Finding Rest in the Busyness of Ministry

Hi Nick,

Mark 6:31: And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

Some of the ingredients I 've found helpful to "rest" while you're busy in ministry:

~A grace-oriented daily devotional (like His Victorious Indwelling, N. Harrison)

~Personal Bible reading plan that is primarily for my fellowship with the Lord instead of sermon preparation. (See Grace Note; Balanced Diet Reading Plan.)

~Resolve overt and covert anger/frustration. This engages stressful circumstances to drain us emotionally and mentally. God's radical solution: full surrender to Him and abiding in Christ. (See Grace Notes: Defusing Anger, Transforming Irritations - www.GraceNotebook.com/ Grace Notes / Search)

~Finding a peaceful place. You may feel like there's no quiet place; find one somewhere. I've used the local library as a secondary office. Put cell on vibrate and answer calls together when ready.

~Listen to praise music (headphones) at the end of the day to unwind, refresh, and re-focus. Your dreams will be more positive.

When I came across Steven Covey's material years ago, I noticed biblical principles involved (tho he's a Mormon). For example, The "7th habit" has to do with the wisdom of budgeting time and resources for personal rest, intellectual growth and--most of all-devotional refreshment. Here's a summary of Covey's version: https://www.stephencovey.com/7habits/7habits-habit7.php

May the Lord give us wisdom to apply the "sabbath" principle in a way that is personal and practical.

Psalm 116:7: "Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you."

- John Woodward

Humility - True Greatness

"In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for 'God opposes the proud

but favors the humble.' So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you... Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith." I Peter 5:5-9 (NLT)

In Humility True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney quotes John Stott: "At every stage of our Christian development and in every sphere of our Christian discipleship, pride is the greatest enemy and humility our greatest friend."

[He goes on to state] "Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness."

"Pride is when sinful human beings aspire to the status and position of God and refuse to acknowledge their dependence upon Him."

"The proud person seeks to glorify himself and not God, thereby attempting in effect to deprive God of something only He is worthy to receive.  No wonder God opposes pride.  No wonder He hates pride.  Let that truth sink into your thinking."

"Serving others for the glory of God.  This is the genuine expression of humility: this is true greatness as the Savior defined it."

"Let's ask ourselves: When it comes to the values we live by, what will others say about us one day:  Will they testify that humility characterized our lives?"

I ask myself often, am I more concerned about what people think or am I looking forward to hearing my Savior say "well done thou good and faithful servant!"

I'm struggling with life and all the "stuff" we go through as I'm learning to Keep my eyes on Christ.  I want to be able to say with Paul "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21).

I pray for each of you, that Jesus will be more real to you today and as you learn to humble yourself before Him, know that He will lift you up in due time.

In His Marvelous Grace,

Dave Broome

Heb. 12:1-4

achievers4him@yahoo.com

G.R.A.C.E.

I have been doing a study on Grace and as I was meditating these
thoughts came to mind:

G--Grace, God's gift

R--Reigning in us

A--Abounding Actively with

C--Continual victory by constant trust

E--Exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ask of think

The Gift of God, through Christ for us to receive by faith without
wavering.

Praise You, Lord for the gift of Grace through Christ Jesus

contributed by S. Alt

Evangelism seminar available

One of the challenges of equipping church members to do evangelism is the follow through. To what extent will they have increased confidence and motivation to be faithful in sharing the gospel?

Grace Fellowship International (sponsor of RevitalizingPastors.org) has just completed a seminar that relates the message of the Cross and identification with Christ to the ministry of evangelism. The seminar could be given on a weekend or formatted differently to fit a church's schedule.

Excerpt from the first section of the seminar:

1.Introduction 

What is effective evangelism? 

  -Ineffective witnessing - Matt. 7:21,22 

  - Effective witnessing 

       Decision and disciple - John 5:24; 2 Pet. 1:10 

      "Fruit that remains" - John 15:16; Col. 1:23 

The importance of effective evangelism 

 - The Great Commission - Matt 28:18-20 

       Evangelism is the beginning of discipleship 

       Discipleship is the validation of evangelism 

The chronic lack of effective evangelism in American churches 

 -Statistics 

 -Significance 

     Neglecting evangelism is a sin of omission - James 4:17 

     Equipping without witnessing quenches the Holy Spirit  - 1 Thess. 5:19 

     Evangelism is the privilege and responsibility of the whole Body of Christ - Matt 4:19 

Evangelism as a process: The parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-23) 

-Till the soil (live the abundant life, build relationships, pray) 

-Sow the seed (share the Gospel) 

-Water the seed (patiently ask and answer questions, pray, show love) 

-Pull weeds (be able to politely refute unbiblical viewpoints - 2 Tim. 2:23-26) 

