How to Leave and Find a New Church from a Pastor’s Perspective
For the past couple of years I’ve been noticing that church growth experts and seasoned pastors alike have been concerned with a troubling trend in US churches, called “transfer growth.” Transfer growth means to “grow by way of receiving new members from other churches.” Carl George, church growth expert, estimates that 80% of church growth…
Read MoreDay 15 | Overcoming Family Rejection
Matthew 10:21-22, “21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” One of the most heart breaking things…
Read MoreDay 16 | Overcoming Shame
Psalm 34:4-5, “4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. 5 Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” Shame, condemnation, and disgrace are never to be in the child of God’s life. Shame is defined as, “A painful emotion caused…
Read MoreCloud of Witnesses // Humility of Moses
Series Text: Hebrews 12:1-2 Biblical Character Texts: Exodus-Deuteronomy _______________ Brief History Before Moses’ Time: 1. God created Adam and Eve 2. Adam and Eve sinned 3. Adam and Eve had children 4. Humanity grew in wisdom and population 5. By the time of Noah mankind had become wicked and violent 6. God destroyed the world-…
Read MoreDay 17 | Overcoming Unforgiveness
Matthew 6:12, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Unforgiveness is truly of one of the most hidden and disastrous sins one can have. First, unforgiveness is very dangerous because it is in fact a sin. Many people think that because of what someone did to them they are justified…
Read MoreDay 18 | Overcoming Failed Leadership
Ezekiel 34:2, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to you shepherds of Israel who only take care of yourselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock?” Sometimes in the church people get hurt and wounded because of the…
Read MoreDay 19 | Overcoming Gossip
Proverbs 16:28, “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” “Did you hear what ‘So and So’ did? Well, let me tell you what I heard.” Has anyone ever tried to start a conversation with you like that? Or have you ever gossiped like that before? Gossip is a “secret” sin…
Read MoreDay 20 | Overcoming the Troubles of Life
John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” What kind of troubles are you facing in life today? Money troubles? Family troubles? Health troubles? If you don’t have any troubles right now-…
Read MoreDay 21 | Overcoming Deception
2 Corinthians 11:3, “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” Do you think people who are deceived know that they are deceived? Mostly likely they don’t see they are deceived because of the…
Read MoreDay 22 | Overcoming Being Easily Offended
Proverbs 19:11, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Today in our modern culture people’s negative feelings have been given unprecedented attention through the Internet, social media, reality TV, talk shows, and customer surveys. Certainly, people’s feelings and feedback are important in almost every aspect of life. However,…
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