When we are in the midst of a trial, it is comforting to remember that God is doing far more in our lives than we can see. Let’s look at a few ways God works through trials.

I don’t read a lot of blogs, but I use social media enough to notice an excess of what 2 Timothy 2:23 refers to as “foolish and unlearned questions.” The online world provides a perfect platform for these kinds of questions because there are so many willing participants.

Sometime ago I was with a group of pastors whom I love and appreciate their friendship and ministry. While we were exchanging blessings and burdens that each of us have experienced and shouldered, my mind wandered from the conversation to a quote that I had recently read in Samuel Chadwick’s classic book, The Way To Pentecost: “The blunders and disasters of the Church are largely, if not entirely, accounted for by the neglect of the Spirit’s ministry and mission.”

As parents, we have an awesome responsibility to raise our children for the Lord. Parenting is so much bigger than providing basic necessities of life; it requires nurturing young hearts in the ways of the Lord.

It seems as if we are surrounded with appeals to do the work of God in a new and “better” way. If only we will cancel our evening services, abandon our confrontational soulwinning, throw out our standards, soften our preaching, replace godly music with sensual music, and avoid politically incorrect subjects such as abortion, homosexuality, and submission on the part of a wife to her husband, then we will begin to see our churches grow.

Although I love all the seasons of the year, my favorite is Fall. There are three principles I would like to share that will be a help not only as we prepare our children to succeed in this new school year, but also as we think about fulfilling God’s will in the next season of our lives whatever that is for each of us.

I cherish the relationships God has given me with our church family. As an undershepherd, I am grateful for the privilege of visiting members in the hospital, attending our young people’s ball games, having families in our home for fellowship, going soulwinning with men from our church—connecting with our church family in any and every way I am able.

This is part two of this article. Please click here to read part one.

1. The Pastor Is to Have a Faith Worthy of Following

Remember them which have the rule over you…considering the end of their conversation—Hebrew 13:7

My wife and I began serving in full-time ministry in June of 1974. I had just graduated from Bible College, moved to a city where we knew no one, and at the age of twenty-four started an independent Baptist church with no one but our family. Forty-one years of pastoral ministry later, I stood before the congregation that I loved and at the age of sixty-five read my resignation letter.

Discipleship is central to Christianity. In the words of my friend, Dave Hardy, “We are either making disciples, or we are making concessions.”