In all Labor there is Profit

    From the beginning of our lives, we have a tendency to resist work that is laborious. We resist many challenges. We test our parent’s limits as toddlers. Sadly, most do this again when in their teens and rebel against their parents. And then again in their early twenties by testing the law and “rules.” But when we listen to our parents and elders and actually apply what they tell us, something happens. Yes, it is takes effort, but we profit so much!

 

In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.

Prov 14:23 (KJV)

 

    Whether you invest time in learning a skill, studying hard, being faithful in the small things, entrepreneurship, expirementing, or interning—you learn valuable skills. For a long time I have held onto the Scriptural promise that all labor brings a profit, but the greatest illustration I have yet had of this principle occurred when I was in college. I was studying a great deal, but I was also running my own business endeavors, writing books, and interning for others. I learned so much from my actual work and very little in comparison from my study. There are many skills that I know have as a result of those endeavors—administrative experience, disciplined use of time under tight schedules, the ability to quickly create and publish a paperback or ebook, how to design a book cover, how to build websites, how to build a library categorized by subject, how to sell online, how to conduct meetings and a volunteer staff, how to muck a barn, how to coordinate activities and events with a greater level of professionalism, how to get what you need to know out of a book quickly, managing a multitude of tasks over the course of a few hours, troubleshooting computer issues, purchasing quality products and produce, and building a document database—those are just a few of the many skills I learned through internships, employment, and entrepreneurial endeavors during my time in college.

Get the Full ebook here

 

 

 

 

 

Are we like the Early Church?

 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 2:42 (KJV)

Coveting Jesus Like Mary?

 

In Bible study this, this phrase was mentioned: "Mary was coveting Jesus but Marta was running around asking for help." That phrase was a little convicting to me, what about you? Our place is first and foremost at Jesus feet; if we're running around asking for help, are we missing the point like Martha?

 

Following God's Ways

“God knew that following His ways would create quietness, order, rest, and happiness. His wisdom is timeless. Grasp for things—a job, fame, or fortune—rather than concentrating on fulfilling your responsibilities will almost always end in a struggle.” Practical Happiness, p. 186 Bob Shultz

What are you doing in your life to share Jesus right now, day by day?

What are you doing in your life to share Jesus right now, day by day?
 

          That question has been on my mind quite a bit. As I prayed, the Lord laid on my heart to message each Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn connection I could and share the Gospel with them in addition to the conversations He brings my way each week with both Believers and unbelievers. It has been inspiring to hear back from a handful who do KNOW Jesus. I've also had a professed Christian contact me to say that my method would not draw any unbelievers but rather raise up a wall. I took that issue to prayer but the Holy Spirit encouraged me that I had done nothing wrong, I had simply obeyed Him. If people are mad at you because you talk about Jesus so much, so what? They may defriend you on Facebook, they may stop hanging out with you, they may tell you're a Bible thumper or take your faith to seriously but so what!

 

all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
2 Tim 3:12-13 (ESV).

 
    We may not be liked, but remember our Brothers and Sisters are being killed for their Faith around the world. Rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ--it means that people are seeing Jesus through you!

 

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matt 5:11-12 (ESV)

 

      If the world likes us we better do some examination for the world hates Jesus; and the false prophets in the Old Testament were loved while the true prophets like Jeremiah were labeled false prophets by people.

       I heartily encourage you to read Foxe's Book of Martyrs to see what Christians have said throughout the centuries and the persecution they have endured for Christ.

 

      How does the Lord want you to share Christ? ....another thing the Lord has laid on my heart is anonymously sending letters out to people in the phonebook for many that will never come to church may just open a card that comes in the mail.

 

          The reality is that unless every person we talk to KNOWS Jesus, they are going to Hell. We can't force them to accept Christ, but may we tell them the good news that Jesus has come to forgive us of our sins and redeem us from a life of bondage to one of fellowship with Him! Amen

 

1 Million Warriors Defeated by God

Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. 10 And Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up their lines of battle in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11 And Asa cried to the Lord his God, “O Lord, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.” 12  So the Lord defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.

2 Chron 14:9-12 (ESV)

We must Separate from the Unrepentant

 

"God sets standards, but He lets people be who they are and then separates Himself from them when they misbehave, saying in effect, 'You can be that way if you choose, but you cannot come into my house.' Heaven is a place for the repentant, and all are welcome. ...God limits His exposure to evil, unrepentant people, as should we. Scripture is full of admonitions to separate ourselves...."

#Boundaries by Cloud and Townsend

Consequences for how we Live

 

"...if we sow idleness, irresponsibility, or out-of-control behavior, we can expect to reap poverty, failure, and the effects of loose living. These are natural consequences of our behavior."

