I am currently reading a book about the strategies Satan uses to defeat Christians in their desires and efforts to live holy lives for Christ. He has no scruples and shows no mercy in his unholy war against God’s elect. He cannot have their souls because they are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9), so he fights for their thoughts and feelings to rob them of the joy and blessings of obedience and to rob God of the glory He receives from them as live holy lives.
Among the saints, there may be no greater target than the pastor. His position as a spiritual leader makes him a marked man for satanic attack. A minister who is distracted by worldliness or, worse, who falls into sin can do a tremendous amount of damage to both the ministry of a local church and the faith of an individual Christian. How many believers do you suppose have been negatively impacted by the failures and foibles of the popular televangelists in the 1980’s? How many more were devastated by their own pastors in local churches?
Some presume that pastors, by virtue of their calling to ministry, are a special type of Christian; a super saint, if you will. Such men are thought to be “above” the temptations of the common man, even the common Christian. While we pray that God’s call on a life to minister sets it apart with a passion for the worship of God and the proclamation of His message, we must acknowledge that that life is human.
So, a human called of God to serve others by exampling Christ (see Luke 9:23), is a natural target for Satan’s attacks. For that reason, we need to acknowledge the temptations and trials common to others are common to pastors. Let this understanding drive us to pray earnestly for these men.
“Pastors are human. They hurt. They get tired. They make mistakes. All of this and more while carrying the ministry and members of the church. They appear kind or brave or stalwart outwardly but may struggle inwardly. They are always in need of our prayers, words of encouragement, and acts of kindness. Take a moment to pray for your pastor. Pray for his protection, courage, and strength against an enemy that would destroy him, his witness, and ministry.”
A Minute Message
The Back of the Report Card
I'm old enough to remember report cards filled out by hand. On the back where non-academic marks like "Plays well with others" and "Neatness." There was another one, too: "Respect for authority."
I often wonder how my Master, the Lord Jesus, would grade me on that area of my life. You see, one word translated "lord" in Greek means "one with authority over others." In coming to Jesus as Lord and asking Him to save me, I acknowledged His rightful authority to rule/control very part of my life.
Respect for Jesus means submission and obedience to Jesus. Remember him asking, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46) I hear Him asking me that sometimes. What about you, Friend?
Hmmm...I just read the back of my spiritual report card. Under "Respect for authority" is says, "Needs improvement." I think I'll stay after school and spend some more time with the Teacher.
I am currently reading a book about the strategies Satan uses to defeat Christians in their desires and efforts to live holy lives for Christ. He has no scruples and shows no mercy in his unholy war against God’s elect. He cannot have their souls because they are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9), so he fights for their thoughts and feelings to rob them of the joy and blessings of obedience and to rob God of the glory He receives from them as live holy lives.
Among the saints, there may be no greater target than the pastor. His position as a spiritual leader makes him a marked man for satanic attack. A minister who is distracted by worldliness or, worse, who falls into sin can do a tremendous amount of damage to both the ministry of a local church and the faith of an individual Christian. How many believers do you suppose have been negatively impacted by the failures and foibles of the popular televangelists in the 1980’s? How many more were devastated by their own pastors in local churches?
Some presume that pastors, by virtue of their calling to ministry, are a special type of Christian; a super saint, if you will. Such men are thought to be “above” the temptations of the common man, even the common Christian. While we pray that God’s call on a life to minister sets it apart with a passion for the worship of God and the proclamation of His message, we must acknowledge that that life is human.
So, a human called of God to serve others by exampling Christ (see Luke 9:23), is a natural target for Satan’s attacks. For that reason, we need to acknowledge the temptations and trials common to others are common to pastors. Let this understanding drive us to pray earnestly for these men.
“Pastors are human. They hurt. They get tired. They make mistakes. All of this and more while carrying the ministry and members of the church. They appear kind or brave or stalwart outwardly but may struggle inwardly. They are always in need of our prayers, words of encouragement, and acts of kindness. Take a moment to pray for your pastor. Pray for his protection, courage, and strength against an enemy that would destroy him, his witness, and ministry.”
A Minute Message
The Back of the Report Card
I'm old enough to remember report cards filled out by hand. On the back where non-academic marks like "Plays well with others" and "Neatness." There was another one, too: "Respect for authority."
I often wonder how my Master, the Lord Jesus, would grade me on that area of my life. You see, one word translated "lord" in Greek means "one with authority over others." In coming to Jesus as Lord and asking Him to save me, I acknowledged His rightful authority to rule/control very part of my life.
Respect for Jesus means submission and obedience to Jesus. Remember him asking, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46) I hear Him asking me that sometimes. What about you, Friend?
Hmmm...I just read the back of my spiritual report card. Under "Respect for authority" is says, "Needs improvement." I think I'll stay after school and spend some more time with the Teacher.