Intake of the Word

One of the most important Spiritual Disciplines is to maintain a steady intake of the Word of God. Many believers have intentions to read their Bible but do not have a plan. As a result, they are hit and miss with more misses than hits.

Last year, as I was planning my disciplines for the coming year, My wife and I had the good fortune of spending a weekend with Steve and Donna Gaines in Memphis. That Sunday, Bellevue Baptist Church distributed an outline of how a person might read through the New Testament in a month. I have incorporated that discipline in my own schedule. Should you get more than three days behind due to unforeseen circumstances, I encourage you to skip those passages and simply pick up on the day's assigned reading. I know of people who get behind and just give up. Don't let that happen to you. Each number corresponds with the day of the month. Here is the outline that I use each day:

1.    Matthew 1-8

2.    Matthew 9-15

3.    Matthew 16-23

4.    Matthew 24-28

5.    Mark 1-7

6.    Mark 8-13

7.    Mark 14- Luke 2

8.    Luke 3-8

9.    Luke 9-13

10.  Luke 14-21

11.  Luke 22- John 2

12.  John 3-8

13.  John 9-15

14.  John 16- Acts 1

15.  Acts 2-8

16.  Acts 9-15

17.  Acts 16-21

18.  Acts 22- Romans 1

19.  Romans 2-10

20.  Romans 11- 1 Corinthians 6

21. 1 Corinthians 7-15

22.  1 Corinthians 16- 2 Corinthians 12

23.  2 Corinthians 13- Ephesians 4

24.  Ephesians 5- Colossians 4

25.  1 Thessalonians 1- 1 Timothy 6

26.  2 Timothy 1- Hebrews 6

27.  Hebrews 7- James 2

28.  James 3- 1 John 1

29. 1 John 2- Revelation 4

30.  Revelation 5-22

 

If you will accept the challenge to read a significant portion of the New Testament on a daily basis, it will strengthen your walk with the Lord. Here is a plan that will work if you will make it a priority. My habit is not to read anything else including looking at my iPhone or iPad until after I have spent time in the Word. Remember, we do what we plan, prioritize, and practice. There is a reward for those who put the Lord first.

3 Things To Do When Circumstances Get Tough

From the moment I surrendered to the ministry as a college junior, the only thing I ever wanted to do was serve the Lord. Coming to grips with my "giftedness," I learned experientially that I was best suited for the pastorate. Nevertheless, this journey has taken me into some directions that I had not pursued or even considered. I have been a seminary professor, interim pastor, and Academic Dean of a seminary. I have also spent considerable time as a writer with four books and numerous articles. 

When I look back on the paths that Fern and I have taken, it might be easy to point fingers and blame circumstances, certain antagonists, or even the devil for some of the events we have had to endure. Yet, when the dust settles, I have to conclude that all things have been permitted by God, and ultimately our lives are in His hands. And instead of complaining wisdom dictates that we be thankful because only God knows what He is doing. Some of the things that I might want to complain about the loudest, may be the very tool He is using to prepare us for the greatest part of our journey.

When I look at Moses, I see a man who easily could have gotten bitter over the circumstances he endured. Forty years as a shepherd in the wilderness was certainly a contrast to where he spent the first four decades of his life. Yet, what seemed like a wasted existence turned out to be preparation for his greatest work. The same can be said of Joseph. The worst of circumstances proved to be the setting of an incredible feat of preserving life. Did Joseph not tell his brothers that "what men meant for evil, God meant for good?"

So where does that leave us and what markers can we put down? 

1. Before blaming God for bad circumstances, consider that this might be preparation for your greatest work. 

2. Look for God's leading in the midst of those circumstances. 

3. Realize that God is not through with you on this earth until you step into eternity.

One of the great Christian leaders in American history was Jonathan Edwards. After 24 years as Senior Pastor of the Congregational Church at Northampton, he was fired. What happened next was intriguing. He accepted a position at Stockbridge, an insignificant position by comparison to his former work. Yet, what appeared to be a great misfortune and injustice proved to be one of the greatest blessings to subsequent generations. It was at Stockbridge that Edwards penned some of his greatest works. If he had not had circumstances unfold as they did, we might never have captured some of the great insights from this great man of God.

Let me encourage you to let God be God in your life. If He cares enough about us to give us His Son, Jesus, certainly He cares enough about you to be in ultimate control of your life. So, I challenge you to trust Him when you are tempted to doubt, complain, or point fingers of blame. Fix your eyes on Jesus and trust that He still has work for you to accomplish.

