Lessons from the “Perfect Storm”

Recently I had what some would call “the perfect storm.”  In a matter of two weeks my computer was stolen, all my data lost, and I bought a replacement computer, only to learn it was stolen.  The stolen computer was returned to its rightful owner (good news), but I am still out $900 (bad news).  The thought of having to recreate so many documents that I use in ministry and life is almost overwhelming.  Today I finally had the clarity of mind and spirit to record my lessons from this ordeal.  Here they are:

1.    Eternal Perspective. 

Hebrews 10:34 says you “joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.”  Wow.  If we really believe that what we have on earth is temporal, and what we have in heaven in eternal, then we will grip loosely our earthly possessions, even those as helpful and “needed” as a computer.  I want to be able to have joy in the midst of my stolen computer.  This is certainly possibly if my focus is on what is eternal.  Perhaps this is when it is especially important to “set your mind on the things above, not on earthly things” (Col. 3:2).

2.    Forgive Others.

If we truly understand that we have been forgiven a huge debt before God, then we must forgive those who sin against us.  Eph. 4:32 says to “forgive as you’ve been forgiven.”  If I don’t forgive the one who stole my computer, and the one who sold me a stolen computer, then bitterness and resentment will conquer the joy of my walk with God.  In the end, especially in this case, since the individuals who wronged me don’t even know me – and certainly don’t know that I am angry with them – the only person suffering over my anger and un-forgiveness is me!

3.    Pray.

When someone mistreats you, your flesh wants to get angry, dwell on the wrong, get revenge if possible, and feel sorry for yourself.  But Jesus said to “bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you” (Jn. 6:28).  This is not easy to do.  Because it is so contrary to our flesh, we can only do it with God’s power.  Thus, my next lesson:

4.    Be filled with the Spirit.

The only way I can do any of the above is by the power of the Holy Spirit.  God’s Word assures us that the moment we receive Christ we receive the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead (Rom. 8:9-11).  In other words, I have the very power of God working in me.  This means it is possible to live a supernatural life.  These commands in the Bible to do such things as forgive, rejoice, and pray are actually possible, but only possible if I am filled with the Holy Spirit.  Hard times are designed to push us toward greater dependence upon God.  God allows hard times into our lives to accomplish His purposes.  We may go through difficulties in this life that we will never understand this side of eternity.  But what we can know for sure is that God is working in us, that which is for our good and His glory.

5.    Testing of our Faith.

We don’t talk enough about this, but God’s Word speaks often of our faith being tested (Jas. 1:2-5; Rom. 5:3-5).  Many verses speak of God testing His people (1 Chron. 29:17; Ex. 20:20).  I believe God is sovereign over all of our circumstances.  I don’t believe anything happens that hasn’t first been sifted through His loving hands.  Therefore, I believe what has happened to me over the last few weeks is a direct test from the Lord.  Like tests we take in school (to determine our knowledge and application of the material), if we pass the test we advance, and if we fail, we either have to retake the test or we get demoted.  I desire to pass this test.  I need to prayerfully determine what God wants me to learn from this.  I need to be filled with the Spirit in order to pass this test.  I certainly don’t want to have to retake this test, that’s for sure!

6.    Be Wise.

One lesson for me in this is to be more careful in the future.  I am about a plant a new church in a rough part of Athens, Georgia.  Perhaps God wants to use this to toughen me up and make me wiser in my actions as I minister in this part of town.  Jesus said, “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Mt. 10:16).  I know one thing: I will NEVER leave my computer in my truck again!  And now the ultimate lesson in all of this:

7.    Joy in God.

Whenever we go through tough times, it is a great opportunity to see if our joy is rooted in God Himself or our circumstances.  If I can have true joy in the Lord, amidst some really tough situations, then that means my life is coming from Jesus and not my circumstances.  Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6).  Many of us know Jesus as our way and truth, but how many of us really know Him as our life?  “Whom have I in heaven but Thee, and besides Thee, I desire nothing on earth.  My strength and my heart may fail, but you are the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:25-26).

I pray that one of these lessons from my “perfect storm” will somehow benefit you.  If that happens, it will make my pain a lot less severe.  Let’s all seek to live more totally sold out to Jesus, and get our life from Him, no matter what comes our way!!!!

