Pastors can only fulfill their calling as shepherd leaders with the vitalizing power of prayer, and must pray for themselves first. A healthy, prayer-full pastor is an effective pastor. My newest book is to help pastors in this vital discipline of prayer.
Amen Indeed fuels growth by providing more than 100 prayers for pastors to pray for their own mental, physical, spiritual, and relational growth. Each is sourced from Scripture and rings with the “Amen” that Jesus promised to add (2 Corinthians 1:20).
“There is one assured way for our prayers to be answered: It is to pray the will of God.
“There is one assured way to pray the will of God: It is to pray Scripture.
“As ministers of the Gospel we would be wise then to primarily pray Scripture, for ‘the word of our God stands forever’ (Isaiah 40:8).” —Dick Brogden, Founder of the Live Dead Movement
“When it comes to prayer, we need some help. And in Amen Indeed, help is at hand. Whatever is keeping us from prayer, Craig Owens can help us push through to a more consistent and more consistently joyful and fruitful life of prayer.” —T.M. Moore, Principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe
2 Peter 1:3 tells us that the divine power of Jesus has given us everything we need to live a God-honoring life. Jesus did the work so that we could do the work! Without His work, we are unable to do anything for ourselves.
“A rule of thumb for organizing your work strategy: Work where you are strongest 80% of the time, work where you are learning 15% of the time, work where you are weak 5% of the time.” —John Maxwell
“A July 2026 study of immune cells found that cell function depends not only on genes and proteins, but also on how those parts are linked.” Check out new findings that continue to point to the genius of our Creator God!
Then looking at how our blood vessels grow is another astounding discovery of the mind-blowing engineering of God’s design. “For a new blood vessel to grow in a useful direction, several steps must stay coordinated. The cell must detect force, pass that signal inward, change its activity, and remodel nearby tissue. At the same time, the growing vessel must keep its structure and function. The study shows these linked steps working together as one controlled response.” All of these intricacies point to an all-wise Creator!
This year marks the 500th anniversary of the first printed version of the Bible in English: the Tyndale Bible. Here is a remarkable historical account of William Tyndale and what the British Library called “the most important printed book in the English language.”
“Our pilgrimage on earth cannot be exempt from trial. We progress by means of trial. No one knows himself except through trial, or receives a crown except after victory, or strives except against an enemy or temptations.” —Augustine
“The Azusa Street Revival (1906-1909) in Los Angeles and the African-American pastor of the Azusa Street Mission, William Seymour, have become iconic symbols of the Pentecostal movement. However, historians and participants in the revival point to a lesser-known Baptist pastor and graduate of Spurgeon’s College, Joseph Smale, who helped prepare Los Angeles for the revival.” Read more about Pastor Smale and the revival he ushered in.
“Pilate hoped Jesus would defend Himself. Justice could be served and the whole matter put to rest if only the accused would speak, if only He would answer Pilate’s questions and, you know, help him a little bit. But the just outcome Jesus was seeking in silence before Pilate was of a much higher order than what the governor had in mind. And He knew that, for divine justice to be served in His situation, all human injustice must have its way.” —T.M. Moore
“I do not perceive that John says, ‘Blessed are they that understand this Book,’ for, surely, they would be very few. I do not doubt that there are portions of Scripture which are not meant to be understood as yet—things concerning the future which are wrapped up in a phraseology which will be plain enough when that future arrives, but which for the present are not intended so much to gratify our curiosity as to stimulate our watchfulness. To keep us constantly on the look out, is the main object of every revelation concerning the future.” —Charles Spurgeon, commenting on Revelation 1:3
Cold-case detective J. Warner Wallace uses three “chapter ones” from Scripture to make the case that Jesus really is God. And then check out this video where Wallace explains how we can trust the veracity of accounts of the virgin birth of Jesus, as recorded in the Gospels.
Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. Check out the video content in this post by clicking here.
You have spent years training, honing your craft, and climbing the corporate ladder. Now, you’ve finally made it. The corner office, the fancy title, the big raise is all yours. Time to kick up your feet and enjoy your success, right? NO!
Feeling like you have “arrived” is a common sentiment among leaders, but it is incredibly destructive to your impact and effectiveness. In today’s episode Greg and I discuss how detrimental an arrival mindset can be, and we give you strategies to help reframe your thinking, if you feel that sense of entitlement starting to creep in.
When Paul is writing to the saints in Philippi, he links together “the peace of God” with “the God of peace” (see Philippians 4:7, 9). When we know that the God of peace is always with us, then the peace of God will always be with us as well. This peace, Paul says, transcends our natural understanding.
However, our hearts can be robbed of this peace when we lose sight of God’s goodness. The cure for this is gratitude. When we look around at all God has done for us—and is still doing for us—our thankfulness keeps us keenly aware of His presence. And where the God of peace is, the peace of God will be there too!
I invite you to join us for this series of messages exploring how a heart of gratitude is a heart that intimately knows the peace of God.
If you live in West Michigan and don’t have a home church, I would love to have you join us during this Thanksgiving season at Calvary Assembly of God.
Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
The apostle Peter was a big believer in repetition to get his message through (just look at the words remind you, refresh your memory, and remember these things in 2 Peter 1:13-15). As pastors who are in the pastures of ministry every single day, it’s good for us to be frequently reminded of the duties of our calling. So, who better do to this than the apostle Peter; or, as he called himself: “a fellow elder” (1 Peter 5:1).
Peter’s repetition to pastors comes after he tells them, “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them” (1 Peter 5:2). Then in verses 2 and 3, Peter repeats a pattern three times to remind shepherd leaders of what Christ-honoring shepherding looks like. The phrase is: “not … but….”
(1) “NOT because you must, BUT because you are willing” (v. 2).
This contrasts a “get to” attitude with a “have to” attitude. If we have a “have to” attitude about tending to the sheep in our pasture, we will ultimately end up trying to coerce the sheep to follow us. Jesus said worldly leaders use their authority to “lord it over” the people around them, but He calls His leaders to be servants (Luke 22:25–27).
Shepherding is NOT a duty, BUT a delight.
(2) “NOT pursuing dishonest gain, BUT eager to serve” (v. 2).
The KJV says this very graphically: not for filthy lucre. Shepherds are not supposed to be bottom-line, profit-motivated workers. To think something like, “I don’t get paid enough to do this,” is to say, “I’m only here for the paycheck.” The AMPC renders this verse, “Not dishonorably motivated by the advantages and profits belonging to the office, but eagerly and cheerfully.” The true shepherd knows that the true rewards come from the Chief Shepherd only after the flock is brought Home.
Shepherding is NOT for temporal rewards, BUT to hear the Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
(3) “NOT lording it over those entrusted to you, BUT being examples to the flock” (v. 3).
Our shepherding should NOT be, “Do as I say,” BUT always, “Do as I do.” Again, the AMPC captures it well: “Not domineering—as dictatorial and overbearing persons—but being examples, patterns, and models of Christian living to the flock.” Shepherd leaders seek the Holy Spirit’s help to be gentle, patient, and creative with the flock under their care.
Shepherd leaders must always remember, “These are NOT my sheep, BUT they are Christ’s.”
We shepherd NOT to get temporary rewards and recognition here, BUT to know the Master’s eternal rewards and approval in Heaven.
I invite you to check out three of my books to help shepherd leaders:
Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. Check out the video content in this post by clicking here.
Do you know what is consistently found to increase mortality rates in older adults? Retiring from the workforce. One study “found that those who retired at 55 and lived to be 65 died 37 percent sooner than those that retire at 65. And in general, people who retire at 55 are 89 percent more likely to die within ten years than those that retire at 65.”
This is because people who retire from the workforce typically retire from productive living as well. They have reached an arbitrary age where they assume their effectiveness is not as impactful as before, so they stop trying.
I think Peter has this in mind as he concludes this list of virtues. He doesn’t want any saint to say, “Well, I have added to my faith, goodness…all the way to agape,” and then add, “So now that I have arrived, I can take it easy.” Instead, Peter urges us to continue growing (2 Peter 1:8; compare v. 3.
Look at this phrase in a couple of other translations:
As these qualities are yours (AMPC) = as you own them, understand them, and practice them more proficiently.
The more you grow, the more productive and useful your life will be in God’s kingdom.
I want you to think about who you see in the Bible that has retired. I cannot think of one, but instead we see saints making every effort to be productive and effective until God calls them home.
Moses—Deuteronomy 34:7
Caleb—Joshua 14:10-12
John—2 John 12; 3 John 13-14
Peter—2 Peter 1:13-15
Notice Peter’s progression…
(1) IF you possess…There is no end date on this. The phrase “make every effort” (v. 5) is in the aortist tense and active voice. So it just keeps going. The phrase “if you possess” (v. 8) is in the present tense and active voice—so I have to always be active.
(2) They will keep you… They will keep you growing. They will keep you fruitful. They will keep you excited about working for God. Literally translated: They will keep you from being barren and from shunning the labor that you ought to be doing.
(3) But… If I have an attitude that I have arrived, that I can relax, then I will regress. The Christian walk should be constantly upward (Proverbs 15:24).
This is not to say that there are no temporary stumbles. Unrealistic growth is an unbroken step upward without any plateaus. Realistically, there are times of plateau: (a) for assimilation or (b) preparation. Think about our friend Caleb. He had 40 years in the desert that could have seemed like a barren, unfruitful time. But he clearly kept himself ready and in fighting condition that whole time, so that when his mountain moment came, he was ready to meet the challenge!
(4) Therefore… We have the repeated encouragement to be all the more eager to keep growing. There is a rich welcome awaiting that saint (Luke 12:42-44, 35-38).
Keep going. Keep growing. Keep making every effort. Keep possessing these qualities in increasing measure. Keep active in God’s work until the very end.
Saints should want nothing less than full productivity and effectiveness until they are called Home.
Jesus wants us to experience all of His blessings, so He has gotten this amazing cycle of power started on our behalf. Don’t try to take this out of His hands, but keeping doing what He has empowered you to do.