#Boundaries book by Cloud and Townsend

It’s better to do the Hard Stuff

This devotion comes from Extra Devotions, one of FMM's free Ebooks.

It’s better to do the Hard Stuff

“It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.”

Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 (KJV)

     This Scripture presents a mindset that is a polar opposite of what we often hear in America. We hear the message of just live and enjoy life! Smile more and don’t think too hard. The Word declares a different message right here, though. Read the verses above again slowly.

“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting.” That Scripture has impacted me big time as a young Christian man. I have seen two applications which I’d like to share with you. 1) Is it really better to just feast on life or to consider and contemplate some of its hardships like death. If death comes so quickly, how should I live my life? Should I really just not stress about the small stuff, or is the small stuff what determines whether I’ll ever make it to the big stuff (faithfulness principle, Luke 16:10)? While almost everyone young seems to cheer, “just have fun and experience life!” think about your actions. Look at what Ecclesiastes 11:9, 12:1(KJV) say:

  “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. . . . Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them”

  2) Going to a funeral may actually be for your benefit. Preachers know that at a funeral many more people are open to Christ that may be very stubborn at other times; the reason is because the people are considering death and its reality right then. Eternity seems much closer.

   Another point on funerals: even as a Christian, I was impacted by going to a couple of funerals. This verse was in my mind around those times and the tragedies that had occurred also brought many to the side of the family and the sharing of the impact that the deceased had made on other’s lives. I was speechless and struck to the heart—life is so fleeting and next to accepting Christ, reaching and touching others lives with Him is very important.

   What we have looked at today is probably not the most encouraging, but it is the Word. Let’s pray:

      Lord Jesus, may You speak to us by Your Holy Spirit who You said will lead us into all truth (John 16:13) and give us insight into what we should do with what we have read. Lord, may every heart be receptive and moldable to Your small, still voice speaking to them. In Jesus Christ’s Mighty Name, may these things be done. Amen.

 

The Spirit of God knows which way to go. . . .will you trust him?

This devotion comes from Extra Devotions, one of FMM's free Ebooks.

The Spirit of God knows which way to go. . . .will you trust him?

“Thus saith the Lord, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”

Isaiah 48:17 (KJV)

 

Exploitation and the Danger Associated with Debt

This devotion comes from Extra Devotions, one of FMM's free Ebooks.

 

Exploitation and the Danger Associated with Debt

 

    Read Proverbs 22:22-27 and consider the Lord’s truth on these matters. He’s right in all that He says, but you may be wrong or have been taught a doctrine of men that is false. Take the time to really examine this passage and act on what you learn.

 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: 23 For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them. 24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: 25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. 26 Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. 27 If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

Proverbs 22:22-27 (KJV)

 

Generosity

This devotion comes from Extra Devotions, one of FMM's free Ebooks.

Generosity

 “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; And there is one who withholds more than is right, But it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich,
And he who waters will also be watered himself.”

Proverbs 11:24- 25 (NKJV)

  Read those verses again slowly.

  The man who gives freely, gains even more. The one that withholds unduly, well, he comes to poverty. This proverb is not just talking about money; in reality it is talking about how you live. If you are a generous man or woman and give freely allowing your time, talents and resources (contacts, money, machinery, etc…) to flow freely through you, you will gain a blessing. You will experience an abundant life. One of joy, hope, expectation and excitement (passion): The joy of what the Lord is doing will be your energy, your strength.

   I think we’ve all been there at one point in our walk. I can recall times when everything I freely gave to people, largely in the form of my time and ability, was flooding back to me in excitement, energy, great deals, spiritual blessings, contentment, passion, and personal growth. However, many think of this proverb as being related to money, but I heard a great illustration about money one time. A man said that “money is simply like a brick.” I can build something useful to the Lord, by yielding the bricks to Him or I can take them and use them solely for myself. God is interested in you and your lifestyle, way more than just the money you have; He wants all of us: our time, our focus, our resources, and our very lives to be at His disposal. But here’s the catch, He only wants us to do it willingly. God wants us to choose to freely flow in Him by being generous.

  Those who so do will reap a blessing.

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

 

 Lord, may we understand generosity.

 

Slack in Your Work

This devotion comes from Extra Devotions, one of FMM's free Ebooks.

Slack in Your Work

“He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.”

Proverbs 18:9 (KJV)

 

       When we are slack in our work, when we work slowly and half-heartedly we are brother to him who destroys/wastes (based on which translation you’re using). It is sobering to realize that not doing your best as unto God in everything you do means that you are choosing to serve who you want to serve (selfishness). God has set a high standard, yea a perfect standard: one which demands our all, our focus, our attention, and our effort.