It Hurts So Good

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. “ John 12:24

We all need to die.  For salvation to occur, we must humble ourselves, admit our sin, repent of living for self, and trust fully in the work of Christ.  Justification requires death to self.

In the same way, sanctification (i.e. the process of becoming more and more like Jesus) requires death. For us to grow in Christ and increasingly yield to His will in our lives, we must die to pride and self-reliance.  2 Cor. 4:11 says, “For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.”

Spurgeon once said, “When God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible man and breaks him.” Brokenness is painful no matter what.  However, if we willingly yield to Christ, the brokenness process is a bit less painful.

“Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” Mt. 21:44

We can either “fall on this stone” of Jesus, and the brokenness process is less painful.  Or, we can be the one “on whom it falls” and thus be “crushed.”  The choice is ours.  Either way, God wants to break us, because being broken is the means by which we get be rebuilt according to His plan and purpose.  We can willfully submit to Him, or we can have Him crush us through circumstances that defeat our pride and self-dependence. 

I see this all the time in pastoral ministry.  If a person is willing to submit to God and walk in His will, there will still be pain, but it will be a lot less painful to be broken, because we are willingly yielding to Him.  On the other hand, if a person refuses to submit to God, goes his own way, lives a life of sin, then God will have to bring circumstances to bear, and often pain, to break this person of self-reliance. This is the person who is arrested for a DUI, has a spouse walk out on him for his abuse, hit rock bottom in his addiction, or “broken” through some other situation.

Never forget that God’s motivation in breaking us is love.  He loves us so much that He is committed to our development.  “The Lord disciplines those whom He loves… No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebr. 12:6, 11).  It hurts so good when we see the fruit that brokenness brings.

Finally, in humbling ourselves and going through the brokenness process, we are identifying with Jesus.  For He humbled himself to death, was broken for our sin, and in so doing accomplished eternal redemption. 

Is brokenness worth it?  You bet.  Does brokenness bring glory to God? Absolutely.  Be broken. Be like Jesus.  For God’s honor.

The Dangers of Santa Claus

The Dangers of Santa

By Pastor David Holt and Mark McAndrew

We certainly do not mean to be a “scrooge” in this blog, but we do want to offer some thoughts about modern day Santa Claus.  Consider these four concerns:

1.    Santa is presented as a “god” figure.

Children are told, “He watches when you sleep; he knows when you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.”  He supposedly flies all over the world, able to enter every home, and bring glad tidings of great joy.  This gives omniscience and omnipresent qualities to Santa. 

My (David) daughter was recently babysitting for some neighbor children, and they said to her, “Sarah, we have to be good or else Santa won’t come to see us this year.”  Kids really believe this stuff.

2.    Santa presents a works’ salvation.

You might think we are going to an extreme here, but think this through.  In telling children that if they are good, then Santa will come with gifts, we are subtly communicating a works’ righteousness.  The common belief today is that if your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds, then God will accept you into heaven.  And yet, God’s Word says we are “saved by grace through faith, that not of ourselves… not of works least anyone boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).

If good works could get us to God, then Christ did not need to die. Our only hope of being made right with God is through the substitutionary blood atonement of Jesus Christ.  He died to pay for our sins.  This is the only payment God will accept.

In addition, it is interesting how Santa ends up coming to all children, regardless of whether or not they were really good that year.  In much the same way, most believe that all will go to heaven, regardless of their behavior, unless of course they are someone like Hitler or Adam Lanza.

3.    Santa promotes self-centered idolatry.

We have never met a kid who loved Santa. Not one. But we have met hundreds who love his stuff. Every second a child spends on Santa's lap is spent doing what? Asking him for stuff. No one is asking for Santa. Santa is a means to the child's end. The Santa Claus "gospel" is idolatrous and trains us to use God rather than love him. We begin to think that we should be good so that God will give us nice gifts.

However, Scripture shows us that the greatest gift of the gospel is not God's presents, but his presence. "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God" (I Pet. 3:18). The highest and best gift that Jesus purchased for us was entrance into the presence of God.

