I really enjoyed Mike Rowe's reality-TV series "Dirty Jobs." Call me weird, but that sort of thing fascinates me. One of the most overwhelming benefits to watching that show — besides expanding my education of how things work — was that it revealed to me how incredibly thankful I could be about my job.

Now, I've really only worked a few jobs over the course of my life. In high school, I cut lawns on the weekend, dragging my dad's push mower down our long dirt road and knocking on the doors of the elderly neighbors in the hopes that I would earn at least $10 a yard. Later, I worked in the shop of an industrial pump company. In college, I worked at a car wash, served as a custodian for a couple of churches, and even painted houses with a professional painting team. Along the journey of being in full-time ministry, I have also been a school teacher, a Dean of Students, and a campus pastor. In fact, most of my other work experience is in the church world. This disqualifies me from saying that my current "job" is the hardest or "dirtiest" job in America. After all, I've never been the captain of a nuclear submarine, a brain surgeon, an air traffic controller, or an SEC college football coach, all of which seem like very intense positions. 

However, I have been a full time pastor for over 30 years. Working through the ranks, I started out as a youth pastor — with a rather impressive salary of $35/month — and then went on to serve at a Christian church, a Missionary Alliance church, Baptist churches and Independent churches. 

There was a time in our country when being a pastor was far easier than it is today. There was a time in America when being a minister of any level at a church was easier than it is today. The calling of a pastor is a truly amazing thing. God chooses a man — foolish, weak, without much power or honor (1 Corinthians 1:26-30) — to lead, train, and disciple a fold full of similar sheep, in order to change the world and to live out Kingdom values. He is supposed to build up a body of Christ-followers so that they will deny themselves, die to themselves, and proclaim Christ's death, burial, and resurrection to their community. (Luke 9:23-24, 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10)

As our culture has slowly fallen away from the traditional Judeo-Christian values — and fallen deeper into the bowels of humanism — ministry efforts, responsibilities, and procedures have changed. And not just a little. Allow me to give you some examples. One of the easiest ways to explain this is to think about how a music minister's role, even at a small country church, has changed. In the 1970's and '80's and '90's, a worship pastor at a small church only needed to know about one-third of the hymns in the pew hymnal and learn a few "specials" that were becoming popular on Christian radio. In fact, when the music minister arrived at church on Sundays, he could simply stand next to the pianist about 40 minutes before the service, pick three hymns for the day, and maybe select the two needed for the evening service. The "work" for the week was in teaching the church choir the "offertory" song that would be sung each Sunday. This was usually rehearsed on a Wednesday evening. Sixty-percent of the time, this "special" was also a hymn (usually one that was not quite as common among the congregation.) Moreover, the music minister did not necessarily need to play an instrument himself.

Music leaders today, though, have a dramatically different role. Each week, 20 to 30 great worship songs are written, published, recorded and promoted on radio and every form of social media. Music leaders have to evaluate song keys and singers. He has to be able to able to work with a band, sound system problems, staging challenges, and a wide array of vocalists. He has to pre-select music for themed services, mix music with media presentations, and juggle which singer is leading  verses as supporting singers. It's not nearly the same job that it used to be! 

In the past (back when I was a teenager, longing to follow in the footsteps of my pastor David J. Jones), leading a church had a short list of responsibilities, most of which were expected by congregations. Here's a simple bullet list of ministers' roles back in the 1970's or 80's: 

• Preaching Sunday morning and evening
• Teaching a devotional on Wednesday and leading prayer service
• Counseling families or teens who are wayward
• Performing marriages and funerals as needed
• Additional responsibilities might include driving kids to summer camp, teaching a Tuesday morning study group. 

Today, a lead pastor at a small church has a vastly different role. Here are some of the things, in addition to the list above, that he must do in order to be effective as a good shepherd to his congregation: 

• Study cultural trends and generational trends 
• Study contemporary outreach methods 
• Research local community needs and demographics 
• Design Bible-based messages that appeal to the specific local community 
• Evaluate hundreds of authors and online resources in order to protect his flock from false teaching. 
• Counsel families (which has changed dramatically over the last 30 years thanks the collapse of the nuclear family in modern society.) 
• Train committee and team leaders in cultural issues and Christian values 
• Determine the specific vision for the church family and cast it in a compelling way in order to inspire families to serve. 
• Build bridges between the generations (Millennial to Boomers and Busters, X, Y, Z's to Millennials and Boomers) 
• Evaluate and/or create social media promotion for church
• Establish community presence for the church
• Evaluate and/or design media for messages 
• Research videos for sermon illustrations (Millennials and Gen X need this.) 
• Update personal social media with inspirational content, quotes, Scripture, etc. 
• Develop and train young staff and volunteers 
• Administer key teams and/or committees. 
• Keep the music guy from running people off (Just kidding...sort of....) 

And remember, all of this assumes that other key leaders are handling the building, finances, grounds, maintenance, budgets, etc. Otherwise, that falls on the pastor's shoulders as well. 

If I thought harder, I could likely make this list much longer. In fact, if you're a fellow minister, you're welcome to add to it in the comment section below. I would love to see what I've left off. Small churches like the one where I serve often require a lot from a pastor. Excellence in ministry requires a lot from a pastor. I am writing all of this down, not as a complaint, but because I love my work responsibilities and my calling. However, I believe that, at times, the average congregation forgets what a pastor is really trying to accomplish and how cultural shifts dramatically change the role of any good minister. Ministers who just want to "coast" through life will be able to work off the first bullet point list and likely do some good at a small church. Ministers who really want the church to be a beacon of grace and hope in a dark and dying world will need to work through most of the second list on a weekly basis. 

