#29 Pastors Are Beat Up

C. Peter Wagner continues his thought from Tuesday's post, taken from his book, PRAYER SHIELD:

"Many, if not most, pastors will actually remind their people of this, (their being a human being), in their sermons from time to time.

When pastors talk about a certain temptation, for example, they might say, 'I am not exempting myself. I am human. 

This is as much of a temptation for me as it is for you.'

The people usually acknowledge this as an honest appraisal. But they do not really believe it, mainly because they do not want to.

Part of their own Christian well-being depends to a degree on following a pastoral leader whom they regard as somewhat higher on the scale of piety and spiritual attainment than they might ever be.

Using society's help, they often put their pastor on a spiritual pedestal.

Pastors are also trained not to be hypocrites. They know very well they are not all their congregations expect them to be.

Their spouses know this also, but few others do. 

Consequently, pastors are caught in a bind, for they sense God's calling on their lives to be a pastor and they know that they cannot do an effective job as a pastor if they do not outwardly conform to their congregation's expectations.

But how do they handle what is going on inside?

In a word—pastors need help—at least more help than they have been getting.

In the course of a year, I meet and interact with hundreds of pastors.

Even though I do not relate to them as a counselor or a pastor to pastors, I find that many are beat up; spiritually, emotionally and sometimes physically.

Where can they go for help? 

They are reluctant to go to any of their church members, for the word could too easily leak out; Our pastor is failing us by not conforming to our expectations.

Pastors in the same denomination are usually on friendly terms with each other but somewhat distrustful at the deeper levels.

What would church members think if their pastor was seeing a professional counselor?

Pastors of other churches in the same community are likely prospects for help but frequently overburdened and unavailable. 

Beyond those circles, most pastors simply run out of meaningful relationships.

Happily, there are some exceptions. A fair number of pastors do not fit this rather bleak picture I am painting.

They have little internal conflict because deep down they actually are what they are expected to be emotionally and spiritually. 

Some are not, but they have found sources of help and are managing their situation well.

I wish I could report that these are in the majority but I am afraid I cannot.

Without wanting to oversimplify terribly complex situation, I do want to point out that Satan has many pastors just where he wants them. 

They are vulnerable to his attacks."

Today’s post -#29  Pastors Are Beat Up, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for  pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines. (pgs. 62-64) By Regal Books

The next post 10/24 - #30  Our Epidemic of Falling Pastors

Let’s pray: 

   "Heavenly Father, I’m so humbled that You would call me to anything. You have all the power needed for every job, yet you ask me to join you. Thank you, Lord. Please make my heart willing to say yes to everything you want me to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” (Gwen Smith)

Today’s Bible verse: Jer. 5:51 "I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God."

Today’s quotes: Jonathan Swift  – “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.”

Cindy O’Brien – “Look for ways to encourage through your words. Not only will they be blessed, but you will be too and the Lord will be glorified!”

Some thoughts today: Who are your heroes? Copy their good traits to become what you’re intended to be in the Kingdom of God. We become what we stare at, so be careful whose life you’re watching! You’ll direct the shaping of your life by what you watch.

- We’re given supernatural giftings to fulfill God’s purpose in our local church. He will use anyone with His ability to change things. 

- Sin saps our energy and dampens our progress as a Christian. We’re encouraged to press through temptations and hardships, and to run through them with Christ’s help. He was an overcomer, so we can be overcomers too!

Thursday’s post:  #Our Epidemic of Falling Pastors  C. Peter Wagner

Saturday's post:  What's in Your Sponge?  Barbara Latta

Sunday's post:  Discovering God's Will  Dr. Charles Stanley

[Google images added]

A popular post:   The Vision Confirmed: Prayer Note #111  Dutch Sheets tells us of his first confirmation that our nation will have revival at The National Day of Prayer.

jowildflowers@gmail.com

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499999/  Link to Granny’s Guide to Marriage in Verse  my book for women contemplating marriage.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DP77URG/  Kindle addition

#30 Our Epidemic of Falling Pastors

C. Peter Wagner continues to share with us from his book, PRAYER SHIELD, about some pastors:

"Over the past couple of decades, an alarming number of pastors have dropped out of the ministry for two main reasons: pastoral burnout and sexual immorality. 

The numbers have reached epidemic proportions.

I cannot remember hearing about pastoral burnout 20 years ago. It must have existed, but not to the degree we see it today.

The situation I have described, #29 Pastors Are Beat Up
 (in my Tuesday's post, ), resulting in pastors being so beat up, makes it quite easy to understand why so much burnout would occur.