4.    Santa Claus is not real.

The bottom line with Santa is that he is not real.  Duh!!  But parents who go along with the whole Santa thing are promoting a lie.  Now I know most will object by saying, “It’s just fun and games, and they will eventually figure out that it isn’t true.”  Perhaps, but also think about a comment I heard recently from a college student.  She said she really struggled with believing in the reality of Jesus as a young child, because she thought to herself, “If the whole Santa Claus thing wasn’t real, but my parents presented it to me as if it were, then how can I believe them when they tell me about God became a man by being born of a virgin, performing miracles like walking on water, dying on a tree, and then being raised after three days?”  Which is more absurd sounding to a young child?

Now, as an alternative, I suggest parents tell their children the truth.  And the way to not totally throw Santa under the bus is to tell them the true story of how Santa came about.  Remember that guy St. Nicholas?  Look him up and tell the story to your children. 

Merry CHRISTmas!

Making Biblical Sense of a Senseless Act

What happened last week in Newtown, CN is unimaginable.  How could anyone go into a school and kill teachers and children?  This tragedy elicits all kinds of emotions in us:  hurt, sadness, brokenness, anger, revenge, confusion, etc.  Some will quickly turn to God, while others may blame Him.

It is times like this we must turn to God’s Word for help.  His Word does address these things.  His Word gives wisdom and guidance.  So, what biblical sense can be made of this senseless act of violence in Newtown?

1.    The depth of sin and the depravity of man. 

This killing reminds us of the depravity of man and the depth of human sin.  Jeremiah 17:9 says, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.”  This was true of Adam Lanza, but it is also true of me.  “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  Apart from Jesus, there is no sin I am incapable of committing. 

Adam Lanza had to be deeply troubled.  Adam Lanza had to be very far from God.  Adam Lanza displayed sin at a level close to that of Hitler.  Unfortunately, human history is filled with many examples of horrific things done by the heart and hands of sinful man. 

I believe one of the most painful things God ever did was give man a free will, knowing that he would use this free will to do horrible things.  The alternative is for God to have made us puppets, under His total control, always doing His ever bidding.  This is not love, but rather control.  Because God is love, He gives us the freedom to choose.  We have the choice to love and follow God, or go our own way and sin.  Unfortunately, most choose the latter.  Though we have the freedom to choose our actions, we do not have the freedom to choose the consequences of our actions.  “Whatsoever a man sows, that will he reap” (Galatians 6:7).

2.    Reaping what we sow.

As a country we have sown violence in movies, video games, and sports.  This has desensitized us to the value of life.  Furthermore, we have legalized the killing of unborn children.  And if all that is not enough, we are increasingly abandoning the Judeo-Christian moral foundations that started this country.  In light of all of this, is it really surprising that these types of killings are getting more, and not less, frequent?  It seems to me that the protective umbrella of God’s grace over our nation is being lifted, and we are seeing evil unleashed to a greater degree.

So, the sin of the human heart, coupled with the lack of moral fabric in our country, are key players in this tragedy.  But there is another factor.

3.    The reality of Satan and demonic spirits.

A biblical world-view involves more than earth and heaven.  There is a “forgotten middle,” which is the realm of angels and demons.  Jesus said, “Satan comes to steal, KILL, and destroy” (John 10:10).  Satan hates God and everything about God.  Since God created us and loves us, Satan wants to destroy people and love.  Unfortunately, Satan had a heyday last Friday.  Satan hates people and loves to kill.  The ultimate source of a murder is Satan and demonic spirits. 

I have seen demons cast out of people in Jesus’ name.  I know firsthand that demonic spirits are real.  Make no mistake about it, Adam Lanza was demonized!  Again, this does not remove any responsibility from him, and he will face the judgment of God for his acts, but let us not forget that there was another power at work last Friday.  Speaking of God’s judgment:

4.    The judgment of God.

It will not be a pleasant scene when Adam Lanza stands before Almighty God.  “It is appointed unto man to die once, and after this the Judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).  I am thankful that the Bible assures us that God is a just God.  He will see to it that justice is carried out in this case.