-Harvest the wheat (invite him/her to receive Christ - John 1:12) 

~~~~~~~~

The seminar also introduces complementary materials and resources that are available for pastoral and lay ministry.

We would be glad to get feedback from pastors as we make this module available.

Baptized into Christ

"...OR DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT AS MANY OF US AS WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
JESUS WERE BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH?" ROMANS 6:3

When we continue reading through verses 4 and 5, we understand that
when we were baptized into Christ at our conversion experience, we
were baptized into His crucifixion, burial and resurrection. That is,
we became spiritually crucified, buried and resurrected.

When we respond to the guidance of Romans 6:11-13, we actually
experience our own spiritual crucifixion, burial and resurrection.
Then Romans 6:14 says that by experiencing our crucifixion, burial and
resurrection, sin will no longer rule over us because we are not under
law but under grace.

Galatians 3:27 says: "For as many of you as have been baptized into
Christ have put on Christ."

Galatians 3:28 adds, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither
bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in
Christ Jesus." When we were baptized into Christ, we were baptized
into a spiritual oneness with all believers.

A clear explanation of our baptism into Christ is presented in 1
Corinthians 12:12-13, which says: "For as the body is one, and hath
many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are
one body: so also [is] Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized
into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond
or free …."

As the human body is one with many members. Jesus is one body with
many members. Again we see that when the Holy Spirit baptized us into
the one body of Jesus, we were baptized into a oneness with all other
believers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Living by Grace, Oct. 10, 2010. www.livingbygrace.org.
Copyright © 2000-2005 David Kuykendall Ministries.

SPIG?

SPIG?

...It seems that the common contemporary approach to church ministry reflects four key words: Strategy, Programs, Imitation, and Growth.  In essence, we often believe the key to successful ministry is a proper strategy – which often includes discussions about mission, values, vision, and ministry structure.  To implement this strategy, we create or refine our programs.  These various activities are the key to implementing the strategy.  The outcome of this is often "imitation."  We try to pattern our efforts after the success of another church or some model described in a popular book.  Perhaps, we even hope others will imitate our projected success.  Ultimately, our goal is growth.  We want to be bigger and better than we were before we had a strategy.

I am not saying that every element of this approach is wrong.  God can use our plans for His purposes.  Yet, it seems disconnected from the sufficiency described in Romans 11:33-34 and the non-conformity of thought commanded in Romans 12:1-2.  Rather, it can appear to be an attempt to do ministry following a more corporate model that seems to work in the world of business enterprise.

Or SPIG?

A less common approach would reflect four different words: Spirit, Prayer, Inspiration, and Glory.  In this case, there is a resolute recognition that the Spirit is the instigator and source of all effective initiatives and the power for fruitful ministry.  Extraordinary prayer is the practical means by which we understand, experience, and implement the Spirit's desires.  The result is the "inspiration" of a ministry effort that comes from the Lord's unique plan for our specific ministry and context, not to be copied by anyone else.  The ultimate goal is glory.  This involves the compelling manifestation of the presence of Christ among His people and the clear magnification of the person of Christ by His people.  This glory produces supernatural kingdom advancement and proclamation of the Gospel...

When we grasp the "riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God" (Romans 11:33) made known to us by His Gospel and working in us by His Spirit, it changes the way we approach life and ministry.  As Romans 11:34 declares, "For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever."  Our approach to ministry is transformed, not conformed.  Then the will of Christ is on glorious display before broken people desperate for an encounter with the supernatural power of the Spirit in and through a revived church. 

excerpts from the e-devo from strategicrenewal.com

DanielH@strategicrenewal.com

Discipling the Desperate

This new book by Dr. Charles Solomon features brief case studies from his four decades of biblical counseling. These stories serve as inspirational examples of how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of "desperate" people who are open to all that Christ provides. It available at the GraceFellowshipIntl.com bookstore or at 1-88866GRACE.

.

That Unmentionable "S-Word"

It's a word rarely uttered by non-Christians and one that is grossly misunderstood by many Christians.

Would it surprise anyone that this unmentionable S-Word is mentioned less in America than the F-word...or even the N-word?

No, it's not a four-letter word, it's a three-letter word. And, while it is all but absent from the vocabulary of secular society and deemed by some as provincial or even archaic when uttered from the lips or flowing from the pens of Christians, it is prolific in the Bible; indeed, it is a major doctrine of the Bible.

The word is "sin."

"Sin!" I can imagine some Christians might exclaim. "Who wants to talk about sin? Let's just sing praises to the Lord and talk about how wonderful Jesus is!"

The rationalization of sin


