Justyn Smith • A Heart For Revival

Wise counsel for Preachers I came across this article advice for preachers some years ago. I typically reference the source in my notes, but I either forgot to reference the author for the article below or it may be from an unknown source. Please note: the below content isn’t original with me, but it’s is helpful , simple and hopefully influential! The year was 1768. A twenty-eight year old preacher by the name of Augustus Toplady, who wrote many of our best hymns, including "Rock of Ages", spent the afternoon in London with Mr. Brewer--an older, veteran Gospel preacher, whom he greatly admired and from whom he learned much. This is what Mr. Brewer said to the young Toplady, as Toplady later recorded in his diary: "I cannot conclude without reminding you, my young brother, of some things that may be of use to you in the course of your ministry: 1. Preach Christ crucified, and dwell chiefly on the blessings resulting from His righteousness, atonement, and intercession. 2....

  TEENAGE SUMMER BAGGAGE #5: The Baggage Of Spiritual Apathy/Carelessness   In Haggai 1:6, the results of spiritual apathy are revealed , "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes."  The exhortation for each of us is, "Consider your ways." I. We can't afford spiritual apathy. Haggai 1:6,9-11 Notice the gain the people had, and then notice the immediate loss or lack of sufficiency. Isn't it amazing how spiritual life really is?  II. We shouldn't avoid spiritual assignments.  Haggai 1:2-4 The people were once so excited to get to work for the glory of God. They were set free from captivity to only set the hammer down once they got more focused on themselves. We avoid spiritual assignments when we set our attention on things below more than on things above. Avoid spiritual a...

  Sharpen Your Skills Photo Credit: Malte Wingen on Unsplash Dear Preachers (there's a tidbit for the non-preacher in this blog too!), SHARPEN YOUR SKILLS. I haven't arrived, and you haven't either. There's work to do, for He is worthy. Rest satisfied in yesterday's outcome (you gave it your all), learn from yesterday's weak points (there's always something to learn), and plan for tomorrow's successes (let's purpose to be effective by the Spirit for Christ's sake)! It has been said, "A Pastor is called to: 1.  Pastor People ,  Preach to People  and establish  Programs for Reaching People. " You can scan the Pastors of present day and say, "This one is great at PASTORING people...This one is great at PREACHING to people....This one is great at creating PROGRAMS for reaching people, but it's difficult to find a Pastor that is successful at all three." HEED now... -> A Pastor doesn't have to be the best at all three to...

  Pastoral Problems Pastoral Problems Today is my 33rd Birthday, and, today, I’m reminded of what I call "Pastoral Problems,” and sense I’m a Pastor it’s very fitting and helpful to think on these things. Each of these Pastoral Problems are probably not what you are thinking. Much of my “Pastoral Problems” are not because of others, but because of self. You’ll gather what I mean as you read. Here are a few Personal Pastoral Problems above many that could arise (and I’m sure they can be found in any child of God’s spiritual life, as well): I. The Elijah Syndrome  - a.k.a The "I’m the only one doing anything for God” syndrome. This is prideful and inconsiderate of the many who are faithful to God’s call.  “[13] And it was so , when Elijah heard it , that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? [14] And he said, I have been very jealous for the...

  The Person Others Can't Live Without Photo Credit: Ammar Rizwan on Unsplash The Person Others Can't Live Without As I ponder all the goodness of God in my life, I'm reminded today that I'm so blessed because of the many people in my life who have the touch of God on  them. These are people that I can't live without. I want to be a person that others can't live without, and the reason why God blesses other people. Think deeply about the following verse: And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes,  tarry: for  I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.  Genesis 30:27 Isn't this statement amazing!? Laban did not want Jacob to leave his presence because he had experienced the LORD'S blessings in his life because of Jacob!  Jacob worked tirelessly for Laban's daughter.  Laban abused the hard labour of Jacob.  Jacob was tricked,  and he ended up working extra time to get who ...

  Cast A Weekly Vision Photo Credit:  Karl Fredrickson on Unsplash   Cast A Weekly Vision I want to encourage you to cast a weekly vision...to sit down, look ahead, create a plan of attack and then seek to execute that plan effectively and efficiently.  The Bible says in Proverbs 29:18, " Where there is no vision, the people perish... " Though we know the main emphasis is on happily keeping the command of God and correcting a child for a child's future, we can make the application of having correct vision in other areas of life as well. I ask myself, "What may fall through the cracks of my life's work if I don't create a vision to execute for the glory of God?" God has made me a steward of His work according to His will and Word. I want to redeem the time and pursue His calling with great impact! As a Pastor, each week is a blank slate. I have great opportunities to minister for the glory of God over every horizon. I cause myself to contemplate the quest...