I know for a fact that it's never been harder to move a fellowship of Christ-followers toward ministry and service and full devotion to Christ our Savior. If you're a pastor, I know it has never been more complicated and challenging to preach and teach the glorious and life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ in a way that is effective and inspiring (Acts 20:24). If you're a pastor, I know it has never been harder to care for the souls of of those who you serve (Hebrews 13:17). I would encourage you to guard your heart and soul with rich doses of the Word. Find sweet fellowship with Christ first before trying to understand or lead your fold. Let Christ be your leader as the head of the Church and work to be a good "under-shepherd" caring well for the fold that has been entrusted to you. 

If you need some encouragement, reach out to my team at 614ministries.org. 

If you are a church member, lay-leader, or volunteer at your church, bless you and your kind. Serve your pastor. Honor his efforts. Stand alongside him and help. Remember, he has a very hard job. Perhaps the hardest in America. 

Dear Pastor Friends and church members, 

After 40 years in ministry, I want to clarify something that is often misunderstood and mistaught by the local church: The pastor of your church is one of you. Consider the Apostle Paul — the great church-planter and developer — as he writes the God-inspired words in 1 Corinthians 12 that we are all, as true Christ-followers, individual parts of the body of Christ, which is His Church. (1 Corinthians 12:12-20) While it is good to respect and honor your pastor, he is only part of the team that makes up your church. He does his part, you do your part, others do their part, and the Church (the Body of Christ) works well to bring grace and hope to a community and bring glory to God. Everyone in the church is part of the ministry team. Everyone. If you're at a church and are not helping to minster to the community, alongside your pastor and staff leadership, then you really aren't part of the church. If you're observing and not actually serving, you're simply watching church happen, but not actively participating in it. 

Think of it this way: Spectators at a football game are great while cheering on a team. But they're not part of the team, part of the work, or part of the efforts to achieve the goal. At a church, however, everyone — including the pastor, the new believers, and the little children — are all part of the body-life of that particular church. Everyone is part of the team. Everyone is supposed to be doing ministry throughout the week. Everyone is needed and important. (1 Corinthians 12:17-21) And, of course, pastors must do their part as well. 

In this age of rapid-fire Facebook posts, tweets, texts, Snapchats, Instagrams, and instant opinions, I often find myself discouraged when church members who are not really supporting, helping, and serving their local church body choose to speak out against that church and its  spiritual leaders. After all, God's design is for there to be leaders and followers. This is clear from the New Testament church designs and from the fact that God refers to the elders of the church as "shepherds." (Acts 20:28-29)

Now, Shepherds are indeed supposed to lead sheep. But, they are also supposed to care for and engage with the sheep. Jesus is the Great Shepherd whom we are all following. And, at the end of the day, every pastor is also a sheep. All of us are to be following the One Great Shepherd who satisfies our every need. (John 10:14) Church members should work closely with the pastors and leaders to bring ministry to the local community. 

So, could there be some ministers who are potentially not following Christ? Of course. And God will deal with them. These bad leaders are very obvious to those who truly care about the values and principles of Christlike living. Unhitch your wagon from these leaders as quickly as possible. I am referring to ministers — several who I know personally — who are doing all that they can to create healthy ministry, striving to love the church body, teach and practice the "one anothers," and reach the lost in daily discipleship, all while many within the church stand and watch them serve with critical comments and complaints. This is not right. This is not what God expects of the members of His Body, His Bride. Instead, the members of a church were expecting the pastor to work 162 hours per week. I know that is extreme, but I also know that the expectations are high for those who are pastoring. (I've been doing this for a long time and I know that you expect a lot!) And the expectations of pastors in small churches are very high. Instead of expecting the pastor to be so busy, help him! Serve alongside him! (1 Thessalonians 1:6-10) 

The pastor is not more important than the person who just recently joined your fellowship. Both are equal. Both are indwelled by the Spirit of God. Both are spiritually gifted by God through His grace. Both are saved by God through His grace. And both are important to the overall functioning of the church. Both are equally needed. Let me be clear: I'm not saying that your pastor doesn't deserve to be respected and honored. Paul's letter to Timothy is clear about giving double honor to those who lead and teach the church. (1 Timothy 5:17)

But, as a member of the church yourself, it is clear that you are a minister as well. You have gifts (just as your pastor does) that are meant to serve the church. Your gifts are just as important as his gifts. Your work and service are just as important and vital to the effectiveness of the church as the pastor's work. In fact, if the pastor is a phenomenal teacher, preacher, vision-casting maniac with superb leadership gifts and amazing shepherding skills, but you as a member do not serve and support the church, then the church will struggle and eventually fail. You see, it's easy to fall into the false assumption that the pastor's work is more important than yours at a local church. But after 40 years of ministry, I can tell you that your work is just as important. All of the body is valuable. All of the body is necessary for the church to be healthy. 

