Category Archives: Ministry

How God Can Use Your Patmos

The apostle John lived into his eighties, perhaps into his nineties, and in so doing easily outlived all the other apostles. And how did he spend his “senior citizen” years? Post-Biblical church history provides strong documentation that he lived and … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Character, Complaining, Disappointment, Faith, Faithfulness, God's Work, Influence, Ministry, Patience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Service, Spiritual Warfare, Sports, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Having Good Spiritual Leadership Isn’t Enough

The pastor is usually the first person who gets blamed when a church takes a downturn. And, admittedly, many times the pastor is the problem. That’s just a plain fact. There are, however, two other facts that are just as … Continue reading

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How Many Pastors Should a Church Have?

Our English word “pastor” translates the New Testament’s original Greek word poimen, a word that literally means “shepherd.” “Pastor,” of course, is the leadership title that is most commonly used in our American churches. The fact is, however, that the New Testament … Continue reading

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Why Can’t a Woman be a Pastor or a Deacon?

I realize that I’m not going to win any popularity contests with this one, but I feel led of the Lord to weigh in on the topics of women preachers and women deacons. In these days of social media, it … Continue reading

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A Word About Church Work

A youth Sunday School teacher asked her students to use their Sunday afternoon to write a letter to God. The letters were then returned to her the following Sunday. One little boy wrote, “Dear God, we had a good time … Continue reading

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Gamaliel’s Advice

“And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it … Continue reading

Posted in Adversity, Choices, Depression, Disappointment, Discernment, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Timing, God's Will, God's Work, Ministry, Perseverance, Preaching, Problems, Prosperity, Reward, Service, Sowing and Reaping, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Waiting | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wandering Around

In his daily devotional book, The Believer’s Code, O.S. Hawkins offers an excellent word about sheep. He writes: Have you ever been to a circus? If so, you probably saw an array of trained animals. Huge elephants can be trained to … Continue reading

Posted in Commitment, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Eternity, God's Will, God's Work, Good Works, Heaven, Human Life, Ministry, Sacrifice, Service, Submission | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Identifying Your Spiritual Gift (Gifts)

Series: “Spiritual Gifts” (post #4) Just about every time I preach on the subject of spiritual gifts, some sincere Christian will ask me, “But how can I know what my spiritual gift is?” Each time I hear that question I … Continue reading

Posted in God's Work, Individuality, Ministry, Series: "Spiritual Gifts", Service, Spiritual Gifts | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

What Spiritual Gifts Does the Bible Name?

Series: “Spiritual Gifts” (post #2) To find out what spiritual gifts the Bible names, you have to consult three separate passages of scripture. The passages are Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-30, and Ephesians 4:7-16. By combining the lists from all … Continue reading

Posted in Discernment, Evangelism, Faith, Giving, God's Work, Individuality, Leadership, Mercy, Ministry, Pastors, Preaching, Series: "Spiritual Gifts", Service, Speaking in Tongues, Spiritual Gifts, Spiritual Warfare, Teaching, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Spiritual Gifts

Series: “Spiritual Gifts” (post #1) Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant. (1 Corinthians 12:1, N.K.J.V.) The apostle Paul told the Christians of Corinth that he didn’t want them to be ignorant (uninformed) concerning … Continue reading

Posted in God's Work, Ministry, Series: "Spiritual Gifts", Service, Spiritual Gifts, Talents, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment