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The Cost Of Being A Pastor By

 THE PRICE OF BEING A PASTOR

Kirby Winstead

Being a Pastor is listed among the four most difficult professions in the United States

because a Pastor must be:

•Preacher

•Example

•Father

•Husband

•Counselor

•Conference caller

•Planner

•Minister

•Visionary

•Director

•Mentor

•Friend

•Reconciliator 

•Marriage counselor

•Youth Counselor

•Leader's trainer

•Bible teacher

•Intercessor etc etc

Besides being:

•Keeper of the temple

•Cleaning staff

Every Pastor constantly confronts many different things, such as: 

The Pastor doesn't visit me

Sermon was too long.

The music was too loud.

The building is too cold.

Etc....

  One of the most difficult things in the life of a Pastor is to know that at some point the people they love will abandon or even betray them.

The Pastor is often the loneliest person in the congregation.

You may see a Pastor be surrounded by people, but very rarely people who are interested in their problems, needs or even in their lives.

If you have a Pastor as a friend take care of them, pray for them, connect with vision that God gave them, support them, but above all love them. Remember they are human and in the same way they go through the same needs as you.

Even if you don’t believe it, many of them have sacrificed comforts, rest, personal plans and so many things including some of their own family’s needs to attend God’s call.

Value the time a Pastor puts into work, the prayers he makes for everyone, the burden he voluntarily carries for ministry. You don't know how much he'd appreciate knowing you do.

Jeremiah 3:15 

And I will give you shepherds according to my own heart, who shall lead them with knowledge and understanding.

... For all pastors 🙏

Thank you for all that you do!

Kirby Winstead.

The 2024 Election - A Christian Perspective

 The 2024 Election - A Christian Perspective

"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love"
(Ephesians 1:4)

"We’re in the middle of an election season, and it’s not just any election season. This election season is proving to be the most volatile election season that our country has seen in a very long time. And this election season is falling in the midst of a world that seems like everything is broken all around us." (Matthew A. Scogin’s speech on christian political discourse, delivered to a Hope student and employee audience via Zoom from Diment Chapel, on September 24, 2020.)
These words were spoken four years ago, but what has changed? No doubt this 2024 coming election, will completely change the direction of this nation. I do not want to pick a side, although as  a Christian pastor, it may be evident that I have.
How should we as Christians, look at the 2024 Presidential election? In our text, when God chose us, before the foundation of the world; His intent was that we be a people who are to be holy, and blameless.
As a Christian nation, that is to be "under God", we are to be a people who are holy, and blameless. That includes all of us. Our Presidential candidates, and all who are in government, along with all the citizens of this great nation. But let's be honest. We are far from being what God intends for us to be. But this is no excuse for us to stop striving to be a nation that lives up to God's expectations. The Word of God is to help us with the issues we face in this Country.
1. Character and integrity:
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn…The king by judgment establishes the land but he that receives gifts overthrows it…If a ruler listens to lies, all his servants are wicked” (Proverbs 29:2, 4, 12).
2. Sanctity of human life—abortion, stem cell research using human embryos:
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13).
3. Same-sex marriage or civil unions among same-sex couples:
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22).
4. Freedom for religious speech:
“So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard’” (Acts 4:18-20).
5. Racial equality:
“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26).

“…and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God” (Revelation 5:9-10).

6. National Security:
“And they all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and to cause confusion in it. And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night” (Nehemiah 4:8-9).
7.Taxation and government spending:
“We have borrowed money for the king’s tax on our fields and vineyards…we are forcing our sons and daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards” (Nehemiah 5:4-5).
(How Should A Christian Vote? moodymedia.org)

From a Christian perspective, we are to apply the truth of God's Word to every issue that is up for consideration in the coming 2024 election. It is our responsibility as Christians, and godly citizens of the United States Of America.
May God help us to be faithful in preserving the righteousness, and frèedoms that God intends America to have! GP

Christmas Challenges By Gary Patterson

 

