A Proper Perspective on Ministry: Pointing People to Jesus

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Heart of the Matter

 

Sometimes those in ministry and leadership in the church—both pastors and laypeople— forget that our mission is to point people to Jesus. For Bible teachers, deacons, worship team members, committee chairmen, and Christian writers/speakers, remembering this can be a challenge. We get puffed-up as we garner a following of folks, or begin to receive lots of compliments and positive feedback on our performance, teaching ability, or leadership skills. We become prideful and no longer point people to Jesus, but rather, bask in our own glory. This is especially a problem with some of the more visible gifts in the church.

Pointing People to Jesus or to Me?

We like to think that through our own efforts we’ve achieved much for the kingdom, when in reality, we’ve built our own kingdom with us on the throne. Pride lurks in every heart, waiting for just the right moment to emerge. Sometimes God will (mercifully) send us tumbling off our throne.

There’s a great example in scripture of the right attitude to have as we use our gifts to serve God. In John 3:25-30, John the Baptist is literally pointing people to Jesus. When John the Baptist was preaching and baptizing in the Judean desert, he knew he was paving the way for someone greater. His mission was clear: To preach repentance to the people and give them a vision for what (who) was to come.

John’s Disciples are Concerned

When Jesus came on the scene, some of John’s disciples were irritated. They relayed to John that there was a man baptizing people not far away. They were concerned some of John’s followers were drifting over there and following this new teacher instead of John. John said to them, “I am not the Messiah, but have been sent ahead of Him.” (John 3:28) He told them Jesus is the bridegroom and that he (John) was only the groom’s friend who stands beside. John then makes a profound statement that has application for us today. He says, “He must increase and I must decrease.” (John 3:30)

If only we would make that our mantra, holding it always in the forefront of our minds as we lead, serve, write, teach and sing. It’s not about me. Any gifts that I have are God’s and He decides how (and when) he’ll use those gifts in my life. My job is to point people to Jesus. Of course, it’s only God who blesses a ministry or a life and makes it a success (that is, effective for the Kingdom). It is God who draws people to Himself unto salvation, not us. He doesn’t really need us, but it’s a privilege and a blessing to be used by Him when He chooses to do so.

“The world doesn’t need to see more of me, it needs to see more of Jesus” – Dr Scott Wilson, FBC, Melbourne, FL 

Laying our Gifts on the Altar

There’s a beautiful song I’ve recently become aware of by a young singer/songwriter named, Josiah Queen. He eloquently addresses the issue of pointing others to Jesus rather than to ourselves. The song is called, “Altars Over Stages”, and the first line of the chorus goes like this:

I choose altars over stages ’cause heaven is my wages, I don’t need the spotlight so, make me a silhouette. – Josiah Queen (“Altars Over Stages”-The Prodigal, 2024)

If only we would see our ministry as an altar, where we lay it all down in honor of the King of Kings, rather than a stage for our own attention and glory. When we yield our gifts and life to Him, He will multiply the results and do miracles in the lives of people—changing their eternity. My own pastor tells us often that if we are looking to him, a mere human, for all the answers, he is going to fail us. He reminds us that his job is to always point us to Jesus.

Whether you’re a pastor, a Bible study leader, a committee member, or a worship team singer, I hope you’ll join me as I renew my focus on pointing people to Jesus this year. Let’s humbly teach, write, serve, lead, play, and sing—putting our own egos and agendas aside and prayerfully laying our gifts on the altar for God to use. What a privilege and honor it is when He does!

“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (ESV)

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Raising Genuine Christ-Followers

Posted on February 6, 2025 by Heart of the Matter

Is there anything more important to raising genuine Christ-followers than taking our kids to church? If we’re there every time the doors are open will our kids grow up to be Bible-believing, faithful, engaged believers? What is the secret to raising kids who are deeply in love with God and His Word instead of just rule followers who think they’re good if they do all the right things?