“An indifference of spirit between truth and error, good and evil, may be called charity and meekness, but it is not pleasing to Christ.” —Matthew Henry, commenting on the Nicolaitians in Revelation 2:6
J. Warner Wallace correctly says, “One non‑negotiable was this: if Jesus is anything less than God, Christianity collapses in all the places that matter most.” He then points to several places in the Bible that unravel if Jesus isn’t God.
“Stand your ground like an anvil under the hammer.” —Ignatius, writing to Polycarp
“Arguments about Scripture achieve nothing but a stomachache and a headache.” —Tertullian
T.M. Moore notes, “In this…question regarding taxes, Jesus laid down a fundamental principle concerning the relationship of human institutions—in this case, government—to the divine economy. He made two important points.” Read more about how Christians are to use the things of culture to glorify God.
Ryan Dembeck reminds us that Christians should have an impeccable work ethic. In this post he says, “Over the years, after hundreds of interviews and conversations, I’ve observed three qualities of people who glorify God in their everyday vocation: resolve in the calling, grit because of joy, and dedication to others’ flourishing.”
Melvin Hodges studied religious revivals throughout history. Even looking at the religious fervor at the dawn of the New Testament church. He said, “The New Testament Church gradually lost the purity and power that characterized her apostolic beginnings, and became adulterated by worldliness, greed and paganism as she increased in numbers and influence. … We dare not ignore the lessons of history.” He identified three characteristics of a declining revival movement: 1) a diminishing hunger for God; 2) a lack of concern for holiness; and 3) the loss of the sense of mission and destiny.
Ever since encountering honeybees as a kid on my grandparents’ farm, I have always been fascinated by these amazing creatures. This new finding adds more reasons to stand appreciate the genius of our Creator! For further proof of the genius of honeybees, check out the mathematical and engineering genius God has given them—
Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible. Check out the video content in this post by clicking here.
Some people think that pastors have so much time for prayer, so they must be really good at it. But prayer is difficult for all of us—pastors and saints.
My book Amen Indeed was written to help pastors pray. This book contains over 100 Scripture-based prayers organized by topic, weekly prayers before preaching a sermon, and some historical quotes about prayer.
In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy (v. 4)
The good work in you will carry on to completion (v. 6)
How I long for all of you (v. 8)
That you may be filled with the fruit of righteousness (v. 11)
I take this to mean that there are no “down times” in our Christian walk. It’s not like going to a job site, doing our job for the day, and then going back home and forgetting about our work. It’s not just something we do on Sundays at a church gathering, but then forget about for the next six days.
It is who we are and it is who we are becoming. It’s all-in all of the time.
It’s all God’s people all sharing in His grace, and seeking to make His love known to the world.
It’s all our prayers every time we think of our partnership with other saints and our mission as disciple-makers.
It’s looking forward to the completion of our calling in Jesus.
It’s seeking God’s best in all of the settings where He places us.
It’s about being filled to overflowing with God’s righteousness so that His glory and praise fill our world.
It’s not something to dabble in. It’s not something to turn to only when we need a pick-me-up. It’s not something we treat like a casual hobby.
It’s all-in all of the time.
This is the prayer I am praying, and I hope you will join me in this—
Holy Spirit, help me to be even more aware of any moments or settings where I may forget that I am to be all-in. I don’t want there to be a single moment where I am not fully engaged in Kingdom-building work.
The 15 Invaluable Laws Of Growth is yet another powerful leadership book from John Maxwell. If you haven’t already, you can check out my full book review here. These are some quotes from John that especially caught my attention. My Patreon supporters have access to all of the quotes I highlighted in this book.
“You cannot change your life until you change something you do every day.”
“If you focus on goals, you may hit goals—but that doesn’t guarantee growth. If you focus on growth, you will grow and always hit goals.”
“People are never able to outperform their self-image. … If you put a small value on yourself, rest assured the world will not raise the price. If you want to become the person you have the potential to be, you must believe you can!”
“Every time you make a mistake, don’t bring up everything that’s wrong with yourself; tell yourself that you’re paying the price for growth and that you will learn to do better next time.”
“Here’s the truth when it comes to personal growth: Motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing.”
“If you think about it, you can see that discipline and motivation are two sides of the same coin. If you have the motivation you need, discipline is no problem. If you lack motivation, discipline is always a problem.”
“What kinds of ‘larger’ people should we spend our time with? People with integrity. People who are positive. People who are ahead of us professionally. People who lift us up instead of knocking us down. People who take the high road, never the low. And above all, people who are growing. They should be like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, whose question for each other whenever they met was, ‘What have your learned since we last met?’”
“It comes as little surprise that people want to follow leaders of good character. No one likes to work with unreliable people. But before you or I work with any other person or follow any other leader, who do we have to rely on every day? Ourselves! That’s why character is so important. If you cannot trust yourself, you won’t ever be able to grow. Good character, with honesty and integrity at its core, is essential to success in any area of life. Without it, a person is building on shifting sand. … Most people focus too much on competence and too little on character.”
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Pastors can only fulfill their calling as shepherd leaders with the vitalizing power of prayer, and must pray for themselves first. A healthy, prayer-full pastor is an effective pastor. My newest book is to help pastors in this vital discipline of prayer.
