Reminded of the Enemy

Recently, I was reminded that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ still has a real enemy that is watching very closely and is still very much opposed to any good thing that may happen.

Sometimes, I must admit, even as a pastor, I can get so caught up in doing all the things that the ministry requires (studying, preparing, visiting, counseling, discipling, administration, overseeing, getting a vision, guiding the ship, etc, etc....) that I can easily forget this is no ordinary work that I am involved in... this is spiritual work! A spiritual work that has real life & death consequences... a spiritual work that can't be accomplished without the power of the Living God working in and through me... a spiritual work with a REAL SPIRITUAL ENEMY who desires nothing but to see me fail and to see this church go belly up!

A Doctor doesn't have to think about a real, personal enemy out there who is watching and striving to undo any good that he may do.
A Business man doesn' thave to worry about a real, personal enemy who has work in his own company who is bent on seeing him fail miserably.
Bankers and Lawyers don't even consider in all that they do, that there may just be someone out there who is trying to block, stop, undo, and mess up the work that they are trying to do.
But as a Pastor... as a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ... I must remember that all of this work is first of all HIS work, without Whom, everything is in vain anyway. But also, I must remember that I do have a real, personal enemy out there who wants me to fail and who wants to keep the church from doing what God has called us to do at all costs!

2008 Pastors' Conference in Jacksonville, FL

I am currently in Jacksonville, FL attending the 22nd Annual Pastors' Conference. This is actually my first year being here. I've wanted to come for a long time, but never had the opportunity until now. And I must say that I have had a great time so far. For anyone wanting to grow in their faith and to do ministry, this is like Disney World. There are so many good seminars to go to... covering every subject from Preschool to Music to Administration. It is just an awesome learning experience. I have been blessed so much from being here. I appreciate our church so much making it possible for me and Andrea to come and learn. I already have several ideas that are brewing in my mind that I believe will greatly bless our church when I return. If we come back next year, I would love for more of our leaders to join us so that they too can be richly blessed!!