Privileged to support a call

I was privileged recently to hear from a brother who, after months of prayer, has accepted the Lord's call into the ministry. He asked for opportunity among a group of brothers to share what is on his heart, and he asked for prayer.

This evening was memorable on many levels. First of all, I and others noted that the "calling" on our brother's life came as no surprise to us. In fact (and I know he realizes this), he has been engaged in personal ministry as long as I have known him. This call, however, is the call to pastor a flock in a new place, as yet undetermined.

I was encouraged as my brother shared with a spirit of humility, combined as only God can do with a spirit of courage and boldness. "I am nothing. I'm a simple guy. Only in Christ am I anything," our brother shared. "I cannot be all things to all people ... but I can teach, and I can love .. and that's what I'm going to do. I want to live in the center of God's will for my life."

In coming months this man's brothers and sisters in Christ will hold him up in prayer; pastors will take him under their wings as "lead shepherd in training;" targeted prayers will seek to clarify such things as place of calling, provision, protection against demonic attack, and possibly expression of support from others who are willing to relocate to a new fellowship.

Like others, I am excited for my brother and his wife, who have stepped in faith onto a path that does not currently feature many familiar "markers." We will continue to pray for a new "family" in His church ... and we will pray in gratitude that this pastor and his flock will answer not to a "parent" church, but solely to Christ's authority.

"Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast." Matthew 22:9

Shed your burdens

Several years ago in a "Men's Fraternity" study (Robert Lewis) we learned about unresolved issues that many of us insist on "packing" with us wherever we go.

Similarly, my wife and several dozen sisters in Christ spent a recent weekend focused on "Shedding Your Burdens, Receiving His Grace." The women visualized their unresolved issues as "bricks," with scriptural support and a graphic skit to drive home the point of our natural resistance to surrendering our load to the Lord.

The reality is that ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But it has never been God's desire for us to suffer under the weight of "bricks" such as guilt and fear.

Because of His grace, and the blood sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Who is Jesus the Christ, we are invited to GIVE OVER our loads and freely RECEIVE the unconditional, never ending love of the perfect Father.

I pray that someone struggling with the lie that he/she must first "clean up" before surrendering and receiving God's grace will finally see clearly that His invitation is simply to "come," warts and all.

I pray that someone who has surrendered his/her life to the Lord will speak the name of Jesus and claim His redemption when a demonic whisper suggests: "There is no way a perfect God could possibly love a phony like you."

Remember: "The thief (Satan) comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy." Jesus, on the other hand, "...came that we may have life, and have it in abundance!" (John 10:10)

Recall the words of Jesus Himself: "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Mattthew 11:28-29