Category Archives: Devotional for Pastors

No comments

Are You A Zealous Pastor?

  By

Pastor Andrew SchankPastor, do you have zeal or have you lost it? If so, then where did you leave it? Do you still have that ardent desire to follow God wherever He may lead you? As with the three Hebrew adolescents, have you resigned your life into the Providential hand of Almighty God without any reservations, or have you begun to think that zeal is set aside for the uneducated and immature Christians who have not achieved your spiritual level? Could it be that you have mistakenly embraced liturgical practice with zeal for God?

Lack Of Zeal Due To Fear And Duty…

Human nature astounds me sometimes for people can be pious one minute and carnal the next! Jumping from one extreme to another, whatever the venue, is not all that great. It shows lack of temperance and stability. Pastors have to guard against projecting a roller coaster mentality and endeavor to be an anchor steadfast and sure. As one strives to be a source of stability and strength, there is a natural tendency to lose zeal and excitement. Fearing to step out and reach for new and loftier goals, many pastors opt to live under the shadow of yesteryear. After all, yesteryear is just that… yesteryear!

Noah Webster defines zeal this way: “Passionate ardor in the pursuit of any thing.” Way back in 1828 Mr. Webster understood what it meant to have zeal or not. One must remember that out of control zeal, itself, can be the instigator of a roller coaster emotional ride. Of course, unbridled zeal can also lead to a great disaster, just like it did with Israel. The Apostle Paul spoke about this in Romans 10:1-2. It is also quite possible to be zealous in the wrong thing(s). Paul understood this awful scenario all too well! (Galatians 1:14 and Philippians 3:4-7)

(Romans 10:1-2) “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” (KJV)

Pastors who understand that a lack of zeal can be a side effect of trying to be a consistent source of strength and stability will be able to guard against being hedged in by fear and duty. Never think it cannot happen to you. It is like a cancer that eats away at us and often going unnoticed till we are totally desensitized.

I want to encourage every reader of this blog to passionately pursue Christ! Be a follower of the Lamb of God. No pastor should lose his zealous love of Jesus Christ. No matter how hard the battle may be and no matter how tall the mountain may seem to stretch into the sky, just keep on the firing line! Remember that you can make a difference where you are at by being a zealous pastor!

 

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
No comments

Encouragement For Pastors In Crisis

  By
Emergency_Off_ButtonImage via Wikipedia

From time to time every pastor faces a moment of crisis. Be it possible removal from office of pastor, strife/sin in the church or health issues, the list continues to grow the longer one is involved in ministry. Pastors need rebuking for their mistakes, at times, but they also need encouragement. A lot of encouragement! In fact, if there was such a thing as a RELIEF BUTTON to push, then I am positive it would be utilized! This post seeks to remind the pastor of four truths, about our Lord Jesus, which should serve to lift his spirit!

Remember That Our Lord Knows Where You Are At!

Sometimes we feel all alone and that nobody cares we exist! This is so readily believed when we forget where Jesus is at!

(Hebrews 4:14-16) “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  (KJV)

Remember That Our Lord Knows How To Fight The Battle!

Our Lord is the Captain of our salvation. He has never lost a battle, is not losing a battle and never will lose a battle because He is the King of kings and Lord of lords!

(1 Timothy 6:15) “Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;”  (KJV)

(Revelation 17:14) “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.”  (KJV)

(Revelation 19:16) “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”  (KJV)

Remember That Our Lord Knows You Personally!

He knows us better than we know ourselves. Even the number of hairs on our head are known by Him. Nothing escapes His attention so we must rest in His omniscience.

(John 10:27-30) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”  (KJV)

Remember That Our Lord Knows Your Labors!

Sometimes in the midst of serving Jesus, we feel like nobody cares about what we are doing, or our efforts involved in trying to accomplish the will of God.