Traditionally, behavioral sin, in its many manifestations, was taboo in America's mainline, largely Christian-influenced culture. But not today. Most obviously, behaviors such as adultery, lying, covetousness, and pridefulness are rarely recognized as "sin." Instead, kinder, gentler words are used, among them: mistake, poor judgement, gaffe, over-sight, and even the past-tense of the F-word in antecedent to "up."

But it goes beyond behavioral manifestation: Today, the S-Word itself is taboo—or, should I say, "politically incorrect."

The objective of rendering sin a non-word is to replace biblical concepts of personal morality, responsibility and accountability to God with the humanist philosophies of: "I'm just doing what comes naturally"; "I'm simply acting out the 'free will' I was born with"; "boys will be boys" (and girls will be girls); and, "I'm enjoying what the Declaration of Independence states is the God/nature-endowed 'unalienable right' to 'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Of course, it's up to the individual's free will to set his own boundaries, if any, of personal responsibility and morality. Likewise, he freely conjures up his own definitions of those God/nature-endowed, unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—even if it is in contradiction of God's Word.

Consequently, the world's lists of sins are getting shorter and shorter—and one-by-one the Ten Commandments and others in the Bible are being scratched from lists. Some beliefs and behaviors that once were considered sins—affronts to God—are now seen as God-given, Constitutionally-protected "rights"—pagan religions, homosexuality, murder by abortion...and the list goes on and on, ad infinitum.

Denial among Christians


Some Christians simply ignore the subject of sin. Some believe that since they have been saved from sins past, present, and future, sin and sinning have become non-issues to them. With others it is a matter of intellectual avoidance (but not necessarily behavioral avoidance). You know: out of sight, out of mind. But they continue to sin and deny it. That is a vain attempt to keep sin at a far and safe distance so as not to get dangerously too close to conscience or public disclosure for comfort. Of course, I'm talking about personal sin here. When it comes to the sins of others it's amazing how the spiritually farsighted can see a tiny speck in a distant other's eye but lack the nearsightedness to see the log in their own!

The Apostle John commented on that: "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8).

Why do Christians sin?
I've been asked in so many words: "If Jesus set me free from sin, then why do I continue to sin?"

Some Christians believe they still possess a "sin-nature." So why even try to overcome their sinfulness?

Among them are those who believe they are presently "sinners saved by grace" who see themselves as innocent victims of a spiritual war between God and Satan that is being fought within them. Like pawns in a chess game. Or the Dark Side of the Force versus the Light Side of the Force in Star Wars™. Consequently, they see life as a constant struggle between their sin-nature and righteous nature.

But does the Christian really have two natures? Does that perception address the real reasons why Christians sin?

There are other "answers" to why Christians sin that are also bewildering:

"You've already been forgiven, so just shake it off."

"You don't have enough faith."

"You need to pray more and try harder to repent."

"Maybe you're not really saved."

"You're addicted to sin—it's in your genes, in your DNA."

"The devil made you do it."

"You're not the one sinning—it's the power of indwelling sin in your body that's the culprit."

Do those "answers" leave you still baffled over sin in your life?

Victory over sin


Well, I have some good news for you. As a Christian you have victory over sin. And you can take God's Word on it.

Yes, yes—I know you've heard that before. But have you personally learned from the Bible how you can presently experience your victory over sin?

God is not a God of confusion. And everything you need to know about sin and your victory over it is in the Bible. Of course, there is no single book or chapter in the Bible that presents the complete doctrine of sin. To learn all the Bible has to say on the subject means studying the Scriptures from beginning to end—and assembling all the pieces of the puzzle into a complete picture ("systematic doctrine") of sin. Believe me, I know. I've been at it for years! And I still have not taken in all the Bible has to say. But I've learned enough to see the big picture.

Further study


I recommend that you take the same approach I did—study the Bible. There is no better way, and there is no substitute—certainly not my writings. At best, my writings can complement your Bible studies, and you can read a somewhat systematic presentation of the biblical doctrine of the heart on this web site, as well as in my available books and booklets. Other than my own published works, I've never found a single book on the doctrine of the heart.

In my Advanced Study No. 1, The Christian's New Heart, you will learn who you are in Christ—what it means to be a new-hearted, new creation in Christ, and how God dealt with sin in making you an ontologically new person in Christ. In Advanced Study No. 2, The Ways of the Heart—especially Chapter 6, "The Ways of Sin vs. The Ways of Love"—you will learn how sinful behavior functionally divides the heart, and how godly love unites the heart—makes it whole.

My writing is not the last word on sin and it's not infallible, but I do analyze some teachings on sin that don't hold up to Scriptural scrutiny, and I offer an overview of the biblical doctrine of sin that includes Paul's teaching on the duality of sin and love.

_______________



Christian Living and Current Events Commentaries from a Biblical Perspective
by Frank Allnutt, August 21, AD 2010, Frankly Speaking  Copyright AD2010 Frank Allnutt. All rights reserved.  http://www.frankallnutt.com/

Monday Morning Church

