Christian Commentary Encouraging Devotions

This is from an article about church plants, i.e. new churches,

but I believe it applies to whatever God is calling us to do.

#1 – The Church Is Planted Out Of Bitterness Rather Than A Divine Calling From God!

When a group of bitter, angry, self serving people with a lot of money find a hirling who will do all that they want him to do…that isn’t necessarily a church plant.

#2 – The Leadership Has A Desire For Imitation Rather Than Seeking Revelation!

We’ve seen it before…a group of guys go to a conference and see a church…and then come back to their community and try to be just like the church they saw at the conference. I believe the leaders are spending way too much time studying methods rather than the Scriptures. God calls every church to be unique in some sort of way…and that will never be found if the leadership isn’t desperately seeking God for His direction.

#3 – The Pastor Has A Desire To Be Known Way More Than He Desires To Fulfill The Great Commission!

When a leader is more obsessed with how many hits he is getting on his blog…or how many people follow him on twitter…and because of those things loses sight of reaching people for Christ–it’s over.

#4 – When The Leadership Allows The Vision To Get Hijacked In Order To Keep Everyone Happy!

Pastor..BEG God for HIS vision, let Him BURN it in your heart…and then go for it and don’t let anyone talk you out of what God has clearly spoken into you.

#5 – The Pastor Isn’t Willing To Call People To Commit.

The last thing we need in the body of Christ is a room full of people who are more commited to watching their favorite TV shows every week than they are to following Christ.

#6 – The Pastor Lacks Courage!

People WILL take shots at you. People WILL take what you say out of context. People WILL lie about you. You are NOT going to be loved by everyone…and to face that reality takes courage. If you lack it then you won’t make it.

#7 – The Pastor Tries To Do It All By Himself!

You’ve GOT to understand that Jesus cares WAY more about the church than you do…and He will send the right people along side of you to make sure HIS vision becomes reality. We are NOT called to do it alone!!!

from perrynoble.com

Reading today from the Book of Revelation.

To the church plant at Ephesus...

I have something against you, you have left your first love.

Repent, and do the first works; or else... Revelation 2:4-5

To the church plant at Pergamos...

I have a few things against you,

concerning some false doctrines.

Repent, or else... Revelation 2:14-16

To the church plant at Thyatira...

I have a few things against you. Revelation 2:20

To the church plant in Sardis...

You are dead.

Repent. Revelation 3:1-3

Then there's the message to the church plant in Laodicea...

You're lukewarm.

You say you're rich and have need of nothing.

You don't know you're wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.

Repent. Revelation 3:16-19

I loved the quote from our pastor on Sunday...

God sends us to do what only He can do.

Dependence on Him.

Total dependence on Him is the only way to succeed.