CHECKS YOU CAN'T CASH

CHECKS YOU CAN’T CASH

Reportedly, during the prime of Muhammad Ali’s boxing career, a close friend grew weary of his continual claim that he was “the greatest.”  Knowing Ali never played golf, his friend casually inquired of him, “So how are you at golf?”  Ali responded with expected and humorous confidence: “I’m the best!  I just haven’t played yet.”

 Point to ponder: ‘Does your mouth write checks your life can’t cash?’

 I read an interesting quote attributed to Simon Cowell, formerly of American Idol fame.  He said, “I could sit back and get someone to spin my achievements, I suppose, but when I see others do it, I always think, ‘Why are you telling me how successful you are?’  I am always suspicious of those kinds of boasts.”  Me too, Mr. Cowell, me too.

 There is a synonym for boasting, one which is oft employed today by those who relish self-exaltation.  It is called “PROMOTION.”  To be candid, many of us (in the guise of enhancing our personal achievements or ministries) resort to daily doses of unchecked and unabashed BOASTING.  It makes me scratch my head and wonder: ‘Where is our humility?’  Have we so soon forgotten Solomon’s sage advice?  “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

 My father, the late Bishop Joseph Edison Bass, Sr., often posed a question specifically designed to make us keenly aware of the need for humility.  Dad asked, “What do you have that you did not receive?”  His question was a condensed paraphrase of the Apostle Paul’s admonition to the Church of Corinth: “For who makes you differ from another?  And what do you have that you did not receive?  Why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (I Corinthians 4:7) 

 Paul expanded on this ethical concept in his letter to the Church of Rome: “Where is boasting then?  It is excluded.  By what law?  Of works?  No, by the law of faith.” (Romans 3:27)  Although Paul was “a Hebrew of Hebrews,” he modestly concluded that “I will rather boast in my infirmities [as opposed to my accomplishments] that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (Philippians 3:5 - II Corinthians 12:9) And to the Church of Galatia, Paul wrote, “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14)

 Here’s the thing.  Boasting is not only forged from (and framed in) unbridled arrogance, it is also the epitome of sheer ignorance.  Why?  Because any degree of self-exaltation overlooks the undeniable fact that you and I “are bought with a price.”  So you must “glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (I Corinthians 6:20) May I be transparent?  Whenever I am tempted to expand my own ego and start TRIPPING, I hear the whispered echo of my wise father’s voice: “What do you have that you did not receive?”      

 James, the brother of Jesus, did not mince words about man’s egocentric temptation: “All such boasting is evil,” he wrote. (James 4:16) David’s testimony offers confirmation: “My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad.” (Psalm 34:2) In other words, humility heals, while arrogance divides and destroys.

 Allow me to pose today’s principle question once more: ‘Does your mouth write checks your life can’t cash?  The spiritual implications of this interrogative are completely clear.  Even though we can accumulate and accomplish great and marvelous things, it is OUR GOD who is the giver of “every good and every perfect gift.”  So, whatever we ARE…whatever we DO...we must humbly recognize that any goodness comes “from ABOVE, from the FATHER OF LIGHT, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) 

 Unquestionably, whatever exceptional values are inscribed upon the face of OUR LIFE-CHECKS, every one of them has been sponsored, signed and sealed by the Bank of Heaven.  Therefore, we dare not ‘trip’ or boast.

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

WHATEVER YOU SOW...GROWS

WHATEVER YOU SOW…GROWS

 I am fully enamored with the PRINCIPLE OF SOWING AND REAPING because it is so applicable in every arena of life.  Here is a small sampling of relevant scriptures.  “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest…shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22) “Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7b) These biblical wisdoms do not pertain exclusively to tithe and offerings, which are due to God via our sense of appreciation and covenant.  Rather, they are part and parcel of our total life experience.

 To illustrate this point, imagine you are standing at the edge of a pond with a rock in your hand.  You hurl the rock to the center of the pond with all the strength you can muster.  Naturally, it creates waves.  Concentric circles emerge from the spot your rock entered the water, eventually reaching every side of the pond.

 Let’s analyze what happened.  That pond was totally still and undisturbed prior to your arrival.  Then you did something – you threw a rock into the pond and perturbed its peace and tranquility.  In a word, your actions precipitated a significant change in the pond environment, impacting its water and banks.  Think about it.

 In life, whatever you do…MATTERS.  In life, whatever you sow…GROWS.

 We should never see ourselves as so small and inconsequential that the effects of what we do or say are somehow minimal or negligible.