Excerpted from The Monday Morning Church by Jerry Cook.

Everyday Evangelism: Christ in You

You are called not so much to do great things, as to be a great person--and that person is Jesus Christ. The Church is the resident presence of Jesus in the world.

No matter how big church attendance is on Sunday, it will never penetrate the culture with Jesus. The reason is clear: The church on Sunday is experienced by the church community; it is only observed by the unbelieving community.

However, Monday through Saturday, the church operates in the experience of non-believers. It lives on their turf, moves in their society, and operates in their culture. On Monday Jesus becomes incarnatethrough you. And because He can be seen and touched, He can be received or rejected. True evangelism is possible.

Your Strategic Placement
Most Christians have been trained quite well to be the church on Sunday. But what does it take to be the church on Monday?

The first step is to recognize your strategic placement. "Strategic placement" means this: each redeemed, Spirit-filled Christian has been strategically placed by Jesus, the Lord of the church. Where each believing man or woman lives and works is part of that strategy. Christians are people of destiny, purposely placed deep in our culture. We are God's points of penetration. Because of us Jesus is present at the very heart of society. And it is this strategic presence of Christ that opens the door for his revelation as Savior to man.

Christians are people of destiny, purposely placed deep in our culture. They are God's points of penetration.

Incarnational Christianity doesn't try to get people to God. Many men and women don't want to get to God. Others are unaware there is a God to get to! The incarnation was God coming to us; in a similar way, incarnational Christianity brings Jesus to man.

That's the basis for true evangelism: in the believer the presence of Christ reaches out to others. It's also the basis for true discipleship: in the believer the presence of Christ walks alongside the new believer. Thus, the two main activities of the church–conversion and discipling–are wed, as they were meant to be. The Great Commission, after all is not simply to go into all the world and make converts; we are to go and make disciples.

Jesus said simply, "I am the way. If you have found me, you have found God." Unfortunately, the church often adds a debilitating step to the divine program. We say, "Jesus is the way to God, and the church is the way to Jesus. Come to the church and find Jesus, then Jesus will take you to God." We must never allow the church institution to be the way to God. Jesus himself is the Way. The goal of the church on Monday is to make the Way present and visible in the world.

Open for Business
Of course, it does no good to have a strategic force in place if the people don't know they are strategic, don't know they are a force, and don't know they are in place.

Most Christians give mental assent to this idea of strategic placement, but they have no concept of its implications. Some think of inviting hurting people to a church program, others think of using some type of soul-winning gimmick to make a convert. Most, however, don't do anything with the idea at all. It simply floats around, untapped, in the background of their experience. They're strategically placed, but they're not "open for business."

Through the gifts of the Spirit, you are fully equipped and capable of responding to the needs of others exactly the way Jesus would.

"Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27) means you are filled with the Holy Spirit and Jesus is present wherever you go. You are capable of responding to the needs of others exactly the way Jesus would. The gifts of the Spirit are how Jesus works through you to touch people's lives.

Our time on earth is about being Jesus in our world. Jesus didn't come to our planet on vacation; He came on assignment. Likewise, you and I have not been born here and now accidentally. We don't just happen to bump into hurting people. There's divine strategy at work. You are where you are because God strategically placed you there.

I'm convinced that if more Christians were open for business, then more business would show up. Evangelism as a primary goal is often artificial and powerless. But when it's a serendipity of spirit-filled believers being Jesus in their world, it is natural and unstoppable!

 Reprinted with permission from www.jerrycook.org.

ALWAYS LED IN TRIUMPH

 

"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place."  2 Corinthians 2:14

It is said that in this statement, Paul is comparing himself as a Christian to that of a captive of a Roman general being led into the city of Rome.

 

In Philippians 3:12, Paul says that Jesus has "laid hold" of him. Jesus took him captive. However, the captivity of Jesus was for a different purpose than the captive of a prisoner by Rome. The Lord Jesus took Paul captive to lead him into a life of service to others.

 

In 2 Corinthians 3:5-6, Paul gives the source of his victorious life of service in the Kingdom: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." 

 

Paul is no longer attempting to keep the law, which ends in death. Jesus took him captive to live under the new covenant of grace—the covenant of Holy Spirit power. His life of service is not one of self-effort and self-sufficiency. God is his sufficiency.

 

All born-again believers can believe that they have been taken captive by God to be in His service—not to struggle in their service for God by doing their best for Jesus, but to trust God alone to be their sufficiency.

 

God will be their sufficiency not to be ministers of the old covenant of legalism but to minister the new covenant of life in the Spirit.

 

We only need to live out our oneness with Christ.

- David Kuykendall

 www.livingbygrace.org.

Copyright © 2000-2005 David Kuykendall Ministries. 

Transformational Church: Christ the Center

