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The Six Jobs of a Pastor

October 12, 2026 0

Pastoral ministry is more than preaching sermons and leading programs. Faithful shepherding means knowing people, caring through life’s joys and sorrows, and ensuring every member receives meaningful spiritual care. Through personal experiences and Scripture, Randy Harp explores what it means to follow Jesus, the Chief Shepherd, in pastoral ministry. […]

The Six Jobs of a Pastor

October 9, 2026 0

A visit to the Truman Presidential Library sparked an unexpected reflection on pastoral ministry. Pastors do far more than preach on Sundays. This eight-part series explores six biblical responsibilities of a pastor: shepherd, preacher, leader, equipper, guardian, and example, examining what faithfulness looks like in each area of ministry. […]

A Season of Trust

October 9, 2026 0

As a missionary with my husband, Jordan, on deputation to raise our prayer and financial support, there have been many joys, and there have been countless moments of seeing the Lord go before us as […]

Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

The Power of Encouragement

This devotional by John Gross shows the power of encouragement and the impact a simple smile and greeting can have. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Praying Fervently

This devotional by John Hamby illustrates the importance of praying fervently by reflecting on the life of the Old Testament prophet Elijah. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

The Empowerment of Prayer

This devotional by Del Hooge explains the empowerment of prayer and the mending of relationships. It highlights the biblical formula of confession + prayer = healing. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Healing Inside and Out

This devotional by John Arnold helps us understand how to find healing inside and out. It reminds us that when we are suffering, we should pray. When we are cheerful, we should sing psalms. And when we are sick, we should call on the church for prayer. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

An Oath Without Qualifications

This devotional by Don Rooks focuses on an oath without qualifications and the importance of our yes being yes and our no being no. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Yes, You Can … Endure

This devotional by Charles Lyons reminds us that even in difficult times when we trust God, we can endure any circumstance. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

No Grumbling Allowed

This devotional by Dale Peterson discusses the importance of not judging others but rather being like Jesus and living for others. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Seeds In An Envelope

This devotional by David Chittenden emphasizes that if we are to grow in godly wisdom, we must take action on what we have learned. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

The Singing Canary and Wisdom

This devotional by Ed Holland reflects on the choice of loving stuff or loving God and the consequences of each. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

A Failure to Act

This devotional by Derryl DeShields brings light to the sins of not doing what is right and the failure to act in the ways that we should. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Time Is Not on Our Side

This devotional by Frank Liedkie reminds us that life is but a vapor and that time is not on our side. Are you making the most of your time? Are you living every day to glorify God? […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Walk a Mile in My Moccasins

This devotional by Gary Fuller reflects on James 4:11-12 and the old American Indian proverb, “Never judge another man until you walk a mile in his moccasins.” […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

It’s A Climb to the Bottom

This devotional by Ray Adams emphasizes the importance of humility and submission to God. The result of humility is not a climb to the top, but rather, its a climb to the bottom. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Who Is Your Friend

This devotional by Bill Levergood asks the question, who is your friend? Humility is required to protect us from being friends with the world. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

What’s Wrong with the World

This devotional by Lee Huddleston looks at what’s wrong with the world and shows that Christians should recognize their own sin and focus on personal transformation before trying to change the world. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Heavenly Wisdom

This devotional by Mike Haley illustrates heavenly wisdom, which comes from a pure and surrendered heart that lives for God’s glory. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Two Categories of Wisdom

This devotional by Larry McAden discusses the contrast between two categories of wisdom: the wisdom of the world and the wisdom from God. It emphasizes the importance of meekness and gentleness in one’s conduct. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Wisdom on Display

This devotional by Charles Ray highlights the evidence of our growing in wisdom by how it is reflected in our character. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

The Power of the Tongue

This devotional by Kenneth Rhoades emphasizes the power of the tongue and the need for control over our speech. It compares the untamed tongue to a wild animal and highlights the inconsistency in human speech. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

