A big mistake we make many times in ministry is that we think we know enough or have learned enough to be successful. It is interesting that the best sports players out there (Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, etc.) all have a coach and realize they need a coach, yet us “average” guys think we are ok. A coach is one who instructs you, tells you how to improve, corrects you when you are not doing it the best way, etc. Yes, professional players have natural talent but they also know that it can and must be perfected; they need someone to “coach” them. Here are a few thoughts if you are going to become good at what you do or want to do: Continue reading “Do you have a Coach?”
Checklist To See If You Are Called & Ready To Go Into The Ministry
- Are you faithful to your local church (regular weekly services as well as any special services such as conferences)?
- Do you participate in evangelism in your local church as well as in your personal life?
- Have you ever lead anyone to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ?
- Are you involved in one or more ministries in your local church?
- Have you ever built a Sunday School class or another ministry to the point that your pastor and church family can clearly see God’s hand is on you?
- Have you ever discipled anyone to the point that they are now serving faithful in church?
- Can you stand-alone spiritually or do you need to be pumped up and propped up spiritually?
- Do you have a problem finishing what you start?
- Have you ever read your Bible completely (from Genesis to Revelation) at least one time? It is surprising that many want to enter into the ministry to teach others the Bible but themselves have never read it more than once (if that) in its entirety.
- Do you have a problem submitting to authority? The common thought is that when you are in charge (pastor, missionary, teacher), no one will question or correct you, but the truth of the matter is that a spiritual leader has God and his congregation to whom he is accountable.
Here to Serve,
Jeff Bush
General Director of Vision Baptist Missions
Broken
In Bible times the alabaster box was worth a large sum of money and kept safe and stored until a appointed day, but the sweet smelling perfume inside the box could not be appreciated until the container was broken. And so it is with the lives of God’s children, no one wants to be hurt, uncomforted or go thru trials, but God’s amazing grace and glory is not fully seen until God’s children have been broken.
David was going to be the next king, but God first chose to make him run for his life hiding in caves from the jealous king who wanted to kill him. Joseph had the dream that all would bow down before him, but God first allowed him to be sold as a slave, mistreated, lied about and stuck in a prison before he became the leader the world needed. Jacob was going to be the father of multitudes, but God first allowed him to roam thru the desert running from his brother and working for his father-in-law that didn’t give him his fare share. Moses was to be the savior of God’s chosen people and see mighty miracles take place, but the Continue reading “Broken”
Arriving to the Finish Line as a Winner
A deep desire in my personal life is probably one that you have as well, to arrive to the end of life faithfully serving the Lord. Too many people start good but do not finish well. I pray I will not only be faithful now in life, but all the way through until the very end. I made a list of 10 things that I need to keep in check in order to arrive at the finish line as a winner. Continue reading “Arriving to the Finish Line as a Winner”