BOBBY MCGRAW

Gift or Burden?

I read an interesting line from a guy that understood great pain. He was once asked by someone who loved him, “Is this [his condition of pain] going to be a gift or a burden?”

Interesting question.

It means you have a choice. I have a choice.

That thing that burdens you. That thing that burdens me. Maybe we didn’t choose to experience it. Maybe we wish it had never happened to us. But it did. We didn’t choose the way it happened to us, but we can choose what we do with it.

Yes, pain and disappointment is inevitable. Eventually, it will touch all of us. However, suffering is optional.

Pray Big Prayers

Too often I pray safe prayers. How about you? Below is video we recently shot to go along with our church’s emphasis on renewal. Enjoy!


Praying Big Prayers from Bobby McGraw on Vimeo.

A Season of Renewal

Last week our church we started a 4 week emphasis called “Renew”. We recognize that we don’t need bigger buildings, bigger budgets, or flashier programs. Ultimately we need the presence of God! Without His empowerment, we are done – personally and corporately.

Tomorrow I have the privilege of preaching for week 2 of this emphasis. Below is a video of my pastor explaining what renew is all about.


Untitled from Bobby McGraw on Vimeo.

Do you need to renew your focus and passion on the Lord?

Ask WHY before WHAT

For more than 10 years I have served alongside my friend Roger

Glidewell at Global Youth Ministry. While serving with him, I started referring to him as THE WHY GUY. Before launching into any endeavor (whether business, ministry, or personal life), Roger would always want to know the WHY before doing the WHAT.

That is great model for all of us. When we stand before God at the end of our lives, He’s not going to ask, “Were you like the church down the street?” or “Was your youth group/church the biggest in town?” or “Did you have the coolest stuff?”

Instead, His question will sound more like this: “Did you do what I asked you to do?”

So before we launch in to doing the WHAT, we must ask ourselves WHY. Are we doing what God has told us to do in His word? Or are we just following the latest fad, program or hype?

In a generation that focuses on programs and plans, let’s rely on the principles of God’s word.

If you are interested in digging into the WHY’s of Youth Ministry, consider attending Global Youth Ministry’s Momentum3 conference. It takes place annually and there is still a few spots left for this weekend! Click here for more information!

The Danger of the Drift

It is a fact that every believer drifts. Sometimes we drift because of the drama in our lives, some sort of pain, or even worry. Sometimes it happens because we have neglected our relationship with God. Anytime we drift, we veer off course and we need a course correction.

No matter what our reason for drifting it, the little brother of Jesus, James, calls it for what it is: adultery. He says it this way in James 4:4, “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

James says that drifting from God and towards the world is spiritual adultery! We often try to downplay the seriousness of our sin, forgetting the fact that all sin makes us an enemy of God.

What’s the answer? We must draw near to God.

James goes on to say in verses 7 & 8, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Spend some time today drawing near to God. Ask him to cleanse and purify you. As you do, James’ promise is that God will draw near to you, correcting your course and restoring your relationship.

Let’s change the world together!