      When a machinist starts a new job and works feverishly to benefit his new boss and company, he is doing his best. But after time when the job’s newness seems to wear off and the blessings of having a job there seems to vanish from memory, it is easy to “ease up” in your work. When we do this we are brother—we are closely related—to him who destroys!

        I’ve dealt with this issue as a young man trying to get my own company going. At first, I worked hard and gave everything, but as the hard work kept coming and my body felt like just going a bit slower, I had to battle with slowing up/not working my hardest. In manual labor, I probably won’t consistently have the same speed, but am I pushing myself to my best? Am I working as if I was working for God (I’d definitely do my best then)? Am I treating my employer the way I want to be treated by those I hire?

     This proverb comes back to one of the central principles of the New Testament—doing to others what you want them to do for or to you (author’s paraphrase). When I have somebody working for me who is lazy or I can tell doesn’t have “his heart in his work,” I don’t like having him work for me because I know that I’m not getting the best value for my buck, and they don’t appreciate me hiring them because they aren’t acting like it. As an “employer,” I feel like they are destroying my potential earnings and causing a drag on our productivity. If I have too many of this type of people working for me, my business will be destroyed!

       We could go on looking at examples and applications of this Proverb and maybe some of you need to, but my hope is that the seriousness of this Scripture will be “latched onto.” I pray that we get this into our hearts and spirits and that we work hard.

       Lord, give us the strength to work for others as we would want them to work for us. Help us to do our best as unto You, Father. In Jesus Name, amen.

 

The Source of My Strength

This devotion comes from Extra Devotions, one of FMM's free Ebooks.

The Source of My Strength

“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.”

Psalm 31:1-5 (NKJV)

 

“….For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

This devotion comes from Extra Devotions, one of FMM's free Ebooks.

“….For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV)

  Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language defines forsake as:

1.     To quit or leave entirely; to desert; to abandon; to depart from.

    Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. He is always there, waiting for us to come to Him and find rest and peace. Whenever a person backslides or completely falls away from the faith it is not the Lord’s fault, God does not forsake us: it is the person who forsakes the Lord. We have a free will, we have to surrender to the Lord to be used by Him; therefore, we can choose to take our will and walk away from Him in our own strength.

    The choice is yours, dear friend, Christ will never leave you or forsake you, but you can. Will you surrender to Him today? Will you consecrate yourself unto Him?

  Lord, O how often I have walked in my own strength; forsaking You and asking why You left me. Lord, You never left me….but I walked in my own strength. Lord, help me today to walk and live following You. I don’t want me, but You. Empower me by Your Spirit to live a life wholly consecrated to You. In Jesus Name, amen.

 

Declaring the Sins of a People: the Prophet’s Plight

This devotion comes from Extra Devotions, one of FMM's free Ebooks.

 

Declaring the Sins of a People: the Prophet’s Plight

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.”

Isaiah 58:1 (KJV)

     God used to raise up prophets to speak to His people, has spoken through Christ (Heb. 1:1-2) His Son, and speaks to those who truly know and follow Him by His Spirit. However, the gift of prophecy is still used today, but I have found that it often comes through preachers (not “ministers” necessarily, but men who are in tune with God and declare and stand for the truth in the midst of a day and age that lives contrary to the Bible and hostile toward Truth).

       Many pastors are called for at least a season to this prophet role. As they seek God, He brings some hard (stern) messages and lays them on their spirit to preach/declare.  Personally, I’ve been there. I’ve sat down with hopes for a year of encouraging people and hopefully having them be encouraged and happy with me, to like and respect me as I share the Word, but then I get into the presence of God and He gives me the “tough” messages that get me labeled as the spoilsport or downer. The guy that people just want to shut up. Ever been there? A part of you wants to shut up, but you know that God has called you to speak. People don’t like you, but God is not only using you but teaching you that you have to fear and respect Him, not man?

Let’s pray:

Lord, help us to speak and shout when you tell us too, but to be silent when you want us to be. And above all, may we Fear You and not people: may we serve You and not our fear of fitting in. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Is a Storm Coming to America?

    HOPE FOR WHEN THE STORM HITS is about the realities of what is happening and coming in our country, America (the storm); and the hope that we can have despite it all. Talking with my Grandfather, who was born following the crash that began the Great Depression, I know that he is very concerned about my parents’ and my generation in the midst of the problems going on in our country. Yet, my Grandpa Deason has also shared with me some hopes that I believe are key to motivating those who read this book to move forward intentionally in the midst of another impending “Great Depression.”