To many of my pastor-brothers out there who are reading this: Please do not put yourself on a plane higher than your fellow church family and congregants. (Romans 12:3; James 4:6-10; Matthew 20:25) Remember that you are His sheep. Humility is essential in order for you to shepherd well. Consider again the Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ, our model, who washed the feet of twelve disciples as they argued over who was the greatest in the room on the night that one of them would betray Him. Jesus did not lord his authority, though He indeed had "all authority on heaven and Earth." 

Do not lord your authority over your people either. Instead, serve them and equip them for the work of the ministry. 1 Peter 5:2-4 says, "shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; not yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory." (NASU) 

Here are four quick summary thoughts: 

1. Remember that the pastor is just one of you. Do not put him so high up on a pedestal that it destroys his ability to be real. 
2. Consider ways to befriend your pastor and to support his family just like you would do with your own family or other close friends. Do not stand apart from him as if he and/or his family are "special" or different.) 
3. Honor the pastor for his service, his heart, and his sacrifice. Forgive him when he is weak or struggling just as you would forgive any fellow church member. Leadership gives a pastor a heavy responsibility. 
4. Seek to work as hard as your pastor so that the church can be healthy. 

In closing, I could like to encourage you all to check out a new ministry platform I have recently launched called 6.14 Ministries, based on my life verse Galatians 6:14 as well as on Nehemiah 2:17. You can learn about the ministry by visiting our official website at: 614ministries.org 

Paul speaks of Timothy and Epaphroditus in chapter two as men to hold in high regard. In chapter three, he writes, "Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us." 

There are people in this world who walk in patterns of selfishness and seek the things of the world. Paul writes with no uncertainty that their end is destruction and that there is no gain in life for them. But, if we are to endure, we must seek out men and women who live lives of selflessness. We must find men and women who are living Christ-centered lives, caring for the things of Christ as Timothy did (2:19), not the things of this world. We must seek out these men and women and follow them. So, who is your mentor in the faith? Is he/she living selflessly and following Christ? Surrounding yourself with strong men and women of faith is key to enduring difficult times. 

Paul had many reasons to have self-assurance and self-confidence. His lineage, heritage, blood-line, career credentials, and scholarly achievements were stout. Boasting would have been (and in his pre-conversion years, likely was) easy. But, in chapter three, Paul teaches us to count all things as loss except for knowing Christ intimately, deeply, and personally. Paul wants to be so connected with Christ ("to know Him," "gain Him," "and be found in Him") that when you see Paul, you will then see Christ. Learning what is truly valuable is one of the greatest ways to endure hard times. Seeing God's value system and imposing it over your own will help you to endure the worst of situations. 

Even secular "life coaches" teach this principle: In order to endure, you must keep moving forward. One step at a time, one inch at a time if necessary, but press on. Paul brings this concept to our attention as he talks about centering your life, thoughts and goals on pleasing Christ. If you make everything more about Christ than about yourself, you will be well on your way to enduring trials and to building a life that glorifies God. It helps when we simplify our values and passions. In chapter three when Paul allows us to peek into his motives and values, he has a singular drive, a singular focus, and a singular passion. 

Philippians 3:12-14 — "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." 

Your ability to endure will grow much stronger if you will set Christ as your goal and move forward, steadily toward knowing Him, loving Him, obeying Him, and following Him. 

Paul trusted God with all of his needs. As Christ-followers, we often say that we trust God, but more often than not, we seek to manage our own finances and to "control" our financial destinies without even consulting what God would ask us to do. In Philippians 4:19, Paul writes these amazing and encouraging words to the church at Philippi — "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus." 

The promise is that God will supply all, yes ALL, of your needs. Not some, not most, but all. And He supplies it from His riches, not from yours. So, from his prison cell, Paul can write in chapter four, "thanks for your gifts" but I'm good, because with or without your help, God will take care of me." (Stan Givens paraphrase) Paul is confident of this very thing that "He [God] who began the good work in him, will complete it." Paul knows that God is the author (writer, pioneer) and "finisher" (perfecter) of our faith.

Do you have such confidence in God's promise to work in your life? Do you know He will provide, comfort and sustain you in all things? Enduring cancer, financial crises, deaths of loved ones, and deeper life pains require us to look for deeper life resources. God is the only supply of such resources. Are you going through hard times now? Trust Him to supply everything. Start by counting your current blessings to see how He is already supplying and then look to Him with patience and trust that He will provide for the rest. 

I believe God built us all to endure, not to quit. I believe God instilled within us all the strength to remain in trials and troubles and to see them through. I believe He gets the glory and we get the blessings when we endure with rejoicing as we apply His resources. 

What comes to mind when you hear the word "endurance"? For many of us, we think in terms of athletic endurance — long distance runners, linebackers, linemen, and wide receivers. Of course, we also have drinks that are designed to help us "endure" — sports drinks and energy drinks that give us that extra shot of energy to make it through a long day at the office.

Successful athletic teams have endurance coaches to help players endure the physical and emotional rigors of their respective sport. 

We have business consultants that seek to help companies endure the changing culture and difficult economic times. But for everyone, even non-athletic types, endurance is important. Sometimes you have to endure a bad work situation, a difficult marriage, failing health, a struggling business, an uncertain future, emotional fears, mental discouragements, and 100 other potential looming challenges. 

