Can you really be ready for everything life throws at you? Growing up I heard my mom say a thousand times to get ready for school. “Get your books, lunch, and school clothes out before you go to bed,” she would say.

We live in a cynical and condemning world. In case you haven’t noticed, the ministry isn’t getting any easier. Studies show that Americans have a less favorable view than ever of fundamental Christianity. In fact, much of the world hates our beliefs. Recently USA Today reported that fifty-seven percent of Catholics had a favorable view of Muslims, while only forty-six percent had a favorable view of fundamental Christians!

Teachers with genuine passion can make the impossible happen— revitalize a dying Sunday school class, reach a hopeless soul, create a corporate desire to serve Christ, and the list can go on!

When we are going through trials it is of great comfort to know that we are in the hold of Heaven. God’s grip of grace clings to us through the trials of life and leads us day by day.

As we gain momentum, Satan works to ruin it. And we can easily aid in that process if we don’t guard our hearts, serve as team players, and remain committed to serve. Here are some of the common ways a pastor or staff member can unintentionally ruin momentum on a church staff team:

The repentance involved in New Testament salvation has been given special attention in recent years by Christians concerned that the gospel be correctly preached. A lot of this concern arose because of the justifiable dismay in many godly minds over the lack of holiness these days in the lives of professing Christians.

Every once in a while, I find myself getting dull, unfocused, and swinging with an unsharpened axe. Every once in a while, I find myself colder in my heart than I should be; going through the motions of my Christian life but not really fervent in my relationship with the Lord. The Bible tells me I must “take heed” to myself. Here are some suggestions to help keep yourself sharp.

A new year is a fresh start. And a fresh start is a great time to reset your priorities. What’s really important? And what’s just preferred? I would suggest seven areas of importance that you would consider and work into your routines in this coming year:

Our world is filled with uncertainty, on any given day we awake to news regarding economic issues in places like Russia, China or some other major place in this world. Those issues cause the economies of the rest of the first world nations to shudder and shake. Add to that news a level of uncertainty regarding our nation’s economy because of our political leaders’ unwillingness to deal with the national debt.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s has long been claimed territory on my calendar for goal setting. In the weeks previous, I’ve jotted down general ideas for goals for the New Year, but on this week, I prayerfully finalize these goals.