Our Empty Nest

Our own kids are grown now, and we’re grateful that each of them has made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ. Our prayer for them at this point is that the depth of their faith, and love for His Word would grow as the Lord continues to work in each of their lives. We raised our kids in church but there are certainly things we wish we’d done a better job on as Christian parents.

In this article, I hope to share some advice for parents of young children to help you on your journey in raising genuine Christ-followers.

First, I want to say that I’m not criticizing church attendance. Taking your kids to a Bible-believing church on a regular basis is essential. Find a church whose goal is to love your kids to Jesus, in partnership with you. That being said, your children’s pastor or youth pastor is not solely responsible for the spiritual development of your child. Remember, your children spend much more time in your home than they do at church. Your home is your child’s faith incubator, so if you want to raise genuine believers, you must live genuine faith in front of them. Here are some helpful reminders:

Tips for Raising Genuine Christ-Followers

  • Ensure that conversation in your home (and car) is honoring to God. Avoid gossip, and criticism of others in front of your kids. Conversations like these are not God-honoring: “Why in the world does that Joe have to run up and take the pastor a cup of water every week during the sermon, he’s such a showoff.”, “Did you notice how much weight Susie has put on?” And, for heaven’s sake, don’t roast the pastor on your way home from church. As your children listen in, they are learning whether or not you truly love and respect others (the pastor included!). (Ephesians 4:29, Philippians 4:8, Ephesians 5:4)
  • Make prayer an embedded strategy in your family culture. Pray for your children and others. Include your kids in prayer time. Pray about things that need attention as they come up—problems at school, disagreements at home, decisions that need to be made. Let your kids see you praying with your spouse. Ask your kids how you can pray for them and do it right away, in the moment. (Philippians 4:6,   1  Thessalonians 5:17, James 5:16)
  • Read God’s Word at home. Do your kids think the Bible is just something you carry to church on Sundays? Your kids should see you reading the Bible. Read it to them on a regular basis. Memorize scripture together, perhaps posting the verse you’re learning in a prominent place in the home. Share intentionally about how much you love God’s Word and why. For example, it tells us who God is—His attributes and character. It shows us how to please Him with our attitudes and behavior. It tells us about Jesus and His love for us. (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 119:97, Psalm 119:105)
  • Exhibit love, service, and self-sacrifice in your marriage relationship. Your children should see you serving each other in various ways, being affectionate, and having fun together. When children know their parents love each other, it makes them more secure and you are modeling the unconditional love Jesus has for them. (Philippians 2:3-5, Romans 12:10, 1 Peter 4:10)
  • Establish a forgiveness culture in your home. Teach your children: We forgive each other right away and don’t hold a grudge. We ask forgiveness when we hurt someone, physically or emotionally. Sin and forgiveness are key concepts when it comes to understanding salvation. Make sure you’re laying the groundwork for them to make a profession of faith when the Holy Spirit draws them to Himself. Speaking of their profession of faith—share the plan of salvation with them. There’s nothing more beautiful than a Christian parent leading their own child to Christ. (Colossians 3:13, Mark 11:25, Ephesians 4:31-32)

Dads as Spiritual Leader of the Home

In many Christian homes, spiritual responsibilities are left to mom, even when Dad is a believer. Dads, please don’t let that happen in your home. God has established you as the spiritual leader of your family, therefore, you should be the driving force behind your family’s spiritual growth and should take the lead in establishing a culture of genuine faith. Moms, of course, are critical in the day-to-day spiritual training of their kids. They often spend more time with them in the home and have more opportunity to teach, train, pray and have spiritual conversations. My prayer is that these tips help you to model genuine Christianity in front of your children so they will know that faith is about more than attending church.

 Profile of a genuine Christ-follower:

Genuine Christ-followers try to please Jesus every day, at home and at work, by living in obedience to the Word and by loving and serving others. Of course, we are sinners and will never reach perfection here on earth but we are called to obedience.