For all of us, we can find hope in the fact that Jesus knew we would need to endure hard things throughout our lifetime. In Hebrews 12:1-2, we are told to run with endurance the race set out for us, keeping our eyes fixes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set out for Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 

I believe this concept is what the Apostle Paul had in his mind and heart to sustain him while in prison. For two years, Paul was imprisoned in Rome. Instead of an ankle bracelet tracking device, Paul was chained to a behemoth Roman soldier every day. He was forced to eat disgusting prison food; he slept on prison floors; he lived in dirty prison conditions for two years, waiting for a sentencing from the judges of Rome. Each day his future was uncertain. With each knock at his cell door, he could be issued papers that call for his beheading. With all of these "wonderful circumstances," you would imagine his letters to his friends and church congregants might read like a modern day millennial critique of life in America, listing one complaint after another. After all, in some sense, Paul was a victim of societal injustice and persecution. He was simply planting churches and helping the community to better itself. And yet, here he finds himself, living in wretched conditions with little to no hope. In fact, in Philippians 2, you can hear Paul's uncertainty creep in as he writes, "for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." 

But, the letter from prison, which we know today as the Epistle to the Philippians, is far from a whiny and disgruntled complaint. In fact, it is a letter filled with joy, hope, counsel, and encouragement. Here are three of seven total keys to Paul's strength and endurance taken from the words of Philippians. (Stay tuned in a week for the other four.) 

Selflessness is a dominant theme of Paul's letter to the Philippians. Chapter 2, verse 3 and 4, says, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." And the dominate command of the letter is found in chapter 2 verse 5, where we are charged as Christ-followers to "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men..." 

Selflessness is vital if we are going to endure hard times. In truth, selfish people are rarely able to endure anything. Selfishness leads to victim mentality and "why-me" and "poor, pitiful me" thoughts, none of which will help you endure difficulty. Thinking of others, and how to bless, minister to, and help them in your hard times is one of the greatest ways you can find the strength to endure your own trials. 

"So then my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." 

When Paul commands the Philippians to "work out" their salvation, he uses a word that would have been very familiar to the colony of Philippi. The town was surrounded by gold and silver mines. In order to gain the treasures in the nearby mountains, the men had to dig, chisel, hammer, and pound their way deep into the mountain in order to find the valuable treasure. Much in the same way, as Christ-followers, Paul is urging us to "mine out" that which God placed in us at the moment of salvation. We have been given all that we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3-4) — "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." 

We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing according to Ephesians 1:3. Galatians 5 describes the fruit of the Holy Spirit that is in us, things like agape-love, joy, peace, patience, hope, and kindness. Paul wants us to "mine out" all the good treasures God has placed within us. We endure best when we use the resources God has placed within us for "life and godliness." 

As Paul sends his letter filled with joy, listen to his challenge, in chapter 2, verses 17-18: "But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me." 

Notice he is being "poured out" as an offering. This has both positive and negative spiritual connotations. It involves suffering and draining. I know that in the course of my many years of ministry, I have often felt "drained" and "poured out." Yet Paul's charge for us is to rejoice with him and share in this "draining" and to share our joy with others.

​Notice also Philippians 3:1 — "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord." Philippians 4:4 — "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." 

The rejoicing Paul speaks of here is not a silent, somber, self-talking rejoicing. He wants your rejoicing to be external! He wants your rejoicing to be shared by others. It's part of your testimony to a lost and dying world. We live in a culture of bad news, fearful headlines, and uncertain futures. As followers of Jesus, we must rejoice out loud so that others can have hope and come to know Him as we do. Rejoicing greatly enhances one's ability to endure! 

So, how can a man who's been in jail for two years, chained to a guard (the old-school version of our modern ankle bracelet tracking system) with an uncertain sentencing (one that could include potential execution) write a joyful letter to his friends who are nearly a thousand miles away? And how could the letter itself be filled with joy and rejoicing? Well, I'm glad that you asked. 

Here's how you can be filled with joy in your every day life and especially in the dark days, the darker months, and the darker years. Paul gives us the example to follow. I believe He has drawn truths from some Old Testament verses, wisdom from King David and King Saul. Consider Proverbs 3 where Solomon writes, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." Consider also Psalm 37:4-5 — "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it." 

I believe Paul lived these verses throughout his ministry and that he personally applied them in order to be able to manifest trust and trials and joy while in jail. 

First, we need a quick overview and understanding of the theology of joy from the Scriptures. First of all, joy is not an emotion. Joy in the Bible is an inner character strength. Follow me to Nehemiah 8:10 — "The joy of the Lord is my strength." And if we combine that verse with Hebrews 12:2 — "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross..." we soon see just how much strength joy can give us! In truth, Jesus faced the cross as a fully innocent Savior, never giving into temptation to stop the suffering — the great suffering — that would cause him to drink in all of our sins and be separated from His Father and die. For the joy set before Him, Jesus was able to endure the cross. Joy — Jesus' joy — is the strength to endure anything. 

Now, the question is: How do I get Jesus' joy? Here's the really cool part of the Bible. If you're a Christ-follower and believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, He has made a great promise to us all that He freely gives His joy away. In the final instructions to the 11 believing disciples, Jesus said, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full." (John 15:9-11) 

Jesus is emphasizing with his soon-to-be world-changing disciples that they must obey and abide. Obedience is the key to getting the joy of Jesus. In fact, Jesus says He will fill you with His joy if you obey His instructions. So the strength to endure anything comes from when we choose to obey the commandments of the Lord. If you find yourself weak mentally or spiritually or emotionally or in any other way, you need to evaluate what truths you are following and what truths you are avoiding. In my journey with the Lord, I have found that, much like King Saul in 1 Samuel 15:22, I can fool myself into believing I am fully obedient. But, a more careful examination (2 Corinthians 13:5) reveals I am only partially obeying.