8 Habits of a Successful Pastor

Last spring I wrote about the characteristics of a successful pastor. Today, I would like to talk about what a successful pastor does. When the dust settles and time gives perspective, what a person does or does not do will in many ways determine whether or not they are successful. 

Successful pastors do the will of God. What does that look like in the life and ministry of the contemporary pastor's life? 

8 Habits of a Successful Pastor

1. Successful pastors value their calling. They understand that the work they have set out to accomplish is God's work and not their own. And they understand that they serve a Master who has called them to a higher calling. They understand that they are to follow where He leads and to stay until He says "go." What they do carries eternal results and consequences. What they do is more important than making money and making a living. They are God's representative, God's ambassador, God's spokesman. As such, they take seriously the stewardship of responsibility. They do not sell themselves cheaply, neither do they sell themselves short. They understand the value of their giftedness, their training, their experience and their scars. They have an intrinsic grasp of their value to God's Kingdom and refuse to let the world discount that value.
2. Successful pastors grasp the task. Serving as a pastor necessitates the cultivation of numerous skills. Yet, all the skills in the world are worthless if you find yourself doing the wrong things. The calling of a pastor is primarily doing the will of God God's way with the ultimate goal of extending God's Kingdom. If the Apostles' work serves as a pattern, then that calling's tasks consist of leading, feeding, and interceding. Over the course of decades, the successful pastor works to cultivate these skills and abilities. This is a life-long endeavor. School is never out nor over.
3. Successful pastors live with purpose. Pastors should have purpose-driven ministries. Pastors should keep before them the purposes for which their congregations exist: evangelism, discipleship, worship, fellowship, and ministry. The pastor's work is to insure that these purposes in balance are the primary activities of the church.
4. Successful pastors live by priorities. An old adage says that "those who fail to prioritize find themselves in the thick of thin things." So what should be a pastor's priorities? First, his relationship to The Lord. Let's not be so busy in the wok of the Kingdom that we do not have time for the King. Second, his relationship with his family. Third, the ministry of the church. If these priorities ever get out of sequence, difficulties in ministry will be close behind.
5. Successful pastors manage their time well. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. So what can you do to make the most of your time? First, work from a calendar and a day-planner. To know ahead of time what you must plan for is of critical importance and precludes you from getting caught off guard unnecessarily. I work off a "projects for the week" list on an ongoing basis. Second, prioritize what must be done first on a day by day basis. I suggest doing that the day before. Third, delegate what you can, and do what only you can do. Fourth, learn to say "no." You cannot do everything and everything is not worth doing. Finally, take time to take care of yourself. Burn-out is not a spiritual condition. 
6. Successful pastors work with diligence. When it is time to work, it is time to work. Determine what needs to be done, and get busy. As pastor, you set the pace. Planning and preparation will help you to be more productive. What is your schedule? What are you trying to accomplish? Write it down and check it off when the job is done.
7. Successful pastors compartmentalize. Too many times, I have seen pastors consumed with worry and fretting over "what-ifs," and consequently they are semi-paralyzed. Successful pastors know how to put things they cannot control into a box with the understanding that they can get to that subject later. Being preoccupied with too many "other things" can cause the pastor to be ineffective in the moment. If there is a concern, write it down, reflect on the alternative steps of action, and pray about it. Then, put it away. One reason our sub-conscience will not stop mulling over something, is because we are afraid we will miss or forget something. If we write it down, the sub-conscience will let it go.
8. Successful pastors guard their heart. They understand that their entire life's work is in the context of a spiritual war. Satan is out to destroy men and their ministries. Destruction too often begins internally with an unguarded heart. I challenge you to continuously monitor the state of your heart. Only clean vessels are useful in the hands of God.

Which of these habits is most challenging for you? How do you continue to grow in these areas? 

Looking for more about pastoral success? Check out 7 Pillars of a Successful Pastor's Attitude and What Successful Pastors Desire. 

4 Characteristics of a Great Dad

mattsledge / Flickr

Scripture is replete with good and bad examples of of fathers. In Judges, both Eli and Samuel were dedicated priests but defective parents. In contrast, we do find some outstanding examples of what a good father is like. Consider Zebedee whose two sons, James and John, became disciples and Apostles. What did he do that proved so constructive to his children? Consider these four characteristics.