 Make sure that the next rock you cast into the pond of life is positive, peaceful and productive.  Someone, somewhere, will somehow be impacted.   And never assume that GOD is not paying attention, even to the ‘smallest stones of life,’ because HE CARES so much for every one of His children. 

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

ARE WE ELIGIBLE?

ARE WE ELIGIBLE?

 The scriptures admonish us to carefully and prayerfully examine ourselves to assess whether we are living in alignment with the will of God. (I Corinthians 11:28 – Galatians 6:4)

 Consider the Psalmist David’s PRAYER OF SELF-EVALUATION (Psalm 15, verse 1) and the Lord’s revealing response to the same. (Psalm 15, verses 2-5)

 Psalm 15 (NKJV)

¹ Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?  Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

² He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart;
³ He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
⁴ In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the Lord; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
⁵ He who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

 In consideration of these Kingdom Requirements, would you and I be deemed eligible for the favor and blessings of God?  Of course, no public responses are warranted or necessary.  We simply need to reflect individually (and soberly) and to ask THE LORD to search our hearts. (Psalm 139:23)

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

GOD'S PROPERTY

GOD’S PROPERTY

 Difficult moments should never take believers by surprise.  Consider the sage advice of the Apostle Peter. “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." (I Peter 4:12-13)    

 My friend, you will surely survive since you walk in covenant connectivity with Christ.  The all-wise Savior has invested so much in processing and protecting your lifelong growth and development, and He will certainly see you through.  My own life-verse is a reassuring reminder: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

 WINNER-BELIEVER, refuse to reside in fear, frustration, disappointment, hurt or sorrow.  Never ever allow unexpected enemy incursions to blindside, derail and destroy you.  Do not grant the enemy access to your mind or permission to deflate your dreams.  For in the final analysis, YOU ARE GOD’S PROPERTY and possession.  And unquestionably, HE HAS YOUR BACK. 

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

WAKE UP!

WAKE UP!

 Some years ago, there was an unforgettable race horse named Sunday Silence.  The back story is that Sunday Silence should have been dead…twice.  As a young colt, Sunday Silence contracted a deadly case of colic.  Sunday Silence contracted colic as a colt, yet he survived, which only rarely happens.

 Due to his prior medical condition, Sunday Silence was put up for sale at two separate horse auctions. However, no one wanted to purchase a horse with a history of colic or with such an unsightly appearance.  On top of his horrific health issues, Sunday Silence was almost killed when the driver of his trailer had a heart attack and caused a terrible vehicular accident.  Bottom-line: Sunday Silence was an unwanted and unmarketable horse.

 Eventually, a man named Charles Widdingham bought Sunday Silence (sight unseen) for $25,000 because everything he had heard suggested to him that Sunday Silence was a tough horse and a survivor.  At the age of 76, Charles was the oldest trainer to ever bring a horse to The Kentucky Derby, but he entered that prestigious event anyway, only to become the brunt of everyone’s jokes. 

 Even the jockey he had chosen, Pat Valenzuela, seemed to be in a semi-broken condition.  He had only recently been rehabilitated from drug abuse, so the odds were heavily stacked against them.  Most people would not have wagered one dollar on that horse, or his rider, or his trainer.

 Nevertheless, Charles and Pat had faith and trained Sunday Silence rigorously.  They worked around the clock to get him ready for the toughest race in the world.  Of course, they were surrounded by million dollar horses with wealthy owners, possessing deep financial pockets.  And they were categorically dismissed, as an old fool, a young punk drunk and a sickly unsightly horse.

 The day of The Kentucky Derby finally arrived.  When the gun sounded and the horses bolted out of their gates, a pitiful looking Sunday Silence (at first) wobbled back and forth, appearing to be completely confused.  But the gloating spectators overlooked one important thing: Sunday Silence had heart.

 Suddenly, something strange and unprecedented occurred.  For reasons completely unknown to his startled critics, Sunday Silence seemed to WAKE UP – and he raced down that Derby track like a champion thoroughbred.  It seemed that he realized somehow, ‘I’m in a big race…and I want to win!’  Sunday Silence shot off like a bolt of lightning, passing every one of his ungulate competitors, and winning The Kentucky Derby – all because he had heart.

 Here’s the life application.  Perhaps others have grossly underestimated YOUR WORTH or occasionally devalued YOUR CONTRIBUTION.  Please do not allow your dream to be deterred or deferred by their disapproving glances or insensitive commentary.  You know better.  WAKE UP!  Put your entire being (body, mind and spirit) into the unique assignment for which only YOU have been positioned on this planet.  No, it is not too late.  Start seeing (TODAY) what GOD had originally spoken over your life, long before the foundation of the world.  Write it down, meditate on it, plan it, then (consistently and tenaciously) act upon it.  Evaluate your progress, tweak your strategy, and try again and again and again, until you succeed!