(Hebrews 6:10) “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”  (KJV)

(Revelation 22:12) “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”  (KJV)

Conclusion

No matter the battle, God has won the war already! Satan may roar, but let him do so. Our Heavenly Father will take care of him in the end. Be faithful to take one step at a time and God will strengthen you as your days have need. Paul said to preach the word, to endure hardness as a good soldier, and that he was able to finish his course. If he was able to do this, through the empowerment of the Holy Ghost, then we can do it as well! Know also, that we, here at The Working Pastor, are behind you! Pastor… Keep On The Firing Line!

_______________



Would you consider purchasing…

60157: The Pursuit of God The Pursuit of God

By A.W. Tozer / Wingspread Publishers

In the muddle of day-to-day life, have you somehow forgotten that Christianity is a living, vibrant relationship with a personal God? In this classic bestseller and recipient of both the ECPA Gold and Platinum Book Awards, The Pursuit of Godreminds and challenges you to renew your relationship with your loving God. In each of the 10 chapters, Tozer explains one aspect of hungering for God and ends with a prayer.

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
No comments

5 Tips To Coping With Loneliness In The Ministry

  By
LonelinessImage by Aditya Grandhi via Flickr

From time to time, every pastor, missionary, and evangelist faces loneliness in the ministry. In the midst of a crowd, you can feel all alone. After great evangelistic campaigns, and promotions yielding great results a pastor can feel like he has actually gained nothing, but emptiness. How can one deal with these varying types of loneliness? Is there an answer?

Of course, the answer is YES! We know that there is no temptation or trial that is not common to every other person on this earth according to I Corinthians 10:13. In fact, in the same verse, God says that he will help us bear the trial. We know that God is a man of His word! You CAN cope with feeling lonely in the ministry! Below are 5 tips to coping with loneliness in the ministry.

(1 Corinthians 10:13) “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”  (KJV)



5 Tips To Coping With Loneliness In The Ministry

Tip #1 – Make A List Of Specific Things God Has Done For You Lately!

Whether the source of loneliness is from the death of a spouse, or the loss of a staff member to another ministry, God is always at work in our lives. One way to remind ourselves of this is to make a list of things, SPECIFICALLY, that God has done for us lately! No matter how dark you feel, you will cheer up when reflecting upon God’s goodness!

Tip #2 – Spend More Time in Prayer!

Many times loneliness creeps into our lives because we have neglected our prayer time. My life has always been refreshed when I spent more purposeful time in my prayer closet. The only way I made it through the darkest week of my ministry (thus far) has been through prayer. It is amazing how God’s presence can be felt when getting alone and pouring out your soul before Him.

Tip #3 – Meditate Upon The Scriptural Fact That You ARE Not Alone!

God’s word is our one source of objective help in the midst of uncertainty and loneliness. Faith is increased in our lives as we fill ourselves with God’s HOLY WORD! Though there are many passages we could mention, there is one verse that should serve to put a spring back into your step. Consider John 14:16…

(John 14:16) “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;”  (KJV)

Tip #4 – Spend Quality Time With A Friend In The Ministry!

Nobody knows a preacher like another preacher. When loneliness begins to paralyze you, be sure to call or visit a friend in the ministry. Even a few moments can mean everything! Usually you can bare your soul and get things off of your chest. Take advantage of this opportunity to get loneliness out of your way… for the moment!


Tip #5 – Make A List Of Needy People Who Need A Visit And Go Minister To Them!

Believe it or not, the best way to combat loneliness, in a very practical way, is to serve others. Sit down a make a list of needy people that you know. Go and spend some quality time with them and see if you don’t stop feeling empty and lonely! Several of the widows in my home church have done this very thing. While this does not remove the void entirely, they do find that it helps them cope better! Pastor, you are no different!

Conclusion…

While there is no quick fix to this issue sometimes, it is very important that one does not cover it up. Facing loneliness is the only way to deal with it, and the only answer for it is God!

**********

Please share how you have dealt with loneliness in the ministry!

Related articles by Zemanta
Enhanced by Zemanta
  • join our mailing list
    * indicates required

    Powered by MailChimp