Five Reasons Why Your Pastor is More Popular than You!

Don't freak out! This is not a controversial piece. It's a challenge to re-examine your Christian profession (profession not as in job). Well, your pastor is a star, at least in your local assembly. People visit him a lot. They pay him homage, shower him with gifts, seek his counsel and of course, he freely lays hands on both young and old. Jealous? You shouldn't be. “He is anointed to do these things”, you claim. Your pastor is not a superhuman. There are things he does that you just don't do!

Here are five reasons your pastor is more popular than you.

1.      He studies the scriptures a lot: People these days are so lazy. They prefer to listen to what God has to say through a medium. In as much as your pastor can take the study of the Word more seriously by consulting bible commentaries and bible dictionaries in addition to studying the Bible, he will remain a star!(Ezra 7:10)

2.      He fasts often: I bet the last time you fasted was when a general fast was declared in church. Usually, you don't even take your fast beyond noon. Most pastors are ‘fastors’. They can avoid food easily. (Psalm 35:13-14)

3.      He prays a lot: To remain relevant to his generation, your pastor prays often and consistently too. Most pastors have specific times in a day when they communicate with God. Your prayer times hardly exceed 5-10minutes in a day with no consistency. (1 Chronicles 16:11)

4.      He invests in spiritual resources: Check out your pastor’s library. You will probably find at least a book on a spiritual subject. When last did you buy or borrow a book on a spiritual topic? You can learn a lot from people who are ahead in this spiritual race. (Philippians 4:9)

5.      He is available: While you complain about having little or no time for the things of God, your pastor is always ready for God’s assignments. Quit giving excuses and see if you will not be more popular. (Isaiah 6:8)

      

      Photo: Google Images

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Distracted?

Pilgrim's Progress will forever remain a classic. The allegory which was written by John Bunyan in 1678 highlights the journey of a certain believer named Christian. Apart from been translated into about 200 languages, Pilgrim's Progress has been adapted into different genres of drama, music and film. The story focuses on the pilgrimage of Christian from his hometown, City of Destruction, to Celestial City. During the course of this schlep, he meets one Mr. Worldly Wiseman who is crafty enough to dissuade him from his heavenly goal. Throughout the book, Christian faces one form of distraction or the other. But for the help of Evangelist, Christian wouldn’t have been restored. He eventually conquers and arrives safely at his final destination.

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       It is quite amazing how John Bunyan is able to capture the travails of a believer on a heavenly sojourn, even more dynamic is how this book remains relevant in our day. Today's Christian indeed faces so many distractions. These distractions come in form of fashion, money, media/social media, relationships, hobbies, even religion and so much more. All these blur our vision of the celestial city. Jesus encourages us not to store up our treasures on earth but instead keep our focus on eternal treasures. (Matthew 6: 19-21). So, in our daily walk with God, the question should not just be “Are you distracted?”, it should also be “What are your distractions?” and “How do you stay focused?"