First, he influenced his sons by his presence. Matthews' Gospel tells us that they worked together. Every child needs time with his or her father. We only influence people when we spend time with them. The idea that quality time is a legitimate substitute for quantity time is a myth. So, for you fathers, are you spending time with your kids? Remember, you only have a limited season to influence your kids, then the opportunity is gone.

Second, he imparted his values. He taught them how to work and how to work together. He taught them how to solve problems, plan, and make decisions. He showed them how to put God first in everything. 

Third, he was involved in his sons' lives. By this, I mean more than just being present. He was so involved that his sons were known as "the sons of Zebedee." Also they were called "the sons of thunder" which for better or worse demonstrated his influence because of his involvement. In the words of Cat Stevens, "I want to be like you dad, I want to be just like you." My attitude was always if my kids turn out bad, it was because they spent too much time with me and not from a lack of time.

Finally, he taught his children to be independent. Our goal should be to lead each child from total dependence upon us to a total dependence upon the Lord. As we help them on the pathway to independence from us, we need to give them two things: roots and wings. "Roots" represent security, identity, and the sense that they belong. They are loved unconditionally. "Wings" say you can spread your wings and fly! You can become whatever God wants you to become. We will be there to help you, encourage you, and facilitate your pressing on to maturity.

What lessons have you learned about parenting from your parents or by being a parent yourself? 

6 Reminders about Time from the Last Rose of Summer

The Last Rose of Summer

King Solomon attempted to put life in perspective when he wrote, "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Moses prayed,  "So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:12). And Jesus, commenting on His earthly days (and ours as well), advised, "We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4).

Earlier today, I shot a photo of the last rose growing in our flower garden. Over the spring, into the summer, and now with the fall under way this flower finally makes its magnificent entrance onto planet earth. It will be here momentarily then just as quickly as it appeared, it will fade away. Meteorologists are telling us that early this week in Kansas City, we will have the season's first visit of Arctic air and the temperature will dip into the low 20s. Goodbye rose!

Between Scripture and the garden, I find some life-lessons that I want to be mindful of. 

1. Each of us lives in the present. Cherish the time God gives. It will not last. It will move hastily on. We cannot slow time down. We all live in the present.

2. As we live in the present, we also live in community. Even there, each of us is in a different stage of life. I glance over to watch my grandson and see his mother (my daughter) walk across the room. It seems like yesterday that she was the grandchild and I was the parent. We are together but find ourselves at a different stage of life. And time races on.

3. Life passes all too quickly. I recently saw a portrait of Philadelphia from the late 1800s in "Historic Pics" on Twitter. What stood out for me was that everyone in the photo (which captures a moment in time) is now deceased. Life was here and now it is gone.

4. We should do all we can to display the reality and goodness of God while we have opportunity. We never know when the present opportunity is the last we will have. Even the last rose of summer (or fall), declared God's glory even for only a moment...and then it is gone.

5. In the end, life is over. I have said many times, there is nothing so sure as death and nothing so unsure as the time. All of us have a date with death from this life when we will step into eternity.

6. If we really embrace the reality of the brevity of life and the infinity of eternity, would we not choose to live differently? Does Hebrews not teach us, "it is appointed unto man to die and after that the judgment?" And if we will be judged, should we not live our lives in light of that inevitable appointment? 

Even as the last rose fades, I am reminded that we will too. So, like the rose, let's live our moment in the sun to display the beauty God intended.

The Parable of the Apple Tree: Year 2

This time last year we were enjoying apples from our tree. All totaled, we probably harvested close to 200 of them. This year, however, was different. We have one lone apple. 

Just one! 

We may have another hiding in the foliage but I doubt it. To what do I attribute this under performance? I could argue that God in His sovereignty decided to withhold His hand of blessing. But this leads me to observe that God often gets blamed for things He had nothing to do with. So what is the reason?

This past Spring started out just like the previous one. Beautiful green leaves came first then what looked like hundreds of little flowers. Each was beautiful in its unique way and each had the potential to grow and ripen into a delicious and mature apple. But I was busy and did not spray the tree this year for insects. Neither did I fertilize it. So between the insects, the deer that enjoyed the low hanging fruit, and the squirrels, by harvest season there was virtually nothing left. Who can I blame? Myself and no one else.

Jesus told a parable of a fruit tree that bore no fruit (Luke 13:6-9). In this instance it was a fig tree. It had the same problem my tree has had this year: no fruit. The gardener's solution? Give it one more year. I will dig around it and fertilize it, then we will see. If there is no fruit, then we will cut it down. But hopefully fruit will be present next growing season. The difference? Cultivation. In Jesus' case, digging around and fertilizer. In my case fertilizer and spraying. But the difference is in the cultivation.

