October is Pastor Appreciation Day for churches throughout the nation. Pastors and their wives are honored in various ways--flowers, dinners, gifts, and more. As a pastor's daughter, I am well aware of the sorrows and hurts that mingle with the joys and fulfillment of the ministry. It's a wonderful, but difficult calling, and ministry people deserve our deepest appreciation and respect. They're the shepherds of our souls!
I also know about ministry of unfathomable proportion taking place right now--in my life, in your life, in the lives of millions of Christians around the world. It's the ministry of a heavenly Trio of divine origin--Father, Son, Holy Spirit--GREAT Shepherds of our souls. And it's awesome! We sing about it--"Our God Is An Awesome God!"--but how often do we reflect on its meaning and purpose in our lives? Let's pause a minute in our busy schedules to do it now!
A Helping Word...or Two!
Thank You, Sovereign Father, for Your Crown!...Lord, I struggle daily to give You that supreme place You deserve in my life. For within me lies a strong will, an intense desire to "do it my way," a desire to control my own domain. Sometimes in quiet desperation, I give it all up, and there You wait, patiently, to take my own desires and plans, and turn them into Your best for my life. And I find that best so much better than what I would have chosen for myself.Help me learn to appreciate the ways You lead that I do not understand. Pursue me with Your love until I surrender every private area of my life completely to You--the only One Who can rule and reign with wisdom and righteousness in this heart of mine. Thank You, Father, for your awesome Lordship!
Thank You, Loving Savior, for Your Cross! ...Lord, I know I should strive daily to live near the Cross--it is my hiding place, my refuge, my strength. But sometimes I forget. Somestimes I'm too busy. I fail so miserably so many times, and yet I know I can always return to Your precious Cross and receive love, understanding, and forgiveness. Help me learn to rely on it, more and more, each day--to absorb its love and grace into my very being, until those around me know I have been with You. Help me know the forgiveness of the Cross when friends desert me, when family forsake me, when the world turns into blackest night. Help me hear your words, "It is finished," and know my redemption, my security, my life is safe in the shadow of the Cross. Thank You, Savior, for Your awesome love.
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your comfort!...Holy Spirit, I know I should be grateful--but there are times when I resist Your working in my life. There are times when I grieve Your tender Spirit, and ignore your soft voice. And yet You remain stedfast--You comfort me in sorrow; You whisper words of love; You help me worship my Saviour. You are my companion and my Guide, in joy and in sorrow. Your power and your strength are mine each day--even when I'm not consciously aware of Your gifts. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your awesome presence.
A crown, a cross, and a comfort! A never-ending love with a never-ending Lord. That's MY awesome God--and I'm sure He is YOURS too! Let's love and appreciate our Triune God this day and every day--more than ever! Let's live in His presence, and lean on His comfort this week--in the good times, and in the bad times. Because, awesome God that He is--He'll be there!
And that's just a word...or two, from my heart to yours!
His Healing Word
"How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! (Psalm 47:2 NIV)."
"Lord, sometimes I am so concerned with my needs, desires, and requests, that I fail to thank You for just being YOU, the awesome God, in my life. Without You, I truly can do nothing. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, accept my appreciation this day for Your loving presence in my life. Help me to know, see, and hear within my heart, the constant love, grace, and peace You provide me each day. Don't let me ever lose appreciation for You in my life. In Jesus' Name, Amen."
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