We’re All Fire Fighters

This devotional by Keith Bassham highlights the idea that small things can have a big impact. Specifically, it emphasizes the power of the tongue and our words. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Wet Cement

This devotional by Bill Howe reflects on James’ admonition for teachers to be cautious about their words and actions and the lasting impact of sound teaching. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Faith That Works

This devotional by Terry Kizer reflects on the faith of Abraham and Rahab and challenges the reader to have a faith that works. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

This devotional by Rob Hoffman emphasizes the importance of actions accompanying faith and challenges those who claim faith but do not demonstrate it through good deeds. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

The Royal Law

This devotional by Duke Hergatt emphasizes the importance of the law in bringing people to Christ. It highlights the value of treating others with love and mercy and the judgment that will be based on adherence to this law. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

This devotional by Bill Dowell discusses the importance of showing equal love and respect to all, regardless of their appearance or status in life. Jesus loves and died for all. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

The Challenge to Be Genuine

This devotional by Mike Randall discusses the importance of being a genuine follower of Jesus Christ by emphasizing the role of personal obedience, honesty, compassion, and maintaining a pure soul. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Talking and Walking

This devotional by Jim Baize highlights the adage of “walk the walk, talk the talk,” emphasizing that our actions should match our beliefs. James warns against self-deception by only hearing the Word without applying it. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

The Superpower of Listening

This devotional by Kim Beckham emphasizes the importance of being a good listener and practicing active listening to avoid problems and misunderstandings. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

What? No Batteries?

This devotional by Bill Carter shares that God’s gifts are not always wrapped in beautiful packaging; sometimes, they come in the form of trials. We should approach these trials as opportunities to seek God’s power and strengthen our relationship with Him. Just like Jake’s front-end loader needing batteries, God provides the power required for each trial. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Tempted and Tried

This devotional by Keith Gillming shares the rewards of enduring trials, both internal and external. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Where the Poor and Rich Meet Together

This devotional by Rick Blue explores the two places where the rich and poor meet together, emphasizing spiritual equality and Christ’s redeeming love for all. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Single-Minded Focus on Christ

Staying focused on Christ in difficult times is crucial. James encourages believers facing persecution, reminding them that challenges are meant to mature their faith. A doubleminded faith is scattered and does not honor God. Trust in God’s plan and never doubt, for doubt destroys. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Daddy, I Can Do It Myself

In the Book of James, we find some of the most practical wisdom available anywhere. More specifically, in James chapter one, we find wisdom for trials.

James opened his letter with a call to maturity and said that maturity comes from trials of many kinds and that we should consider those trials joyful because they let us know that God is working in us. Your perseverance is how you mature. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Joyful Suffering

An unfortunate reality is that you will suffer in this life. Another reality is that sanctification is a long process that lasts a lifetime. Life as a believer can be hard. We all share in suffering, pain, loss, and heartache. As a believer, you will face life-shortening experiences that will momentarily paralyze you, BUT GOD always means for good. Everything that comes into your life is always “Father-Filtered.” […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Embracing Our Identity in God and Christ

In the opening verse of the Book of James, James, the half-brother of Jesus, introduced himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many times, when we begin reading a book in the Bible, we mistakenly overlook the greeting provided by the author. This declaration by James sets the tone for the rest of his letter and reminds us of the importance of humility in our walk with God. If we are going to grow in wisdom, we must first embrace our identity as servants of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. […]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Introduction to the Book of James

By Randy Harp, Director, Baptist Bible Fellowship International Central Office, Springfield, MO Read James 1-5. Note: Yes, you are being challenged to read the entire [...]
Devotional - Growing in Wisdom

Growing in Wisdom

This Growing in Wisdom devotional series brings a unique opportunity to glean insights from the book of James, written by a group of retired pastors, missionaries, and other ministry leaders. Each day, a seasoned minister shares their wisdom, drawing from years of experience and deep knowledge of Scripture to inspire, encourage, and challenge readers on their spiritual journey. […]

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