NEVER GROW UP!

February 26, 2023 / readyforafreshstart / Leave a comment

FRANKLY SPEAKING,

1 Joash began to rule over Judah in the seventh year of King Jehu’s reign in Israel. He reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother was Zibiah from Beersheba. 2 All his life Joash did what was pleasing in THE LORD’S SIGHT because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. ~ II Kings 12:1-2 NLT

NEVER GROW UP! Do you know the Books of the BIBLE by name, in order, both OLD and NEW TESTAMENTS? OK! Can you quote verses of the BIBLE from each Book of the BIBLE with the addresses where they are found? Good! Do you know why the BIBLE was written, and the purpose of each BIBLE BOOK? Well Done!

If you were able to say “yes” to those questions, then you had a spiritual leader in your life. Most of us had a pastor or teacher who was taught through pastoral leadership. In the OLD TESTAMENT, these were the priests. These priests studied for years to help others understand what GOD was saying through HIS WORD ~ THE BIBLE.

Of course, I admit, not every priest, and not every preacher/pastor, provides the spiritual insight to share the deep spiritual truths we need to survive these tumultuous days. Nevertheless, there are those who seek GOD’S FACE, study HIS WORD, and provide moments of deep communication between GOD and HIS people. These are the ones we need most today. We are desperate for a generation of sold-out, all-in, fully-devoted follows of JESUS who are called to serve to bring the truth the to those who have ears to hear.

That’s exactly what King Joash had when he was only seven years old. He had a man dedicated to GOD in his life, Jehoiada the priest, who shared the deep truths of the BIBLE with him. Boy, did that make a difference in his life and the lives of all the people of Israel. WOW! We need preachers and teachers opening the BIBLE led by the SPIRIT! 😊

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

PS ~ Then HE said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. ~ Matthew 18:3 NLT

MATERIALISTIC MINITRIES!

October 29, 2022 / readyforafreshstart / Leave a comment

FRANKLY SPEAKING,

But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, THE MAN OF GOD, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as THE LORD lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.”

II Kings 5:20 NLT

MATERIALISTIC MINISTRIES ~ As we conclude “Pastor Appreciation Month,” I hope we realize that THE BIBLE teaches us to appreciate those who minister to us. Thank you for thanking your ministers this month! Clearly, we ought to encourage our ministers and follow the SCRIPTURE:

And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding. ~ Jeremiah 3:15

Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to GOD. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. ~ Hebrews 13:17

Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. ~ I Timothy 5:17

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in THE LORD’S work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. ~ I Thessalonians 5:12-13

At the same time, I wonder “How much is too much?” Can we go too far in showing how much we care for our leaders? And, can our leaders ask too much for their service? In the opening passage above, Gehazi, the servant of the MAN of GOD, feels slighted and boldly states that he should be richly rewarded for his service. In his blinded stupor, he makes a vow to the LORD to get more! Then, he hides it and lies!

Are you ready for a tough word from the SCRIPTURE? Can this happen today? There are far too many cases of ministers who feel slighted suing churches and church members to avenge their perceived slights. Here is what the BIBLE says about that:

1 When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! … 7 Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? ~ I Cor 6:1 & 7

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

PS~ Did you hear GOD’S Mic drop? 😊

How much should we do to honor our ministers? And, can we do too much? 🙂

PASTOR APPRECIATION!

October 1, 2022October 2, 2022 / readyforafreshstart / Leave a comment

FRANKLY SPEAKING,

1 One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared THE LORD. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” II Kings 4:1

You Matter to GOD! {A Poor Widow!} ~ OCTOBER IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH! First, let me say that I have never promoted this before! Second, I am at a very small church where people shower me and my family with appreciation and grace twelve months of the year! In fact, the very computer I am using to write this article was a gift from a member of our church! 🙂 Third, I am sorry that I have not spoken out previously! Why? I am not out to glorify nor gain brownie points for being a pastor. I simply feel I have a voice which reaches out to people who attend other churches. This means that there are those who may not know what a wonderful opportunity awaits to encourage your ministers & their families. Here’s a link to an article a young woman writes to help you bless your ministers. Here it is: https://reconnectwithcarmen.com/october-pastor-appreciation-month-10-ideas-to-make-it-a-month-to-remember/

I read in another article, that many ministers struggle to make ends meet, save for retirement, provide for college for their children, ever go on vacation, and most certainly have no savings whatsoever. (https://billhigh.com/culture/poor-pastors-literally/) This is the case for those who have answered GOD’S call far too often. You can help! If you attend another church, please do something wonderful for your pastor and staff this month! They will appreciate it, and you will be glad you did! 😊

I can hear someone saying, “this is so strange for you to pick a topic and not discuss the value and purpose of the Scripture above.” I am so glad you asked. Notice that the widow was a wife of one of the prophets who served Elisha. Basically, he was on staff at “The church where Elisha speaks for GOD and does cool, amazing stuff!” Well, maybe not the exact name. 😊 Nevertheless, notice that this widow has no retirement plan, no savings, and no way to keep her children safe. I just think it’s time for me to remind you that your pastors, ministers, and staff should never find themselves in this position. Of course, GOD will take care of them… with your help!

17 Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” (Deuteronomy 25:4) And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” (Deuteronomy 24:15) [and]

19 Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. ~ I Timothy 5:17-19 NLT

Living in THE SHADOW of the CROSS

Blessings in CHRIST

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15