All over the world, God has planted churches which, in agricultural terms, exist for the purpose of bearing a harvest. The fruit produced is both new believers and an increasing maturity on the part of its members. In John 15 terminology, believers are branches which bear the fruit which Jesus as the vine (He is dealing with grapes in this parable) produces and God the Father superintends as the Master Gardener. The life flows from the vine through the branches to produce fruit. 

From the human perspective, the key is still the issue of cultivation. Healthy trees, well tended, must produce fruit. If no fruit is forth coming, something is wrong. Every church with no new and maturing believers ought to consider that they might have a cultivation problem. I would encourage them, moreover, not only to acknowledge the problem but to take action. My apple tree next year, if I have anything to do with it, will be laden down with apples. Why? Because I intend to cultivate it and set it free to do what it was intended to do. Grow apples! 

How about your vineyard, your harvest field, your fruit tree? Are you cultivating the life and ministry God has entrusted to you? 

The test? Fruitfulness.

4 Ways to Redeem Your Time

Photo Courtesy of Zorro1968

"Dost thou love life? Then, do not squander time. For that's the stuff life is made of." -Ben Franklin 

So, how do we maximize our use of time? Understand that everyone has the same amount of time, 168 hours a week. The key is what you do with what you have. In order to use our time effectively, we must do four things:

1. Understand our purpose.
2. Determine our priorities.
3. Establish our plans that reflect our priorities in light God's will for our life.
4. Then let our plans determine how we use our time.

What we are trying to do is learn to seize control of our time and in turn our lives. The key here is planning. Some people object to planning. Consider these 3 objections and my responses.

1. Objection: It can limit my freedom if I predetermine my course of action (plan). 

Response: Seneca once wrote, "if you don't know which port you're headed to no wind is the right wind." And Lawrence Peter observed, "If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else." My point? It is better to have a plan which reflects what you want to accomplish than have no plan at all. If your attitude is that you do not want to limit your freedom, and as a result you are unwilling to plan, you are planning to fail. What is it that you want to accomplish?

2. Objection: I’m so busy putting out fires that I have no time for planning. It is as though they simply run from crisis to crisis. I know people who appear to work that way. 

Response: When events are out of control, this is the time when planning is most needed. The presence of repeated crises, may well be a key indicator that planning has been neglected.

3. Objection: There is simply no time to plan. 

Response: Here is a fact. If more time is given to planning, less time (in greater proportions) is required for execution. It is not that you cannot afford to plan. The fact is, you can't afford not to plan.

Bottom line: if we do not plan, we will not control events. If we do not control events, we will accomplish nothing, or we will make matters worse.

For more thoughts along these lines check out my first post on redeeming the time.

Time to Move 2

                                     

Last week I wrote a response blog to John Barner's "When Is It Time to Look for Another Place of Ministry?"  I would like to continue my thoughts on that specific question. First, I want to share seven truths about God’s heart regarding ministry transitions and then I want to share four steps to knowing it is time to move.

7 Truths about God’s Heart

1.    God blesses faithfulness. Scripture teaches that the person who is faithful in that which is least will be made ruler over much. When a servant is diligent, disciplined, and determined, one should not be surprised that God honors that servant with greater responsibility.

2.    God always prepares us before He uses us. So, the question might be, how has God prepared you for your next assignment? What new work has He done in you? What new challenge has He taken you through?

3.    God takes us or calls us somewhere as a general principle. Only rarely does He simply takes us away from an existing set of uncomfortable circumstances. Yet on occasion, He does just that.

4.    God uses the usable servant. The question we must ask ourselves is "am I usable?" Is there anything in me that is prohibiting the Lord from using me, or you? Is there anything in us that The Lord is waiting on us to correct?

5.    Sometimes, God puts us into what appears to be a holding pattern because He is intentionally freeing us up to do something else which by hindsight is of great if not monumental importance. I think of Jonathan Edwards' termination at Northampton after serving the church for 24 years. In what appeared to be his exile to Stockbridge, he wrote some of his greatest works. He had time to think and write--something he could not have done had his unfortunate circumstances not transpired.

6.    If we will be faithful, God will be responsible to get us where He wants us. It is of great importance for us to be patient and to keep our eyes focused on God in whose hands our lives reside.