 Sunday Silence SILENCED every adversary without speaking one word.  His bold action was the loudest and clearest expression of his winning destiny.  YOU have far more value and capability than Sunday Silence ever would or could.  WAKE UP, stand up, get moving.  Ask GOD for the faith, wisdom, endurance and power that will put your life into overdrive.  Then, JUST DO IT. 

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

PERHAPS YOU DID NOT GROW UP IN CHURCH

PERHAPS YOU DID NOT GROW UP IN CHURCH

 Some parts of THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH seem to have embraced a tenure system. 

 During the announcements at a Sunday service where I was the guest speaker, the congregation was informed of a member’s passing and plans for her funeral service.  The announcer’s laudatory remarks were diluted by a somewhat strange preamble: “Although she was not with us for very long…”  Later, we learned she had been a member for five years.  Headed homeward afterwards, Belinda queried (without one iota of criticism or cynicism): “How long do you have to be a member of the church to be ‘COUNTED’?”

 We are eternally grateful that GRACE HAPPENS ON HEAVEN’S SCHEDULE, not ours. 

 Some people enter God’s fellowship earlier, others later.  For instance, the Christian motivational speaker, Zig Ziglar, known worldwide for his energy, optimism and faith, first embraced Christ (not as a child), but in his mid-forties.  Ironically, Zig did grow up in church, but church had not grown up in him.

 Zig found himself with more doubt than belief.  Then something unexpected happened.  On July 4, 1972, shortly after he left a successful sales career to pursue full-time public speaking, Zig was taking an evening dip in his swimming pool.  Suddenly, he was struck by the urge to pray.  While he swam, his mind wandered and was filled with many questions.  Is God real?  Is He truly present in our day-to-day lives?

 Zig floated on his back, staring up into the heavens.  Just then, a brilliant shooting star streaked across the night sky.  He was both startled and elated.  An unusual warmth filled him with inner light, brighter than the shooting star.  In a flash, he knew the answers to his faith questions with utmost certainty.  He also knew that he must share not just positive thinking and optimism in his speeches, but also his newfound faith in God.  Throughout Zig Ziglar’s life, he talked about that heavenly sign.  He was convinced that it was divine confirmation, a purposeful stirring up of a true and sustainable faith.

 PERHAPS YOU DID NOT GROW UP IN CHURCH.  Perhaps your natural chronology classifies you as a full-grown adult, while your spirituality index hovers at the child or adolescent stage.  By all means, please avoid the temptation to contrast your development with others who have more time and experience in matters of faith.  If you apply yourself, you will discover that God does not work on the basis of seniority.  Quite the contrary; God honors availability, commitment and consistency.  FYI, God habitually restores ‘lost years’ to those of us who have experienced faith delays or detours. (Joel 2:25)

 My friend, I am eager to lend my life-verse to you; so feel free to adopt it, at least for today.  “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) So never ever engage in the spiritual comparison game.  Simply “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 3:18) That’s all you can do, and that’s all HE requires. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE TERRIBLE TWO'S

THE TERRIBLE TWO’S

 Belinda and I have a granddaughter named Savannah whom we love dearly.  Recently, we were recalling Savannah’s social development at the age of two years.  Now she is nine years old.  Unlike the majority of our grandchildren, Savannah was relatively delayed in developing her ability to communicate verbally.  However, ONCE SHE DID, Savannah immediately became large-and-in-charge in every room she entered. 

 We love her very much and would take nothing in exchange for her place in our family and in our hearts.  But Savannah was QUITE A CHALLENGE at the age of two.  She was caught up in the throes of what pseudo-psychologists (like me) call ‘the terrible two’s.’  She was peevishly insistent on having her way with all of us, including with her two siblings, Sydney and Dylan.  Of course, her noisy petulance did not play out very well with them.

 One memorable day, when Savannah had activated her typical agenda of having everything her way, I started processing her behavior from a different perspective, with more insight and revelation.  It dawned on me that Savannah was much like (indeed, JUST LIKE) some members of the institutional church.  After hearing her elders’ words, she systematically selected the directives she wanted to follow.  In this early stage of emotional development, she was completely self-willed and self-absorbed.  Everything was ALWAYS about her personal wishes or perceived needs.

 Nevertheless, in the middle of that day’s testy temper tantrum, something rather marvelous occurred. Belinda picked up Savannah, cradled her gently and whispered softly in her ear, “I love you, sweetie.”  Soon Savannah quieted down and nestled herself in Grandma’s compassionate, caring arms.  It was an incredible  life-lesson for all of us!  Wow!