But it is important that we each look past Adam Lanza to our own day of judgment.  What will my outcome be?  Even though I have never murdered anyone physically, Jesus said that anger in my heart is worthy of divine judgment (Mt. 5:22).  When Jesus was asked about tragedies such as Pilate mingling blood with sacrifices and the Tower of Siloam falling on people and killing them, He never addressed why it happened.  Instead He said, “Unless you repent, you will likewise perish” (Luke 13:1-5).  One of the most biblical things we can do when tragedy strikes, is look into our own heart and make sure we are right with God.

And the only way to be right with God is through Jesus.  He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father but by Me” (John 14:6). The only solution for my sin (and others) is the precious blood of Jesus, shed on the cross so that I might be forgiven and healed of my sinful nature.

Some may respond, “But Pastor David, this idea of forgiveness through Jesus, seems too simplistic and just gets people off the hook too quickly.  Isn’t there more to it than just getting forgiven for our sins?”  Yes there is.

5.    The power of the Gospel.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is powerful at two levels.  First, the Gospel is powerful to forgive and cleanse of all sin.  “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).   In addition, the Gospel is powerful to keep us from sinning.  When a person receives Christ, he/she receives the indwelling Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).  As we allow this indwelling Spirit to fill us, control us, and empower us, then we can have victory over temptations and sin.  In other words, we can say “no” to sin.  We are not helpless victims to sin and Satan. We can have victory!  The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is living inside of every follower of Christ (Romans 8:9-11).

Not only must we know and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit, but we must also know the nature of God.

6.    The character of God.

When tragedy like this occurs, much garbage gets dumped on God’s doorsteps. It is common for people to want to throw God under the bus over this.  “Why did God allow this?  Why did He not stop this?  Does He not care?  If He knew this would happen, then He is responsible for it.” 

I heard an interesting response to this at church Sunday, “When a plane crashes, many will blame God, while at the same time not thanking Him for all the planes that take off and land safely each day.”  If we only knew how many tragedies God DOES prevent. 

Ultimately it is a mystery why God prevents some things, while allowing others.  It is in such confusing times that we need to clutch to what we DO know is true.  Proverbs 9:10 says “the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  In other words, to have understanding in a situation like this requires the knowledge of the Holy One. 

Therefore, what do we know (knowledge of) about God that can help us cope with this tragedy and others?  We know that He is good, and that all He does is good.  We know that He is holy, and all of His works are holy.  Furthermore, we know that God is loving, and expresses that love toward people more than anything in all of His creation.   He cares about the pain that every family in Newtown feels.  Jesus said, “Come to Me all who are weary and heaven laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). 

2 Corinthians 1 says, “the sufferings of Christ overflow into our lives so that His comfort might overflow.”  No one hurts more over this tragedy than God!  I think we forget that sometimes.  He created each one of those teachers and children.  They are His divine handiwork.  To see them destroyed pains His heart at a level we cannot imagine.  

As if this is not enough, God is also faithful and true to His Word.  What He promises, He will deliver.  He promises that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8).  He assures us that He is a very present help in time of need (Psalms 46:1).  He says, "Call to Me, and I will answer you" (Jeremiah 33:3).

Even though there are aspects of God’s character that are hard to grasp in such times as this (i.e. His sovereignty), there are many more that are not hard to grasp. These aspects of His nature (i.e. love, grace, mercy, compassion, etc.) are the very ones we need to cling to for help.  

Don’t doubt in the darkness what God has made clear in the light!

Finally, because God is loving, gracious, merciful, compassionate, and just, He assures us that a day is coming when all will be made right.  This is eternally great news!

7.    The eternal future!

God promises that when Christ returns, He will establish a new heaven and a new earth (Revelation 21-22).  The final judgment will involve casting Satan into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:10).  This assures that all evil and sin and everything opposed to God will be destroyed.  This also assures a place called heaven where only righteousness and purity and love will dwell forever.  Revelation 21-22 speaks in great detail about this eternal place.  There will be no more mourning, crying or pain.  I can’t wait.  All who are in Christ will be with God forever in this place.  Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2).

Do you know for sure that you are going to heaven?  Nothing in all the world is more important than making sure your eternal destiny is in this wonderful place.

