Tag: god

A Bold Faith in a World That Prefers Silence

Posted on by pastordarryl68

“The world tolerates Christianity as long as it stays tame. A private faith, a quiet gospel, a kneeling church. But speak with authority, stand with conviction, and they will come with torches.” — Michael Foster

The world has no issue with Christianity as long as it remains private, passive, and powerless. A faith confined to quiet prayers, polite conversations, and personal reflection poses no threat to the systems of this age. But the moment the church finds its voice—when believers stand firm in truth and proclaim the gospel with conviction—the world reacts. And that reaction is often hostile.

This is nothing new. Jesus Himself warned us: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18) The gospel is not designed to blend in or be comfortable; it is a declaration of the authority of Christ over all things. The moment we live as though Jesus is not just our personal Savior but the reigning King, we are bound to meet resistance.

A Gospel That Disrupts

Ephesians 6:10-13 reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of darkness. The enemy does not fear a Christianity that remains silent, but he trembles at one that is unashamed and unafraid. A faith that is spoken boldly, lived unapologetically, and proclaimed without fear shakes the very foundations of worldly powers.

Consider the early church. The apostles were not hunted down because they prayed quietly in their homes—they were arrested, beaten, and martyred because they preached Christ as Lord, refusing to bow to Caesar. They understood that faith in Jesus was not just a private matter; it was a call to stand firm in a world that demands compromise.

Paul himself wrote from prison, not because he was merely religious, but because he was a threat to the order of the day. He would not stop proclaiming Christ crucified, even when it cost him everything. The same world that rejected Jesus will reject those who follow Him wholeheartedly.

The Cost of Speaking Truth

We live in a time where the loudest voices often demand conformity. The world tolerates faith until it challenges its idols. The moment Christianity speaks against sin, calls for repentance, and declares Jesus as the only way, the opposition begins. The modern church is often tempted to soften its message—to make it more palatable, less offensive, and more socially acceptable. But truth is not meant to be reshaped to fit culture; culture is meant to be transformed by truth.

The question we must ask ourselves is this: Are we living a faith that the world can comfortably ignore, or are we standing with boldness in the authority of Christ? The gospel does not ask for permission to be spoken—it commands us to proclaim it.

Standing in the Full Armor of God

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:13-17 to take up the full armor of God, not so that we can quietly blend in, but so that we may stand firm in the evil day. The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit are not the attire of passive believers—they are the armor of warriors in a spiritual battle.

Being a Christian is not about being liked. It is about being faithful. The church is not called to silence; it is called to proclaim the gospel in season and out of season, whether it is welcomed or opposed.

Let the Light Shine

Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Light does not ask darkness for permission to shine—it simply shines. And when light appears, darkness reacts.

We do not need to seek controversy, but we must never shrink back from truth. The gospel is offensive to a world that loves darkness, but it is also the only message that brings life. Our calling is to preach Christ crucified, to stand firm when the world demands silence, and to trust that God is with us when opposition comes.

So let them come with torches. Let them accuse, mock, and reject. The world did the same to Christ, and yet He overcame. And because He overcame, so will we.

Will we be a silent church that the world can ignore? Or will we stand with boldness, refusing to compromise, proclaiming the truth no matter the cost?

The time for passive faith is over. It is time to stand.

Embracing God’s Goodness Through Grace

Posted on by pastordarryl68

The Humility of Grace: Recognizing God as the Source of All Good

“O Lord, everything good in me is due to You. The rest is my fault.” — Augustine

There is something deeply humbling about coming to terms with our own frailty and brokenness. We like to believe that we are good people, that our wisdom, kindness, and accomplishments are the results of our own efforts. But the reality is far different. Augustine’s words cut through the illusion of self-sufficiency, reminding us that every virtue, every noble thought, every good deed we perform is not ultimately of our own making—it is God working within us. And the rest? The failures, the selfishness, the sin? That is entirely our own.

This truth is both humbling and freeing. It humbles us because it dismantles our pride, forcing us to acknowledge that apart from God, we bring nothing of eternal value to the table. It frees us because it shifts our focus from striving in our own strength to resting in the grace of God. When we recognize that the good in us is from Him, we stop trying to prove our worth and instead live in gratitude and dependence on His power.