The enemy knows this well and has become quite astute at raising frustrations through feelings of inadequacy, hypocrisy, guilt and low self-esteem to such levels that selling insurance can seem to some a more attractive way to make a living.

A good bit of psychological research is currently being done on causes and remedies for pastoral burnout.

Good time-management training is helping many to avoid it.

Nevertheless, if I am correct in suspecting that the powers of darkness are also at work in causing burnout, spiritual weapons are also needed.

This is where intercession for pastors has enormous potential."

Today’s post -#30  Our Epidemic of Falling Pastors, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines.(pg. 64) By Regal Books

Let’s pray: 

   Father, we come to You now for help to support our pastors and leaders in our local church. We understand better, that our prayers for them are all-important to their welfare and success. May our prayers cover them continually, knowing they are human beings like we are. We know our need of You, so seeing their need anew, we agree they need our prayer support! In Jesus' precious Name we pray, amen.

Today’s Bible verse:  Prov. 18:16 AMP "A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men."  [Gen. 32:20; 1 Sam. 25:27; Prov. 17:8; 21:14]

Today’s quote:  Eddie Jones – “God is able to make every grace overflow to you. Grace is the grease that lubricates relationships and keeps the love flowing. When cranky and low on kindness, turn to God. He is able to squirt grease into those rusty relationships.”

Some thoughts today: You have no idea who you are, just yet! You are seated with Christ in heavenly places because of His work in providing for your salvation through His sacrifice on the Cross some 2,000 years ago! Eph. 2:6

- The Cross is the tree to weep at and anchor to.

- Don’t allow your life be dictated by how others treat you.

Saturday’s post:  What's in Your Sponge  Barbara Latta

Sunday's post:  Discovering God's Will  Dr. Charles Stanley

A popular post:   Biblical Watchmen: Prayer Note #117   Dutch Sheets tells us, "Let's broaden our understanding of biblical watchmen. What was their purpose?"

Pray for those who pray for our leaders.

3 Google images added

jowildflowers@gmail.com

Samples of Jean's crafts 

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499999/  Link to Granny’s Guide to Marriage in Verse  my book for women contemplating marriage.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DP77URG/  Kindle addition

#31 Pastoral Indiscretion

C. Peter Wagner relates more from his book, PRAYER SHIELD:

"Satan wins significant battles through causing pastoral burnout, but he inflicts immeasurably more damage to the cause of Christ when he influences a pastor to fall through sexual immorality.

Before I go into more detail on this delicate subject, let me just remind us that most American pastors have not nor will they ever fall into sexual immorality while they are in the ministry.

in fact 8 out of 10 have had no overt problems in this area, which by comparison is only half of the number of other church members who have had similar problems.

How many have gone all the way?

A survey by the clergy journal Leadership found that 12 percent of pastors had actually committed adultery. 

This means 88 percent have not.

Surveys like this would never have been dreamed of a generation ago.

Elmer Gantry was not looked upon as a realistic protype of anything but a miniscule fringe of American clergy.

Now the picture has changed. I have been dropping news items in a file folder.

I count 26 media reports of sexual immorality on the part of high-profile clergy; almost half of whom I know personally.

A front-page article in the Los Angeles Times carries the head-line, 'Sex Abuse Cases Rock the Clergy: Disclosures of misconduct—a problem hidden for years—are on the rise.'

A nationally syndicated column by the Associated Press announces that 'Sex scandals in higher ranks shake up hierarchies.'

{ Wagner goes on to list a long list of leaders from all areas of ministry that are in this group...}

"Where is it going to stop?

Reporting this makes me angry! I am not angry at my friends who have fallen even though I, along with the rest of the Body of Christ, have been harmed.

I am angry at the enemy who, I feel, is getting away with far too much these days.

We often fail to recognize the depth of the spiritual battle we are fighting.

The enemy knows pastors are beat up; he knows they are vulnerable, and he attacks them at their weakest point.

This is not to say those who have fallen are not themselves guilty and do not have character flaws that need to be repaired through humility, repentance, reconciliation, restoration and holiness.

But I do hope and pray we will learn how to use our spiritual weapons more effectively in putting a stop to these blatant and all too successful attacks of the devil."

Today’s post -#31  Pastoral Indiscretion, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines. (pgs. 64-66) By Regal Books

The next post 10/30:  #32  Pastors Need Intercession  C. Peter Wagner

[3 Google images added]

Let’s pray: 

   Father, we understand that our pastor(s) are human, and that there are several opportunities for them to yield to various temptations, so unite us to be faithful to pray that You will give them the guidance, support, and good counsel that they need. May we be more faithful to pray for our leaders! They need and appreciate our support on a daily basis. We ask this in the Holy Name of Jesus, amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Ps. 119:80 "Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I
be not ashamed."