 

      The signs are clear. Our nation has wholesale rejected God and pursued evil (Isaiah 5:20-21, Proverbs 8:13). A few, a remnant of dedicated followers of Christ remain. Regardless of one’s spiritual position, almost the entire country has become dependent and comfortable in many ways. If food supplies could no longer be purchased from a store and one had to find and preserve his own food, many would starve and die following a season of trying to steal from those who were somewhat prepared. This book is about casting hope. My Grandfather told me how even though times were “hard and tough” when he grew up and they were “poor” that they had food, a good life, and people were really close back then. What do people want today? Well, the same things ironically. They want close relationships and their basic needs met. Contentment can be summed up pretty well by what my Grandfather told me: “I didn’t try to make a lot of money. But I had a wife and kids, and now look at how many grandkids and great grandkids there are that came from your Grandma and Me. What more could a man ask for?” At the time of this writing some 29 people are either 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd generation descendants (5 children + 18 grandkids + 6 great grandkids) of my Grandfather and Grandmother. Another 9 people are spouses of the 1^st and 2^nd generation descendants. Family. Relationships. Love. Those are the things that will still be considered the greatest blessings when the coming storm hits (unless the Lord does a miracle and has mercy on us).

          What will follow, first of all, is my Grandfather’s description of what it was like in the “hard” yet good times that he grew up in. After that, I will talk about some strategies that can be implemented to prepare for the coming storm and to build self-sufficiency now so that we can       1) take care of our families and 2) help others if hard times strike.  

 

Wisdom is more important than gold or silver

       “Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.” Proverbs 3:13-14 ESV

 

 

 

 

..........

      I went for a walk with my Grandfather one Thanksgiving to walk his dog and he told me about his concern for me and my parents’ generation and the mess that the country is in. He told me, “The White House…and Washington, D.C…..you gotta fix it.” This book is my first step in sounding the alarm to that end. I realize that I may never have an opportunity to speak to the leaders of this nation; however, I will write and speak about how to “fix it” by doing the right thing instead of just doing some-thing. What follows is my vision—well really a Biblical conviction based on study of God’s Word and time spent with the Lord—of what we as individuals and families can do. We cannot keep going down the path we are going as a country without consequences. Realistically a storm is coming. God can do a miracle! I pray for Revival, I hope for a complete turnaround, but realistically I have to be honest and so do you that we do not see a 180 happening. However, I do know that Scripture is very clear about this: God will preserve and take care of His Remnant.

        The truth is that unless the United States of America dramatically changes course, that the judgment of God will come upon our land (Jeremiah 23, Romans 1:16-32).

But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.   Psalms 75:7

 

And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings  Daniel 2:21

 

       Therefore, I believe we must be realistic. God will always preserve a Remnant for Himself, as I will go into later (and am even doing a book project on with a good friend—Ken Zimmerman, Jr. which is scheduled to be released in 2014). But before we go on I want to make clear what my intentions are as we move forward. The reason why I must do this is I am going to mention very specific ways that we can prepare for a coming economic storm; however, without the proper foundation these preparations and ways to increase one’s income will become idols in our lives.

1)      Seek and Serve God only

2)      Pursue Wisdom

3)      Plan Purposefully to Provide for & Protect my Family

4)      To Invest in Lasting Things: Relationships, Time with God, a Home (not just a house)

      We need to recognize first and foremost our utter need for and dependency on God. You cannot take a breath, enjoy a hot meal, cherish fellowship with a close friend or loved one, learn, or apprehend anything without God! He designed you and your body and your mind in your mother’s womb (Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13-14)! God is sovereign and controls all things, when hard times come, He is still with us. The things that you and I must endure during our lifetimes, we will endure in His strength if we abide in Christ. Like Job and Hezekiah, we can trust in the Lord in the midst of our sickness! As the late Adrian Rogers said, “‘Pastor, what should we tell the sick and suffering?’ Tell them that this isn’t God’s final plan; Jesus is coming back.” Daily acknowledge your utter need for God! You must understand your sinful poverty (Rom 3:23, 6:23)! When you understand that, and daily live in a mindset that you are nothing and God is your everything then “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). And what do the poor in spirit receive? “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3)!

 

Courtesty of:

 

 

 

Do you have a Dream?

Do you have a Dream?

 

     A lot of emphasis today is given to having a dream and dreaming about the future. The Bible actually has something to say about this issue (a surprise too many). So let's take a look at one of the lessons God gives us on this topic. Enter King David. David was a man after God's own heart, and he had a personal dream to build a Temple for the Lord. God told David though that because he had shed so much blood that he could not do it. However, David was allowed to prepare the materials and sacrificially give from his own fortune for his successor to build the temple though and David did command Solomon (1 Chronicles 28) to build a house for the Lord.