So, what commands do I need to obey? Answer: All the ones that I know. Sadly, my evaluations go something like this: 

When I really examine my obedience, I am actually a lot like King Saul, full of pride and lies and excuses. Read through this devotional thought by Charles Spurgeon and see if you are not challenged to become fully obedient like I have been challenged: 

We've learned that obedience to Jesus' instructions is the key to our joy which is the strength we need to endure hard times and to enjoy with grace good times. This is how Paul was able to express real joy and demonstrate enormous spiritual strength while in prison in Rome. Here are four evidences of Paul's obedience found in his letter to Philippi. 

• Paul trusted in God for his future.
  • Philippians 1:6-7 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. NASU
  • Philippians 4:19 - And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  
• Paul put Christ in highest place in his life.
  • Philippians 3:6-14  But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.NASU
  • He discarded things of earthly value
• Paul prayed his burdens onto Christ.
  • Philippians 4:4-6  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NASU
  • HE prayed with thankfulness 
• Paul literally delighted himself in the Lord. 
  • Psalm 37:4-5  Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. NASU

From a jail cell in ancient Rome, eating prison food, sleeping on prison furniture and with an uncertain and possibly dark future, Paul writes for his friends to "rejoice in the Lord." He adds that for him to live is Christ to die is gain and that He is fully satisfied and content, with a peace that passes understanding. HE WAS A TESTIMONY from JAIL of a person not bound to the Earth. 

When you have Jesus' JOY- filling you up.. the things of Earth do not weigh you down.
When you have Jesus' JOY in your life - you look "different" from those around you who are weighed down by the cares of this world. When you have Jesus' JOY in your life - you can testify of JESUS with confidence. When you have Jesus' JOY in your life you can testify to your family that something is different, and better. 

Psalm 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. NASU

In His presence, is fullness of joy; fullness of His strength flowing through you. If you want to unlock the strength of Jesus joy in your life, you have to become serious about obedience. Take an inventory this week of Bible truths you know you should obey. Be honest with yourself and work on being fully obedient without excuses. 

Who doesn't want to live a better life? All of my friends and family want a better life. We all want better lives for ourselves and for our children. I want to live at a higher level and I want to live to higher standards. Over the last two years, I've had a blast studying the New Testament book of Philippians. Having studied it twice before for sermon preparations, I foolishly thought that I already knew what the book was all about. But God's Word is deep and beautiful, practical and wise. Chapter three of Philippians has helped me to see the higher standards, goals, and values that the Apostle Paul lived by so that his life's final mantra would be "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and kept the faith and there is in store for me a crown of righteousness." 

In Philippians chapter three, Paul shares with us the higher values, standards and goals on which we need to focus in order to live better lives during our time here on Earth. First, he challenges us to rejoice, specifically to choose joy, as a higher character value. Joy is not an emotion. Rather, it is a character value given to us as we obey the words of Jesus Christ (John 15:6-11). Joy is an inner character strength (Nehemiah 8:10). It is the strength to endure anything, including an undeserved death on a cross (Hebrews 12:2). 

Second, Paul calls us to do some higher math. In order for us to live at a higher level, the way that God intends for us to live, we must count some things as valuable and some things as loss. Paul has learned that his resume of career achievement, religious accomplishments, impressive titles and cultural heritage are worthless. The only thing that is truly valuable is a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ. Paul encourages us all to "gain Christ," "be found in Christ," and "know Christ." All other pursuits, according to Paul, are as worthless as human waste. The higher standard that we must choose to build into our life is a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christ came to Earth to make that possible. He died on a cross to pay for our sins and to invite us to have a deep, genuine and meaningful relationship with Him. For the Apostle Paul, Jesus met him o the Damascus road and the relationship began (Acts 9). Philippians chapter three is where Paul explains that nothing is more important than knowing Christ. The higher goal setting that Paul does is outlined well when he explains we have to be honest about where we are (none of us have arrived spiritually), simplify your plans, put the past behind us (learn from it, but leave it), think forward and future (reaching to what lies ahead), press on with committed diligence, and listen to God to help keep you on the right course. Paul concluded chapter three by telling us that we have to remember we have a higher status because our citizenship is in Heaven. We are not citizens of Earth with appetites for things of the Earth, or desiring things that God would rank as shameful. In fact, we are citizens of Heaven and, as such, we will soon be transformed from a lowly state of humility to a glorified state, where we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. 