Today’s quote: Nate Stevens – “As I reflect on my life, I notice when my daily Scripture reading is limited or forgotten, or when I become distracted by other things, my heart starts to dry and spiritually harden. I become resistant to the Holy Spirit’s convicting attempts to purify my life. But when I regularly soak up God’s Word, it is much easier to live a life of purity. And when I sin, I more readily confess my sins to God and am much easier to 'clean'”.

Some thoughts today: - When Jesus exposes our sinful desires, remember, the battle is lost when we don't ask Him to help us.

- God will restore to us what the devil has stolen from us, if we look to Him, and obey His Word.

- Our joy comes from our salvation in Christ Jesus.

Thursday's post:  #32 Pastors Need Intercession  C. Peter Wagner

Saturday's post:  The Painful Lie  Veneal Williams  (some words hurt, when talking with someone who's lost a love one)

Sunday's post:  Choose Joy  Diana Derringer  (cancer survivor story)

A popular post:  Be  Defensive - Keep the Serpent Out!: 

Prayer Note #120Guard or protect that which God has entrusted to your care from the subtle encroachment of the serpent. 

jowildflowers@gmail.com

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499999/  Link to Granny’s Guide to Marriage in Verse  my book for women contemplating marriage.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DP77URG/  Kindle addition

The Silent Sermon

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going.

After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. 

It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

The pastor made himself at home but said nothing.

In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs.

After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone.

Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation.

As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more.

Soon it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.

The Pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave, he slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire.

Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.' "

The Silent Sermon as seen on GodVine 8/6/13

Google images added

Let’s pray: 

   Father, may we remember the object lesson given today. Bring to mind the seriousness of our neglecting our assembling together with other believers. When there's an impossibility to go, may we concentrate upon You, and prayerfully look forward to attending as soon as we can. When laid up with a physical problem, we ask for healing, as well as a way to hear Your Word, so we can be fed while absent from our church group.

We pray this in the lovely, magnificent, saving Name of Jesus. Amen

Today’s Bible verse: Jer. 65:4 (NKJV) "Blessed is the man whom You choose, and cause to approach unto You, that he may dwell in Your courts. We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your courts, of Your holy temple."

Today’s quote: Cathy Baker - “Reflect on the wondrous gift of time. Pull out a calendar or day planner and spend fifteen minutes considering all that's on your schedule for the upcoming two weeks. Consider marking which activities fill up your time versus those that fill you with life and provide opportunities to awaken to the wonder of God all around. Prayerfully consider what changes—including cuts and additions you need to make to your schedule—to awaken yourself to the wonder of rest and a healthy rhythm in your daily life.”

Our thoughts today: You can know who you are in Christ..go back to the cross.

- We can travail when we know God’s will.

- The fire of the Holy Spirit within us needs to be stirred up by worshipping Jesus daily. Hearing the truth of the gospel will keep us stirred up.

Tuesday's post: #29 Pastors are Beat Up  C. Peter Wagner

Thursday's post: #30 Our Epidemic of Falling Pastors  C. Peter Wagner

Saturday's post:  What's in Your Sponge?  Barbara Latta

Sunday's post: Discovering God's Will  Dr. Charles Stanley

A popular post: BE STILL AND KNOW "I think I’ve made my relationship with Jesus far too difficult."

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499999/  Link to Granny’s Guide to Marriage in Verse  my book for women contemplating marriage.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DP77URG/  Kindle addition

He Meets Us Where We Are

Tracy Crump shares with us about her experience: 

“I want to be saved.' Twelve-year-old Jason’s words took his babysitter off guard.

She called her friend Katherine for help. Together they sat on the porch and talked with Jason.

Katherine explained sin, starting with the story of Adam and Eve, and went through the salvation plan.

Then she had Jason summarize in his own words what she’d told him and answered his questions. 

Convinced he grasped the significance of his decision, Katherine bowed her head while the youngster accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.

After they prayed, Jason’s seven-year-old sister, Lizzie, bounded up the steps. 'I want to talk about God too,' she said.

Katherine went through a simpler version of the gospel. Doubtful that the little girl understood completely, Katherine said, 'Let’s take this to Jesus.'

She wisely prayed that Jesus would meet Lizzie where she was and take her the rest of the way when she was ready.

