Getting Healthy: Fighting Spiritually

I believe the life of a Christian is a life of fighting. We fight against sin and temptation. We wage a spiritual war against everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. But it wasn’t until I found myself in my weakest condition that I had to fight the most intense battles of my Christian life. It was frightening? I was too weak to fight, but this was when God called me to fight in raging battles.

My temptations were stronger, but my spirit was weaker. The Devil often accused me as a guilty sinner and one of weak faith. I struggled with crippling doubt concerning my own work, and was I fearful in all ministry contexts. I was anxious before preaching beyond a healthy fear that should be upon all who preach the word of God. I was uncertain after every message and meeting that I had done well. Most of the time I felt I was a failure, even when everything pointed to success. Even though I was certain of my calling I was equally certain of my frailty, which led me to a level of uncertainty about myself in every other area. I knew I was called, but was I still called to remain where I was? Perhaps I had done all that I could. This was terrifying, for there is no other place I want to be than serving my church.

This pressing anxiety was ever-present. It was literally hard to breathe. This drove me deeper into prayer and dependency on Jesus, but I found only small measures of comfort and relief after extended time in prayer. Or, when God’s grace to seemed to calm all storms in my heart, it only lasted for hours.   Continue at Joe Thorn

The Best Women’s Ministry? A Healthy Men’s Ministry

The intention here is not to slight the ministries offered to women or the many valuable services rendered by women in the church. In my experience women’s ministries are often the most efficient and effective in the local church context. My intent is to draw out a simple principle: Wives (and women in general) are ministered to in unique ways when their husbands (or male populations) are passionate for Jesus Christ and have willingly assumed the role of spiritual leader in the home and church. In this sense, one of the most effective ministries a church can have to its female population is an intense desire to reach its male population. You want to bless a wife? Get after her husband.

What every godly wife yearns for is a spiritual leader. It’s a natural desire. 

Conversely, wives are most frustrated by husbands who occupy the office of leader but refuse to fulfill it. It’s a proper frustration. In many situations wives are forced to drag their husbands “kicking and screaming” to church, or into spiritual pursuits. Additionally, as trends go, wives are usually more biblically knowledgeable and spiritually passionate then their counterparts. As a result, the female populations in local churches can often possess a more earnest desire for the things of God. For any number of reasons, the men lag behind in many churches. And wives who would much rather turn to their husbands for spiritual leadership before turning to other resources (pastors, elders, or trusted Christian authors) can’t. Keep Reading...

9Marks of a Healthy Church