  After Sunday, There's Monday! Photo Credit:  Nathan Dumlao  from unsplash After Sunday, There's Monday! I'm not sure how you feel, but, after being so challenged and encouraged on Sunday, I'm ready to take  on Monday at "full steam ahead" for the glory of God! Without Christ and without following His divine way, IT CAN BE EXTREMELY EASY to fall into the category of hating your "average way life," as you may call it. You can get tired of life. You can get tired of yourself. You can get tired of work. You can get tired of others. You can even get tired of church! But, as we look " into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. " (James 1:25) We can learn to REST in The WAY, The TRUTH, and The LIFE in such a way that our lives are full of excitement and eager anticipation. WE HAVE SOMETHING AND SOMEONE to live for - Jesus Christ! Upon th...

  Day After Easter • 2016 Morning, Preacher! It’s the day after Easter in America, and I simply want to thank you… I desire to express my sincere gratitude for every pastor, evangelist, preacher and missionary who stood faithfully yesterday and preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ…I give you a BIG - THANK YOU! I specifically want to thank the Isaiah’s and Jeremiah’s of Easter Sunday 2016.  To the pastor who did not see a soul saved, who did not have a returning visitor and who stood at the door, greeting folks, awaiting that first time visitor, but did not see them walk through your church’s door…You, Sir, are just as important, just as loved, just as looked up to (in my eyes) as the Pastor who saw souls saved, people baptized, welcomed returning visitors and greeted first time visitors. Be mindful, if you were faithful to the Lord, you have done everything the Lord has asked you to be and do. Thank you for inviting people. Thank you for studying to preach. Thank you for facing...

  We Need Rest This challenge to rest was complied and written after a challenge on “Worker or Waster” was published. I believe it is imperative to understand that we should not be lazy, but I also believe that it is equally important to take rest. As for me, my personal weakness is getting myself to take rest. (Can I get a witness?) I understand the need to, but every time I sit down to rest I begin to think of all the things I need to do or could do. I actually have to force myself to do nothing, and tell myself over and over again, “It’s ok to rest. Everything will be fine. You aren’t the one keeping things going as it is…that’s the Lord’s job. Etc.” Let me be honest…there are a lot of lazy preachers out there, and I told myself years ago that I never want to give my congregation a reason to believe their pastor is lazy. I desire for them to understand that their pastor is a hard worker and that being evident in my preaching, praying, visiting, DIY jobs, design work, how he take...

  Worker or Waster? Choose the word that best describes you…Worker or Waster. Please be honest, and evaluate your present description. Don’t say to yourself, “This is what I want to be,“ and then never fulfill that desire, but, rather, constantly purpose to pursue that which you desire to be for God, even if you already are. Of course, in dealing with these two words that I have given, being a worker for the Lord is what you should desire to be until the day you draw your last breath this side of glory! This is one of the verses that stood out to me in my morning Bible reading with my wife… "He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” Proverbs 18:9 May I compel you for a moment to think of the joys behind hard labor? May I challenge you to be a “go-getter,” and stop being slothful with the Lord’s work? We need more laborers for Christ’s sake. We don’t need any more side-lined, sluggardly or slothful Christians! There is work to do, and much of t...

  Time For Some Door To Door! It’s time for some down to earth ministering while out door to door.  Oh, Christian, there are so many missed opportunities when we won’t go and tell! Opportunities to pray with people, opportunities to witness the Gospel’s power to save, opportunities to make life time friends, opportunities to stand for the truth, opportunities to rejoice with other believers, opportunities to invite people to church who wouldn’t normally receive an invite, and opportunities beyond comprehension of how the Lord desires to work through a simple testimony like yours and mine! You may not have as much freedom as a Pastor has to get busy in this type of work, but please purpose to make time for this great commission work…you never know how the Lord will use you…yes, YOU! Never believe the lie that going and telling is just for preachers…its for all that name the name of Jesus Christ!  And remember, if you aim at nothing, you will miss every time. Set purposeful...