7.    Finally, pragmatically, we must ask ourselves the question, "Did I complete the assignment God gave me when I accepted my last responsibility? If not, why do we think that God will let us leave? Ought we not complete what we start? Now that does assume cooperation on the part of those God called us to lead.

How do you know God wants you to move?

1.    The first indicator that God wants you to move is that He places a restlessness in your Spirit that He is going do something new in you and through you.

2.    Next, when you have a peace that you are supposed to be somewhere else and the door opens, you can assume that God is orchestrating the unfolding events. Sometimes, however, He tests you to see if you are willing to go and it is not His will that you go. Recall Abraham's offering of Isaac. The issue was the heart and the willingness.

3.    When the church or ministry, for whatever reason, chooses not to follow your leadership, you do not need to stay. That from my perspective is an exercise in futility.

4.    Finally, you need to move on when your staying does more harm than good.

Remember this, you only have so many days of your life to invest in ministry. Do not waste what God has allotted to you. Remember Psalm 90:12. At the same time, do not leave until God tells you to go. How do you know? There is an overwhelming sense of peace that "this is the right thing to do." Caution, you may not emotionally want to go...or stay...still, the key is "peace" about what is "right." Recall Philippians 4:6-7. Trust God with all your heart and He will guide you!

Who Will You Imitate?

Historically, and especially in the ancient world of the Greeks and Romans, one principal method of learning was to imitate someone who was considered a master of their craft. "Watch what we do and emulate it" was a standard method of teaching. This might find its expression in the exercise of a trade, a skill in the world of art, public speaking, or writing.

I recently read an interesting book penned by William Cane, Write like the Masters. In this volume, Cane writes a brief essay on each of twenty-one different writers suggesting that one way to learn to write better is to imitate what these "master writers" do. He points out unique traits of Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, and George Orwell for example. Then, he suggests that the burgeoning writer emulate some of the writers' distinct techniques. Hemingway was known for being heavy on nouns and verbs while avoiding adjectives and adverbs. He used few commas and frequently strung his sentences together with simple conjunctions. If one paragraph was long, the one to follow was, as a rule, brief. All the other writers, too, had their unique trademark styles. Interestingly, some great writers were known for imitating the styles of masters whom they respected.

Now, I use this "imitating" pedagogy in writing to bridge to a biblical principle found in 1 Corinthians 11:1. Paul writing to the very troubled congregation in ancient Corinth wrote, "Follow my example, as I also follow Christ." The word "follow" may be translated "imitate." It comes from the root word from which we get the word "mimic." Here, Paul is instructing believers in a less than ideal context to act, think, and talk like he does himself. In short, he says, "watch me and repeat what you observe." Of course, the qualifier is "as I follow Christ." His point? "As long as I follow Christ, imitate me!"

Here is the lesson: when you want to learn from someone, make  sure they not only say the right things; check their track record. Are they a doer? A practitioner? The Apostle James wrote that it is of critical importance for us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. Hearing and talking are not enough. It is imperative that we be doers. So, when you want to learn from someone,  choose someone who actually does what you want to do. If not, you might be sorely disappointed.

My #1 Advice to Young Pastors

It was over thirty years ago. I was still teaching Evangelism at Southwestern Seminary and had just accepted the invitation to become Wedgwood Baptist Church's Senior Pastor. Taking a few minutes to browse in the school's bookstore, I ran into one of my favorite professors, Dr. Tom Nettles. At that moment I got a chance introduction to a gentleman who would subsequently heavily influence my life. Dr. Jim DeLoach, Senior Associate Pastor at Second Baptist Church in Houston was up on the "Hill" for some meetings.

Dr. DeLoach asked me if I'd like to come down and spend the day with him at Second Baptist. This began a mentoring relationship that lasted several years.

As the pastor of a growing and exciting congregation, I had many more questions than answers. So, I would spend a few months of ministry writing my questions down as they came up, then travel down to Houston. There, I would spend the day going question by question, page by page. I would write down Dr. DeLoach's wise counsel. That mentoring relationship was of incalculable value to me. The many insights and lessons he taught me are still with me to this day. No doubt, many of the things he taught me, I have passed on to others over the years.

I hope that if you are a young minister, you have someone to turn to for guidance and support. If you need help, the best thing you can do is ask for it. May the Lord bring a Dr. DeLoach into your life! On the other hand, if you have some miles of ministry under your belt, maybe you need to keep an eye out for somebody who needs you! Often God's solution to our challenges is not a "something" but a "someone."