Owning Our Sin, Embracing His Grace

We live in a world where blame-shifting is the norm. It’s always someone else’s fault—our upbringing, our circumstances, the pressures of life. And while external factors do shape us, they do not determine our character. The Bible is clear: “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” (Psalm 51:3-4) David, in his moment of deep conviction, does not make excuses. He does not justify or rationalize. He owns his sin before God, fully acknowledging that his failures are his alone.

But the beauty of the gospel is that we do not remain in guilt. Just as we acknowledge our sin, we also receive God’s grace. He does not leave us in our failure but lifts us from it. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) God does not require us to be good enough; He simply asks us to surrender so that He can do His work in us. The more we rely on Him, the more His goodness is manifested in our lives, transforming our hearts and actions in ways we could never achieve on our own.

This tension between our own responsibility for sin and God’s work in us should keep us from both extremes—neither wallowing in despair nor arrogantly claiming credit for any progress. The Christian life is one of constant surrender, a daily recognition that we desperately need God’s renewing grace to shape us into who He has called us to be.

A Call to Humility and Gratitude

Recognizing that all goodness comes from God leaves no room for pride. If everything good in us is from Him, then what do we have to boast about? “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) The right response is not self-congratulation but deep, overwhelming gratitude. We do not become holy by our own willpower; we are shaped by the hands of a gracious God who refines us through His Spirit.

This gratitude should transform how we live. If the goodness in us is God’s work, then we must ask ourselves: Are we allowing Him to shape us? Are we cooperating with His refining process, or are we resisting, clinging to our own ways? True humility does not just acknowledge God’s grace—it actively surrenders to it, allowing Him to make us more like Christ.

Such surrender is not passive; it requires intentionality. It means turning away from habits and thoughts that feed pride and self-sufficiency, replacing them with a posture of worship and reliance on Him. It means recognizing that every good choice we make, every kind word we speak, every step we take toward righteousness is ultimately the result of His Spirit working in us. And because of that, our response should be one of continuous thanksgiving and praise.

Living as a Reflection of His Goodness

A life surrendered to God’s grace does not seek to claim credit for what He has done. It reflects His goodness to the world. Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20) This means that every act of kindness, every moment of wisdom, every victory over sin is an opportunity to point back to Him, not ourselves.

When we truly grasp Augustine’s words, we stop striving for self-glory and start living for God’s glory. We no longer measure ourselves by worldly standards but by our nearness to Christ. And in that surrender, we find true joy—not in our own achievements, but in the unfailing grace of the One who is at work in us.

This should radically reshape how we view our own spiritual growth. Rather than seeing holiness as something we must manufacture, we recognize that our role is simply to abide in Christ. “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4) Our job is not to force goodness but to stay close to the source of all goodness.

A person who truly understands this does not see the pursuit of godliness as a burden, but as a joy. Rather than striving anxiously to be better, they rest in the transforming power of Christ. They live with an awareness that every blessing, every bit of growth, every ounce of goodness in them is the work of a gracious and loving God.

A Prayer for Dependence on God’s Goodness

As we reflect on Augustine’s words, let us daily come before God with a spirit of humility, acknowledging both our need for Him and His faithfulness to sustain us. Let our hearts echo this prayer:

Father, I confess that apart from You, I have nothing of true worth. Every good thing in me is from Your hand, and every sin and shortcoming is my own. Forgive me for the moments I take credit for Your work, and remind me that my righteousness is found only in Christ. Shape me, refine me, and use my life to reflect Your goodness to the world. May I rest in the truth that You are always at work within me, making me more like Jesus. Amen.

May we be a people who echo this truth daily: Everything good in me is from You, Lord. The rest is my fault. And still, You love me. Still, You work in me. Let my life reflect only You.

Avoiding Burnout: Are You Serving God or Yourself?

Posted on by pastordarryl68

“I wonder if it’s a hard pill for our Creator to swallow when we tell Him that serving Him has worn us out, stressed us out, or even burned us out. Imagine standing before God and saying, “I’m doing too much for You.” It’s a sobering thought—one that I’ve wrestled with myself more times than I’d like to admit.

