I WIN!

 

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE DAY #27

I am not sure I have figured out this "PASTOR" thing. 

Am I supposed to feel so blessed from doing this? 

I know it has only been 132 days. I have heard people say this is my "HONEYMOON" period and I am sure there will be bumps in the road and times of trial and tribulation, such is life. Yet, I have faith that God will be with me. That might seem cliche to many people, but when you are as old as I am you realize there are NO fatal trials and tribulations. I can't lose! Like Paul said, if I die, I WIN. If I live I WIN. There is a lot of other things between those two extremes, but the result is the same I WIN!

Even if severe trials and tribulations show up in this ministry, I have already escaped many troubling events and look at me now, God has always provided and he has led me through to the other side of the storm.  He has already been with me through some pretty amazing trials. I am nearly 65 years old and when you get that old, it is hard to shock me. I expect trials. But, I have found God SHOWS UP IN POWERFUL WAYS in the STORMS of LIFE. 

This is my LAST FAVORITE SCRIPTURE (for now). I am not sure what I will do starting tomorrow. I will let you know, LOL!

"Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly -- not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. 

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are." (1 Peter 5:2-4, 6-9, NLT)

I am certainly blessed with a wonderful flock of people to care for. I praise God for this daily. Yet, as Peter states, I need to stay alert for the enemy who is prowling around looking for someone to devour. I need to stand firm. 

We really ALL HAVE A FLOCK TO SERVE. Your flock might be your family, your work, your school, or your ministry. God has appointed you to care for your flock. He has appointed YOU to serve them, love them, and lead them. YOU ALSO need to be alert for the prowling lion. You may be the only thing that stands between your flock and the enemy. For that reason, STAY STRONG and PROTECT THEM with your life, like JESUS did for us. 

Thank you Lord for the joy of serving YOU AND YOUR FLOCK!