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Ed Wrather
Ed Wrather (N/A – N/A) is an American preacher, pastor, and author known for his long ministry career and the widely circulated Burning Bush Devotional. Born in Oklahoma, details about his early life, including his parents and upbringing, are not widely documented, though his roots in the Sooner State shaped his down-to-earth preaching style. Before entering full-time ministry, he served as a Senior Probation and Parole Officer for over 20 years, during which he was ordained as a deacon and held various church leadership roles, preparing him for his later pastoral calling. Wrather’s preaching career began in 1990 when he became a pastor, serving congregations in Oklahoma, including Sweetwater First Baptist Church and, since March 2018, Fairview Baptist Church in Elk City. His sermons emphasize practical faith, prayer, and kingdom-building, reflecting his belief that “everyone can do something” for God’s work, as seen in messages like “Do What You Can Do.” Since 1998, he has written the Burning Bush Devotional, an email ministry reaching thousands globally, and authored books such as The New Pastor’s Training Manual and Biblical Help for Overcoming Substance Abuse. Married with a son, Clark, who pastors First Baptist Church of Yukon, Oklahoma, Wrather continues to minister, leaving a legacy of steadfast service and encouragement through the spoken and written word.
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Ed Wrather emphasizes the importance of confessing our sins to God, highlighting that He is faithful and righteous to forgive us and cleanse us from unrighteousness. Using the story of Darrell Lewis, who turned himself in for a bank robbery, the sermon illustrates the significance of coming to God with repentance and humility. The sermon emphasizes that we can confidently approach God through Jesus to confess our sins, unlike in the Old Testament where access to God was limited. Through Jesus, we now have direct access to God as His children, and He is always ready to hear our confessions and requests without delay.
Don't Bother Me
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NASB) Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16 NASB) This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. (1 John 5:14-15 NASB) Darrell Lewis is 40 years old and a bank robber. When Darrell viewed himself on TV fleeing police after a bank robbery, he thought that it was only a matter of time before he was caught. So, Darrell did what some sane people would do at that point - he turned himself in to police. However, there was a glitch in his plan. The glitch was that Darrell was told to come back the next day and turn himself in then. Apparently, they were not making arrests that day. Darrell went to another police station the next day and was able to have himself arrested and charged with bank robbery. It is pretty sad when you want to confess to the crime and no one wants to listen. Some people think that God is that way. Some think that God is only listening at certain times and certain places. But that is not what the Bible says. God is not only listening but He is also responding whenever someone comes to Him in repentance and humility. We can always come to God through our Lord Jesus to confess our sins. The Bible indicates that we not only have permission to do this but that we can come with confidence, with boldness into the presence of God. In the Old Testament this was not possible except for a very few. Many died by attempting to enter the holiest part of the Temple without permission or without their hearts being in the proper condition. Also only certain people were allowed to carry the Ark of the Covenant (Representing God's presence.). Many when they tried to carry the Ark or even touch it died because they were not authorized by God to do so. However, while Jesus was on the cross the veil separating us from the Holiest of Holies was rent/torn (Luke 23:45) symbolizing our new privilege of access directly with the Father through the sacrifice of Jesus. We have such great privilege and position through our Lord Jesus Christ. We are God's children (John 1:12) and as His children we may always approach Him knowing that it is pleasing to Him when we do so. It is God's desire that we bring our requests to Him and He is always ready to hear our confession of sin. Thankfully, we do not have to come back the next day because God is never too busy for His children!
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Ed Wrather (N/A – N/A) is an American preacher, pastor, and author known for his long ministry career and the widely circulated Burning Bush Devotional. Born in Oklahoma, details about his early life, including his parents and upbringing, are not widely documented, though his roots in the Sooner State shaped his down-to-earth preaching style. Before entering full-time ministry, he served as a Senior Probation and Parole Officer for over 20 years, during which he was ordained as a deacon and held various church leadership roles, preparing him for his later pastoral calling. Wrather’s preaching career began in 1990 when he became a pastor, serving congregations in Oklahoma, including Sweetwater First Baptist Church and, since March 2018, Fairview Baptist Church in Elk City. His sermons emphasize practical faith, prayer, and kingdom-building, reflecting his belief that “everyone can do something” for God’s work, as seen in messages like “Do What You Can Do.” Since 1998, he has written the Burning Bush Devotional, an email ministry reaching thousands globally, and authored books such as The New Pastor’s Training Manual and Biblical Help for Overcoming Substance Abuse. Married with a son, Clark, who pastors First Baptist Church of Yukon, Oklahoma, Wrather continues to minister, leaving a legacy of steadfast service and encouragement through the spoken and written word.