KEEP SERVING JESUS

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

King James Version

There are times when people say things to us that hurt us when we serve Jesus and we get discouraged and feel like giving up.  However, we must not give up.  We must keep serving Jesus just as He stayed on the cross for us because it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.

Esther Kerr Rusthoi wrote one of my favorite hymns “It Will Be Worth It All”.  “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus, Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ; One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase, So bravely run the race till we see Christ.”

We are going to have the privilege of seeing Jesus face to face.  Are you shouting with happiness yet?  “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” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

It is very important that we encourage our pastor and family and also our deacons and family.  They sacrifice a lot of personal time to minister to us.  Several years ago, I received an email from a pastor who wrote “I am so discouraged; I have about decided to stop being a pastor.  When we moved here, my family and I were excited and looking forward to serving here, but instead of being encouraged all we have received is criticism”. 

One day the members of that church will stand before God and give an account of the way they treated their pastor and his family.  Are we an encouragement to our pastor and family and to our deacons and family?  If not, we are hurting Jesus and breaking His heart.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You love me so much that You have given me the privilege of having Pastor Davis as my Pastor.  Please comfort and encourage him and protect him as he visits people.  Let him know how much You love him.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

May 19, 2019