As a way to more effectively capture the spiritual heart of this deeper pursuit of God's Holy Word, our regular postings of the WOTDs (Word of the Days) will undergo a name change beginning on our next posting. Instead of WOTDs, these ministry postings will now be entitled ...
"Truth Quest." Like with the previous WOTDs, these spiritual journeys - under the leading of the Holy Spirit - will be grounded upon the unchanging and timeless Word of God and will guide us as together we traverse both familiar territories and new areas yet uncharted on this lifelong journey up the Mountain of God!

“Battling the Burnout Beast – Pt 3”

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk (journey) with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company (personal fellowship) with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."(Matthew 11:28-30, The Message) Throughout history, many soldiers have experienced “battle fatigue” from the constant physical, emotional and psychological pressures of combat. In World War II, an estimated 10% of the men in combat developed “battle fatigue” which is clinically defined as a neuropsychiatric disorder which involves intense stress and physical-mental exhaustion that leaves a soldier unable to carry out his/her regular duties. Similarly, “battle fatigue” accounts for mounting losses in the membership ranks of the body of Christ (His Church) today unlike ever before. This “spiritual battle fatigue” is expressed in the physical, mental and spiritual weariness of one’s daily walk with Christ, a condition that yields a deep sense of loss in one’s commitment and loyalty to their church and ministry service as well as in their faith (trust) in the Lord. For various reasons, many Christians today have become fatigued, exhausted and even disillusioned to the point that many just want to be left alone – they are unable and incapable to effectively fight upon life’s many spiritual battlefields! Ephesians 6:10-18 explains that as Christians, we each are in a spiritual battle not just for our own eternal lives, but for the eternity of our family, friends, neighbors … for our fellow man. 1 Timothy 6:12 declares that every Christian is to "fight the good fight of faith." Satan wants nothing more than for you and I to quit this battle – to give up (stop fighting) and leave the war that is raging so intensely throughout today’s world. In 2 Timothy 2:3-4 we read the following: "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted (spiritually recruited) him as a soldier." Being a soldier for Christ was NEVER promised to be an easy assignment. We see more and more soldiers in our generation choosing NOT to “endure / persevere” at their assigned spiritual posts. Romans 12:11 declares, “Don't quit in hard times; pray all the harder.” (The Message) Hebrews 12:1 declares to every soldier of God, “…Never quit!” (The Message) Tragically, over one-third of the membership of today’s church have left for various reasons (i.e. left their spiritual unit / places of service and walked off the battlefields). Many have become "weary in well doing" (2 Thessalonians 3:13). Speaking with a church friend just yesterday, his assessment for this trend was simple, yet profoundly confirming: “I think many people today are just giving up….” This intense warfare with the ‘demon of weariness’ (aka – ‘burnout beast’) is indeed inflicting mounting casualties today. Yet many of these battlefield conditions today – though challenging and costly as they are - are not unique to our generation. The holy scriptures record many men and women who shared in challenging battlefield conditions in their lives as well. The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah complained about the distress and persecution he faced because of his ‘obedience’ to proclaiming God's Word. The people of Judah did not want to hear God's truth / message where He pointed out their sin and His coming judgement (the consequences of their unrepentance). The people tormented Jeremiah because he faithfully shared a message from God that was both unpopular and unwanted by most. These conditions led Jeremiah to become disillusioned and discouraged in his ministry service for the Lord to the point that he cried out in deep frustration, "I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name." (Jeremiah 20:9a) Jeremiah was suffering from “spiritual battle fatigue” and wanted to simply give up / walk away from his spiritual orders / assignment. Thankfully with God’s help, Jeremiah overcame his battlefield fatigue by focusing on the divine call of the Lord that burned within his very soul, “…His Word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” (Jeremiah 20:9b, NLT) Sadly, as I shared in Pt 1 of this devotional series, many are choosing not to return to that ‘fire in the belly’ that once raged so brightly in their lives and instead they are opting to leave the battlefields to become a part of the growing trend of spiritual AWOLs (recall from pt 1 in this series - over 3,500 a day leave the church and 1,700 pastors leave each month). Are you a Spiritual AWOL? Are you contemplating going AWOL in the upcoming future? What we need is a lifering of HOPE that is found only in the eternal promises of God’s Word! Take a few moments to review Pts 1 & 2 of this devotional series. Ask the Lord to guide you in assessing where you stand … either tenaciously engaging the enemy upon the battlefields of life, or running away from the spiritual battles which we are called to enter? Tomorrow we will “dive deeper” in seeking how believers stricken by “battle fatigue” (aka – ‘burnout’) can recover so that we – you and me – do not become a part of those going AWOL on the Lord and on His spiritual army (His Church). The same instructions that the Lord will share with us will not only help us avoid going AWOL, but can also help those who may already be AWOL today return to their divine duty in serving the Lord and His people with kingdom passion, purpose and power! I invite you to again join alongside as we journey across this mountain together! …Selah!
Today's Spirit-led video by CCM artists Phil Wickham/Bart Millard can be viewed by clicking on the on the song title, "Safe."

