Free Resources | Tony Cooke Ministries' Blog - Part 9

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On The Road To Our Father’s House by Lisa Cooke

November 13, 2019/in Articles by Lisa Cooke /by Lisa Cooke

I have been very interested these days in the concept of spiritual journey—the personally unique process that the Holy Spirit leads us through as we live out our lives on this earth. I like Henry’s quote because it expresses the idea that our lives are a road going somewhere, to the place that Jesus went to prepare for us (John 14:2), not just a short existence on this planet. … read more

Church Revitalization

November 10, 2019/in Pastors' Forum /by Tony Cooke

It seems like our church has been in a slump recently… like we’re going through the motions and are seeing some decline. What have other pastors done when they felt it was necessary to revitalize their congregation.

Lições Tiradas de Reis Passados

October 13, 2019/in Articles in Portuguese /by Tony Cooke

Algum tempo atrás, eu estava lendo sobre os diversos reis que passaram pelo Antigo Testamento e me deparei com a seguinte descrição que me deixei espantou! En 2 Crônicas 21:20 (NTLH), Jeorão tinha trinta e dois anos de idade quando se tornou rei de Judá. Ele governou em Jerusalém oito anos. Quando morreu, ninguém sentiu falta dele; ele foi sepultado na Cidade de Davi, mas não nos túmulos dos reis.
Aqui também diz que ele “foi sepultado na Cidade de Davi, mas não nos túmulos dos reis”. … read more

What Would Jesus Say Today?

October 13, 2019/in Pastors' Forum /by Tony Cooke

In Revelation 2-3, Jesus spoke to seven local congregations. To six of them, he gave commendations, telling them what they were doing well. To five of them, he gave words of correction—encouraging them to make needed adjustments. If Jesus were to address your congregation, or the church-at-large in your area, what aspects of the church do you think he would commend, and what area(s) do you think he would say needed to be changed?

Encouraging Lessons from John Wesley

October 11, 2019/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony Cooke

When he died in 1791 at the age of 88, Wesley had traveled 250,000 miles ministering the Word of God (much of that on horseback). He had preached 42,000 sermons, and authored 250 books and pamphlets. Throughout his life and ministry, Wesley experienced and witnessed many expressions of the supernatural power of God. He recorded several healings … read more

How the Spirit Helps

September 4, 2019/in Pastors' Forum /by Tony Cooke

Can you describe a couple of ways the Holy Spirit specifically helps you in your ministry? What difference does he make, and what do you do to make sure that you are partnering with him in ministry?

Prone to Wander?

September 4, 2019/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony Cooke

The part that seemed to be getting my attention was the “Prone to wander” part. Looking at things from the perspective of the new creation, I want to dispute that. I want to say, “I am a new creation in Christ. I have the life and the nature of God on the inside of me. I do NOT want to wander away from any sense of closeness with the Lord.” I like that position and approach. At the same time, I have to recognize that even born-again people still have the flesh and the mind to deal with, and that can create a distracting pull on people. Some manage it better than others, but even great spiritual leaders like Paul said that he had to manage fleshly elements; he was not immune from the influence of the flesh. … read more

Spiritual Cupbearers and the Pulpit’s Task by Rick Renner

September 4, 2019/in Articles by Others /by Tony Cooke

When you know that the Spirit of God is alive in your children, let them know that being led by the Holy Spirit is a normal, expected part of the life of every believer, including them! Depending on your own experience, you may have found yourself struggling over the years with the ability to hear from God. But resolve in your own mind that this really is the plan God has for His people, and don’t settle for anything less for your children. … read more

I Bet We Need To Address This, Don’t We? by Lisa Cooke

September 4, 2019/in Articles by Lisa Cooke /by Lisa Cooke

So many books, articles, and sermons have been written about how God sees us through the blood of Christ, that to Him we are as Christ. Hooker said “Such are we in the sight of God the Father, as is the very Son of God Himself.” We are growing in our comprehension of our righteousness in Christ, but every now and then, we get a deeper glimpse into what that really looks like in the eyes of our God. Doesn’t it seem that our souls long to be beautiful? … read more

