Tarry with the Lord in Prayer
When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane the night he was betrayed, He began to pray. Scripture details what happened, "Going a little ahead, He fell on his face, praying, "My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?" When He came back to His disciples, He found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Can't you stick it out with Me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire." Matthew 26:39-41
The hour is at hand in these end times where pressing needs are calling for the church to arise in eagerness. We must remain alert. For our elections, we only have 21 days or so until the decision will be made and then...we will be left to the consequences of our choice (whether they be good or bad). We are being called to choose whom we will follow. You can take that literally and figuratively!
Join with the thousands of voices crying out to God is this pivotal time in our history. We only have a window and we must act while we can! I want to speak about this a little more tomorrow and what may lie ahead for the church.
The hour is at hand in these end times where pressing needs are calling for the church to arise in eagerness. We must remain alert. For our elections, we only have 21 days or so until the decision will be made and then...we will be left to the consequences of our choice (whether they be good or bad). We are being called to choose whom we will follow. You can take that literally and figuratively!
Join with the thousands of voices crying out to God is this pivotal time in our history. We only have a window and we must act while we can! I want to speak about this a little more tomorrow and what may lie ahead for the church.
Walk by Faith and Listen to the Spirit
My second thought today is that we must walk by faith, not by sight. This topic has come up several times this morning and in several phone calls from friends. We can't trust appearances. This goes for people and situations alike. We may have formulated an opinion or judgment (about people or situations0, but God is telling us to hear what He is saying. We must be listening to His voice and following what He wants and not the direction of our own minds and hearts. Every one of us needs to pray that we will not be deceived in any way and that we be ready for anything in God. Along with these thoughts, I am also feeling that we need to be reminded: fear God and not man.
Pastor Appreciation
I would also like to tell all the pastors in my life how much you are very appreciated. If you read my blog and you're a pastor, consider yourself hugged! We may not always receive the accolades of men, but God is a good record keeper and He rewards His servants.
I know that many of you out there are well appreciated and receive nice gifts from your church members for your service to the Lord. Sometimes this is not the case, however. One wonderful pastor couple I know was not honored at all by their church and in fact only one person remembered "Pastor Appreciation" month and gave them a paperweight (what I lovingly called a "decorative rock" this morning).
I thank God for that one lady, however. It's like the Bible story when Jesus healed the ten of leprosy. Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well." (Luke 17:17-19) All of us in the Christian faith recognize the power one person can have! Whether you were recognized in a big or small fashion - we give praise where praise is due and say "Thank you!"If you are a Pastor, I have a question for you... what does your pastor appreciation gift say about you? Your deacon board puts careful thought into what they give you and most of the time, they want to give you something that is meaningful. Let's take a lighthearted look at some of the things given over the weekend....
Our staff got GPS systems. They admitted that several of the staff had trouble getting to retreats, campgrounds, etc. and that was the reasoning behind it. They need to consult the map. Perhaps this also speaks to consulting the Bible and finding "THE WAY"??? Pastors should be leading us in the right direction.
I have heard that others of you got big screen TV's. Hmmm. I'd have to think about that one. Maybe you're a big dreamer with big vision??? Maybe God is calling you to a TV ministry???? On the other hand, maybe you have an addiction to television? !
Let's talk about the paperweight. That couple really is like a paperweight! They are a solid rock that keeps everything in order; much like a paperweight keeping down all the papers when a big wind blows along. I bet that it says something on it too- something inscribed on the weight. That's how we should be... having His Word written in our hearts that cannot be erased. Or perhaps they are stones in the hands of God that He is going to use to conquer the "Goliaths" of life. Yes, that couple is so much like the paperweight!
Others I know have been given (in the past and presently) hefty checks, expensive cruises, and one couple.... a new car! HMMMM. I am thinking about this, but I'm not quite sure what to say... Hopefully they were really in need of such things; time away to rest, money to pay off debt, and a car to get them to visitations or perhaps to and from church!
Regardless of the gifts you received, the best one any pastor can hope for is souls! Thank you, Pastors, and we are praying that you will continue to sow in the spirit and reap in the end time harvest!
Blessings!
Happy Birthday, Lisa!
