Later On

I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. —Romans 8:18

It seems there are two kinds of people in this world: those who have an eternal perspective and those who are preoccupied with the present.

One is absorbed with the permanent; the other with the passing. One stores up treasure in heaven; the other accumulates it here on earth. One stays with a challenging marriage because this isn’t all there is; another looks for happiness in another mate, believing this life is all there is. One is willing to suffer poverty, hunger, indignity, and shame because of “the glory which shall be revealed” (Rom. 8:18); another believes that happiness is being rich and famous. It’s all a matter of perspective.

Abraham had an “other world” perspective. That’s what enabled him to give up a piece of well-watered land by the Jordan (Gen. 13). He knew that God had something better for him later on. The Lord told him to look in every direction as far as he could see and then said that his family would someday have it all. What a land grant! And God promised that his descendants would be as numerous “as the dust” (v.16).

That’s an outlook many people can’t understand. They go for all the gusto right now. But God’s people have another point of view. They know that God has something better later on!  — David H. Roper

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today. —Miller

Live for Jesus, and you’ll live for eternity.

Developing a plan to beat temptation

Simple yet useful questions to ask.

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By Rick Warren

Pastor, temptations can take down any one of us, at any time. We’re human. I’m guessing not a day goes by that a pastor doesn’t have his ministry implode because of falling to temptation. The people sitting in our worship services this weekend are just as vulnerable. The truth is, beating temptation requires a plan. You’ve heard the saying, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” That’s critically accurate for battling temptation. Each of us has unique patterns to how we live. You have a unique fingerprint, thumbprint, eye print, footprint, and voice print. Nobody’s heart has ever beat just like yours.

That’s true of you emotionally and spiritually too. Certain things tempt you more than other things. We may have similar temptations, but they come at us in different ways depending on our personality, background, and other factors.

For instance, I’ve never been tempted to smoke. It just hasn’t interested me. I can’t stand the smell. But food is a huge temptation for me. I like to eat!

We need to know our own pattern of temptation because the devil knows it. He knows what uniquely tempts you. Proverbs 5:6 says, “The immoral person does not care about the path of life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t even realize where it leads.” If you don't know your path of temptation, you’re headed for destruction.
To figure out what your temptation pattern is, ask yourself these five questions.

1. When am I most tempted?
   
   If you look carefully, you’ll notice that you are tempted on certain days more than others. For instance, on Monday morning when you go back to the office, you may be tempted to be frustrated, short- tempered, and irritated with people. On Friday you may be tempted to unwind from a tough week in a way you shouldn’t. And on Saturday morning you may be tempted to be lazy, waste time, or be irresponsible. What are you tempted to do – or not do –on different days of the week?
   
   You’re also tempted more at certain times of the day – and you need to know what those times of day are. Maybe you’re tempted in the later afternoon when your blood sugar is low and you’re irritable. Or you may be tempted whenever it’s late at night and everyone else is in bed.
   
   I can handle any diet until noon. I have great self-control until noon. But after lunch and after dinner, I’m a goner. I’m most tempted to overeat between 7:00 p.m. and midnight. I can eat more calories in snacks between 7:00 p.m. and midnight than I ate in breakfast, lunch, and dinner combined. It may be a different time for you, but you need to know it.
   
   
2. Where am I most tempted?
   
   Maybe you’re most tempted in a certain restaurant. Or you’re most tempted when you go to the local gas station and see a certain kind of magazine on the shelves. Or maybe you’re tempted when you’re in your neighbor’s house. If you know where you’re tempted, stay away. It’s that simple. If you don’t want to get stung, stay away from the bees. There’s no place you can go that’s more important than avoiding temptation.
   
   
3. Who am I with when I’m tempted?
   
   Some people are more tempted when they’re alone. They’re tempted when they think nobody is watching. Others are tempted when they’re with other people, usually certain people. They’re tempted when they’re out with “the guys” or “the girls.” Some people are the most tempted when they’re around strangers. They think, nobody knows who I am. I can do whatever I want. Others are tempted with family. You’ll act in certain ways with your family that you wouldn’t dare do in public.
   