Christmas Challenges By Gary Patterson 

There are those faulty misconceptions, selfish attitudes and actions, and worldly activities that challenge the biblical message, and meaning of Christmas. How does the birth of the Christ-Child cause us to think and act in the right way, during this Christmas season? There are challenges that we face as Christians, at Christmas, as well as all year long; that I want us to look at in this series entitled: Christmas Challenges. We will look at four of them: 

1. The Challenge of Focus 

2. The Challenge of Family 

3. The Challenge of Forgiveness 

4. The Challenge of the Future 

 The Challenge Of Focus (Part One) 

When it comes to the message and meaning of the birth of the Christ-Child, we don't want to be like a camera out of focus. Our goal should be to have a clear, steadfast focus on the Biblical presentation and purpose of the angel's announcement to the shepherds, and to the world.

(Please Click Link Below) 

The Challenge Of Focus (Part One)

The Challenge Of Family (Past Two) 

How can family be a Christmas challenge? It was for Mary and Joseph. Here Mary is with child before they came together as husband and wife. It is not mentioned in the text how her family felt about this discovery. (Please Click Link Below) 

The Challenge Of Family (Part Two)

The Challenge Of Forgiveness (Part Three) 

We could boldly say that the purpose of the Christ-Child coming to this world, was to save the world from sin. In the center of this salvation is forgiveness of our sins. By accepting Jesus as our Savior, we are receiving the forgiveness that God wants us to have. But the challenge at Christmas is two-fold.  (Please Click Link Below) 

The Challenge Of Forgiveness (Part Three)

The Challenge Of The Future (Part Four) 

The gospel writer Luke makes a stunning statement concerning Mary's response to all the happenings surrounding the birth of Jesus. He says that Mary "pondered" or "weighed" all these things in her heart. What does this statement say to us about the future of Jesus, and our our future as well? (Please Click Link Below) 

The Challenge Of The Future (Part Four)

Christmas Challenges is a collection of four Post-Articles from The Christian Journeyman Blog-site, on the challenges we face not only at Christmas, but everyday of our lives. 

Original Post Date: 12/2022 

The Christian Journeyman © 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Christmas Challenges

By Gary Patterson 

A Collection Of Post-Articles From 

The Christian Journeyman Blog site.

12/2022 

The Christian Journeyman © 2022 All Rights Reserved. 

The Church: A People With A Place & Purpose

 

Title: The Church: A People With A Place & Purpose

1 Peter 2: 4-10

I found this: You may not agree with all of it: I thought it was a good way to introduce the message this morning:

This is my church. It is composed of people just like me. It will be friendly if I am. It will do a great work if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am generous. It will bring others into its fellowship if I bring them. Its seats will be filled if I fill them. It will be a church of loyalty and love, of faith and service. If I who make it what it is, am filled with these, Therefore, with God’s help, I dedicate myself to the task of being all these things I want my church to be.

Theme: If you were to describe the church, how would it be?

I believe Peter has the best description in his first letter to his readers in Asia Minor: To him the church was….

 

A PEOPLE – 1 Peter 2:9 (Read) 

 

The church is more than just a building, or a place of religious identify, we are a people.

1. And more than that we are a chosen people.

(The ekklesia – The called out ones – to be His children/servants. 

2. We are a priesthood – a bridge for the cause of Christ to the world. We are a holy – or set apart people to perform the purposes of God. We are not to play with the world.

3. And the one thing we need to always remember is that we are a people who belong to God. We are not our own, but we are His people.

 

There is a famous story of a Spartan King who boasted to a visiting monarch about the walls of Sparta.

1.      The visiting monarch looked around and could see no walls.

2.      He said to the Spartan king: “Where are these walls about which you boast so much?”

3.      His host pointed to his bodyguard of magnificent troops.

4.      “These, he said, “are the walls of Sparta!”

5.      “Every man a brick.”

 

Peter brings out in this passage that we as Christians are “living stones” who are put in place to make a spiritual house.

1.      We have a place with God, with His people.

2.      Satan wants to destroy this spiritual house. When things go wrong, or get slow, he wants us to quit. And crumble.

 

Ts. Peter also describes the church as having….

