For many years, my heart has been broken when hearing the reports of ministers who have moral failures. My heart bleeds for those pastors and especially for their families in the wake of immorality. Certainly Satan’s attack on the church of Jesus Christ has become more evident in recent years as many in leadership have failed.
Is there an answer to the crisis that has affected God’s Church? It is not Satan’s fault that man fails. He is only the tempter. Somewhere, I believe, there is a disconnect from God when the man of God runs after worldly things. Last night, I heard of yet another pastor who committed gross immorality and was arrested. I went to bed with heaviness in my heart.
In my devotional time this morning, God gave me hope through His Word. Hope that He is indeed triumphant over Satan and His ploys and His Word gives us the answer to this moral crisis that is shaking the church world.
Jude 24, “Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, to the only God our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (HCSB)
The beginning of that verse arrested my attention, “Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling.” Jesus Christ is able to protect us from stumbling. Satan’s temptation is not a death sentence. His plight to destroy the church does not go unanswered. Indeed, Christ is victorious over Him. Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” We have a God who is on top of things.
The answer to this moral crisis lies in our willingness to partner with God and allow Him to protect us from stumbling. Men and women of God are able to complete their race through life without falling away, because of the provision that has been granted to us through Christ. We must cling to Him and His Word and stand against temptation and sin, knowing that we do not stand alone. We must live holy and blameless lives while depending on His grace to help us live holy.
Peter gives the believer the prescription of how to live a fall-proof life. Read closely:
II Peter 1:3-11, “For His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, 6 knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, 7 godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted, and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. 11 For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.” (HCSB)
This text is too lengthy to discuss in depth but if we will live out these words and continue to add to our faith these traits, Peter says we will never stumble. Certainly we play a huge part by living our lives according to God’s Word and His character. When we do our part, He will help keep us from stumbling. I have decided that I will strive harder than ever to live these things out. He has given us His divine power and everything we need for life and godliness.
Pray that you can stand…and pray for those who have fallen. Pray especially for the families of fallen ministers.
. Stan and Cordy Edwards made a great set of props for the play and Kevin Shockley made sure we had a fence around the country scene. We cannot forget the Brummett’s who lent us all the rustic farm equipment that made the scene look more authentic. We cannot forget Patti Gilliland who made a great looking program for the play. 
The time has come for the Cheney household to part ways with Sassy, the cat. Sassy is a good cat, lovable and has great perseverance. Her perseverance comes from enduring Hannah who loves this cat and gives it lots of hugs; bear hugs. The problem with Sassy is that Sonya is allergic to her. Sonya cannot get over the shingles that is caused by the cat.
Life of a Pastor Blog 