 Right away, I recalled a devotional I had written and an insightful follow-up comment from a spiritually discerning reader.  Someone responded in a rather hostile manner to something I had written.  And it was not their disagreement, but their tone that troubled me.  The pastor-reader from South Africa wisely suggested that we PRAY for those who exhibit behaviors that feel aggressive or seem divisive to us.  His words caused me to re-examine my own thinking.  “The differences will always be there,” he said, “but I pray they never cloud fellowship and the gospel.”  Profound wisdom.  Instead of becoming perturbed or responding in haste, we should prayerfully seek to understand the speaker and to adjust our own attitudes accordingly. 

 The Apostle Paul offered similar advice to the Church of Galatia: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, CONSIDERING YOURSELF lest you also be tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:1-2, NKJV).

 Belinda clearly modeled the way forward for us, i.e. to support Savannah by redirecting her attitude and her actions with consistent, genuine, gentle (yet firm), unconditional love.  Indeed, even while our beloved Savannah was fully ensconced in the terrible two’s, we genuinely loved her, without reservations or conditions.  Dylan and Sydney were far too young to comprehend the emotional nuances that undergird their baby sister’s behavior.  And I do not wish to model their (understandable) immaturity in my dealings with people who also might ‘appear’ to be unkind or contentious.  Rather, I resolve to purposefully emulate my wonderful wife’s wisdom and compassion. 

 So, the next time I interact with someone who seems strident or difficult, I will respond with a radical difference – with much more compassion, with intercessory prayer, with empathy and with genuine awareness of my own faults and shortcomings.  Who knows?  They could be experiencing a SPIRITUAL VERSION OF THE TERRIBLE TWO’S, and they might be in dire need of encountering a loving ‘spiritual adult’ in their room.  Think about it.  Will that be YOU?

 Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

I AM THAT I AM

I AM THAT I AM

 When Jehovah (Yahweh) revealed Himself to Moses, dispatching him to liberate the Israelites from four centuries of Egyptian bondage, Moses had an intriguing conversation with God.

 Exodus 3:13-14

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?  And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

 The ancient Israelites had such high regard and reverence for the name of God that they refused to pronounce it while reading the sacred scriptures, substituting for it the name “Adonai.”

 Under the New Covenant, the dispensation of grace and truth, Jesus Christ becomes the manifestation of Jehovah, “the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9) The gospel writer, John, correctly identifies Jesus as the great I AM.  In the anointed and life-giving words of JESUS, THE CHRIST:

 I AM the Bread of Life. (John 6:35)

I AM the Light of the World. (John 8:12)

I AM the Door. (John 10:9)

I AM the Good Shepherd. (John 10:11)

I AM the Resurrection and the Life. (John 11:25)

I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)

I AM the True Vine. (John 15:1,5)

I AM…I AM. (John 4:26; 8:58; 18:5,6,8)

 In other words, JESUS CHRIST is ALL we will ever need, “for in Him we live, and move, and have our being.” (Acts 17:28) Indeed, HE is the great I AM. 

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET YOUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

20 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE BECOMING A PASTOR

20 THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE BECOMING A PASTOR

 I came across an intriguing article written by Brandon Hilgemann.  Although many of our devotional readers are not pastors (yet many are), his perspective is beneficial for the consideration of both clergy and laity.  Although it’s rather lengthy, the entire treatise is printed below for your prayerful perusal.

 Let’s cut the fluff and get real for a moment.  Being a pastor is incredibly difficult.

 The church is often guilty of only painting a picture of the wonderful blessings of being called to ministry—like it only gets better and better, day after day.  We somehow forget to talk about the suffering involved. Did we actually forget, or are afraid people won’t go into ministry if they know the truth?

 I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there are some things we are failing to prepare new pastors for.  There are many things I wish someone would have told the 20-year-old me.  I have spent the last decade learning most of these things the hard way:

 1.        It will be the hardest thing you ever do.  Seriously, it is really, really, really hard!  Imagine the most difficult thing you have done and multiply it by a hundred.  That may be close to how challenging ministry can be.  If you want to be a pastor because it sounds fun, glamorous, or easy, do something else.

 2.       Integrity and a love for Christ are important but insufficient.  You must be able to lead people.  Your character and love for Christ are the requirements for entry.  These are crucial and more important than anything.  However, no matter how godly you are, if you cannot lead people, you will struggle.

 3.       People may avoid you, and act weird simply because you are a pastor.  People will act one way when you are around, and another when you aren’t.  Others will avoid you because you represent God, and they feel guilty.  This is why many pastors dread the inevitable question when meeting someone new: “So, what do you do for a living?”

