Finding the Main Thing

I read this on Herbert Cooper's website and decided to pass it on.  He borrowed it from Tommy Sparger.   Very good info.  Herbert Cooper is the pastor of People's Church.tv in Oklahoma City.  Tommy Sparger is the pastor of North Point Church in Springfield , Mo.


Finding the Main Thing

 Do you ever feel like you are putting in long hours, but seeing very little positive results? If your answer is yes, I can relate. Let me share with you something called the 80/20 principle.

80 percent of traffic jams occur on 20 percent of the roads.

80 percent of beer is consumed by 20 percent of drinkers.

80 percent of classroom participation comes from 20 percent of students.


80 percent of the time you wear 20 percent of your clothes.

80 percent of the profits come from only 20 percent of the customers.

80 percent of problems are generated by 20 percent of the employees.

80 percent of sales are generated by 20 percent of the salespeople.

80 percent of all decisions can be made on 20 percent of the information.

What this means is that the best 20 percent of your activities are sixteen times more productive than the remaining 80 percent. If you want to decrease the complexity of your life and increase your productivity, you need to focus on your top 20 percent. There is a good chance that you are (1) doing too many things, and (2) the things you are doing are often the wrong things. And this, my friend, is a recipe for an ineffective life! Find the main thing and invest your time there and watch your effectiveness increase. It is not enough to work hard! You have to work smart.

Great and Mighty Things

Jer.33:3 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

We all have questions.  We all need direction or guidance.  We can always ask our friends or family.  That’s ok, but we can always ask the Lord.  I know that there have been times in my life that I asked everyone but the Lord and then it would finally dawn on me that I needed to ask the Lord.

He has all the plans, He has all the answers, but sometimes we don’t get the answer because we don’t ask Him.

The KJV versions says it this way:
Jer.33:3  Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

I like that as well, because I believe that God has great and mighty things in store for us.  There is greatness in you and mighty things ahead for those who believe.

Photo Courtesy Robertas Pėžas

a book of answers

Pro.3:13-14  Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, 14  for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.

Our wisdom has to come from God’s Word. This is why we have to study the Word of God.  We cannot let the world guide our decisions.  We have to let the Word of God, the wisdom of God guide our decisions our actions our words, etc.

I have a Pastor friend who says the Bible is simply a book of answers.  So when we are faced with choice of what to do.  Go to God’s Word and get His wisdom for you situation.

Photo Courtesy Kirill Kurashov

What is seen is temporary.

2 Cor 4:18 18  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.


If you are like me, I sometimes focus on all the things I can see going on around me. I  see the situations, the circumstances, and the trials.  And then I am reminded that God is always working behind the scenes.  He is at work even when I can’t see anything happening.  God has a plan for your life and sometimes we may not understand everything that is happening.  We just have to continue to walk by faith and know that God is working behind the scenes for our benefit.

I pray today that God’s will be done in your life. He is at work on your behalf.

Who comforts us in all our troubles.

2Cor1:3-4 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

We all go through trials.  But God is right there in our midst helping us go through the trial.  He comforts us encourages us and helps us.  We all can look back on certain trials we have gone through and reflect on how God was there all the time helping us, comforting us and encouraging us.

But it goes deeper than that.  We probably had friends that stood beside us as well and we are to do the same when we see others going through trials.  We can stand with them.  We can bring comfort, help and encouragement to those around us who are going through trials.  God did it for us and He will do it for them.

Do you know someone who needs some comfort?  Take time today to call or send a note to let them know they are in your thoughts and prayers.

Photo Courtesy Shawnna Rennae Porter

Someone's life may depend on it.

1Cor.15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (NIV)


As we approach Sunday, know that whatever type of ministry you are involved in, it is not in vain.  Whether you preach behind the pulpit, teach a Sunday School, minister in youth or children’s church, nursery, sing on the worship team or choir, your ministry is not in vain.  So this Sunday minister like your life depends on it, because somebody’s life may depend on it!  And Jesus gave His life for us.