We ... advocate that churches minister in a culturally comprehensible
manner. But before we think about the culture, we must first be
biblically grounded. And being biblically grounded means that the
church is centered on God's revelation of Jesus as the Messiah.

Transformational Churches know the Source of transformation. They do
not fall into the trap of believing in personal innovation or
corporate vision as the source of changed lives. Focusing on Christ,
they show and share the gospel. Focusing on Christ, believers
confidently live knowing that many more lives will be transformed.

So much today seems to shroud the work of the church. Distracted by
pedestrian logistics, some churches become mired in minutiae. Falling
into sin, others disqualify themselves from authentic ministry.
Transformational Churches on the other hand remain clearly focused on
the Messiah who founded and loves the church.

Jesus states that He will build His church [Matt. 16:18]. As much as
we want to help, He simply doesn't need it. But He still invites us
into the task with Him.

["For we are God's fellow workers; you [the church] are God's field,
you are God's building" 1 Cor. 3:9, NKJV.]

Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer, Transformational Church, (B&H Publishing,
2010), 227.

A Selfer's Prayer

Bryan M. wrote,

For you to be blessed...my prayer after 15 years of searching,
spanking,and serious study:

Dear Father: I am under conviction by the Holy Spirit of trying to
live the Christian life in my own strength. I am definitely ready to
give up control of my life to my Lord Jesus to do what I cannot do, to
be what I cannot be, to quit what I cannot quit. Thank you for
forgiving my sins and taking me out of the corporate life of Adam and
grafting me into the life of Christ. Now that I am "in Christ", I
believe that I was crucified with Him, free now to choose the Spirit
instead of sin and self and that I rose with Him in newness of His
Life. From this moment on I choose to have your Son, the Lord Jesus
Christ to live His life in me and through me, trusting you for Holy
Spirit control, for power for service and restraint.

I consider myself dead to sin's reign and alive to you. I am counting
on the Holy Spirit to make me aware when I forget my death with Christ
and try to live His life for Him in my own human wisdom and energy. I
choose to present my total being to you as an instrument of
righteousness, allowing no part of me to be used for sin and self. By
faith in the fact of your truth* of "me in Christ" and "Christ in me",
I can and now order my life in accordance to God's Word, make choices,
control my emotions and thoughts in step with the (s)Spirit who leads
me. In short, I being led by the (s) Spirit, can and do WALK by Him.

Thank you for making Christ and His life real to me. And now show me
any obstacle or blockage of the marvelous flow of the life of Christ
from my regenerated human spirit through my heart to my soul to my
body thru my members. I confess any blockage of sin and self in order
to: Release the Spirit! Glorify Yourself in others and in me
because of me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Jer31:31-33, Heb8 & 10; 2Cor5:14-15; Col2:6,11;
Ro6:3-13,7:22-25,8:2-5; Gal2:20, 5:16,25; 1Cor6:17; Ps139:23,24;1John1:9

Seminar on Explosive Growth

Dynamic Church International provides field-tested one-to-one discipleship lessons. Here is what sets these lessons apart:

1. They are designed with a 2 Timothy 2:2 strategy:  "And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also..."

2. They have a grace orientation.

3. The series of three stages include Dynamic Basics (4 lessons), Dynamic Discipling (7 essentials), and Dynamic Sharing (5 evangelism mentoring lessons).

4.  Busy pastors can choose one or two key leaders and disciple them one to one (flexible scheduling).

5. They can be used in any size of a church.

6. They are free and free to copy (PDFs). (DCI has printed notebooks that can be purchased also.)

7. DCI has strategy and leadership training online to help you get started.

Go to www.DynamicChurches.org for more information. A zipped folder with these lessons is also online at www.GFImultimedia.com / Church Renewal

One to one discipling is the most influential method of developing leaders yet the least practiced!

- JBW

Ministering to Pastors

The pressures and problems of pastoral ministry in the 21st century is taking a toll on many leaders in our country. The Scriptures recognize how Christian workers are vulnerable to fatigue and discouragement: "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart"( Gal. 6:9).

A 2009 Focus on the Family survey of pastors included these statistics:

"What one word best describes emotionally where you are today in pastoral ministry?" Apathetic 1.9%, Lonely 8.0%, Discouraged 14.7%, Exhausted 10.3%, Overwhelmed 6.7%

"Have you ever experienced a forced resignation/termination?" Yes 23.6%.

"Have you ever sought help for depression through medication or professional counseling? Yes 21.2%.

Pastors are not immune from the temptations we all face. If anything, they are more of a target due to their role in ministering to the Church. Other studies document their battles with stress, financial strain, internet pornography, family problems, and church conflicts. If there were ever a time in national and church history for pastoral leaders to experience and proclaim the full scope of Christ's provision, it is now!

In the past four decades, most of GFI's counseling ministry has been to hurting individuals and couples who are rank-and-file church members (or who have fallen away from fellowship). Although the Holy Spirit has been faithful to transform many lives through Christ-centered counseling, the message and methodology did not readily "flow uphill" to church leadership.