While here on earth, tragedies will continue.  Sin will abound.  Unfortunately, there will likely be more wars, murders, and school shootings.  But if we receive Christ and live for Him, we have hope … power to live … a community of supportive people … God’s Word … promises to claim … and an eternal home to look forward to!  This is what CHRISTmas is all about.

Living Together Before Marriage

Questions to Consider in Living Together

It is increasingly popular for couples to live together before marriage.  The following are some questions to consider before making this very important decision:

1.    Does this glorify God?

1Cor. 6:20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

To glorify God means to live in such a way that God is known and honored and pleased.  Looking at the purpose of marriage (to be an earthly picture of Christ and the church), does cohabiting glorify Him?

2.    Is this being more like Jesus or conforming to the world’s way of doing things?

Rom. 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Being a follower of Jesus is not meant to be easy.  Our standards of behavior are to be distinct from those of the world.

3.    Will we have premarital sex?

If so, then this is clearly against God’s standard of purity.  God says that sex should only be for a married couple.

Matt. 19:5-6 Jesus said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?  So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Heb. 13:4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.

1Cor. 6:18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.

1Th. 4:3-5 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:  that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

If you cannot refrain from having sex, then God’s Word says you should go ahead and get married: 

1Cor. 7:8-9 To the unmarried and the widows I say that cit is good for them to remain single das I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

4.    Does living together put us in a tempting situation?

Rom. 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

5.    In living together, could we cause another brother/sister to stumble?

1Cor. 8:9  Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

Rom. 14:12-13 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.

Rom. 14:21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.

6.    Does living together build commitment and trust?

Every healthy marriage is built on commitment and trust.  Does living together build trust, or does it make it easy to get out of it once times get tough?

7.    Does living together present the appearance of evil?

1Th. 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. (KJV)

Not that we are ultimately responsible for what others think, but living “above reproach” means that no one would have any reason to suspect us of sin.  This is part of our testimony to others.

8.     In living together, do we loose authority to speak into our future childrens’ lives?

Imagine years from now that your 16 year-old daughter wants to move in with a young man.  What will you tell her?  What if she says, “but you moved in with ____ when you were young.”

1Th. 1:7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.

2Th. 3:9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 

After considering these questions, what do YOU believe is the right thing to do?

Don't Lose Heart

Don’t Lose Heart

It is easy to get discouraged in our walk with God and our ministry for God.  We are daily in a battle with the world, our flesh, and the Devil.  The state of the church is not good.  Terrible things are happening all around us.  Tragedy often strikes.  Our emotions are quite unpredictable.  And sometimes it can feel like God is asleep.  All of these factors can cause us to get discouraged. 

God knew this when He warned us to not lose heart.  To lose heart means that we get discouraged to the point where we are tempted to throw in the towel.  We tend to isolate ourselves and drift into depression.  We begin to believe that the good we are doing is not making any difference.  And we start questioning whether God is really in control.

Let’s examine a few scriptures about losing heart and see what practical lessons we can gain from them.  This is so important because every Christ-follower will at some point in his/her life struggle with losing heart

Eph. 3:13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Paul did not want others to lose heart over his suffering, because through his suffering others were going to benefit.  When we go through hard times, though it seems like God has abandoned us, He actually is working new things in us that will benefit others.  This is the price we pay in ministry to others.  Those serving God must go through hardship in order to better minister to others who are suffering.  One develops credibility to minister to hurting people when having gone through tough times yourself.  God comforts us that we might be able to comfort others (2 Cor. 1:3-8).

2 Cor. 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self his being renewed day by day.

Outer pain and hardships is what God uses to develop inner character.  No one likes this.  The process is not fun at all.  However, inner character is more valuable for eternity than temporal difficulties.  The key in maturity is to actively have your “inner self … renewed day by day.”  Listen closely:  doing that which renews our inner self is the key to not losing heart!  Here are some suggestions for having your inner self renewed:

a.    Meditate on the Word of God every day. 