The Wisdom Challenge by Stephen Marshall

August 8, 2019/in Articles by Others /by Tony Cooke

When you know that the Spirit of God is alive in your children, let them know that being led by the Holy Spirit is a normal, expected part of the life of every believer, including them! Depending on your own experience, you may have found yourself struggling over the years with the ability to hear from God. But resolve in your own mind that this really is the plan God has for His people, and don’t settle for anything less for your children. … read more

The Holy Spirit and Our Kids’ Behavior by Steve Olsen

August 8, 2019/in Articles by Others /by Tony Cooke

When you know that the Spirit of God is alive in your children, let them know that being led by the Holy Spirit is a normal, expected part of the life of every believer, including them! Depending on your own experience, you may have found yourself struggling over the years with the ability to hear from God. But resolve in your own mind that this really is the plan God has for His people, and don’t settle for anything less for your children. … read more

In the Eye of Christ by Lisa Cooke

August 8, 2019/in Articles by Lisa Cooke /by Lisa Cooke

So many books, articles, and sermons have been written about how God sees us through the blood of Christ, that to Him we are as Christ. Hooker said “Such are we in the sight of God the Father, as is the very Son of God Himself.” We are growing in our comprehension of our righteousness in Christ, but every now and then, we get a deeper glimpse into what that really looks like in the eyes of our God. Doesn’t it seem that our souls long to be beautiful? … read more

Lessons from Dead Kings

August 8, 2019/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony Cooke

When King Jehoram had reigned for eight years and died at the age of thirty-two, we learn that “no one was sorry when he died” (2 Chronicles 21:20). They didn’t even bury him in the royal cemetery. What is that all about? The Old Testament is far more than simple history; it contains powerful lessons and examples for us today. Paul states, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” It is vital that we study the lessons of the Old Testament and find the appropriate personal applications that God has placed there for our benefit. … read more

Invitations/Altar Calls

July 8, 2019/in Pastors' Forum /by Tony Cooke

I would like to know what other pastors do relative to inviting people to accept Jesus, etc., at the conclusion of their church services. What content is important to communicate? What tips and suggestions can pastors offer that will help me be more effective? What “mechanics” do pastors utilize in terms of guiding people through their response to invitation (praying in their seats, coming forward, etc.)? What can be done to promote follow-up discipleship and assimilation into the church? … read more

The Glory of the Unseen Realm by Lisa Cooke

July 6, 2019/in Articles by Lisa Cooke /by Lisa Cooke

It’s been a battle. The things I was seeing in the natural were frightening and I went to the Lord with my fears and concerns. I would tell myself things like “God’s got this,” and “I love living by faith.” I prayed how I knew to pray, praying by faith His will in the situation by the Spirit. In the middle of the first night I heard the Lord speak to me very clearly, and it set the direction for the rest of this battle. … read more

LIFE Internship / DEEP Bible Training Center by Pastors Dean & Kathy Shropshire

July 6, 2019/in Articles by Others /by Tony Cooke

When you talk to many young adults and ask them what they want to do with their lives, many have no idea. Or, some may think they do, but figure out shortly after, that they were mistaken. The fact is so many young people today are just “winging it” through life because they do not know what God says; most especially what God says about them. … read more

Está Consumado (E Não “Estou Consumado”)

July 4, 2019/in Articles in Portuguese /by Tony Cooke

“Está consumado”. O Senhor Jesus proferiu essas palavras radicais, palavras que alteraram a eternidade em Seu momento final na cruz (João 19:30). Seu precioso sangue foi derramado. O preço pela redenção do homem foi pago. A missão de Jesus estava cumprida. O significado e o impacto dessas preciosas palavras (“Está consumado”) são poderosamente resumidos nesses versos do livro de Hebreus … read more