   A good plan to stop temptation will take into account the people you’re with when you’re tempted. You may or may not be able to completely avoid those people, but you can make sure you’re ready for those situations. You can have friends pray for you when you’re in situations like that. And you can be on your guard.
   
   
4. What temporary benefits do I get when I give in?
   
   Sin always has a temporary payoff. You wouldn’t do it if it didn’t. If sin had the pain of a root canal, it wouldn’t be a problem. There’s pleasure in sin. The Bible says it’s fun. But the pleasure is short-term. When you sin, you’re trading short-term pleasure for long-term damage and destruction. It’s not a good deal.
   
   You've got to figure out what you’re getting when you give in to temptation. Why are you doing it? Sometimes you give in for comfort. Other times you give in to relieve stress. Some people are just looking for excitement. Ask yourself, “When I give in to temptation, do I feel more loved, accepted, or popular?” Then you need to look for healthy ways to get those kind of feelings.
   
   
5. How do I feel right before I’m tempted?
   
   You need to know your emotional triggers. Maybe you get so frustrated that you don’t know what to do and you give in to temptation. Maybe you get mad and that leads to your temptation. Know the emotions that make you vulnerable to temptations. There are good and bad ways to deal with any emotion. Learn some of the good ways to deal with your problem emotions.

Four ways pastoring today is different than 30 years ago

Times are a-changing.

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By Margaret Feinberg

Over the last 30 years, the job descriptions for pastors have shifted. While preaching and teaching are still standards for most pastors, some church leaders are discovering that their roles are evolving as the expectations and needs of their congregations change. What is different about younger evangelical pastors today than a generation before them? Here are a few trends to consider:

Use of technology
One of the biggest shifts is the use of technology. With the age of the Internet, pastors found themselves with a whole new world in which to communicate with their congregations, share their messages, and interact with their world. Today, many pastors use email, Twitter, blogging, and Facebook as tools for pastoring.
A pastor in Denver, Colorado, describes Facebook and Myspace as an effective way to keep up with members of his church. On a Sunday morning, he may ask a member how they’re doing. They’ll claim everything is great, but Facebook will reveal a completely different story. Because the pastor is friends on Facebook, he has the ability to bring up the issue online and in person. The idea of virtual pastoring is becoming more prevalent.

A community of believers
Another trend that is emerging in many churches is a shift from a monologue to a dialogue approach to leadership. Rather than a single person taking the pulpit and carrying the responsibilities, communities are developing a more inclusive and experiential fellowship where the church body responds as a body. Often this translates into a team approach to leadership and fulfilling the roles – pastor, teacher, prophet – of a church.
Within this setting, some pastors of even large congregations are finding themselves as connectors. They are constantly raising up new believers, encouraging active participation, and engaging members to serve and worship as followers of Jesus. This dedication to building a community of believers may mean that a pastor recommends a particular counselor rather than trying to counsel individuals himself. As a result, the pastor can encourage members to pursue their passions and develop the gifts God has given them.

Entrepreneurial hat
A number of young pastors describe themselves as wearing an entrepreneurial hat. They recognize that some of the things that were working in the church are no longer, and they’re committed to developing new approaches, practices, and tactics. They’re willing to take risks, try new things, and think outside the box in the way they share the gospel and build community.
Innovation is a hallmark of many pastors wearing the entrepreneurial hat. Whether growing a network of multi-site churches, planting a new church in an under-reached area, or using technology to draw people into the church, they are willing to go where others haven’t gone before in order to reach those who haven’t heard the Gospel before.

Spiritual shopping
One of the challenges that is emerging with young pastors is the spiritual shopping of many believers and seekers. Because of the high mobility of our culture, people are constantly on the move. The idea of living in the same town, let alone the same area of town, is becoming a foreign concept for millions. Meanwhile, the consumerism found throughout our culture is seeping into the church.
Christians are becoming choosy about church and their spiritual shopping sprees are challenging for church leaders. If a church isn’t meeting a person’s needs, they’re likely to leave and simply keep on shopping. Or if a person is challenged in an area where they need to grow, they may opt for the easy solution: switch churches. The result is that many pastors are struggling to keep church members long enough to grow them into disciples of Christ.