwanted pregnancy.  God loves me.  He's set boundaries for sex inside of marriage for a reason.  There are real consequences for sex outside of marriage.  I

8.  I long to share the gift of my virginity with my husband on my wedding night.  I believe there will be no greater gift I can give to my husband on that night.  I loved him before I knew him and I chose to wait for him.  I believe in the one flesh union of God and I look forward to giving myself fully to my husband without any previous sexual partners.  I will have no one else that I have given myself to.  

I could go on a little longer I'm sure, but those are eight big reasons why I've chosen to wait.  This might not be the case for you, maybe you haven't chosen to wait.  Maybe you think I'm crazy for being 30 and a virgin.  I'm ok with that.  In a world where sex is shoved down our throats I think it could do some good for someone to stand up and say I'm walking in purity and I'm proud of it!  

God has a good design for sex.  Anything outside of the marriage bed is against His plan for our lives. 

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.- Hebrews 13:4

I chose to believe in God's perfect design for sex.  It's an issue of trust and obedience.  Will I obey God's word even if I don't like what it has to say?   

The reality is God loves you even though you sin, but that doesn't mean that we should continue on in our sin as if God is ok with it.  "Shall we go on sinning that grace my increase, by no means, we died to sin how can we live in it any longer"- Romans 6:1-2

The point is not to get you, as a teenager or even an adult to stop having sex outside of marriage.  The point is to get you to see who Jesus Christ is.  As you fall more in love with Him and God's word the desires of your heart will change as God starts to align your heart with His.  

If you're living in sexual sin will you be brave enough to walk away from it out of love for Jesus Christ and His word? 

I'm choosing to wait.  I hope you will too.  Even if you've already given in to sexual temptation its never too late to make a commitment towards purity.  God loves you and wants you to come to Him.  Even with all of your junk.  He won't turn His face away from you.  He wants to make you brand new!

Disconnect to Reconnect

Prayer is our connection with God.  It lifts the heavy burdens off of the soul who is tired and weary.  It brings fresh hope and speaks new life into the heart of man.  Prayer keeps us trusting and keep us humble.  True prayer forces me to let go of control and walk in humility.  It plants hope and purpose in my soul and gives me new eyes to see the beauty of who God is.  

My challenge to you is for just a moment to stop scrolling through your newsfeed and spend these next few minutes in prayer.  What your soul needs is not more updates, "likes" and hash-tags it needs a connection with the living God.  It needs that constant daily source of living water to flow fresh through your veins.  You don't need one more thing to add to your to do list.  You just need to "be" with your Father.  To go with Him where He goes and to stop for just a moment to listen to His voice.  

Intentional prayer isn't done on the fly or in the shower.  It's done in the stillness and quietness of your soul.  Where its just you and your Father.  It's there where you hear His voice more clearly. 

Disconnect to reconnect with God.  It's really quite simple.  Now, get off of here and go spend time with your Father.  He desires to breathe His life into you today.