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So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. (Isa 55:11)

Are you a new pastor getting ready for your first step into vocational ministry? Are you a seasoned pastor about to obediently step into a new-to-you church? Or maybe you’ve been serving your church for any number of years and it’s just time for some revitalization. No matter where you’re at in your pastoral journey, Christian Leadership University has a new course designed with you in mind!

Have you noticed that being a Christian is less popular than it used to be? Has a favorable impression of Christians several decades ago turned neutral and even become negative by the general population in recent years? Can you face this issue and ask yourself if Christians have done anything to contribute to a declining image? Is it easier to be a Christian when it is a popular thing to do? Yet throughout the span of history and geography there have been times of persecution of believers, and you may be called on to pay a price for your allegiance to a Kingdom not of this world.

It is normal for those who are saved to belong to a church. This gives you a sense of belonging and community that everyone craves. Do you derive your identity from your church? How strong a contrast does this create from those outside? One of the doctrines of your faith is that I created all people and love all people. Do you see a possible conflict between these things? Does your connection to your church give you a stronger or weaker connection to all of humanity? In secular circles these forces work in opposition.

Do you remember the day that you were saved? What milestone could be more important to your faith, and what could be more important to your life than your faith? So this is the ultimate event for believers. You celebrate your birthday. Do you celebrate the day you were born again? You may not keep track of this on the calendar, but would you celebrate it as a beginning or an end? It could be argued both ways, and also as neither one. You were a spiritual being even before you were saved, and I was at work drawing you to me. You didn’t arrive the first day you trusted me.

Have you noticed that every new soft drink is described as awesome? This deeply meaningful word has been cheapened by overuse. Yet it has a real meaning. Do you have a source of awe in your life? The same question would apply to the closely related concepts of mystery and wonder. Do you understand how desirable these things are? Do you seek them out? You are surrounded by them if you can comprehend them. Yet in a greater sense you cannot comprehend them or they would not be awesome, but you can be aware of them, and captivated by them, and surrender to them.

I promised that you would not face any temptation that you could not withstand because with it I would provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Does this seem contradictory to you? Do you like the idea of escape? Do you dislike the idea of enduring? Is there a way that these concepts can be reconciled so that both are true? I told my disciples that I had meat they knew not of, and that where I was going they could not follow. Have you found that there is a place of spiritual refuge where you can go to escape your afflictions even as you endure them?

Pastor Peg has an anointed ministry and provides a Spirit-led Zoom fellowship service weekly. Below Peg shares her Bible meditation on 2 Chronicles 16.

It is not too late to give to Samaritan's Purse to help those who have lost their homes.