Photo Courtesy - Ivan Charnetski

Man VS. Food

One of the television shows we have been watching is called “Man vs Food”, and it got me to thinking about the words of Jesus.

Matt.4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'

We are to feast on the Word of God.  I know you have heard this before.  But the Word of God has the answer to every problem we will face.  And if we will feast on the Word of God we can avoid all kind of problems and temptations.   I think it was Smith Wigglesworth that said we feed our bodies 3 hot meals a day and our spirits one cold snack a week.  We need to make sure we feast on the Word of God daily.

Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Message and Methods

I heard this comment this past week, and I agree 100%.  The message doesn’t change, but our methods must change.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Our message is still Jesus.  He still saves, heals and delivers.  He is still changing lives.  But we must make the message relevant to the culture we are trying to reach.  People young and old alike are looking for a relevant Jesus.  We don’t have to water down the message or our morals.  But we must connect with the people we are trying to reach.  I am all for doing whatever it takes as long as it is not sin to reach people for Jesus.  Our job is to keep hell less populated and heaven overcrowded.

You can't go forward looking back.

On Sunday we heard about having memorials.  We can have good memorial, that is remembering how God saved us, healed us, provided for us, or just His faithfulness in our lives.  We also heard about how we can have bad memorial.  How we can be constantly reminded about all of our past mistakes, bad decisions,  or all of our sins we have committed.
I was reminded of what Paul said.
Phi. 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.

Lets thank God for what he has done and will continue to do.  But we can’t go forward looking backwards. Forget about your past failures.  Push on for Jesus.  You cannot rest on what you have done for Jesus and what He has done for you.  There is still more to do.  Lets push forward for Jesus.

God Heals Today

With all the talk of H1N1 and the regular flu, and people I know having these illnesses.  Plus hearing about some of my minister friends battling different kind of diseases.  I started thinking about how God still heals today.

Matt.8:16-17 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:


“ He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”

1Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

I still believe God heals today.  I have had Him heal my own body and have seen Him heal members of my family.  My prayer for you today is to be healed in the name of Jesus.  I declare over you today, power and virtue to come into your body in the Name of Jesus and for all sickness to be removed from your body.  And may God place a hedge of protection around you, your family.

Have a Blessed Service this week as you proclaim the Name of Jesus!

Photo Courtesy Chiyacat

He's working it out

As most of you know, we have been through trying times recently. Every time we turn on the news we hear that things are looking bad, and that the economy and jobs are down. Everything is being looked at in a negative light and it seems as if doors are being closed all around us. Even though things look gloomy, I am continually reminded of Jeremiah 29:11:



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." New International Version (NIV)

I believe this verse has a very powerful message:  God knows us personally, has a plan for us, and allows us to find hope in Him.



I am also reminded of a song that I learned in the 80’s. The chorus goes like this:

When God closes the door He opens a window

He opens a window so I can see

He’s working it out

The very best for me

He is always working things out. And I was reminded in a sermon recently, that He is working on our behalf, even when we cannot see what is up ahead of us in our journey.  He wants nothing but the very best for us. He has plans to prosper us, not to harm us. He has plans for our future and we can put our hope in Him. I praise God that I can hold on to these promises.
Blog by Wendy Spoon

Let everything that has breath

I was finishing up my bible reading in the Psalms. The Psalms end with this verse.


Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.


I am sure we all probably have different ways of praising the Lord.  I like the music loud and for the words to be passionate.  You may like the music soft, ect.  However you like to praise the Lord, we are commanded to praise HIM.  And as we praise HIM here on earth, just remember it is heaven practice.  Because that is what we are going to be doing in heaven.  Praising the Lord.

Take a moment right now and just praise HIM.  Thank you Jesus.

Photo Courtesy Alexey Arkhipov

Seek, Hear, Do

Eph.5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.


I was going over some old notes. And I remember my Pastor saying his instructions from the Lord were these.

