James Ogle

Unprofitable servant of Jesus, husband, father, grandfather and Pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church Kings Mountain, NC

[John Anderson @JohnMAnderson_]

A quick word to younger guys jumping into ministry:

You will encounter things in your experience, friendships, and studies that will challenge your thinking and what you have heard and believed your entire life. Having an open mind and heart to the Word of God in a new light is perfectly fine. It is not fine to be disrespectful and arrogantly dismissive towards those who loved and encouraged you early on, but do not hold to what you have learned.
I have watched numerous guys who in their twenties and thirties had all the answers and pushed their old friends and mentors aside. Now in their forties and fifties, they are lonely, angry, and playing the victim card because nobody wants to hang out with them. Nobody wants to hang out with arrogant, mean, cranky, and dismissive people who were jerks in their younger years who all of the sudden have an epiphany. Friendships are a precious gift and should not be treated lightly.

There will come a day when you will balance out, and you will realize how important mentors, friends, and influences are, even if you don't agree with them about everything. The quickest way out of the ministry and to become a fallout statistic is ARROGANT ISOLATIONISM.

If you have been on that path and you desire connection and friendship, humble yourself and make some calls to the people you have isolated. Reconnect and start again with humility. If you are on this path as a younger guy, jump off the train now and get away from the people who encourage this insanity. You need friends, and you need help! We all do!

Stay humble, stay connected, and stay engaged with people who have helped you along the way! You never know; the older you get, you might start agreeing with them more!

I am thankful for the numerous friends who are older, younger, and my age that God has placed in my life. Some are in vocational ministry, others are not, but each of them have made me a better person, preacher, pastor, and friend. I would not be where I am today without them, and I want to continue building these relationships and strengthening them the older I get.

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." - Proverbs 27:17

[James Ogle @joglejr]

This is a quote by Morgan referencing the weeping of the older generation in the rebuilding of the temple in the Book of Ezra! This is a warning for us who are getting older. 2/2

[James Ogle @joglejr]

“The backward look which discounts present activity is always a peril. Regrets over the past which paralyse work in the present are always wrong. Moreover all such regrets, as in this case, are in danger of blinding the eyes to the true value and significance of the present.” 1/2

[James Ogle @joglejr]

@AndyGleiser Praying for you guys!!!

[James Ogle @joglejr]

15 times in Leviticus 19 God says that he is their God. A personal relationship with God should be the basis of everything we do: standards, no standards, interaction with others, obedience, respect, moral codes, etc! May we base everything on our relationship with Him!

[James Ogle @joglejr]

When you read Leviticus 16 you find the day of atonement. One of the striking things about it is the High Priest did his work alone. No other activity, He and God alone! What a picture of our great High Priest - He alone could for sin atone - Hallelujah, what a Savior!

[James Ogle @joglejr]

In the Old Testament, sacrifices were personal. The individual or family head was a part of laying his hands on the sacrifice and killing it. It was a constant reminder that innocent blood must be shed for their sin. May we remember the innocent blood that was shed for us!

[James Ogle @joglejr]

Many times we are told to be specific in confessing sins and we should but God told His people to offer a sacrifice for a sin they may not have known they committed. This means it is ok to ask God for forgiveness of unknown sins. May we seek to be right with God. #Leviticus

[James Ogle @joglejr]

The Gospel makes unprofitable people, profitable. It makes thieves into honest men. It makes untrustworthy people into trustworthy people. These things were all true of Onesimus. Are they true of us?

[James Ogle @joglejr]

In a world of “fear” May we cling to our God!!!

[James Ogle @joglejr]

Sometimes the reason we attack others is because of the wickedness of our heart and not their heart. This is why Cain killed Abel.

[James Ogle @joglejr]

What a powerful reminder for those of us who claim Christ as our Savior!!

[James Ogle @joglejr]

True victory is found in our faith in Jesus Christ! Thanks be to God for the victory!!

[James Ogle @joglejr]

We used this book for our church staff retreat this year. We read it before we arrived and then discussed it. So so good and convicting. Thank you @TonyDungy and Lauren for writing this book.

[James Ogle @joglejr]

How does a shield (representing war and protection) and gentleness go together. They usually don’t but our God wants us to be balanced because He is balanced! May we be soldiers of the cross but gentle soldiers!

[James Ogle @joglejr]

No matter what we are facing today, God can be my strength and power!

[James Ogle @joglejr]

Every day is a gift from God!

[James Ogle @joglejr]

What does worship cost us? Are we self consumed when we worship? Is worship about us? What do we sacrifice for worship? These are questions that come to mind as I read about David buying the threshing floor to worship God!

[James Ogle @joglejr]

Is this our comfort today?

[James Ogle @joglejr]

What wonderful truths!