Genuine Christ-followers love the Word of God, honor it as absolute truth, and look to it for direction and help. They know the Bible is God-breathed and inerrant.

Genuine Christ-followers pray—and not just on Sundays or before meals. They believe that prayer is an essential part of the Christian life.

Genuine Christ-followers show love and respect for each other. Both within the family and in the wider world.

Genuine Christ-followers forgive—readily and regularly, just as Christ forgave (and forgives) us.

We did (what we thought was) our best at the time we were raising our children, but looking back, we certainly could have done better. Raising kids is not an exact science. Many a Christian parent has soaked the carpet with tears as they dropped to their knees in prayer for a wayward teenager or young adult child. There are many factors involved in a child’s growth and spiritual development. But we can trust that the Lord loves them even more than we do and will hear our prayers for them. God has a plan for each and every one of our children. Their spiritual journey may not look like we’d hoped, but we can trust Him.

I pray that your precious children will come to know Jesus as their Savior and will grow into spiritual maturity as the Holy Spirit works to make them more like Him. I pray that when your children leave your home, they will have a genuine, grown-up faith. One that will stand the tests of time, trial, and temptation—a faith that is their own. I pray that they will fall deeply in love with God and His inspired Word and will desire to know Him more and more.

 

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Craving Ice Cream . . . and the Word of God

Posted on January 26, 2025 by Heart of the Matter

 

I’ve attempted many different diets in my life and have not been very successful on any of them. I’d lose a few pounds here and there but before long, my cravings would kick in—cravings for comfort foods like mashed potatoes, or chocolate, or ice cream. Perhaps you have certain foods that you crave. Many of us do.

What is craving anyway?

According to the dictionary, to crave, is to, “feel a powerful desire for something”. My craving to eat a warm brownie right from the oven, or a pint of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream is certainly powerful. It seems nothing can stop it, even when I’m determined to stick to my diet.

Craving isn’t always bad. For example, if we haven’t been eating well, our body may crave certain nutrients it’s been missing. Or, when we’re overworked and physically exhausted, we may crave a good night’s sleep.

Is craving in the Bible?

In 1 Peter 2: 1-3, Peter tells us we are to crave the Word of God. He says: “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (NIV)

The word for crave used here is “epipotheo”in the Greek, meaning, to long for, desire, pursue with love.  When was the last time you longed for God’s Word? So many of us only read our Bible when we follow along with the pastor’s sermon on Sundays. Sadly, it’s the last thing we think of during our busy week.

Why is it important to read God’s Word?

The Bible tells us who God is, and reveals His plan for humanity and for us as individuals. It teaches us how to live, convicts us of sin, and deepens our relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s hard to love someone you don’t know.

How can we come to a place of craving the Word?

I’ve found that the more time I spend in the Word, the more time I want to spend there. Think of it this way: I have a friend who adopted a baby boy. At first, she was concerned because she didn’t feel a deep connection to him. As time went on and they spent more and more time together, their bond grew stronger and stronger. Eventually, she felt she couldn’t possibly love him more.

As we read the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to unveil its mysteries, we can’t help but want to know more. Although I’ve been a believer for many years, I learn something new each time I read it. I catch myself thinking, has that passage always been in there? How did I not see it before?

Are we content with spiritual immaturity?

Peter reminds us that, just as babies crave their mother’s milk for necessary physical growth, we are to crave the pure milk of the Word to grow in our spiritual lives. Many of us are in the same place we were after receiving Christ years ago. We prayed the prayer of salvation to get our ticket to heaven and now, we’re sitting at the train station waiting for our ride. We have remained in spiritual immaturity for decades. God has so much to teach us, and for some of us, time grows short. In addition, as we learn from the Word, we’re called to pass it on and disciple (teach/mentor/help) others.

