What Is BETTER Than Knowing Christ As Savior?

Well, you and I know the answer -- there is NOTHING better than knowing Christ as personal savior. However, there is a discovery I made recently that has been a major revelation to me. It is such an important message to share that I have determined to place the information on both my blog sites. It is the fact that I can be a part of sharing the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ to a lost world until Christ Himself returns to this earth!

I have discovered that I can leave my entire “estate” to ministry causes and to my children as well. I do not really know how it works, but I can point you to someone that can explain it to you far better than me. Linda and I have determined this is how we can support missions and ministry long after we are gone. In fact, perhaps even give far more to the work after we are gone than we are able to while we are on this earth.

Let me share from my limited perspective. Let’s say we have $100,000 to leave our children. I love my children dearly and they are wonderful human beings, but the past is the best predictor of the future. One of my children will have whatever is left spent in short order. The other will give it to help others and have nothing to sustain himself. We have determined the action of leaving our “estate” to a ministry will not hurt them at all.

As it works, over a period of 20 years they will receive back $140,000 (if we set it up for 15 years, it would be $105,000). At the end of the 20 years, the principal will still be there to assist in the ministry – until Jesus comes! That is the beauty of this—for all times, Linda and I can be supportive of the ministries that are important to us!

I know there are others that can set this up for you, but Linda and I have chosen to work through the Baptist Foundation of North Carolina. They will help us set up the particulars as to how we can support three ministries through the Tar River Baptist Association in the years to come. Tom Denton is our area representative for the Baptist Foundation. He would be happy to talk with you personally or come and share with your entire church. What a wonderful way to express your gratitude to the Lord. It is also a way to express your heartfelt desire that all may come to know Him as their savior. Tom can be reached at ncbf@always-online.com.

I just wanted to share with you how you can support the cause of Christ – both in the here and now, and for all eternity.

Yours in and through Christ,
Dougald

How To Pray For Your Pastor

When I was a local church pastor, I was sometimes asked by a church member how they could lift me up in prayer. First, let me state how encouraging those words are to hear as a pastor! Second, let me admit I often missed the mark by asking for the more “personal and practical” as opposed to looking at the full picture of my calling and responsibility as a pastor.

Perhaps the best answer to that question was given by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6: 19, “and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.” This verse tells the people of every church that they should pray that their pastor have:

Freedom in the delivery of the Word of God: “That utterance may be given to me…” Freedom in the delivery of the sermon is vital in communicating effectively the full Gospel message. Church members should pray that their pastor have that freedom in delivery of the Word.

Fearlessness in the defense of the Word of God: “That I May open my mouth boldly….” Unfortunately, there are pressures both within and outside the church culture upon your pastor to “back off” certain topics deemed controversial or confrontational. The reality is, true preaching of the Gospel IS confrontational to the accepted practices of the world. Pastors must be fearless to deliver the full message to defend the Word of God in a world that is contrary to the Word of God. Church members should pray for their pastors as they defend the Word of God.

Faithfulness to the doctrines of the Word of God: ”To make known the mystery of the Gospel….” This is a sacred commitment and the pastor must be faithful in making known those mysteries to the people. Pray for your pastor that he will be faithful.

The above three come from Ephesians 6: 19. Let me add one additional element of prayer for your pastor that hinges on recent (yet ongoing) events – pray that your pastor will be a faithful witness for the Living Lord Jesus Christ.

Your pastor is human. He faces the same struggles and temptations as all others. There is an attack on him in the position he serves. If the pastor is not faithful in his witness and falls, then he will impact the cause of Christ for the next generation. Pray for your pastor, that he will remain faithful and true as an effective witness for our Lord.

Please note that this is NOT an exhaustive list of items to use in praying for your pastor. Perhaps the most helpful thing you can do today is to let your pastor know you ARE PRAYING FOR HIM TODAY.