Seek My Face
Hear My Voice
Do What I Say

I think this applies to all of us.  We need to keep our eyes on Jesus. Listen to Him and do what He says.  If we will do this as individuals we will walk in victory no matter what the situation is.  And if we will do this as a church we will see hell less populated and the churches full.

     Cross at Devin Castle Ruins, Slovakia.  Photo © W. Spoon.      All Rights Reserved.

Healthy Expectations of a Pastor

Today lets look at Healthy Expectation for Pastors.

Pastors serve.  They teach.  They lead.  They inspire.  They pray.  They cry.  They get tired.  They are human.  They need family time.  They must be renewed.


Eph.4:11  And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.

God set Pastors in the church.  If you are not a Pastor, don't worry.  God has set you in the church as well.


1Cor.12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Most people fall under the  "Helps" part.  And just as we should expect the qualities above from our Pastors.  So should Pastors expect the same from the members of their church.  When we are all working together and doing our part, the Body of Christ moves forward.
 Don't expect more out of your Pastor if you are not doing your part.

Photo © W. Spoon.  All Rights Reserved.

Unhealthy Expectations about your Pastor.

I read this a few months ago.

Unhealthy Expectations about your Pastor.

They are not substitute parents. They are not shrinks. They are not janitors, plumbers, or construction workers. They are not crisis managers. They are not perfect problem solvers. They are not corporate executives. They do not have wireless access to the Holy Spirit concerning your problems. They are not responsible for your sin. They are not constructed for long term bashing. They are not required to shoulder harsh criticisms. They are not celebrities. They have real families with real problems too. They are not always available and tireless. They are not God in human form. They can burn out.

How many times do we expect these things from our Pastors? They are just serving God like everyone else. They just happen to have the title Pastor because God gave it to them. And they are doing the best they can to serve and lead God’s people. The church.

The Only Way

1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?”
We all know about when David defeated Goliath. But this verse has been going through my thoughts, particularly the phrase “Is there not a cause?”. I believe the cause is that Jesus is the answer to all of our problems, all of our trials.  I know that seems easy, but it is what the Bible says.  But I think the cause is to introduce as many people as we can to Jesus.  We have to get the message of Jesus outside the four walls of the church.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
There is a cause and that cause is to tell people about Jesus.  He is the only way.

I’m coming YOUR way.

Yesterday we sang a song that was new to us.


I'm coming Your way
I'm coming Your way
I'm coming Your way


With all of my breath with this heart in my chest
Every look in my eye
You know why


I'm coming Your way
I'm coming Your way
I'm coming Your way


I was reminded that God wants us to come to Him.  He is the answer to all of our problems.  He has more for us than we realize.


John 7:37-38 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Jesus is saying come!!!
Lets agree together to come to Jesus for everything that we have need of.

I’m coming YOUR way.

The best days are ahead...

As the weekend approaches, I just want to encourage pastors.  It doesn’t matter if you have 25 or 250 or 2500 in your church on Sunday.  We have to remember it is HIS CHURCH, and HE LOVES HIS CHURCH.  And HE LOVES your church.


God has a plan for your church, it is bigger than you can imagine.  He wants you to influence and impact your community in a way the world has never seen.  Dare to dream big and ask God to show HIMSELF strong for your area.


The churches best days are ahead.  God is still in control and He is still working through HIS Church, one life at a time.  Have a great Sunday.  Listen to the song in this video:

They cannot be numbered.

Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. NIV


God made everyone of us; none of us were an accident.  We are here on purpose and we have a purpose. Every one of us might be doing a different type of ministry but we all have a purpose.  And that is to fulfill the will of God for our lives.  And every one of us has an obligation to fulfill the great commission, tell someone about Jesus.

Psalm 139:17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! NLT

How awesome is that, that God thinks good thoughts about us. And so many good thoughts, that they cannot be numbered.

Photo Courtesy - Dan Ionut Popescu