His Plans

It is said, "You are either heading into a trial, in the middle of a trial, or coming out of a trial." Even though you may be blindsided, even though you may not be able to see a way through, even though you may be bruised, battle-weary and war-torn ~ God is still God. He has a plan. He has NOT forgotten you; he thinks about each of us. There is an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

A Prayer for My Pastor

Quoted by Robert G. Lee in "Who Said That?" ~ Senator Robert S. Kerr -
A Prayer for My Pastor ~ "Our Father, let me be a pillar of strength to help hold him up and not a thorn in his back to pull him down. Let me support him without striving to possess him. Let me lift his hands without placing shackles around them. Let me give him help that he may devote more time in working for the sa

lvation of others and less time in gratifying my vanity. Let me work for him as the pastor of all the members and not compel him to spend precious time in bragging on me. Let me be unselfish in what I do for him and not selfish in demanding that he do more for me. Let me strive to serve him and the church much and be happy as he serves me less and the church and others more."

Oh, that we would only see WE BRING GRIEF to the man of God when we fight and bicker amongst ourselves; when we seek special treatment instead of putting ourselves and our desires aside for the furtherance of the Gospel; when we make unreasonable demands; when we think we can do better than he; when we resist the instruction of God's Word; when we question his authority; when we lack understanding of the vision God has given him.

Hebrews 13:17 ~ Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: FOR THAT IS UNPROFITABLE FOR YOU.

Choose Love Over Anger

Jonathan Edwards ~ It is remarkable how forward men are to appear, as if they were zealous for God and righteousness, in cases wherein their honor, or will, or interest has been touched, and to make pretense of this in injuring others or complaining of them.

 (from The Spirit of Love the Opposite of An Angry or Wrathful Spirit, 1 Corinthians 13:5)

1 Corinthians 13

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
 
² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

⁴ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

⁵ Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

⁶ Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

⁷ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

⁸ Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

⁹ For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

¹⁰ But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

¹¹ When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

¹² For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

¹³ And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.