Not to be left out, two-year-old Hannah parroted Lizzie. 'I want to talk about God too.'

Katherine took a deep breath, but before she could say anything, Hannah spotted her favorite play equipment.

'Trampoline!' she yelled, and ran off.

Children make us laugh, but the responsibility of leading one of these little ones to Christ is sobering.

We never want to miss an opportunity to help a child seal eternal salvation, but we can act prematurely.

Not every child who asks questions is ready to take that important step. And once children have accepted Christ, they need nurturing in their newborn faith.

Fortunately, all these things are from God, as today’s Scripture tells us. 

"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:18 NASV

The same God who sent Jesus to reconcile us to Himself is the one who made us ambassadors for Christ.

We always have someone we can call on for help in reaching others.

Children aren’t the only ones who need to be reconciled to God. Some adults may never have taken that step.

Or they may have announced a decision before they fully comprehended what they were doing.

Whether you’re committed like Jason, questioning like Lizzie, or clueless like Hannah, pray today for Jesus to meet you where you are and take you the rest of the way.

He Meets Us Where We Are - Tracy Crump

Tracy Crump lives in Mississippi and has published dozens of devotionals as well as articles in Focus on the Family, Mature Living, Parent Life, and others.

Twelve of her stories have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and she writes a column for Southern Writers Magazine.

She enjoys teaching other writers at conferences and through her Write Life Workshops and webinars.

She also edits The Write Life, a monthly e-newsletter with story callouts for writers. But her most important job is Grandma to Nellie.

Visit Tracy at www.WriteLifeWorkshops.com.

Read Tracy's devotions.

Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!

(Google image and my emphasis added)

Used by permission www.christiandevotions.us 

Let’s pray: 

Father, our hearts are open for Your instruction today. We desire to be used by Your Spirit to help others, no matter what their age is, to come to know You personally. May we be ready at any time to speak our faith, so others' faith can be strengthened and made alive. We ask this in the Name of our Savior, Jesus. Amen

Today’s Bible verse: Psalm 147:3 "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."


Today’s quotes: 

Tyler McKenzie - “The true proof of biblical faith has never been about achieving complete certainty, it’s been about maintaining faith in the midst of uncertainty. And the beautiful irony of such faith is, as you persevere, certainty grows all the more.” @WTMcKenzie 

Tindell Baldwin “Just because you were covered in shame yesterday doesn’t mean you can’t be smothered in grace today”

Some thoughts today: 

 We’re to keep our hearts right and be careful of our actions before God in our tough seasons.

- When God adopts us – it is forever. Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5

- You owe no one an explanation for your character. Just be true yourself! God is looking for character and integrity in His children! Use you wisdom and experience to educate your children. Be faithful to model godly character before them. May they learn what character and integrity are, by watching you. 

Tomorrow’s post: The Silent Sermon  GodVine

Tuesday's post: #29 Pastors are Beat Up  C. Peter Wagner

Thursday's post: #30  Our Epidemic of Falling Pastors  C. Peter Wagner

Saturday's post:  What's in Your Sponge?  Barbara Latta (her thoughts while washing her husband's Harley...)

Sunday's post:  Discovering God's Will  Dr. Charles Stanley

A popular post:  Lord I Want to Know You More "Lord I want to know you more, than just a figment of the mind,"

Near Whiteface Mountain, ADK

Samples of Jean's crafts

http://twitter.com/jeanoathout

http://facebook.com/jean.oathout

 http://www.amazon.com/dp/1938499999/  
 Link to Granny’s Guide to Marriage in Verse  my book  for women 
contemplating marriage. 

  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DP77URG/  Kindle addition

#70 You Are Responsible to Keep Strong & Blessed Through Prayer

   
   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: Spiritual ministry demands spiritual power. The Holy Spirit is the source of all power, and He is given in answer to prayer.

   "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him" (Luke 11:13). (Google image, Pray for your pastor).

#22 Angels and Your Prayers

   Dr. Wesley L. Duewel-  Whether the angels assist in answering your prayers as a special assignment from God or simply in the normal course of their duty, you are not required to ask for their help.

   In fact, you should never pray to angels. Pray to God, realizing that He may choose to assign angels to help meet the needs for which you pray. Under certain circumstances you may legitimately request the assistance of angels in meeting needs: (Google image, Angels on assignment)

A Prayer Of Forgiveness

    

   Col. 3:12-13 "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must."

   "Lord, You have loved me with an everlasting love. Even when I was dead in sins, you loved me. You have forgiven me, washed me from my sin, and given me new life.  (Man praying - Unsplash)