     We must place our dreams on the altar before the Lord. May our hearts cry be "Lord, if it be your will..." Many in America need to repent of pursuing their own dream rather than God's specific purposes and plan for their life (Eph 2:10). ...and if it be that God would say, your heart is right but it is for the next generation then may we faithfully prepare like David so that "Solomon" can accomplish the mighty task.

 

What Sacrifices are Pleasing to God?

Look up “Sacrifices Pleasing to God” on our Repentant Church or FMM Podcasts

 

Sacrifices Pleasing to God

Hebrews 13

Ryan Marks

 

   In church, I many times have heard that the phrase “a sacrifice to the Lord” and you probably have to. But what are sacrifices that are pleasing to God? While taking time in the Word, I ran across Hebrews 13 and the Lord answered that question which has long been in the back of my mind. Below are specific sacrifices that we can make that please God. Our Christian life is meant to be one of pleasing God not ourselves or even others.

·         Let brotherly love continue       Heb 13:1 (ESV)

·         Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers      Heb 13:2 (ESV)

·         Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body       Heb 13:3 (ESV)

·         Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous      Heb 13:4 (ESV)

·         Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”      Heb 13:5 (ESV)

·         Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith        Heb 13:7 (ESV)

·         Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace      Heb 13:8-9 (ESV)

·         the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.       Heb 13:11-13 (ESV)

·         here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come      Heb 13:14 (ESV)

·         Through Him [Jesus] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God     Heb 13:15 (ESV)

·         Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.     Heb 13:16 (ESV)

·         Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account      Heb 13:17 (ESV)

·         Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.      Heb 13:18 (ESV)

   So in recap to ingrain them in us, these are the sacrifices pleasing to God: love the church (brotherly love) continually, show hospitality to strangers, remember those in prison as if you were in prison and those who are mistreated since you are also in an earthly body, hold the gift of sexuality given by God in the marriage bed in honor and keep it undefiled, keep your life free from the love of money, remember your leaders who spoke the Word of God to you and consider their lives and imitate their faith, Jesus Christ is always the same so do not be led astray by the many and strange teachings out there but be strengthened in your heart by God’s grace, Jesus suffered as the sacrifice that the priests of old offered outside the camp so let us go outside the camp with Jesus and bear the reproach he endured, seek the city that is to come—the New Jerusalem—Heaven, through Christ offer up continually sacrifices of praise to God, do not neglect to do good to share what you have for it pleases God, obey your leaders and submit to them, pray for those who write this to you that we may act honorably in all things as we desire.

 

      Take some time to contemplate and read Hebrews 13 slowly. If you have a Family Devotions time or Devotions with your spouse, bring up the passage then. Please spend some time considering this passage, don’t just move on to the next thing. May the Word of God transform your life and renew your mind as you do so.

You Need to Rest

This content comes from our sub-ministry Advice for Young Ministers

Here are a few disciplines that you must practice in order not to get burned out and to be balanced and healthy.

 

•   Sleep--make it a priority to get 7 1/2 to 8 hours of sleep consistently during the week.
•   Sabbaticals--taking mini retreats (could be just a few hours, half a day or a few days). You may choose to go to a conference or on a campout with other ministers to share the Word and fellowship. Sometimes, you need to just get away and be alone with the Lord (Jesus did). And at other times you need to just get away for some time with your wife.
•   Flexibility--in order to minister, you must be flexible. If you look at Jesus' ministry, He was very flexible: focused on what God was doing instead of a rigid schedule and checklist.
•   Exercise--consistently get some movement and productivity in your life. I personally have a little aversion to just jogging or walking a half hour a day because I am wasting that time. Instead, I try to find a productive task like mowing the lawn, chopping wood, or cleaning something out during that time to get my movement in as well as some work. Some days I will walk. In the past, many people did not "exercise," they simply worked hard most days.
•    Take time to learn. If you do not continue to learn and remember (carefully review) things you have learned in the past, you will feel stuck in the same old, same old.

Our Resource: Important Words for Young (and Old) Ministers   (just incidentally we give this away for free as an ebook if you sign up for our monthly devotional email here)

 

The Word not You

This content comes from our sub-ministry Advice for Young Ministers

The Power is in the Word, not the messenger, the preacher. Always put clarity above being clever.

⁸ For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
⁹ For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
¹⁰ For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
¹¹ So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55:8-11 KJV

Our Resource: Important Words for Young (and Old) Ministers   (just incidentally we give this away for free as an ebook if you sign up for our monthly devotional email here)