While maintaining contacts and staff internationally, GFI has been shifting primary resources back to the U.S.A.  We also have been refocusing on the strategic importance of serving pastors. In March, a new book by Dr. Solomon was published: From Pastors to pastors: Testimonies of Revitalized Ministries. We are encouraged by the positive responses coming back to us from pastors who read it. 

One of the major initiatives this year is an internet ministry to help struggling pastors and their wives: www.RevitalizingPastors.org. Through this web site we are offering articles, e-books, PowerPoints, audio testimonies, a blog and more. We ask for your prayers and suggestions as this site hopefully develops into a tool that God uses to guide many leaders to more fully understand, appropriate, and communicate their identification with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.

Although the Cross of salvation and dedication are often taught, the Cross of identification usually remains unexplained and unapplied. We wish we had a nickel for every counselee who "crosses the Jordan" into sanctification by faith who turns ask, "Why have I never heard this before?!"

Through RevitalizingPastors.org pastors can connect, receive encouragement, and gain new spiritual insights. The resources are selected to promote spiritual renewal in the Christian leader's personal life, family, and ministry. In these days of religious, political, and relational turmoil, spiritual leaders--and all of us-- need to be revitalized! Pray that God will use GFI's online resources for His glory.

Devotional Video from the Psalms: God loves You

"The author of this blog says this is the most watched video he's ever
shared. I came across it just this morning. It is from the Psalms,
the depths of our God's Song to us. The Psalms were sung prayers.
This one is spoken, but you can hear the music of His Heart in it, His
Heart for us, for you, for me. May it bless and joy your own heart,
too, this morning. It is about our life, it is about our days - it
is about us, our Father and the key Hope of our beings." - Lynn
Alford angeleyes13@citlink.net

See this online video: http://gracewalkministries.blogspot.com/2009/09/most-popular-video-ive-ever-put-on.html

The following is an expression of your Father's heart taken the book
of Psalms......

"My dear child, I am with you. Stop striving and know that I am God. I
chose your inheritance for you. I rule over everything. (Is 33:5)
Remember Israel -- they didn't possess the land by their own swords.
It wasn't their hand that saved them. It was My right hand and My arm
and the light of My Presence. I favored them. So it is with you. I
poured out My grace on your lips and I'll bless you forever. I will
always guard you until the day you die. You thought I was just like
you but My loving-kindness endures all day long -- every day! Know
this: I am for you! My loving-kindness toward you is higher than the
heavens. Stay with Me and take refuge under the shelter of my wings.
Trust in Me at all times and pour out your heart before Me. I am the
One who bears your burdens. (Ps 55:22) I am your salvation and the God
of deliverance for you. I will show Myself strong in the way I act on
your behalf. Just trust Me and praise Me more and more. Listen to what
I am saying. I speak peace to you My godly one. Your springs of joy
are to be found in Me. I will satisfy you every mornig with My loving-
kindness. When you find anxious thought multiplying in your mind, My
consolation will delight your soul. So be glad -- I never change. My
sovereignty rules over all. Meditate on that and I'll be pleased. I
have sent my Word and healed you and delivered you from your
destructions. I'm God. I do what ever I please, and, it pleases Me to
be gracious and compassionate and to preserve you. What I have said is
settled in heaven. I don't count sins, or no one could stand. You are
forgiven and My loving-kindness is everlasting -- My loving-kindness
is everlasting! I will accomplish the things that concern you. (Ps
138:8) I know when you sit down and get up, what you think. I
carefully watch over you as you move through your day and then sleep
at night. I'm intimately acquainted with everything about your life
before you lived a single one of them. I know your path -- I know
where you will walk. My child, I do take such pleasure in you.

With eternal love,

Your proud Father

- complied by Steve McVey

HEALING A NATION

 

"… if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14

 

Now consider Matthew 7:14. "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

 

According to the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:14 and 2 Chronicles 7:14, the hope for a nation in despair is in a few people.

 

We hear with great excitement reports of revivals where many come to Christ. Through works of evangelism, God keeps His Kingdom alive. However, we are not that excited to hear of a church where people are growing in their Christian lives and are becoming more available to God.

 

Yet, when a nation is drowning in sin and on its way to the judgment of God, what is the hope of those desperate for delivery? According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, her hope is in those few who are already saved. God reduced Gideon's army of 32,000 to an army of 300 to save Israel. He promised Abraham that He would not destroy Sodom if there were 10 righteous people in her.

 

Our passion for evangelism is wonderful and essential. But a nation's spiritual and moral decline is the result of little or no attention given to those who are already saved. In the letters of the New Testament, there is far more attention given to spiritual growth than there is to evangelism. That must tell us something.

 

When a nation's churches teach and guide their born again members to experience their spiritual death, burial and resurrection, they become humble and prayerful. They continue to seek the face of God and repent of their sins. God promises to heal that nation.

- David Kuykendall

www.livingbygrace.org

The Runaway General and the Longest Match in Tennis History!