God’s Word will encourage us.  God’s Word will speak to us.  God’s Word will give us hope.  Sometimes we have to force ourselves to read God’s Word, but when we do, He does speak to our heart and gives us hope.  The Word of God is living and active and able to show us where we are living from our soul or from God’s Spirit (Hebr. 4:12).  Sometimes our hardships are to wean us from living out of our flesh to that of God’s Spirit!

b.    Be in community with Godly, mature believers. 

When we are discouraged, our flesh often wants to isolate from other believers.  We tend to only see the negative in the body of Christ.  But our spirit needs the input and fellowship of godly, mature Believers.  Again, sometimes we have to force ourselves to get this fellowship, but when we do, God uses it to give us hope and encouragement.  Mature Believers can speak into our lives the truth we need to hear.  We particularly need to spend time with those who have ministered for many years, and in so doing, have endured great hardships.

c.    Read the biographies and stories of those who have gone before us. 

Read about suffering missionaries who had a great impact for God.  Read about those who have persevered under trial.  Read the wisdom of pastors and servants of God who have endured hardship but stayed true to the Lord.  Hearing from some of that “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebr. 11) can be very inspiring.

d.    Resist the Devil.

Don’t underestimate the spiritual warfare involved in discouragement.  Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy.  He wants to steal your joy, kill your motivation, and destroy your walk and witness for God.  Your enemy, the Devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, but resist him standing firm in the faith (1 Pe. 5:8).  Those who are truly seeking God and expanding God’s kingdom, will come under severe attack.  Don’t be ignorant of his devices.  Put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6).  Pray against him by pleading the blood of Jesus over your life. And don’t be too proud to ask others to pray for you and over you.  Ask God to strengthen you for the battle you are facing. 

e.    Choose to focus on the positives. 

When we are discouraged, it is often because of circumstances that are negative (e.g., state of the church, decline in support, unexplained tragedy, decline in morals in our world, lack of fruit in our ministry, etc.).  Though we can’t ignore these negatives, we have to take time to equally focus on anything positive we can think of (e.g., look back at how God has used you; rejoice in churches/ministries that are making a difference; dwell on how God has always had a people; etc.).  This is why Phil. 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  And the promise for doing this?  “And the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:9).  We certainly need peace when we are losing heart.

f.     Keep an eternal perspective.

It was probably an eternal perspective that helped to place you on the field of ministry.  Knowing what lasts and what doesn’t is likely a major motivation in your service for God.  Be careful not to lose this perspective.  When the things down here aren’t going well, it is easy to lose sight of what will last.  Take time to once again renew that eternal perspective, and pledge to God your willingness to endure difficulty for the sake of eternity.  If you remain true and faithful to God, you will be able to look back from heaven one day and give praise to God that you did not throw in the towel!  “For this light and momentary struggle is producing an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Cor. 4:17).

Luke 18:1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

It is easy to lose heart in prayer.  Prayer is such a mystery.  Why do some prayers get answered quickly, while others take years?  When you pray for something you know is God’s will (e.g., salvation of a person), how do you not lose heart when you see nothing happening?  The parable Jesus tells in Luke 18 is about persistence in prayer.  He speaks of how we must be persistent and exhibit faith.  The unjust judge responds to the repeated request because the widow wears him out with her asking.  Wow.  Are we to wear God out with our persistence?  Maybe.  I don’t know, but that is what the parable seems to teach, among other things.  Clearly persistence in prayer is one way to keep from losing heart. 

One aspect of persistent prayer that is important is listening.  In other words, don’t do all the talking in prayer.  Listen to God.  Believe that He will speak to you.  When discouraged, listen to God’s still, small voice of encouragement.  You might be surprised at what He lays on your heart.  As a loving Father, He wants to put courage and confidence (i.e., encouragement) into His people.

Discouragement is a normal part of the Christian life.  This is why God’s Word tells us things we can do to avoid losing heart.  Don’t lose heart.  God is in control.  He loves you and wants to build you up.  He is using you.   He wants to use you more.  He wants your walk to be full of joy and purpose.  He is not mad at you for losing heart.  But He is sad, and wants to encourage you in Him.  He wants your number one joy to come from just knowing Him.  Look to Jesus.  Focus your eyes on Him.  Focus on the blessings of your salvation.  Leave to God those things you don’t understand.  Rejoice in the Lord always.