As I've dug deeper and deeper into this chapter, I've seen my own weaknesses and my propensities to settle for lower values, lower standards and lower goals. A disheartening trend in our culture these days is to settle for easy. I've heard the quote many times over the last several years that "the easiest way to do something is always the best way to do it." The truth is, for things that matter, discipline, diligence and determination all have to be a part of the work needed to accomplish the meaningful goals. Superior musicians do not practice only the easy scales and easy music. Superior athletes do not find the easiest ways to work out. In fact, they often invent harder and more difficult ways to work out, carrying weights while they run or running up stadium stairs in order to improve their skills. Paul calls for the discipline of hard work in Philippians 2:11, where we are to work out (literally mine out) the treasure of salvation within us. He calls for mental diligence when he commands us to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel and to have the selfless attitude that Christ maintained. (Philippians 1:27, 2:5) He calls for us to be determined to press on forward no matter what our past or struggles. (Philippians 3:12) 

As Christ-followers, are we living out our lives in a "settled state" or are we reaching forward, pressing on and racing for the highest goals and values? Are we running to win, or just running to finish? Philippians chapter three is a challenge to seek excellence and higher goals in your spiritual journey. Seek the highest goal of knowing Christ. The greatest thing you can do for your legacy, the greatest thing you can do for your future and your family and children is to put Christ in the highest place in your life. Seek Him above all other things. If a career move is needed, make sure Christ is the highest goal in that move. If a big decision is looming, seek Christ for an answer and be sure that He can be in the center of your life in whatever you decide as a course of action. For us to gain a higher standard of living, we must choose the One who is exalted to the highest place (Philippians 2:10) to be our highest priority of relationship. 

Did you fellowship with Jesus today? Did you take time to meet with Him in prayer and to spend time in His Word? Did you find ways to learn more about Him today? Did you seek to guide other toward Him today? Did you ask Jesus what was on His agenda for today rather than merely asking Him to help you with your agenda? 

I pray that you will find a way to gain this higher level of life offered by Jesus. It is beautiful and sweet. Follow His instructions. 

For a more in-depth study of these truths in Philippians, check out my series "Have Joy, Be Fearless" on the Northside podcast at northsidemobile.org and on iTunes. 

My church staff and I are currently working through a book by Bill Hybels called "Simplify." Well, the truth is that they are flying through it and I am wrestling with it. The overarching concept of this book, which is believe contains biblically-sound advice, is 110% the polar opposite of how I do life, ministry and everything in-between. I am terrible at resting, relaxing and unplugging, all of which are necessary for spiritual health. We need to stay replenished so that we can minister to others from a healthy platform of grace rather than duty. So, I am making efforts. One of the best "bucket fillers" that replenishes me is time with my whole family. When my whole family is gathered together for meals or visits, my heart is overflowing with joy. God's grace is felt strong during those times. I love how my sons (Joshua and Caleb) and daughter (Mary) and daughter-in-law (Ashley) interact with each other and with myself and Annette. During these times, I sense what Abraham must have felt as his family grew and became what God intended. The laughter, discussions, ribbing, sarcasm, and even the quiet moments are all "undeserved favor" for me and I know that God is the author of those moments. 

Last week, God blessed my entire family and I with the chance to visit The Ark Encounter in Williamston, Kentucky. After saving for a couple of years, I wanted to take the family on a real "vacation." My oldest son Joshua laughs when I use that word because, for several years (literally years), I have never used that word. Our trips have always been for missions work, ministry work, visiting extended family and relatives, or helping others in need. Of course there's nothing wrong with any of the aforementioned. However, we were never "on vacation" in the sense that most people think of this terminology. Moreover, my three kids (who are adults now) were in high school the last time Annette and I rented a place at the beach for a three-day get-away. (I told you I was terrible at this stuff.) 

Anyway, while God was showing me some "underserved favor" with my family, we visited a "big grace" place. Ken Ham and the creators of the life-sized Ark from the story of Noah in Genesis 6 have done an excellent job of bringing a biblical story to life for the next generation. The historical facts, scientific truths, and biblical accuracy of the "Encounter" were top notch. (If you ever go, take your time during the tour. There is a lot to absorb.) But, I want to focus on the "big picture" since it was such a BIG ENCOUNTER for me. 

At the risk of oversimplifying the story of Noah, here are some facts: After only a few generations of life on Earth, mankind had become so evil, corrupt and sinful that God was pretty much "done with us." God's decision to judge the sin was already in place from the time of Creation. How and when was the question. Sin is not tolerated by a Holy God. So a literal world-wide flood of judgement upon mankind was God's choice in how He would "destroy every living thing" on Earth. 

"Look! I am about to cover the earth with a flood that will destroy every living thing that breathes. Everything on earth will die." (Genesis 6:18, NLT) 

But Noah [and his family] found grace and favor with God. (Genesis 6:8) 

So, God told Noah about the coming catastrophic flood and gave him instructions to build a boat; a giant boat that would save his family and land-dwelling animals. The Ark is not just a boat though. It is a Life-Boat designed by God to rescue man from judgement and death. It is literally a huge Life-Saver. It is favor and grace from God on an enormous scale (literally.) God was heartbroken and disappointed that He had ever created mankind and it was all because of our incessant sinning. I wonder how He "feels" about us today? The Ark was a GIANT LIFE BOAT from God. The Ark is Grace. BIG GRACE. Over 450-foot-long and 75-feet-wide Grace. Over four stories tall and three million board feet of timber Grace. Standing under the shadow of the bow, you can get the idea of BIG GRACE. 

As we walked up to The Ark and tried to take in the enormous size of the largest timber frame structure in the world, my mechanical nature was overwhelmed at the idea of how much actual scaffolding Noah and his construction teams would have built to build this monstrosity of Grace. And, to be sure that God's choice to judge mankind was not rash or impulsive, the time to build The Ark is estimated to be between 55 and 75 years. How many labor hours do you think it took to cut and plane three million feet of timber in Noah's day? God was patient and providing. He guided Noah and his steps. He provided resources and supernatural help (like rounding up the animals - Genesis 6:9.) God was not impulsive and those around Noah's work could have yielded to the monstrous image of Grace that God was revealing to them. But, in fact, His Grace was ignored and likely even mocked. The Ark stood five stories high on a hilltop for 50-plus years. Big Grace right there in view for all to learn about and see. 

