Tag: kingdom

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 Unbreakable Bond of Salvation in Christ

Posted on by pastordarryl68

You have probably heard people say, “I used to be a Christian.” They speak as though being a follower of Christ is something that can be undone. It’s a phrase that raises questions. It also offers an opportunity to clarify an important truth. When someone is genuinely transformed by the Holy Spirit, that transformation is permanent.

There’s no such thing as a “former Christian.” If you have truly been saved by Jesus and the Holy Spirit has entered your heart, there is no going back. It’s not just an emotional decision or a fleeting commitment. It’s a lifelong journey of transformation that begins the moment we accept Christ. This journey continues throughout our lives.

Jesus Himself assures us of this in John 10:27-28: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

This passage speaks to the security we have in Christ. Once you’re in His hands, you belong to Him forever. It’s not something that depends on our strength or ability to stay faithful—it’s grounded in Christ’s power to keep us.

It’s easy to get confused when we see people who once appeared committed to the faith suddenly drift away or declare they are no longer Christians. Does this mean salvation can be lost? Not at all. 1 John 2:19 explains it clearly: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.”

True salvation bears lasting fruit. While some may have experiences with the church or outward signs of faith, those who truly know Christ remain rooted in Him, even through difficult seasons.

One of the most powerful assurances we have as believers comes from Ephesians 4:30:
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

The Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts is not temporary. When we are saved, we are sealed for eternity. This means that the transformation that takes place when we give our lives to Christ is something no one—not even ourselves—can undo.

Of course, the Christian walk is not without challenges. There will be times of doubt, struggle, and even moments where we may feel distant from God. But instead of these moments pushing us away from our faith, they often become opportunities for God to draw us closer to Him. Through trials and hardships, we grow, learn, and depend on Christ even more.

As Romans 8:38-39 beautifully reminds us: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

There is no undoing the work of salvation once it has taken root in your heart. If you’ve been saved by Jesus, you are His forever. Let’s be encouraged by the truth that our salvation is secure in Christ, and no matter what, the Holy Spirit continues to work in us to bring us closer to the likeness of Christ.

The Straight Path

Posted on by pastordarryl68

Do you consistently acknowledge Yahweh? Do you thank him for each blessing he has given to you – salvation, sanctification, life, family, friends, neighbors, etc.? Do you ask him for help throughout your day, every day? Do you praise him for his faithfulness and his goodness. Do you give him the glory in your accomplishments and victories? Do you worship him in song? Do you take time each day to pray with him?

God wants us to seek his kingdom first! Instead of putting our desires first, we should want his will to be done in our lives. Isn’t that exactly how Jesus lived? We should not be in this for our own fame, but instead we should want his fame to increase. We should want to glorify him.

Yahweh calls us to acknowledge him in everything we think, say, and do. In Deuteronomy 6, God’s Word declares that we are to love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all of our might. We are called to worship him with our head and our hands. This idea has been referred to as the “mark of the lamb.” He promises that if we acknowledge him in everything, he will make our paths straight.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:6

The Kingdom of God Has Arrived

Posted on by pastordarryl68

Jesus Christ IS King…NOW. He reigns…NOW. His Kingdom is established…NOW. His Kingdom is being expanded…NOW.

He is a perfect King. He is a gracious and merciful King. He is a forgiving King. He is a welcoming King. He is a faithful King. He is a worthy King.

His subjects…oh goodness, we’re still learning and being transformed. We don’t always get His Word correct. We don’t always execute His decrees with accuracy. We ourselves do not love and obey Him with the same commitment that we expect from those who don’t even know Him. We don’t always represent HIM well.

I thank Yahweh today for the Spirit of the Most High God, the Holy Spirit. I’m thankful today that He dwells in and HELPS those who have come to King Jesus in repentance and faith, those who have been regenerated and are being conformed to His image.

His Kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. It IS happening.

I’m sorry to the watching world that it is taking some of us longer to learn to surrender, to deny self, and to take up our cross (our symbol of complete sacrifice) to follow Him.

