Comments on: Don’t Despise Small Beginnings

By: Pastor Sandra

Pastor Sandra — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:33:59 +0000

Greetings, How do I post a issue? I accidently found your website (I know, there are not accidents in Christ; just divine appointments) and I was comforted by reading past comments.

By: Mark Altrogge

Mark Altrogge — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:12:40 +0000

Hi Rachael,

Yes there really is a lot to be said for endurance, patience and suffering. It’s amazing to think that Jesus lived in obscurity until he was 30. I also think of Moses and David – God took both of them through “desert” experiences.

Thank you for your comments!

By: Mark Altrogge

Mark Altrogge — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:08:39 +0000

Hey Diana,

Thank you for your comments! Glad you were encouraged. Phil. 1:6 is one of my favorite Scriptures – thanks for mentioning it.

Hey – we miss you too. Hope you’re doing well.

By: Mark Altrogge

Mark Altrogge — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:07:03 +0000

Hey Briana,

I’m the president of the 20 steps backwards club. Glad to have you as a member! Thanks for your encouragement.

By: Mark Altrogge

Mark Altrogge — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:05:29 +0000

Hey Matthew,

I can relate to your discouragement. Our church was small for years – it’s a little bigger now, but I can remember being discouraged Sunday after Sunday at our small and slow growth.

I often tried to remind myself not to despise the day of small beginnings and that Jesus will build his church.

I pray the Lord will continue to encourage you – none of your labor in the Lord is in vain!

By: Rachael

Rachael — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:11:22 +0000

Thank you for this. I also think of Jesus’ public ministry; most of that which is recorded happened later in his life. So there could have been a relatively publicly quiet period in His life as well. Paul was given a thorn in the flesh. Yet God said that his “grace is sufficient” and that his “power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). There’s something to be said about endurance, patience, and suffering. Neat to see examples of this (as well as quiet periods) in the Bible.

By: Diana

Diana — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:54:43 +0000

Mark,
I cant tell you how much I needed to read this. Certain relationships have made me very discouraged lately, and it is sometimes hard to see baby steps of growth in myself and in others. This truth is a gentle reminder to be patient as God works things out in His time. Philippians 1:6 rings true: That HE who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Thank you! I miss you and your family very much!
-Diana

By: Briana

Briana — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:23:44 +0000

Thank you, Mark..I’m the “one step forward, 10 (or 20) steps backward” one. Thanks for the encouragement.

By: Matthew Kratz

Matthew Kratz — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:39:55 +0000

As a small church pastor it is easy to become discouraged. Your presentation from scripture was encouraging in its reminder. Thank you for the article. I’ve printed it out and hung it on my wall.