I believe God's Grace is still BIG. I know His grace to me is BIG. I can see it bigger and bigger every year of my life. Can you see his BIG Grace? The cross of Jesus is the biggest sign of His grace. In fact, Paul asked the Galatian churches: How do you lose sight of the public billboard of Christ's crucifixion? You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed (literally a public sign) as crucified? (Galatians 3:1) The cross wasn't five stories high or three football fields long. But the cross was Jesus, the one and only Son of the Living God, holy and sinless, falsely accused, tried and tortured, beaten, shamed, mocked, and publicly executed for me and for you. The most outstanding Being in the history of mankind, and in all of Eternity, died on a cross for my sins and three days later rose again to conquer death, Hell and the grave for me. I can be free from the sin that sends me to Hell. I can be free from the destruction of eternal damnation. I can fellowship with God and Jesus in a place of no pain, sorrow or sadness for all eternity because Jesus died on the cross. I simply have to believe that Jesus truly did die on the cross for my sins and rose again to give me new life. Big Grace! Grace that says, 'no matter what you've done, there is no sin outside the boundaries of God's grace because His grace superabounds beyond the limits of sin.' "But when sin grew worse, God's grace increased. Sin once used death to rule us, but God gave people more of his grace so that grace could rule by making people right with him. And this brings life forever through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21, NCV) 

As Christ-followers, our responsibility, our job for God, is to enlarge God's grace in the eyes of those around us. We are literal pictures of God's grace on Earth to those who are under judgement. How BIG is your picture? How much grace is your life demonstrating and exhibiting and discussing in order to highlight the enormous grace of God? Ken Ham and his ministry team built an Ark (and Creation Museum). What are you building that evidences God's magnificent, majestic grace? Are your life's goals and passions building grace images for God? Or are you building for yourself? Are your conversations and career moves highlighting God's grace and your trust in Him? 

I cannot end this reflection on grace without giving you one of my favorite quotes on grace. It comes from Kenneth S. Wuest, a Biblical Greek New Testament scholar and professor at Moody Bible Institute during the mid-twentieth century: 

"There is enough grace in God's heart of love to save and keep saved for time and eternity, every sinner that ever has or ever will live, and then enough left over to save a million more universes full of sinners, were there such, and then some more. There is enough grace available to give every saint constant victory over sin, and then some more. There is enough grace to meet and cope with all the sorrows, heartaches, difficulties, temptations, testings, and trials of human existence, and more added to that. God's salvation is an oversize salvation. It is shock proof, stain proof, unbreakable, all sufficient. It is equal to every emergency, for it flows from the heart of an infinite God, freely bestowed and righteously given through the all-sufficient sacrifice of our Lord on the cross. Salvation is all of grace. Trust God's grace. It is super-abounding grace." 

We live in a day where BIG STORMS and BIG PROBLEMS trouble us constantly. I pray you will trust in God's BIG GRACE for your daily lives. If you are drowning in troubles and feel like you need a Life-Saver, please feel free to write to me and I can share how I found grace and we can converse together about your needs. God is patient in providing for you and for me. I am grateful for five days of BIG GRACE with my family. I'm grateful for grace upon grace to be reminded of the grace for Noah and his family and for Stan and his family. I pray the same for you and your family and friends as you read this. 

So, as I was privileged to speak at Northside this morning regarding fathers, I was challenged by God to write down a few thoughts and share them with you, my friends and readers, and all of those who have cared for me over the years. 

First of all, I am grateful to my father, Dallas Givens, for loving me enough to teach me about discipline and hard work. Dad never pandered to anyone, especially his three boys. We were expected to work hard and to respect absolutely everyone who we encountered. This included holding doors for ladies because we respected them; saying "yes, sir" and "yes, ma'am" to anyone who appeared the least bit older than I was; carrying groceries for older women; and mowing lawns for widows and shut-ins. These were all part of the disciplines of life that dad instilled in myself and in my brothers Mark and Lyn as well. These attributes have paid off in countless ways, especially when it comes to being respected as a fellow work associate. My older brother Lyn, now with the Lord, was a mentor and guide in my life for many years. He invested far more in his little brother than most fathers would invest in their children. Now, my little brother Mark is also a loving father and devoted husband and an example to me. 

Secondly, I want to express my gratitude to the men who "fathered" me along the way, guiding me with wisdom and instructions that I never could have known otherwise. As a youth ball player, my coaches had a huge impact on my life. Coach Jones, Coach Rivers, Coach Denson and others whom I cannot recall all greatly influenced my life. High school teachers like Major Price, Colonel Hanks, and Major Hinson also impacted my life in ways that I can still find value in to this day. My college professors, who were clearly more like spiritual fathers to me: Dr. Alden Gannet, Dr. John Talley, Dr. Hugh Hughley, Dr. Jim Raiford, George Maronge, Dr. Glen Atkins, Jan Langford, Gary Greene, and others all modeled spiritual values that I have yet to attain. But, I will always strive toward these values because of the investments of these men.

