Adoniram Judson was born in Massachusetts in 1788. He and his wife Ann arrived in Rangoon, Burma in July 1812. As the first English-speaking missionaries in Burma, their ministry was marked by death, disease, and suffering.

After 5 years Judson had learned the language, translated the gospel of Matthew, and written a few gospel tracts. He had also buried two infant children and faced excruciating and unexplainable headaches.

After 7 years Judson saw his first Burmese convert and by his tenth year he had led 18 people to Christ. Two years later, in 1824, the situation went from bad to worse. War broke out in the region and he was arrested under suspicion that he was a spy. He spent 21 months in prison nearly dying several times because the conditions were so awful.

Meanwhile his wife Ann suffered just as much. She gave birth to a daughter shortly after he was arrested. The two girls suffered disease and malnutrition before both died shortly after Adoniram was released from prison.

Despite their suffering, God used this couple to bring good news to Burma. Their work resulted in the first Burmese Bible and led to hundreds of thousands of new believers.

The death, disease, and suffering that marked their lives were no surprise to God. In fact, He used all of it to bring salvation to hopelessly-lost people in a remote part of the world.

The truth remains today: God often uses our suffering to bring salvation to others. So remember to look for opportunities to share Christ in the midst of your pain, disease, death, or suffering. For your bad news might be a catalyst for God’s good news in another person’s life.

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To read much more about Adoniram’s life order a copy of his biography, To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson by Courtney Anderson.

Almost 130 years after Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonian army and most Israelites were exiled, a man named Ezra returned to the city with a clear objective. His life and ministry provide a powerful example for all who follow Christ, but especially for pastors.

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra 7:10

This single verse is a powerful summary and challenge as three characteristics emerge.

First, he “set his heart to study” God’s word. His life was devoted to knowing and understanding the scriptures.

Second, he set his heart “to do it” or to obey God’s Law. His life was given to living in holiness.

Third, he set his heart on teaching God’s word. His life was committed to communicating the Law and leading people to obey it.

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah recount parts of his tumultuous ministry including his role in leading a great revival in Jerusalem (recorded in Neh 8:1-10:39). This highlight does not erase the years of ministry spent studying and teaching a mostly rebellious and obstinate people. Yet he was not deterred from his objective.

God, grant us a generation of Ezras. Men devoted to knowing God’s word. Men given to personal holiness. Men committed to communicating God’s word. Grant us men who set their hearts on lives and ministries that will lead us into times of great awakening.

If you’re a pastor, follow Ezra. If you’re not, pray for your pastor to follow Ezra.

by D. A. Carson

I realize you’re busy, but make time to read this book. These 160 pages are well worth your time.

Carson writes about his dad, Tom, who was a church planter and pastor in French-speaking Canada. Ministering in a very difficult area to small numbers of people, the elder Carson’s journals reveal the heart-breaking and inspiring inward struggles of a faithful pastor who seemed to feel inferior for most of his life.

Despite our highest aspirations, our lives (and ministries) will most likely resemble Tom’s more than the men and women we know and admire. After reading, one truth rang in my heart as powerful encouragement.

Success is measured by faithfulness. Carson was an unequivocal failure if baptisms, buildings, and budgets are the standard for successful ministry. He never preached to thousands. He never wrote a book. He was never wealthy or powerful.

But Tom was faithful. Faithful to study God’s word. Faithful to pray. Faithful to walk in integrity. Faithful to model godliness for his children. Faithful to love his wife like Christ loved the church. Ultimately, Tom was faithful to God. He may have been ordinary from the world’s perspective, but he was faithful.

I am grateful to God for men like Tom who reaffirm our calling to walk faithfully not extraordinarily. For striving for the latter leads inevitably to self-promotion and despair, while striving for the former leads to humble surrender and hope.