“Battling the Burnout Beast – Pt 2”

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk (journey) with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company (personal fellowship) with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."(Matthew 11:28-30, The Message) We hear the term ‘burnout’ more frequently these days, let’s make sure we understand what that term truly means. Webster-Merriam’s Online dictionary defines ‘burnout’ to be “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.” What is interesting is that as Christians, we each have renewable strength which is daily made available through our own walk (journey) with our Heavenly Father. Psalms 29:11 declares, “The Lord gives strength to His people …” In Isaiah 40:29, the prophet Isaiah recorded this same promise,, “The Lord gives strength to those who are weary.” Then comes the writings of Paul in Philippians 4:13 which infuse heavenly confidence into our soul with these words, “Christ gives me the strength to face anything!” (CEV) Life is indeed HARD … this is not a breaking headline that needs to be scrolling across the latest news bar on FoxNews! I think what makes life uniquely challenging even more for today’s generation is that we are simply overrun with far too many choices … so many that if we leave a moment here or there unguarded (i.e. a moment of vulnerability), they (i.e. our poor, unwise choices) can sneak in and rob of us of our focus, our strength and our will (tenacity to press forward) – the term for this soul-threatening condition is called “weariness.” In his book, Leading On Empty (2009, pp. 94), Pastor Wayne Cordeiro writes, “It’s no accident that the Evil One came calling in our Savior’s moment of human vulnerability (“physically hungry” after 40-day fast in desert; Luke 4:2-3). That’s his usual plan of attack. That’s Temptation 101. The adversary lurks in the shadows of vulnerable moments in our lives. Like an uncomplaining sniper squatting in a darkened second-story room, he squints patiently into his high-powered scope, waiting for an opportune time to squeeze off a (“potentially deadly,” John 10:10) shot at his unsuspecting target.” Every Christian is a Soldier of Light for the Lord; thus, every soldier in the Lord’s army is a prospective target by our archenemy, Satan! That is why 1 Peter 5:8 adamantly warns every believer, “Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack.” We need to heed the wisdom of Proverbs 4:23 which admonishes, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (NLT) This is why Paul directs us to put on the “full armor of God” in Ephesians 6:10-17 so that our hearts and our minds are not left unguarded which would expose us to a potentially deadly strike / attack by our enemy. Battling the Burnout Beast is truly a real battle that is on-going all around us – a battle that has mounting casualties every day! One of the most important steps to ensuring victory in this battle is our maintaining a laser-like focus upon our Spiritual Commander-in-Chief, our life mission and the very ones we are called to defend – our families, our communities and our nation! Pastor Cordeiro shares, “Knowing the remedy (i.e. Lord’s battle plan) doesn’t necessarily complete the healing; the difference comes when we apply it! Reading the menu doesn’t fill you up; eating the food does!” (Leading on Empty, pp. 87) The problem with so many choices today is that it preoccupies our focus in an attempt to keep us from applying the Lord’s commands / directives to our lives – moving our focus instead off of the strategic areas of our faith (our readiness) and placing it upon areas of much lesser importance in life. But as the Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:58, every soldier of the Lord can “thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory” (CEV) in this tenacious battle with the Burnout Beast! That does not remove the reality of the great number who are engaged in this battle today – but it does assure us that we can proclaim our promised victory to the enemy’s face because, “(This) battle is the Lord’s!” (1 Samuel 17:47).
Today's Spirit-led video by CCM artist Jeremy Camp and it can be viewed by clicking on the on the song title, "Healing Hand of God."