Other strong mentors for me through the years have been in my church families, international missions opportunities and camps. David J. Jones, my pastor as a child and model for ministry, could never be thanked enough for his example in my life. Larry Ezell (my Sunday school teacher and now elder) has always exemplified Christ. Jim Wilson, who served with me at two churches in Birmingham, has always been a hero. Dr. Dick Vignuelle and Pastor Drew Ramsey took me under their wings and taught me much about ministry and how to love church folks. Viskey, Ference (Feri Basci), one of the few people I know who was physically tortured for his faith in Jesus, remained strong in truth and taught me much about commitment. Doci Attilia and numerous other friends from Romania deeply impacted my walk with Christ.  Robert Davidson and Al Denney serve as my elders and continue to offer wisdom and counsel that I could not attain without them. Robert E. Cochran and Warren Watson, men who are now with the Lord, stood beside me for years as encouragers, counselors, critics and friends and treated me as a son. I owe them both more than I can ever repay. Archie Pennington, Brian Marhant, Teddy Hardeman, John Aulds, Matt Rutland, and others at summer camp have covered me in prayers and counsel many times. 

I know there are men who I am leaving out and, upon uploading this post, I'm sure I will think of dozens of others. Please don't be offended if your name is not here. 

Lastly, I want to thank many men who, although they are younger, are also the ones who have encouraged and built me up in my faith. The young men from Vestavia Alliance Youth Group and Shades Mountain youth, including college and career groups, all have been huge in training me up in the Lord. Some of you taught me to pray a lot for patience, but most of you taught me, by your example, how to walk close to the Lord. Eddie Bostic, Brad Willis, Christian Sheetz, Mason Ellenberger, John Headly, Danny and David Colpo, Paul Moy, Sam Causey, Verick Burchfield, Scott Boone, Les Wright, Austin Davis, Steven Bargainnier, Jimmy Oliver, Tim Laatsch, Micah Weringa, James Williamson, Paul Timmerman, Scott Shewmake, John King, Jeff Denney, Dave Nielsen, Tim Strickland, Nathan George, Jeff Beabout, Kent Smith, Jason Luker, Gerald Archer, Kevin Liming, Chris Callahan, Dave Nelson, Tim Adkins, Edwin Attaway, Brian Person, and Josh Ginsburg are just a few of the good men who walked with the Lord and sought Him as their guide. Today, Cody Walker, Josh Wattier, Brandon Ezell, Joshua Purvis, and Mike McCord all serve as examples of men seeking to put Christ first and follow His ways. I could never repay any of you for your fellowship and your walk with me. 

I have left off dozens of peers who daily help me grow. But, I know that the Lord is watching us all. Each church mentioned in the early part of Revelation has this phrase associated with it, spoken by Jesus: "I know your deeds." 

I have been blessed beyond measure to walk with good men throughout my journey. God's immeasurable grace has truly abounded in my life. Happy Father's Day to all of my the dads in this blog post and to fathers everywhere. 

Current research trends tell a tale not difficult to comprehend, nor surprising when properly understood. Apparently, Generations X and Y, as well as the lower end of the millennial generation, are searching for things with worth and significance. The philosophies and values that are deeply ingrained in our culture have left young people with an overwhelming hunger for meaning and purpose. Our society and its public education system have taught most youth that their lives are nothing more than cosmic accidents. They're indoctrinated through curriculums which teach that dozens of chemicals reacted with atmospheric anomalies and then *POOF!!!* Life was randomly formed and suddenly exploded into existence. 

Of course, this sort of life has no value. It has no purpose or meaning. How can it? It is random and therefore meaningless. Why bother trying to live your life to a set of values if your life had no meaning or value in the first place? Moreover, our culture has reached a place where we discard life quite easily. Whether it's an unwanted pregnancy, a child still in the womb with a disability, or a senior citizen locked away in isolation, we treat human life with great carelessness and disdain. In fact, the current push in many blog posts for atheists and agnostics reveals and communicates the same hopelessness and purposelessness to the next generation. It should not surprise us that they are starving for something infused with meaning, purpose and value. 

The Truth for all generations is that there is indeed One who offers purpose and meaning and worth and value to every soul on the Earth. He created us for purpose. (Ephesians 2:10) He saved us from our sins for a purpose. (Ephesians 2:8-10) And He is the One who is the Truth. (John 1:14 and John 14:6) 

The Bible teaches that we're made for a purpose and our Maker loves us and wants us to be filled with meaning and value. Over the next four weeks in our services at Northside, I'll be sharing four necessary steps to find your real meaning and to be sure that your life has real purpose, real value and real meaning, not just for your lifetime but for generations to come. 

Join us for this brand new series "Living On Purpose," and be sure to invite or bring a friend! Remember that you can also follow Northside on Facebook, Twitter and iTunes, as well as our official website: northsidemobile.org. 

"Fearless and joy." Can these two words even go together? God actually says that they belong together! As Christ-followers, we're to live our lives different from others. We're to live with great joy and also with great fearlessness in regards to our future, our trials, our enemies and even in regards to sharing the Gospel. 

In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul challenges us to show immense joy and great courage in the work that God is continually doing in and through us. 

It's time for Northside to learn to be filled with joy and fearlessness as we enter into 2018 to serve the Lord together! Join us on Sundays throughout January and February at 10:30AM for live worship and this brand new series. We can't wait to see you!