Today I was planning to write about the 'firing' of General Stanley
McChrystal, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, until I was
sidetracked by the record-breaking Wimbledon tennis match between
Frenchman Nicolas Mahut and American John Isner (I was glued to the TV
yesterday afternoon). I asked myself 'What do these two compelling
stories have in common?'

General McChrystal committed a career-ending mistake by making
derisive comments about his commander-in-chief, President Obama.
Resignation in hand, he was 'called on the carpet' of the Oval Office,
and left in shame. Failing to accomplish his mission in Afghanistan,
he also failed, more importantly to "finish his race" well (Heb.
12:1-3). Whether it was the stress of leadership, an inability to
resolve differences between himself and his civilian bosses—whatever
the reason—he didn't finish well.

Coincidentally, at the exact time of the failure of this great
general, comes the inspiring story of two tenacious tennis
competitors. Both low-seeded performers, they will be forever known in
tennis history as two of its greatest players. It almost didn't matter
who won this match. [The 23rd-seeded Isner's 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6
(3), 70-68 victory was merely a first-round match between two
relatively unheralded players. Yet it will be remembered far more
distinctly -- and discussed far more frequently -- than many a Grand
Slam final...] [1] For over the 183 games they did not take their eye
off the ball—they are both winners. Everyone says they finished well.

The Bible is full of stories of men and women who did not finish well.
The Apostle Paul knew this: I have fought a good fight, I have
finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (2 Tim. 4:7). Will we
also be able to say we finished well?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[1] ESPN report
Greg Burts http://dyingtoliveabundantlife.blogspot.com/ June 24, 2010
edited - JBW

The Need for Equipped Pastoral Counselors

Dr. Cary Lantz sent in this quote from Caring for Souls: Counseling Under the Authority of Scripture by Harry Shields and Gary J. Bredfeldt (Acknowledgments section):

While teaching a graduate school course in pastoral care and counseling, I was struck by the selectivity that students employed when describing their ministries. They used glowing terms to portray the joy they experienced when preparing and delivering weekly sermons. They spoke with a certain degree of confidence when they talked about their successes in crafting mission statements, creating programs, and leading the church into new dimensions of change and growth. But when those same students talked about the work of pastoral care and counseling, they expressed obvious apprehension. When I asked them to elaborate on the reasons for their reluctance to engage in the work of soul care, the majority said that they simply did not know what to do with people who were depressed, fearful, anxiety-ridden, or in conflict with spouses and children. Obviously they were taking a class in caregiving, but they admitted they would rather refer "people-problems" to other counselors. 

I am not a professional counselor by training. However, I am convinced that pastors have been all too willing to surrender their role as spiritual counselors. (Emphasis mine, again—Cary) I affirm the contribution that professional counseling can have in the community at large. But the apostle Peter's exhortation for pastoral leaders to shepherd God's flock still stands. Pastors will want to continue to prepare biblically sound messages and manage church tasks as effectively as possible. However, these same pastors must also be concerned about spiritual counsel that enables every believer to live a Christ-centered life that is shaped by the truths of God's Word. 

A Heart Attack - A Spiritual Lesson

...So often I flip flop in my life. Knowing the truth and letting the truth (Christ in me) live is a daily challenge. God has His way of teaching you. He used the heart attack to speak to my spirit and reinforce the work of the Cross in my life.

I would like to share it with you. Upon arriving at the hospital, I was stabilized within twenty minutes of arrival. Everything looked good and they were getting ready to transfer me to Buffalo NY General, a cardiac hospital. As I was being transferred from the bed to the ambulance guerney my heart stopped for a lengthy period of time. They were able to shock me back to life using the paddles. Again I went into cardiac arrest and brought back a second time. I have no recollection of this happening but I am now known in St. Mary's Hospital in ER as "the miracle."

My physical life was totally dependent on Him. I had no strength to literally lift a finger. I cried out to Jesus and told Him that I had no strength and asked Him to be my strength in this dark hour, and He was. God impressed my spirit at this time very clearly: "This is how I want to you to live from this day forward, totally dependent on me. As you have no physical strength to lift your finger, you have no strength in yourself to live the Christian life...let My Life live through you. I am your strength and I am your life."

It's been six weeks since my heart attack and I hear these word in my spirit daily. I have been trying to figure out what to do and that usually gets me into "self."  Pastor Wade Steelman's words spoke to me very clearly again, "Let me live through you, stop planning and figuring and let Me live."

I want to apply this and make it real in every area of my life. ...I am yielding myself to God to do what He pleases in me. I want to be sure that I am obedient to the Spirit's leading and not operate out of my flesh. Pray for me that I will not pull back and rationalize, but rather say, "Yes Lord, go ahead and I will follow."

Bill F.

Bill O'Reilly Touts Self-Sufficiency