We WILL do better. Keep watching. Keep learning. Keep your eyes on the King more than on me! I wait with Earnest Expectation and Blessed Hope to look just like Him!

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” ~ Matthew 3:2

You Can’t Out Give Yahweh

Posted on by pastordarryl68

It is “religious” to ask, “What is the minimum I must give? What is the minimum I must share, do, serve, etc., in order to meet the ‘standard’?” It is religious to ask, “What does the law or the code require?”

From the heart and character of Yahweh, the example of Jesus Christ Himself, the apostle Paul, Peter, and the others, being a follower of Jesus INSPIRES just the opposite – “If anyone is to be my disciple, he must deny himself, take up his symbol of humble sacrifice (his cross), and follow me.”

It is the nature of Yahweh AND those conformed to the image of His Son to ask, “What is the most I CAN give and still live another day to serve my King?” To be Christian is to embody the Spirit of humility, sacrifice, compassion, hospitality, and generosity, to go the extra mile, to turn the other cheek, to leverage our strength, our earnings, our gifts and talents for the testimony of the King and for the good of His Kingdom.

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:6

Growth is Healthy

Posted on by pastordarryl68

Healthy things grow. If it’s not growing, it’s diminishing, dying, or dead. In the life of the follower of Jesus and in the church, the same is true.

Sometimes people stay stationary and the things around them grow, change, and transition. A solid, consistent, spiritually fit person might walk out all of Christ for all of life by teaching the same class or doing the same type of discipleship for years and years, but the people around them develop and grow and take on new ministry and relationships of pouring into others.

Sometimes people develop and grow out of one form of ministry into another as they themselves grow.

Sometimes a church grows and develops people in loving and obeying Jesus and then sends them out of the fold as workers in other communities, cities, and countries to teach them how to know, love and follow Jesus into His Kingdom.

Sometimes a church grows and develops people who grow and develop people who grow and develop people to know, love and follow Jesus into His Kingdom and the church body just grows and grows.

Sometimes a church does both. But the follower of Jesus and the church of followers of Jesus that is alive in the Spirit and healthy will ALWAYS grow.

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:10

Your Way or the Highway

Posted on by pastordarryl68

Some of the most challenging people to connect with in the body of Christ are those who feel that they have an enlightened, private interpretation of their own about Scripture, the church, people, culture, practices, preferences, etc. They’re full of alternate ideas and suggestions of how things should be done, said, taught, etc. They’re right and everyone else is wrong, but you’re still expected to work with them and include them, despite their obstinance and “been there more often, done that better, and bought the superior t-shirt” attitude.

This is not to say that we can’t all learn from these personalities. None of us have a corner on the market of knowledge and experience and God DOES bring people into our lives and into our churches that can share new experiences with us, in the journey, along the way. But there’s a difference between bringing your “lessons learned the hard way”, growth and maturity into new relationships and entering new relationships with the goal of making them look like your old relationships that failed along the way.

“How can I help us better pursue God’s glory for His Kingdom” goes much farther than “Can you just do things the way I want you to?” The difference may be as subtle as authentic humility and self-important arrogance. It’s not about your way or my way. It’s about His way!

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. ~ Matthew 6:10

My Approach to the New Year

Posted on by pastordarryl68

I’m in “wrapping up the year” and “getting ready for the next year” mode – both personally and professionally.

I’m not a New Year’s resolution guy, but I very much see the close of the holidays and the change of the calendar year as a time to be intentional about Kingdom Values — leveraging who I am and what I’ve been given to reach my neighbors, my city, and my world with Gospel-focused ministries of mercy so they might come to know, love, and follow Jesus into His Kingdom.

It’s a time to re-evaluate and re-center my organization and time management. It’s a time to re-evaluate and re-center my mission, vision, values, goals, relationships, etc.

I want even my time of rest and relaxation to be centered in ALL of Christ for ALL of life.

Philippians 3:10, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,”

1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.“

What about you…how do you approach the New Year?