Appreciation!

Just A Thought!

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (Colossians 3:15)

The word appreciation is defined as: a feeling or expression of gratitude, a favorable opinion of something and an increase in value, especially over a period of time. Just as a house appreciates over time, true friendships grow in value with time. The more we grow in our knowledge of each other, the more we can appreciate one another. Though we may see more weaknesses, we are also able to enjoy each others God-given uniqueness.

Certainly one of the keys to sustaining in the ministry for multiple years is to have a spirit of thankfulness. Being grateful for the people around us and appreciating their quirks and differences, instead of criticizing them, is a vital attitude to demonstrate love for one another. Who knows, maybe we have a few quirks of our own!

Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
(Ecclesiastes 7:21-22)

Pray For Fruit

JUST A THOUGHT
By Tim Wilcox
And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat.

(1 Samuel 1:7)


A plaque was given to me a while back that states, “God called me to be faithful, not successful!” I strongly agree with the statement. God expects His stewards to demonstrate faithfulness and promises rewards for those who demonstrate this quality. One of the qualities that I look for in other pastors that I respect is their consistency over the years, but I also realize that fruitfulness is a necessary part of our ministries. God is glorified when we bear fruit and John 15 reminds us that we are being pruned to produce more fruit.
Recently I shared with a few pastors about my burden for planting churches. Just as Hannah was desirous to see her body bear the fruit of a man, our desire must be the same, “Lord give us some men to start churches!” Hannah saw her fruitlessness as an affliction; something that gave her great sorrow. May the Independent Baptist pastors be so broken before our God that we not only fervently pray, but that we are troubled enough to go without food for a day.

Let’s Pray For Fruit!

Wounds

JUST A THOUGHT
By Tim Wilcox
And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded. (1 Kings 22:34)

Wounds, some are physical and some are emotional. The old phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” is certainly one of the most untrue clichés we know. My guess is that at sometime in your leadership you have been wounded, probably not so much physically as dear saints of God have endured in the past (and as many in other countries are still having to endure), but certainly emotionally. Sometimes hurt comes from the unsaved world, often it comes from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Though Christians have the greatest ability to provide healing, with the help of the indwelling Comforter, we sometimes misuse our tongues and fail to restore.
When the wounds of life come, we can either continue in the battle or, as in the case of Ahab, ask to be carried out. Maybe you have been wounded lately. Maybe you have been hurt by a church member, or even a fellow pastor. Don’t leave the battle. Keep on keepin’ on for Jesus until He comes back for His children. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace." The Great Physician will provide all the healing we need!

Forsake not the Levite

JUST A THOUGHT!
Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.
(Deuteronomy 12:19)

In the Old Testament economy, God was reminding His people to take care of the man of God. The Levites made sacrifices that were not expected of the average Israelite. They would forgo some of the physical blessings that were given to the twelve tribes so they could accomplish God’s will in their lives.
Certainly we cannot make an equal comparison to the Old Testament priests and a New Testament pastor, but there are some similarities. I think it would also be safe to apply the above verse to the servant-leaders of our local churches. “Forsake not the Levite” is as important today as it was several thousand years ago. The role of a pastor is vital and is to be lifted up and highly respected. No matter if you pastor a mega-church, are beginning a new church plant or seem to be ministering to a handful of people, your work is of great significance. You are called by God, held in the hand of Christ as His special angel, and have the promise of the crown of glory! And not only do we have the above blessings, we have the promise of Hebrews 13:5, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

People are never the problem!

Just A Thought


Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. (Esther 5:13)


Haman had every reason to be happy. He was the second in command in the great Persian Empire. He had position, power and pleasure. Almost everyone in the kingdom showed him respect, paid him homage and bowed in his presence. But that was not enough for Haman. He could not be happy and enjoy all the blessings in his life as long as Mordecai was I his presence or on his mind. His family could not comfort him and his friends could not bring him joy. His life was consumed by one individual. What a shame!

Hopefully none of us are in a similar situation today. Is there anyone that you are thinking of right now that is stealing joy from your life? Are you so focused on a certain individual that God’s blessings in your life are being obscured? Do you fail to give your best to your family, your ministry and your friends because of that difficult person in your life?

When I started preaching18 years ago, I promised myself that I would never get bitter in the ministry. I have to admit that this has been a harder task than I originally thought, but I realize that we will not be a help to people when we are angry. Robert Watts, Jr. wrote a book entitled, People Are Never The Problem, where he quotes Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, “No one is a failure until he blames somebody else.” May God help each one of us to look beyond the difficult people in our lives to the wonderful blessings that God has bestowed upon each one of us! Mordecai's failure to do this led to his destruction.