Is it some kind of a prison sentence? I’ve heard this statement from people who feel that the pastoral ministry is somewhat of a limitation. The pastoral ministry is only limited as you limit it by your mindset. If you can somehow free your mind to think openly and broadly, the future can be without limits.
I’ve heard it from many people. Their words are often filled with a sense of trepidation. There seems to be a fear that if they step into the pastoral ministry their life would somehow be limited.
What type of ministries are in your heart? What passions grip your heart for people in your community? Or, do your dreams take you across the globe?
Whatever your dreams for ministry, it is best done from within the context of the local church. The best option is to plant a church and from the beginning, set the pace for outreach. Set the DNA of the church towards openness to the community and to the globe. Then, You’re not following your dreams all alone. You have an entire congregation with you.
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Recently I saw the frantic struggle of a young pigeon as its mother pushed it out of its comfortable place in the nest. The young one landed safely on the ground, but ran around trying to fly, and also trying to hide under a bush.

It was fearful of people, and fearful of being out of the comfort of its nest. The mother was preparing its young one for the next level of its life.

On the cross, jesus said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Matt 27:46) The Father was preparing Jesus for the next level. He would be glorified. But at this point, Jesus experienced desertion.

Job said, “Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me” (Job 29:2). He also experienced desertion by God and by people.

In the examples above, all three felt deserted and rejected. They were ready for the next level, but their experiences were desperate to severe. Keep looking up. God has a plan. For you, everything may seem out of control, but everything is under God’s control.

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While he was on the earth, his presence impacted people everywhere he went. For many, it was physical healing and for others, he cast out their demons, gave forgiveness of sins, brought peace, gave food, and in numerous other ways Jesus impacted the people.

What’s your story? What has Jesus done for you? Has he brought healing? Your story with Jesus is precious to you. A meeting with  the almighty is a precious and memorable experience. But it doesn’t remain as a one-time event. Rather it has repercussions that span our lifetime.

All over the world, people are experiencing the love of Jesus in many ways. Each person’s encounter produces another Jesus story.

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There’s always an alternate view for everything. Usual, it goes against common understanding. Thus the Alternate is often hard to swallow. But if you dig deep enough, you’ll find another view that opens up new doors.

It’s like finding precious stones and metals. Gold and Silver can be found through the hard work of mining. It’s dangerous, tedious, and risky in many ways. But when you strike gold, it’s worth the effort.

Wisdom also can be found in a long, tedious, and dangerous path. Well, that’s the common understanding. Everyone seems to believe that. But there is an alternate way. There’s an alternate reality. Maybe we can call it Alternate Wisdom.

“Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28).

Alternate doesn’t have to be suspect. It may be a reality beyond our grasp. Maybe we haven’t seen it. We haven’t lived it.

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They’re faithful and loyal. You can count on them. Well, it depends. It depends on the money. If there’s popularity attached to the task, they’ll work day and night. Literally. If the money is right, they’ll give their heart and soul.

Then there are others who are intrinsically faithful. It’s just part of who they are. They don’t really need the popularity – in fact they may prefer not to get the limelight. They’re simply faithful.

For such people, money isn’t such an issue. It doesn’t matter. They will serve if the money is there or not. They are faithful because of who they are.

Looking and searching for the faithful ones. The real ones.

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I remember the old Popeye cartoon where he says “I’ve had all I can stands, and I can’t stands no more.” When his patience gets tested to the limits, he opens his can of Spinach for extra power and pounces on his opponents. And what a wonderful ending to the episode as he and Olive Oyl walk away hand in hand into the sunset.

How long can you stand trouble and heartache? How long will you hold onto your integrity? To what limits will you keep trusting God? Actually, we’ll never know till we get there!

Job said “…till I die I will not put away my integrity from me.” Sure, any one of us can say those words. But it’s different when it comes from Job. His integrity is the “tested” kind.

Suffering clearly tests your integrity. Tested integrity is genuine. Before God and before people, the genuineness of your integrity is clear. Those whose integrity is tested can be trusted.

Allow God to transform you through pain. We know that gold that’s tried in the fire comes out as pure gold.

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Make everyone else feel bad. Then, at least you’ll feel better than others.

Not really, but only in your mind. It’s sort of a mental adjustment due to your insecurity. Some verbalize this, but for many, it’s only a practice of the mind.

As soon as insecurity shows up, you think of something negative in them. It’s usually something in the past. But if you don’t know their past, you assume something based on their outward appearance.

The other option is for you to think “I’m not as bad as they are.” I’m in the “good” category. Or, at least the “not so bad” section of society. Not at all like others.

Now, I feel better.

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We have our personal ideas about God. The society also creates “images” of how God is. But he is not confined to our perceptions. He holds his own, and remains who he is. He is powerful, yet often chooses to be silent and subdued. His plans will work out without making a lot of noise.

For example, the least powerful and weakest little dogs make the most noise. The large powerful ones often choose to be silent. But they are there, watching silently, with great amounts of strength within.

In C. S. Lewis’ story, “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Susan is intrigued by the Lion. “Aslan is a lion – the Lion, the great Lion.” “Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion” . . . “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver… “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

Job said “Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?” (Job 26:14)

In the midst of all your problems is he silent? Remember that he is not weak, but silently active and powerful.

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We know that nobody’s perfect. Yet among these imperfect people, some are declared “guilty” and others are declared “not guilty.” Their guilt is regarding a particular offense.

Job’s friends were trying to make sense of his sufferings. They reasoned that since people are not perfect (right/pure), Job must have done something to deserve his sufferings. They assumed that Job was guilty of some great offense. Otherwise, why would bad things happen to good people?

But Job insists that he is innocent. He doesn’t claim that he is perfect. That would be absurd. His claim is that he is innocent of whatever his friends claim that he has done to deserve this tragedy.

So in chapter 25, Job’s friend Bildad speaks up:

“How then can man be in the right before God? How can he who is born of woman be pure?”

So, yes, “Nobody’s perfect.” And Job says “I’m innocent.”

Bad things just happen. They happen to all people.

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Usually it’s not one great event that turned the person around. It’s a series of events, choices, commitments, and the daily discipline of obedience to the Holy Spirit.

Each of these are milestones in the overall direction of God’s will for your life. But all of them may not seem like they’re in that direction. In fact, you may be wondering what direction you’re headed.

Other milestones will clearly indicate a trajectory that’s in the direction you’re headed. These are nice, as they give you a sense of direction and purpose.

Some of these come as choices. This could be scary, as you’re afraid to make the wrong choice. It could lead you in the wrong direction leaving you to backtrack for months or years.

Whatever your situation, those milestones are crucial.

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