For a while, I’ve wanted to write something about this topic but didn’t know what to say or how to present it. (There are also too many topics in my head that are written in here.)

Last year (or was it a year before? It’s been a long year!) several young pastors committed suicide. One was local, and one a family member’s church. Her church pastor must’ve shared about the man and not judge him, for those were her words.

A man who is a pastor must have a sound mind. A man who calls himself a pastor and leader cannot publicly live with chronic depression and anxiety, for where is there hope for anyone else? Depression and anxiety is real and we all struggle sometimes, but that isn’t a ministry. If they are struggling they should step down and deal with their issues (and not being judged as we all have problems and have to deal with things). Through Christ, we are overcomers. It is HIS work and HIS spirit living in us and renewing us. A man who calls himself a pastor and kills himself creates a terrible witness for the world because if a man of God’s only way out is suicide, where else would a ‘regular person’ go? It is a tragedy that someone kills themselves, but the weight they were carrying was not for them to carry. Pastors are under much pressure, but maybe that’s not what they were called to do. I am in no way belittling this person, for they left a gaping hole for their family and everyone who knew them.

Suicide: The impact on Believers by Charles Stanley – Youtube Link

(I say this only because seven years ago, I was so low I didn’t think I could finish the year. Seven years ago, I had no hope and wanted to die. Seven years ago, I had enough, and I cried out to the ONLY ONE who could help me. There is NO OTHER ANSWER EXCEPT JESUS. JESUS CAN GO TO THE DARKEST PLACES. He is the rescuer and healer. We are NOT MEANT to live depressed and with anxiety! Jesus took my heart and turned me into a person I could never have imagined, but love who He has created. I did it NOT on my own, but only by relying on Him every second.)

The bible’s gift of pastoring or teaching is just that: a gift. It’s something someone naturally is born with and is given by God. It is NOT a title nor something someone should call themselves since the fall man has wanted to be God. We wish to puff ourselves up. God says we should humble ourselves and cast our cares on Him because He cares for us. Moses led the people, but he didn’t even want to do it. He was not an eloquent speaker and fought God to the point of God saying, “Ok. If you won’t do it, I’ll kill you and get someone else” (Exodus 4). God calls us to a life of obedience, and by being obedient, HE IS THE ONE to lead us to specific positions for HIS purpose and always to bring HIM glory.

Ezekiel 13-14; Ezekiel 33-34; John 10; Jeremiah 23; The entire book of Titus; 1 Timothy 3

God’s word repeatedly talks about false teachers and pastors because they have a load of responsibility toward God’s people. One of the reasons many people are atheists and have turned away from “God” is because they have been taught error. They were given a false idea of who God is or have been hurt by religion. They were not taught who the real God of the bible is and were shown a phony representation of Him. (This is not excusing atheists for Romans 1 states there is NONE without excuse.)

There is only ONE shepherd. There is only ONE teacher. It is Jesus. There are so many out there who are looking to make a name for themselves and want to be somebody that they take a title of pastor without thinking of its meaning.

THIS IS A TRUE SAYING, IF A MAN DESIRE THE OFFICE OF A BISHOP, HE DESIRETH A GOOD WORK. A BISHOP THEN MUST BE BLAMELESS, THE HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, VIGILANT, SOBER, OF GOOD BEHAVIOUR, GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY, APT TO TEACH; NOT GIVEN TO WINE, NO STRIKER, NOT GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE; BUT PATIENT, NOT A BRAWLER, NOT COVETOUS; ONE THAT RULETH WELL HIS OWN HOUSE, HAVING HIS CHILDREN IN SUBJECTION WITH ALL GRAVITY; (FOR IF A MAN KNOW NOT HOW TO RULE HIS OWN HOUSE, HOW SHALL HE TAKE CARE OF THE CHURCH OF GOD?) NOT A NOVICE, LEST BEING LIFTED UP WITH PRIDE HE FALL INTO THE CONDEMNATION OF THE DEVIL. MOREOVER HE MUST HAVE A GOOD REPORT OF THEM WHICH ARE WITHOUT; LEST HE FALL INTO REPROACH AND THE SNARE OF THE DEVIL.

LIKEWISE MUST THE DEACONS BE GRAVE, NOT DOUBLETONGUED, NOT GIVEN TO MUCH WINE, NOT GREEDY OF FILTHY LUCRE; HOLDING THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH IN A PURE CONSCIENCE. AND LET THESE ALSO FIRST BE PROVED; THEN LET THEM USE THE OFFICE OF A DEACON, BEING FOUND BLAMELESS. EVEN SO MUST THEIR WIVES BE GRAVE, NOT SLANDERERS, SOBER, FAITHFUL IN ALL THINGS. LET THE DEACONS BE THE HUSBANDS OF ONE WIFE, RULING THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR OWN HOUSES WELL. FOR THEY THAT HAVE USED THE OFFICE OF A DEACON WELL PURCHASE TO THEMSELVES A GOOD DEGREE, AND GREAT BOLDNESS IN THE FAITH WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS. – 1 TIMOTHY 3:1-13

We are to test EVERYTHING against God’s word and especially a man who calls himself a pastor. No, we aren’t to condemn anyone to hell and judge them that way, but we are to point it out from God’s word if there is error. God is not trying to be relevant, nor does he need a smoke and lights show. People should want GOD and NOT entertainment.