 4.       People will expect you to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  You will get midnight phone calls and texts.  Some will be urgent; others can wait.  You must set boundaries in your schedule because a pastor’s job is never finished.

 5.       Workaholism will be rewarded, but it can destroy your family.  Pastors who work too much get praises and raises…until their family falls apart.  Then we pity them.  All too often, we must choose between doing ministry and being around our families.

 6.       When people stop attending your church, it will hurt.  No matter how awesome you are, some people will leave.  It is inevitable.  It may have nothing to do with you, but it will always feel personal.

 7.       You must fight the urge to compare your ministry to other churches.  You will always lose in the comparison game.  If you compare yourself to a smaller church, you will feel pride.  If you compare yourself to a larger church, you will feel envy.  Both are sinful.

 8.       Attacks from inside your church can be worse than those from outside.  You expect attacks from the enemy outside.  It’s the attacks from within, like Judas’ betrayal of Jesus, which absolutely hurt the most.

 9.       You will not be discipled or mentored unless you proactively seek it for yourself.  The people who you want to mentor you are quite busy.  Nobody has ever just seen my potential and gone out of their way to disciple me.  Every mentor I ever had in my life I had to pursue myself.

 10.     You must fight pessimism, bitterness, and even depression.  You will have seasons of doubt regarding God’s  provision, resentment towards people in your church, or possibly even depression.  One of the darkest years of my life was the result of a bad ministry experience.

 11.      Your success in the eyes of others will be measured by how many people you can get in a room.  I wish this weren’t true, but it is.  If your ministry grows, people will praise you.  If it shrinks, they will blame you.  Like it or not, that’s how people think.

 12.     You will never be good enough for some people.  No matter what you do, some people won’t like you.  You will never be good enough to please everyone.  You may also often feel inadequate and unprepared in your own eyes.  You must allow this to drive you to a greater dependence on Jesus.  You are not the savior everyone needs; HE is.

 13.     Your family will be profoundly affected, either good or bad.  Like it or not, your ministry will greatly impact your family.  Some families grow closer to the Lord together in ministry; others grow farther apart.  Ministry will either make your family better or bitter.  Fight bitterness with all your might.

 14.     Without a seminary degree, you will be considered less qualified.  I wish I would have pursued seminary earlier in my ministry.  Not just because of perception, but also because the education has been invaluable to me.  You can argue about whether you need it or not, but you will be judged if you don’t.  And not getting proper education might hold you back.

 15.     Money might be a problem.  Likely, you will struggle financially—especially early on.  Most pastors are not compensated enough.  You must be ready for this going in.  Will you be OK if you can’t buy new clothes, a nice house, or get your wife and kids the things you wish you could?

 16.     You may move many times, especially in certain denominations.  The average stay of a pastor at a church varies.  However, most pastors I know, including myself, have lived in multiple cities working for multiple churches over their lifetime.  The pastor who works in only one church their entire life is admirable and rare.

 17.     When you have to leave a church, you will leave many friends too.  Whether you choose to leave, or the choice is made for you, you will lose more than a job; you lose a church family.  There is always a painful sense of loss when leaving a ministry.  Your wife and kids will also feel it.

 18.     Spiritual warfare is real, and the enemy will attack you and your family in ways you never imagined.  Every pastor can tell you stories of crazy things that happen at the worst times.  If Satan cannot derail you, he will go after your family.  My family always gets attacked before God does something great.  Pray often, and ask others to pray for your family too.

 19.     You will likely feel discouraged, and think about quitting often.  Most pastors call these days Monday.  Even if things go well on Sunday, the enemy will use just one negative comment to bring you down if he can.

 20.    Finally, it will all be worth it!  There is nothing greater than the reward of a life submitted faithfully to Christ.  You may suffer.  It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.  Accepting God’s call to ministry is one of the best decisions I have ever made.  You will have a front-row seat to see many lives changed, marriages healed, and prodigal sons and daughters returning to the faith.  Your ministry impact will outlive your life.  Generations of families will change because you were faithful and did not give up.  If this article sounds too negative, there are also many, many, many reasons I am thankful that I am a pastor.  If this article makes you upset, it should.  Unfortunately, this is the reality most pastors face every day.  Can you relate?  What do you wish someone had told you before becoming a pastor?

 It is my prayer that every pastor will have gleaned some measure of comfort in the knowledge that his/her daily ministry struggles are not entirely unique, and also that every church member will gain additional insight into the ‘life’ of your pastor, and thereby offer more consistent support.  Pray for your pastor.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!