“Battling the Burnout Beast – Pt 1”

“Aware that His disciples were grumbling …, Jesus said to them, "…The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray Him. (Jesus) went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him." From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.” (John 6:64-66, emphasis mine)

21st Century Shepherds (i.e. pastors) receive the same assignment from the Lord which the 1st Century Shepherds received … “to equip workers (believers, God’s church) for the divine work of their personal ministries and the ministries of His Church” (Ephesians 4:11-12). Sadly, a growing number of those in His Church today seem to have little to no interest in this divine undertaking. In fact, many professing ‘Christians’ across our nation are turning and walking away from their faith journey with the Lord and with His Church (“His Bride,” Ephesians 5:25-27) at record numbers, a statistical trend that is reaping the spiritual consequences that come with a "Runaway Bride.” Recent studies affirm the devastating impact of this trend:
- Throughout America over 3,500 people a day left the church last year.
- Although 4,000 new churches begin each year, well over 7,000 churches close each year (leaving a spiritual void / deficit in our local communities that is expanding every year).

Although our life text for today's WOTD affirms this trend began well before our generation, the growing numbers today have left many church leaders simply bewildered. For many of those shepherds who are seeking to faithfully serve the Lord in their divine calling amidst these challenging times, this spiritual malady weighs heavily upon their hearts. Seeing more and more “professing” Christians resolve themselves to live as “partially-devoted followers” rather than as “fully devoted followers of Christ” (2 Chronicles 16:9) has a tremendously negative impact upon their ministry callings: increases their stress levels, demands longer work hours, produces greater frustrations, all of which incur a high toll upon them physically (their health), spiritually (their personal journey of faith) and emotionally (their overall well-being). Listen to some of the findings that were revealed in the recent studies cited above:
- 90% of the pastors report working between 55 to 75 hours per week.
- 80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families. Many pastor's children do not attend church now because of what the church has done to their parents.
- The profession of “Pastor” is near the bottom of a recent survey of the most-respected professions in America, coming in just above “car salesman.”
- 70% of pastors constantly fight depression.
- 70% of pastors feel grossly underpaid, and many are left to serve without any pay at all.
- 50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years in ministry service.
- Only 1 out of every 10 ministers will actually retire as a minister in some form.
- Over 1,700 pastors left the ministry every month last year.
- Over 1,300 pastors were terminated by the local church each month. (some with Biblical merit, many without merit)
- 94% of clergy families feel the negative pressures of the pastor's ministry is increasing today.
- 80% of spouses feel the pastor is overworked and unappreciated for his service and sacrifices.
- 80% spouses themselves feel left out and underappreciated by many of their fellow church members.
- And sadly, over 80% of pastors' spouses wish their spouse would choose a different profession.
(Statistics shared above provided by The Fuller Institute, George Barna, and Pastoral Care Inc.)