Multi-millionaire Bill O’Reilly, host of “The Factor” on Fox News, the most-watched “news” program on cable TV, wants to let you in on some secrets to help you become a millionaire and thereby self-sufficient. He claims it all comes out in the book, The Automatic Millionaire, by David Bach.
... For now, I want to limit my focus to the concept of self-sufficiency.

Targeting the weak and impressionable

By “self-sufficiency,” O’Reilly alters the meaning of the concept that plays off the long-cherished virtues of the self-made man, self-reliance, and rugged individualism that are hallmark characteristics of the lofty notion of the American Spirit. Indeed, the target of the pitch is not the strong man but rather the insecure weakling who wants to become a secure and confident strong man—the guy whose self-sufficiency has been insufficient...

A choice of books

So it’s The Automatic Millionaire vs. the Bible. And O’Reilly has revealed his choice. I’m weighing in on this because I’ve been writing about self-sufficiency from the biblical perspective for going on 40 years....

As I’ve noted, self-sufficiency is a concept. And it has many elements. You probably can’t find “self-sufficiency” listed as such in a Bible concordance. But you can find what you’re looking for under numerous related topics, foremost among them: self and flesh.

Self-sufficiency is such an important topic that it’s introduced right up front in the Bible—in the first book, Genesis, chapter three. It’s part of the story of Adam and Eve, who wanted to be Selfers—self-sufficient, independent of God. Further on, we read about their sons, Cain and Able. Cain is portrayed as an evil Selfer and Able as a righteous man, according to Jesus (Matthew 23:35).... Adam and Eve and their son Cain were duped by that crafty Satan into believing The Big Lie that man can become independent of God and autonomous like God through self-sufficiency. And the deceit continues to this day.

Self-sufficiency is a common pursuit by natural man—as well as most “fleshly,” “carnal,” or “Half-Hearted Christians,” particularly Worldly or Fat-Hearted Christians...

Since we belong to Christ, then all we have belongs to Him. We are to be good stewards of what He has entrusted to us, whether much or little. Each of us must examine the motives of our hearts and learn to trust Him in all things, to be content in all things and not covet, and to be good stewards.
The Half-Hearted Christian is yet to learn of the insufficiency of self-sufficiency.

The Whole-Hearted Christian has learned that lesson, quite often through brokenness, and has come to experience what God said to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). And, like Paul, we can say: “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9, 10).

It’s something I suggest that all Bill O’Reillys factor in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

from Frankly Speaking: Current Events Commentaries from a Biblical Perspective by Frank Allnut. (See link for the full article.) For further reading, order Allnutt's book The Whole-Hearted Christian.

Why fly like a chicken if you can soar like an eagle?

by Dr. Greg Burts

God says 'I am like an eagle that carries you on wings of deliverance.' (Ex. 32) Isaiah says "those who hope in the Lord… will soar on wings like eagles (40:31). Some eagles' wings can be nearly 7 feet across. The 'bald eagle' rides on columns of rising air and can average speeds of 30 miles per hour. With wings  like that, isn't it obvious eagles were born to fly?

There is no bird more dissimilar from the eagle than a barnyard chicken. Chickens are quite content being earthbound and confined. Even when a chicken tries to fly, he barely gets more than a few feet off the ground! Since we possess a 'heavenly' spirit, there is something wrong if we are satisfied with the comfort and familiarity of earth. Created to fly like eagles, we cannot be content unless we soar in the wide-open spaces of the heavens.

Jesus said "I am from above." Even so, we too are "born from above" and possess an innate desire to soar above the earth. I know what someone is saying right now. In your circumstances, it seems like God has clipped your wings and cooped you up. But if you will set your mind on things above and stop thinking about things on earth (Col. 3:2), you will soon be soaring like an eagle.

Grace Under Pressure

"And Jesus said, 'Who touched Me?' When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, 'Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, "Who touched Me?" But Jesus said, 'Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.'

Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.

And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.'" (Luke 8:45-48, NKJV.)

Many know that crushed feeling. I think our Lord must have thought of how often His followers would be "pressed out of measure, above strength,"[1] as one of them said, because of the throng of things, and because power had gone out of them; and so He allowed this lovely story to be told. Thronged, pressed, crushed, tired-for a man is tired when in some special way power has gone forth from him, and as He was man as well as God He must have been tired then-yet He was so peaceful that He could bring peace to the one who was fearing and trembling. The more one ponders such a story, the marc one sees in it, and the more one longs to live that life of victory over circumstances, the life which, though outwardly crowded and crushed, is yet overflowing with peace. May the peace of our dear Lord fill every hour with peace to-day. 

[1] 2 Cor. 1:8

- Amy Carmichael, Edges of His Ways, p. 68

Blog opens

Today we are opening this blog. We plan to post relevant content at least weekly as we get www.revitalizingpastors.org up and running.


Let's soak in the comforting words from God as recorded in Isaiah:  


Why do you say, O Jacob,
And speak, O Israel:
“My way is hidden from the LORD,
And my just claim is passed over by my God”?
Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:27-31)