 

A PURPOSE – 1 Peter 2:9b (Read)

 

I like how Peter describes the church here…(We are) “His own special people..” How does it feel to be thought of as “special”

1. In this world, people make other people feel small.

2. Growing up, have you ever been chosen last a number of times.

3. How did that make you feel? Not very good, I’m sure.

4. God chose us to be with Him (before the foundation of the world. (Eph. 1:4) That should make us feel very good.

 

But God chose us to fulfill a purpose for our lives. What is that?

1. “To proclaim the praises of Him (God) who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
2. God rescued us through Jesus Christ from the darkness and destruction of sin, to share in His grace and glory.
3. People need to hear about this. So they will turn to God.

 

A Pastor was making a wooden trellis to support a climbing vine.

As he was pounding away, he noticed that a little boy was watching him. The youngster didn’t say a word, so the preacher kept on working, thinking the lad would leave. But he didn’t.

Please at the thought that his work was being admired, the pastor said: “Well son, trying to pick up some pointers or gardening.”

No replied the boy, “I’m just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer.”

The world is watching & listening to see what kind of people we are. Are we praising God for what He has done for us in our lives, not only by what we say, but how we live?

 

Ts. Finally Peter describes the church has having…

 

A PROVISION – 1 Peter 2:10

Like the nation of Israel we were people who needed God’s provision of mercy.

1.      We needed to be saved from the chains of sin, and the penalty of selfish disobedience.

2.      God provided that through His Son Jesus Christ.

3.      Now we are a people with a precious provision.

4.      The mercies of God, and the gift of eternal life.

 

In a courtroom, when a person is found guilty, he or she faces punishment.

1.      But the wonderful thing about God’s courtroom is that when we admit our guilt, we are offered mercy!

2.      We are all guilty and face an eternal life-sentence of death.

3.      Yet the penalty for sin is meted out only to those who refuse to acknowledge their sin, and who reject God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ.

 

Conclusion: Peter wanted his readers (and us) to know for a fact that through the Lord Jesus Christ, we are the people of God, with a purpose, and a provision. Have you claimed your right to be apart of God’s family. Have you made Jesus Savior, and Lord of your life? You can today!

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MOMENTS FOR MARRIAGE

 

MOMENTS FOR MARRIAGE 

 Here is a collection of post-articles from The Christian Journeyman Blog-site that has some encouragement for married couples today. 

TOGETHER FOREVER 

Matthew 19:5-6  

What do Canadian geese and Swans have to say to married couples today? Jesus said: "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."(Matthew 19:6) Here in this post-article, we look at what Jesus has to say to married couples today! 

(Please Click Link Below)

Together Forever

DWELLING TOGETHER 

I Peter 3:7

If there is one thing that is missing in our society today, it is mutual respect and consideration. Selfishness has become too saturated and dominant in our society today. If we see it strongly displayed in marriage, it's no wonder we see it standing out, in society. 

(Please Click Link Below)

Dwelling Together

THE APOSTLE PAUL'S RELATIONSHIP TRIANGLE

1 Corinthians 13:13 

There are different illustrations of what is called: "The Relationship Triangle" The one the Apostle Paul describes, in our text, is one that not only speaks to the priority elements of a successful relationship, but to the marks of spiritual maturity. 

(Please Click Link Below) 

The Apostle Paul's Relationship Triangle

DUMPING DIVORCE

1 Corinthians 7:10-11

Marriage, by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, is for life. "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." (Matthew 19:6b) 

(Please Click Link Below)

Dumping Divorce

LOVE IS SOMETHING WE DO

Deuteronomy 6:5 

I remember a song that was recorded by Clint Black entitled:"Something That We Do" The most important relationship of our lives, is our relationship with God, our Heavenly Father. And with every relationship, the words of this song recorded by Clint Black apply. 

(Please Click Link Below) 

Love Is Something We Do

MOMENTS FOR MARRIAGE

A Collection of Post-Articles Dealing With The Subject Of Marriage.

From The Christian Journeyman © Blog-site 5/4/2-23

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