If we’re honest, we can often demand grace from them but extend little to them. With regular access to podcasts and social media, it’s tempting to compare our pastors unfavorably with those we admire from afar. We can subconsciously expect them to supersede the qualifications defined in Scripture (1 Tim. 3:1–7, Titus 1:5–9)—and judge them when they don’t.
Considering the theological weight that it carries in the New Testament, one might expect a clear prophecy concerning the Messiah’s resurrection on the third day in the Old Testament. But, was the resurrection of Christ really “according to the Scriptures” as the Apostle Paul claimed? (1 Cor 15:4 cf. Lk 24:45–46).
I suspect that God has answered many of our prayers, but we’ve told very few people about it—and we’ve missed an opportunity to glorify Him. Our churches will pray more if their faith is increased by hearing about God’s response to us.
In our age of constant news, social media, and the world’s attentiveness to pastors who have stumbled, it is easy to forget all that pastors do for the church. Sure, we have all heard of a pastor who has not acted admirably, but they are the exception, not the rule. Most of the pastors I know garner my trust and respect and deserve my prayers and support. That, and given my own years serving churches, makes me admire pastors. You should too. Here is why.
The fulfillment of God’s ultimate purpose is very wonderful, and every Christian needs to know it. But it may seem a long way from the painful realities that a grieving person is facing now. Heaven may be wonderful for the person who has died, but it may seem very distant from the one who grieves their loss, especially if that loss was sudden and unexpected. The immediate question for the one who grieves is, “How am I going to get through today?”
Here are your key connections from the past week! Eternal Hope in Postpartum Depression (Hannah Abrahamson, Risen Motherhood) Within a few days of my daughter’s birth, I knew something was very, very wrong with me. I couldn’t sleep, no matter how hard I tried. Food held no interest for me. I...
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16) There’s rarely a day that I don’t pray. At 5:30 in the morning, en route to the gym, I praise God for his fresh mercies and steadfast faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23); I pray for my wife’s...
There are certain parts of the Christian life that most believers are quick to affirm and agree upon. Regular worship, giving of our resources to ministry and the needy, personal Bible reading and prayer, global missions, and so on. You won’t find much uncertainty about the importance of these things....
