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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 preaches about the importance of refocusing our lives on seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, as stated in Matthew 6:33, to ensure that all other aspects fall into place according to God's plan. By considering Jesus' endurance in Hebrews 12:3, we are reminded of the dangers of losing focus and becoming weary and discouraged in our souls. The sermon emphasizes the need to realign our priorities with God's Word, especially in times of busyness and distraction, to avoid negative consequences and experience God's blessings.
Refocus
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NASB) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Hebrews 12:3 NASB) Julia Bauer who lives in Bochum, Germany was driving to work one morning when she lost control of her car. She smashed into a parked car and then into a lamppost causing damage of around $27,000. Julia lost control of her vehicle while she was preparing her breakfast. She was pouring milk into her cereal and the bowl slipped. Julia tried to catch the bowl while it was falling, which resulted in the crash of her car when her attention was diverted from driving. Julia might tell you that she was multi-tasking. A police officer would tell you that Julia was inattentive to her driving. Her focus had shifted from driving to preparing breakfast and the falling bowl. The result was bad but it could have been so much worse. At least there was no loss of life. It is now the year 2005 and with a New Year comes the opportunity to make what we used to call resolutions. Maybe we ought to call it refocusing. The dictionary defines the word “focus” as “A center of activity or interest.” With a new year we should at least take time to consider what our major focus of life is at this point. What is your focus, your primary focus right now? How does this focus line up with the focus the Bible tells us we ought to have? Jesus tells us plainly what should be our primary focus in Matthew 6:33. It may be that your life is so busy that you are thinking how can I do that? Jesus adds, “and all these things shall be added to you.” This means that if we have the Kingdom of God, Jesus, as our primary focus everything else in our life will work out, as God would have it to. It is a matter of faith. Do we believe the Word of God to be true or not? Hebrews 12:3 gives us some additional benefits of having the right focus “lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.” I think we know what that means. It means that when we do not have the right focus we tend to become stressed, depressed, worried, and things start to come apart in our lives instead of coming together. Here are some suggestions for refocusing: Read through the Bible in a year. Spend 15 minutes or more in prayer every day. Attend church regularly, faithfully. Give financially and of your time to the Kingdom of God. Remember the 10 commandments are not just suggestions. To make a commitment to refocusing your life a good place to start is 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Because if the Kingdom of God is not our primary focus we have sinned and we are not in a right relationship with our Lord. Resolutions and commitments are such fragile things and rarely are they kept over a long period of time. However, without a commitment of the heart, there will never be a change, and there will never be a refocus of your heart. If you will keep this commitment of refocus, you will see as you live life over a period of years that truly “all these things” have been “added to you.” You will be blessed and God’s hand will be upon your life. Before the moment of opportunity slips away, REFOCUS!!!!
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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.