Every time I’ve reached the edge of burnout, or gone beyond it, I discovered a difficult truth: I wasn’t really serving God. I was serving myself. Even as a pastor, I could try to convince myself and others that I was sacrificing for God’s people. It might have sounded righteous to my ears, and maybe even fooled others, but when I lay down at night, I had to face the truth. I was wearing myself out, not for His glory, but for the idol of my own ego and the approval of others.” – Darryl Jones

Who Are We Really Living For?

It’s easy to say we’re living for God, but let’s take an honest look at how we spend our day. When I add up the time I spend scrolling through social media, binge-watching shows, or focusing on myself—whether that’s worrying about what others think, stressing, or trying to get ahead—it becomes clear that much of my day isn’t really for Him.

How much of our time is actually spent for God’s glory? Are we genuinely seeking His will, or are we more focused on making ourselves look good, feel good, or gaining other’s approval?

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” — Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

A Gradual but Dangerous Shift

The shift from serving God to serving ourselves can start in small ways, but it’s dangerous. We start out wanting to glorify God, but somewhere along the way, our own desires creep in. We begin to measure our worth by what others think of us, the praise we receive, or the sacrifices we make. Suddenly, we’re no longer serving for God’s sake; we’re doing it because it makes us feel important or valued.

Burnout is often the warning sign that we’ve gotten off track. It’s the signal that, rather than relying on God’s strength, we’ve tried to do it all ourselves. Instead of resting in His sufficiency, we start striving in our own power.

Where Are Our Priorities?

Matthew 6:33 gives us a clear directive: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” But if we’re honest, how often do we seek first our comfort, our success, or our reputation?

Think about how much time we spend:

  • Scrolling and consuming—looking for distraction or validation.
  • Worrying and stressing—trying to control things that are beyond our grasp.
  • Investing in relationships—sometimes not for God’s glory, but so that others will like us or validate us.
  • Pursuing achievements—finding our identity and worth in what we do, rather than who we are in Christ.

It’s not that any of these activities are inherently wrong, but when they become the focus—when they overshadow our true purpose—they turn into idols.

Redirecting Our Focus

If we want to avoid burnout and truly live for God, we have to redirect our focus. We need to ask ourselves daily, “Am I doing this for God’s glory or for my own?” It’s not always easy to be honest with ourselves, but it’s necessary.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” — Colossians 3:23 (ESV)

Living for God means more than just doing things for Him—it means having a heart that’s oriented toward Him. It means choosing to seek His approval rather than the praise of others. It means learning to rest in Him, rather than striving in our own strength.

Final Thought

When we serve with a heart genuinely focused on God, there is peace, purpose, and joy—even in hard work. Let’s take the time to examine our hearts, our motives, and how we’re spending our days. Are we serving God, or are we serving ourselves? The answer may be a hard pill to swallow, but it’s the key to finding true fulfillment and avoiding burnout.

The True Calling of a Pastor: Beyond Numbers

Posted on by pastordarryl68

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy for church leaders to focus on numbers—how many attend services, how much engagement programs receive, or how popular a ministry appears. However, the true calling of pastors goes far beyond these metrics. We aren’t tasked with adapting to the trends of culture or tailoring our message to reach those who aren’t yet converted.

As John MacArthur reminds us: “We are called to serve the redeemed people of God as an agent of sanctification and protection.” The mission of spiritual leadership is to nurture and guide the congregation—the body of believers—so they can grow in their relationship with Christ. A pastor’s effectiveness isn’t based on crowd size but on the Christlike character being cultivated within the church.

The critical question becomes: Are we leading people into deeper holiness, truth, and love? Are we helping them embody the heart of Christ in their daily walk? While society may place value on outward success, God looks at the transformation happening within His people.

Pastors act as shepherds of spiritual growth, fostering sanctification in the lives of believers. This involves equipping them with the wisdom, faith, and resilience to navigate life’s challenges, standing firm in their identity in Christ.

“He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV)

Ultimately, the strength of a church is measured by the spiritual depth and fitness of its members, not by attendance figures. Our priority should always be to develop disciples who reflect Christ in all aspects of their lives, whether at home, work, or in their communities.

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” — 2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV)

Let us commit to raising a congregation that lives out their faith boldly, growing more like Christ each day.