“BUT AVOID FOOLISH QUESTIONS, AND GENEALOGIES, AND CONTENTIONS, AND STRIVINGS ABOUT THE LAW; FOR THEY ARE UNPROFITABLE AND VAIN. A MAN THAT IS AN HERETICK AFTER THE FIRST AND SECOND ADMONITION REJECT; KNOWING THAT HE THAT IS SUCH IS SUBVERTED, AND SINNETH, BEING CONDEMNED OF HIMSELF.” – TITUS 3:9-11

I’m writing this after reading an article this morning about a well-known pastor (Source: Daily Wire) apologizing for a sermon he spoke a few years ago that may have hurt the LGBTQ community. I did not listen to the sermon, but I can only think it is this Cancel Culture that made him do it. He wants to be relevant across the board and is thinking by being popular and watering down God’s word He will appeal to the masses. I watched a sermon a while back and think it was by Paul Washer who stated pastors who are speaking carnally are attracting carnal people and are only starving God’s sheep. God’s Word is the discerner of hearts, and HE is who does the work. This triggered me because I know someone who has gone through the process to become the opposite gender than they were born. It breaks my heart so much knowing how far they are from God and then find out a famous pastor apologized for what God says about it flared me up. There is more written about this in my blog here:

When Love looks a lot like hate. Christians are the worst offenders… part 2

What about what Paul states in Romans 1:16? “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…”

What about Jeremiah 20:9? “Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”

This post isn’t just about this pastor, but what he said called out sin, and now he is apologizing for it. The reason people are upset is that they do not want God. God is offending them because He reveals their hearts and their sin, cramping their lifestyle. Conviction, not condemnation, causes us to turn away from sin, but how can we turn away from it if it is not called out? How can it be called out if “Christians” are apologizing for the God they serve?

I cannot find the sermon, but I saw a video by Andy Stanley a few years ago and could not believe my ears. It was filled with so much error and wrong I had trouble grasping how he grew up with Charles Stanley as his dad. This morning I watched a couple of sermons by Charles Stanley and clicked on Andy Stanley after. I watched about ten minutes of two videos, and neither mentioned any scriptures or God at all. It was mostly motivational or all about self. I do not worship Charles Stanley, but you know with him, you will hear scripture. He has the gift of teaching and is a lover of God and His word. Andy Stanley sounds like he is speaking at an Amway convention.

If Andy Stanley or any other preacher wants to be on TV and speak, that’s fine. The problem lies in the fact that they call themselves pastors or are “leaders” in a “church”.

There are so many other scriptures and pastors out there who teach error. There are so many who are tickling ears and can do that because of ignorance. People do not want a relationship with God. They want a quick fix… a get-out-of-jail free card. They want to sit in a building one day a week and “do something” for God instead of living every day with His guidance.

It’s heartbreaking. I speak for myself and am convicted that I, too, will answer to God for all the opportunities I did not speak up.

We aren’t to coddle sin. We aren’t to touch it or allow it because it’s as if we are doing it.

People are so into fighting about politics, but God doesn’t care about politics. His kingdom is not of this world. The world does not want Jesus, so if they do not want Him, this place will never get better because He is the only one who can change someone. They’re in the wrong fight and do not see it. Why do people do what they do? Why is the world in such havoc? Sin.

The world hates God, and God is allowing it all to take place.

Get your hearts ready.

If this made any sense, then praise God. I had a sudden desire to write this and can only hope He was in it.

This world is so hungry for love and acceptance, yet rejects the only answer for it. There is so much more I could write, but for some reason this is all I had today.

If you are struggling and thinking of suicide, please get out of your head. Talk to someone. Cry out to Jesus. You are NOT alone. There is hope. If you are a Christian struggling with depression and anxiety, please know you are loved and worth loving. Pick up your bible and don’t listen to that devil telling you you won’t understand it. Don’t give up. Don’t give that devil any of your time. Cry out to Jesus. He loves you, and you are here for a reason. You won’t find fulfillment in a person, career, mutilating your body, alcohol, drugs, vacations, running from problems.

And here is a reminder to check on your “strong friends”. The one who is always smiling and helping others doesn’t want to burden anyone.

Jesus is the ONLY way. Question anyone who says anything else.

Keep going. Keep running the race.

“I think how dangerous it is for a girl to grow up in a home and not have received her father’s love. Tragic. Tragic. And I have seen it and watched it over and over and over and over again. When a young lady does not grow up in a home where her father does not genuinely love her, she begins the journey of life looking for love. And then, when nobody teachers her the difference between lust and love before long in her honest, sincere desire to be loved, she gives herself away, thinking this is the way to get loved. And only the fulfillment of a few moments. And then comes tomorrow. And I would say to dads, your first responsibility in life once you have a daughter is to love that gal every day of her life, and no matter what happens, you can count on your father to be here. You can count on my love for you. Absolutely because love always asks the question what’s best for the other person. Love is fulfilling.” – Charles Stanley, Love Lessons-Youtube link

Everything we do should be in love. The lack of love in this society all stems from a lack of Christ. We are all looking for something to fill the void and there is only ONE THING that can fulfill us.

Thank you for reading.