Good morning,
Last week the Lord allowed Marty and me the honor of being a part of saying goodbye to a close friend of many years. It was good to hear his family and friends talking about the memories that they have of their pastor and relative over the years that they have shared life together. There were lots of funny stories and loving remembrances, but saying goodbye kind of floods my mind with pieces of conversation and painful interactions that are part of the life of a person who wants more than anything else to please his Savior. Steve, the pastor’s name, was a man who longed to love and longed to encourage the people in his life and community. Many people came to his service, and many kind and loving comments were a part of those who spoke there, but that was only a small part of what it means to be a faithful follower of what the world considers “That troublesome Jesus.” Jesus pointed out in John 15: 20 that “Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.” Following Jesus is a wonderful calling, but I can tell you that the warning that Jesus gave us is a real picture of the calling and purpose for our ministry lives.
The battle that we face in our service for Jesus has taken on a whole new dimension for those of us who are willing to honestly share God’s eternal truth with a rebellious and self centered generation. From my point of view, as I work with sincere and faith based people in ministry, I am seeing the pressures and challenges growing stronger and more determined than ever before in our generation. I also am seeing the power of God becoming more evident in those who are hanging on to their Savior and his truth with the strength he provides.
Our Father God never loses a battle, and those of us who learn to live by faith in the face of the persecution and lies about us will some day soon be able to join our Savior in the victorious processions through heaven and take our place with God’s faithful family from all of time. We can look forward to promises like, “All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.” (Rev.3:5) Those of us who are faithful will be able to say with Paul, “And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return.” What I love about this verse is that it also includes us in our time and our generation. Dear Lord, please help us to be faithful and eagerly looking forward to your appearing.
2 Timothy 4: 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Roy Wisner