We can’t ignore the first part of that verse, either. If we don’t deal with things in our life like malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, it hinders our spiritual growth.  We’re told in Ephesians 4:22-24 to “put off the old self . . . and put on the new”, as if we were changing our dirty clothes and putting on new ones. As believers, we’re to pursue righteousness and holiness, in response to what Jesus has done for us.

Pray that God will give you a desire to read and study His Word—a craving for the pure milk of spiritual wisdom and knowledge. Pray that you’ll be able to set aside those nagging sins that form a barrier between you and others, and hinder your fellowship with the Lord. Begin to deeply study the Word of God this year—to read and meditate on it. God will certainly bless your efforts. You never know, in the process, God may take away that craving for New York Super Fudge Chunk! Wouldn’t that be Great?

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A Baby in a Basket: God Has a Plan for Us.

Posted on January 24, 2025 by Heart of the Matter

 

Nothing that happens in the life of a believer is random. God, in His omniscient godness, has always had a plan for your life. He knew you would come to Him in faith. He knew the struggles you’d face, and the choices you’d make—good and bad. He created you with a purpose that only you can fulfill, and He’s paving the way for you to impact others for the kingdom.

Can I Really Make an Impact?

We never know the little everyday moments God will use to bring a soul closer to Him. Was it providence that made you stop and speak to the homeless man outside the store that day, asking if he knows Jesus and giving him your spare change? How about when you were the keynote speaker and decided to tell a roomful of business leaders about your relationship with the Lord? Do you think God orchestrated that moment in time? No doubt, the orphans in Honduras who will soon receive your hand-sewn blankets will be forever impacted by your loving gift, as will the prisoners with whom you faithfully correspond. Dear young moms: Every tear you wipe, hug you give, and every bedtime prayer, impacts the Kingdom as you model the unconditional love of God in your home.

We’re on assignment for God throughout our lives. Think of the hundreds of people with whom we interact on a weekly basis—our family, our neighbors, our friends, those who work where we shop, eat and play. Humanity is crying out for our love, kindness and help. We need only have eyes to see and the boldness to obey.

A Baby who Became a Prophet

If you’re not convinced that God has a plan for us, let’s look at a certain little baby who was placed in a basket in a river in Egypt. At the time Moses was born, there was a new sheriff in town. This new Pharoah began to think about the Israelites and how numerous they’d become. He feared they would join with his enemies and overtake him. Pharoah decided to place harsh taskmasters over them and use them as forced labor to build his cities and massive structures. But the more the Israelites were ruthlessly oppressed, the more they multiplied.

Pharoah then decided to implement “Plan B”. He told the Hebrew midwives they must kill any male babies born to the Hebrew women. The midwives feared God and did not follow his instructions. They told him the babies were being born before they could arrive (smart gals), and there was nothing they could do. God blessed the midwives for their obedience. The Israelites continued to multiply.

Now, it was time for “Plan C”. Pharoah commanded his people to throw every Hebrew boy into the Nile River.

About this time a baby boy was born to a family of the tribe of Levi. To save her child, his mother placed him in a papyrus basket coated with pitch and placed him in the reeds at the edge of the river. She had her daughter, Miriam, keep watch from a distance.

A God-Ordained Bathtime

What happens next is nothing less than a miracle. You see, God had a BIG plan for this little guy. Pharoah’s daughter would often bathe in the Nile, as was the custom. The Egyptians believed the Nile was a life-giving force that brought them closer to their gods.

As Pharoah’s daughter was bathing, she saw the basket in the reeds and asked her maid to retrieve it. She saw that it was a crying Hebrew baby, and her heart softened towards him. Just then, quick-thinking Miriam appeared from the shadows and asked Pharoah’s daughter if she would like her to go and get a nursing mother from among the Hebrews to nurse the baby. The princess replied, “Yes, go and get someone”.

If you’ve read the story, you know that unbeknownst to the princess, Miriam retrieved her own mother! The princess told her to take the baby and nurse him and that she would be paid to do so. When the baby was weaned, he was brought back to Pharoah’s daughter and he became her son, Egyptian royalty. She named him, Moses, meaning, ‘I drew you out of the water’. Only God could orchestrate such a mind-blowing scenario, don’t you agree?

