Friday's Break from the Normal

Preachers face the challenge of sharing the Gospel message to a variety of people. This variety is filled with different ages, different spiritual backgrounds, different likes and/or dislikes, different levels of understanding, different thought processes, different doctrinal beliefs, different views of the importance of "preaching", different views of the quality/ability of the messenger, etc. This is an endless list that could be filled with many differences BUT I think you may be getting the picture that I am trying to paint.

But there is one commonality when it comes to preaching although preaching is being replaced with "inspirational talks" in many ministries. But we must remember that this is not a sporting event where the coach is called on to "motivate" the team into playing their best game. Preaching is not about playing a game; preaching is about dealing with the eternal destiny of humanity. Preaching is not about getting you prepared to win the NCAA tournament. Preaching is about sharing the Word of God which will lead us into the right type of fellowship as well as relationship with our Heavenly Father. 

I want to share a passage of scripture that has been speaking to me since the beginning of 2019. Would you take a moment and let this passage "preach" to you today? Allow the Word of God speak to the "spiritual man/woman" that you desire to be. It is taken from the Spirit inspired and Spirit anointed writings of the Apostle Paul.

Philippians 4:4-9, “Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. ⁸ Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].  ⁹ The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.” (Amplified)