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1 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. (1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 The Message)
Happy Tuesday, dear Friend! May the Lord bless you and keep you as you study His word today.
October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and this text serves as a good reminder of the realities of the lives lived by those who have heard the call of God into professional ministry. We would have to list Paul among the first of those called in the manner of your pastor, and me. We were years from being eyewitnesses like Peter, Andrew, James, and John. Saul, some 70 years distant from Jesus' death, had an encounter with Him, and was called by Him to serve Him. It takes tremendous faith to respond to a nudge, or tug, or push from God, to leave all other plans behind, and to, quite literally sometimes, "take up our cross and follow" Him. And that usually means to change one's educational trajectory and dedicate oneself to preparing and then serving the Lord among God's people. Some have called ministry among the loneliness professions. The work is done out of love for Jesus, and out of love for Jesus' people and those who will be Jesus' people. As Paul wrote, sometimes there is suffering and outrageous treatment, usually on the pastor; and many pastors face opposition to the work they do and the word they share. As Paul also mentioned, some parishioners do not want to hear what God has to say, but reinforcement to what they already think they need to hear (2 Timothy 4:3), and sermons that go against that are not usually met with joy. The majority of pastors share, not only sermons, but themselves, in hopes of winning new converts. This passage speaks of those who are successful are so because they give of themselves in authentic ways. Their motivation is love from and for Jesus, and that same love shared with all.
I urge those reading this, to give lovingly to God's messenger among you before the month comes to an end; because some ministers sometimes feel, like Paul wrote about such suffering, they sometimes walk away from ministry, and sometimes even away from God.
The truth is all of us who are believers are in ministry for Jesus. We should live our lives in genuine ways that impact people in positive ways, and seek to win others to His kingdom. Our calling is usually reinforced by our pastors' sermons, devotionals, books, etc. so that we evangelize others with our sincerity and devotional to the Lord Jesus Christ. We do so out of love and caring, because those things have become part of our nature. Paul's reference to a "nursing mother" and her care for her children, speaks of his love for those who need his care and attention. There is still much for us to do!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, speak to our lives in ways that make us respond. We pause to thank You for our pastors and pray Your care and attention be with each of them. Lift their heart when they feel heavy inside; and calm their souls when they feel overworked and burdened; and bless us to be faithful in our ministry among all who seek to know You better; in Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Send a card of appreciation to your pastor.
Receive my blessings of peace and love,
Pastor Eradio