Moses Faces Pharoah

God had a plan for Moses. He eventually led God’s people out of slavery in Egypt (after God spoke to him from a burning bush) by facing Pharoah, as God’s representative, causing all the plagues to come upon the Egyptians. When Pharoah finally let the people go, he quickly changed his mind and chased after them with his army. Moses then lifted his staff and parted the Red Sea as the people hurried across to safety. The Egyptian army was swallowed up as they rushed into the seabed and water cascaded violently down on them.

It was also Moses who received the Ten Commandments, God’s divine law, from the Lord on Mount Sinai. And he, who led the Israelites towards the Promised Land including 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Moses died on the plains of Moab, within sight of the Promised Land when he was 120 years old. He was one of God’s greatest prophets. The Bible says, “Since that time, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face-to-face, for all the signs and wonders the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharoah…” Deuteronomy 34:10-11 (NASB)

Get With God’s Plan

God had a plan for Moses, and He has a plan for you. You may not be a great leader as Moses was, but God has a purpose for you. Are you unsure of yourself? Moses was, too. He had a speech problem and didn’t think the people would listen to him. God made a way. Let’s open our eyes and see how God has answered prayer, paved the way, changed our direction, and guided our steps. Your life is not a random chain of events. Open your eyes, trust God, and celebrate that little ol’ you (and me) have a part in the eternal plan of the God of the universe.

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10 Suggestions for Spiritually Focused New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on January 6, 2025 by Heart of the Matter

Well, it’s the new year and time for resolutions. Bummer. You see, I have a very bad record of keeping resolutions. I’ve tried to eat better, exercise more, and generally be more disciplined, only to fall off the wagon within a few weeks. I’ve often wondered what kind of super-human beings can stay on track with their lifestyle changes for more than 6 months. Some of you may be such creatures. You have my utmost respect. For most of us, however, it’s a real challenge.

I’d venture to say most resolutions are diet and exercise related. We may decide to give up sugar, lose weight, join a gym, or drink water instead of soda. Or perhaps we desire a more focused and organized life, so we commit to reduce our phone time, give up social media, reduce clutter in our home, minimize our TV viewing, or read more books.

These ideas are all good. They can help us lead a more healthy and productive life, and in some cases, give us more time for things like prayer and reading the Word. But have you considered incorporating a few distinctly spiritual goals this year?

Here are some suggestions:

  • Spend 20-30 minutes in the Word each day.
  • Read through the entire Bible this year.
  • Attend a Bible study in your community or at your church.
  • Join a local Bible preaching church and get involved.
  • Volunteer once a week or once a month with an organization that helps the less fortunate.
  • Initiate a daily prayer time with your spouse.
  • Mentor someone new to the faith.
  • Post a “Verse of the Month” in your home on which to focus on as a family.
  • Forgive someone you’ve held a grudge against and purpose to forgive all offenses this year—banish unforgiveness from your life.
  • Share the gospel with 5 people.

Join me in focusing on spiritual growth and obedience to the Word of God this year. Grow closer to God with me. Get to know Him through Bible reading, focused Bible study, and prayer. Become engaged in Kingdom work by using your gifts and walking through the doors that God opens for you as you follow his lead. Decide this year to serve, give, and grow.

Of course, the most important thing you can do this year to change your life is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and make Him Lord of your life if you have not done so. It will not only change your today, but it will also forever alter your tomorrow, as you secure a place in the family of God for eternity.

As we consider our New Year’s resolutions, we must always remember that the condition of our inner selves is exceedingly more important than the way we look on the outside. Let’s place our focus inward this year and come alive in 2025!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5: 17 (ESV)

“But that is not the way you learned Christ—assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”  Ephesians 4: 20-24 (ESV)

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8 (ESV)

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