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The Vitality of Discipleship and Training
As a former second-generation missionary I can’t help but compare ministry on the foreign field to ministry in the United States. There are so many things that are considered fundamental and assumed in missionary work, but are often neglected in established works “at home.” One area that comes to mind is that of discipleship…
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Idols in Ministry
Last Sunday I preached on the second of the Ten Commandments: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (Ex. 20:5). It was a challenge addressing the issue of idolatry, which penetrates us all deeply in one way or another (Watch the video at www.vandaliabaptist.org). God challenges us to expose and destroy, not just physical…
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Challenging Your Faith In 2013
We know that when the new year is approaching, or has just begun, it is time to set goals for the coming year. This is especially true for those of us serving the Lord in ministry. But many times, for whatever reason, we fall back into neutral, repeat the same goals and objectives that we…
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Start Your Sermon Prep Early!
Preachers are well aware of the mounting pressure that builds throughout the week as Sunday approaches. Yes, there are many details to orchestrate for the weekend services and activities, but it all pales in comparison to the weight of sermon delivery. God’s people come to His house to hear from Him and His Word. And…
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Unleashing People
There are few things that inspire and energize a leader more than to see those you lead begin to catch a vision and run with passion. I don’t mean simply doing what they are asked to do; but seeing needs, having a burden and moving to do something about it. My role as a…
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Lessons Learned
I believe it would be fitting for me to share some personal thoughts and lessons learned from the opportunity our church, Vandalia Baptist Temple, recently had to host the World Baptist Fellowship Fall Meeting. The emphasis of this “semi-annual” meeting is always world missions, which is very close to my heart. My wife Megan and…
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Praying Before Decisions
“And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles” (Luke 6:12-13). The decisions we make determine the…
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A Picture of Prayer and Fasting
Mark 9:17-29 If there is one thing that we Americans like it is food. The average American eats 2000 lbs a year, which includes 29 lbs of french fries, 23 lbs of pizza, 24 lbs of ice cream, and 53 gallons of soda (1/wk). That, of course, has led to the need for shows like…
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Serving by Praying
Luke 2:36-38 We tend to look at prayer as something we do in order to receive things from God. Sometimes we look at prayer as a way of giving thanks to God. And there are times we pray just to fellowship with the Lord. But as we look at pictures of prayer in the Gospels,…
Rick Washburn, Jr.
Seeking God's Heart / Blogs, Devotionals & Ministry Content
Rick Washburn, Jr. 