For many of you, the shared statistics above may come as a surprising revelation to the reality of just how many pastors and church leaders are truly struggling today. At some point in the church’s journey, we’ve stopped allowing our leaders to be ‘human’ and have demanded, whether knowingly or unknowingly, for them to ‘super saints’ who are to have an endless supply of energy, time, patience, vision and strength amidst the difficult days ("perilous times" 2 Timothy 3:1-7) of serving as one of God’s chosen leaders "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). Because of this unhealthy and unbiblical level of demand, many church leaders – especially shepherds – continue to serve “in silence” with many of these struggles, often in fear of having their church members unjustly see them as “failures” or “unqualified leaders” of their flocks. This disastrous trend must be acknowledged and lovingly addressed in churches across our nation if our churches are to be effective beacons of God’s love, grace and forgiveness in the tumultuous times of the 21st Century in which we are living.

These trends and issues facing today’s church indeed have a strong personal connection in my own faith journey having vocationally served as a Church Planter-Pastor / Evangelist for nearly 15 years. Our family indeed have faced, and even now is currently facing, much of the stressors already discussed above. In fact, today starts a new faith journey for our family as our current mission assignment with Journey 2427 enters a season of “Ministry Pause” – a God-ordained time to dive deeper with our Lord in greater preparation and divine direction for our journey ahead. In sharing with our church family a few weeks ago, our family re-iterated our firm belief in one of the life truths shared by Dr. Henry Blackaby in Experiencing God that as genuine followers of Christ, “we cannot stay where we are and still go with God” – that is a spiritual impossibility! For various reasons, God has directed our family to enter into this divine season for much needed rest, recharging and restoration. This is a time for us - and for others who care to join alongside us – to grow deeper in our relationship with Christ (Colossians 2:7). Unfortunately, I confess that I have for quiet some time burned the ministry candle at both ends in my service in His Kingdom, though as noble as sacrificial servanthood might be, in recent months due to the unprecedented level of challenges besetting me on numerous fronts, I was rapidly approaching the proverbial "middle" of that ministry life candle. Daily encounters with the “Burnout Beast” was beginning to leave our family intensely "battle weary” from the near continuous time spent on multiple ministry battlefields for the past 15+ years. Although seeking to faithfully serve everyone in the multiple mission areas was a noble and Biblical precept, we have had the Lord graciously show us that we (our family) have done so by serving "well beyond" the protective boundaries which He seeks for us to have established in our own lives and in the life of our family as well.

I pray that the Lord would enable me to authentically share in this "renewal and restoration journey" together through these regular Blog entries / devotions. I have greatly missed these WOTDs during their “unplanned hiatus” these last few months – but my ministry plate was already full beyond capacity and I needed to step back as I sought the Lord’s guidance for the season that is now upon us. Likened to the LifeWalk Messages I share through my preaching ministry, I pray that many will be blessed as they come alongside and hear God’s Word and follow Him into deeper waters of faith - leaving the crowded shores of safety and launching out into the deep (Luke 5:4) where our Lord eagerly awaits us. There will be some who may not like the challenges posed in this spiritual pursuit of His truth - a pursuit that demands that we confront the lingering sins around our life journey which seek to rob us of His joy, His peace and His power! The choice to journey alongside is always yours – the invitation is always open! As with the previous WOTDs, the web pages on life's journey ahead are blank – what the Lord wills to fill them with will be of His choosing, not my own. That is the way I preach – and that is the way I write / share. I hope to share in many victories from this lifelong Quest, as well as the challenges / struggles which are sure to arise along the way. The life trail ahead promises to be a journey filled with examination, revelation, adventure, divine detours and dives into depths not yet reached in our personal relationships with Jesus Christ. I would be humbly honored if you would choose to come alongside me in this journey. Like traveling trail hands on many a journeys made across this great land of ours in its early days, I warmly welcome the blessing of the trail talk / sharing ahead. We welcome your prayers too for our family, our ministry calling-service and for the Lord to be exalted upon every step of the journey ahead in our lives and in each of your lives as well. We've far since left the shoreline and are beyond the breakers - let's Dive Deeper together to explore and receive the hidden treasures which our Lord Jesus has for us all! …Selah!

Today's Spirit-led video by CCM artist Josh Wilson and it can be viewed by clicking on the on the song title, "Before the Morning."