O Amor de Deus é o Bandolim de uma Pequena Garota

June 5, 2019/in Articles in Portuguese /by Tony Cooke

É vital não nos esquecermos da importância de uma alma, de uma pessoa. Somos encorajados a pensar grande, a sonhar grande e a planejar grande. Queremos ver o amor de Deus e Sua mensagem se expandindo até os confins da Terra, a incontáveis multidões. Amamos aquela palavra que começa com m: multiplicação. Tudo isso é muito bom, mas não é bom se, no processo, nos esquecermos do valor de cada indivíduo, de cada pessoa. Todos temos diferentes chamados e dons, e cada um deles deve ser apreciado e valorizado. … read more

Two Altar Call Extremes by Mark Boer

June 5, 2019/in Articles by Others /by Tony Cooke

Doing the work of an evangelist, though not being one, has long been important to me as a pastor. I want to see people saved. I don’t want to pass up the opportunity to win them to Christ if they come to our Sunday services – thus the altar call. I am a believer in giving this type of invitation every Sunday and have seen first-hand the fruit that comes from giving an effective one. Because of this, I have given much thought to both what is said and how it is said. … read more

It Is Finished (Not “I Am Finished”)

June 5, 2019/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony Cooke

Jesus’ death on the cross was so effective and so final that no one would ever have to add anything to what he had done. Jesus would never have to come back and die again for the sins of the world or for anyone’s sins. No human would ever have to supplement Jesus’ work with his own religious activities or efforts in order to come into right standing with God. What Jesus did was enough; it was sufficient, and it was absolutely effective. … read more

Honoring Moms and Dads

June 5, 2019/in Pastors' Forum /by Tony Cooke

In the states, Mother’s Day was just observed, and Father’s Day is coming up in June. What do you and your church do to bring special focus to moms and dads on these holidays? How much emphasis do you place on them in your messages, and are there any specific things your church does (or has done) that has been particularly notable?

He’s Just a Carpenter by Lisa Cooke

May 6, 2019/in Articles by Lisa Cooke /by Lisa Cooke

Jesus was from Nazareth, and the Bible tells us He returned to His hometown after healing the woman with the issue of blood and the daughter of Jairus. These were two wonderful manifestations of God’s will through Jesus’ ministry, and it is likely that Jairus and the woman came to Jesus because of the many reports of healings they had heard. Jesus was known throughout the countryside as a healer. … read more

Your Personal Energy Management

May 6, 2019/in Pastors' Forum /by Tony Cooke

How do you manage your energy level on a weekly basis? For example, what is your energy normally like on Mondays, and how do you plan accordingly? Are there things you strategically do to best manage your energy throughout the week? Are there things you try to do on certain days of the week to use your energy most effectively?

Laborers Together

May 6, 2019/in Articles by Tony Cooke /by Tony Cooke

If we are not careful, we will fail to realize how much our own labors (and whatever results might occur) are actually undergirded and enhanced by the labors of others who have gone before us. I don’t want to be that person “who was born on third base and thinks he hit a triple.” We have all benefitted from and built upon the labors of others. I remember one time preaching in a service and giving an altar call. A handful of people responded and I had the privilege of praying with them as they placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. … read more

O Treinamento de Líderes é Bíblico?

April 9, 2019/in Articles in Portuguese /by Tony Cooke

Recentemente, vi uma postagem compartilhada por diversas pessoas em uma rede social. Parecia que tal postagem questionava a validade do treinamento de líderes no contexto pastoral/ cristão. Ali, era apresentada a ideia de que o termo servo aparece mais vezes na Bíblia do que o termo líder. A mensagem era exatamente essa: Líder é mencionado apenas seis vezes na Bíblia (versão King James). Servo é mencionado 900 vezes! Por que, então, temos tantas conferências de líderes? Deveria, portanto, uma pessoa deduzir que ensinamentos sobre liderança são de alguma forma sem tanta importância ou até antibíblicos? … read more