The Unsung Heroes!

Another Lord’s Day! Another opportunity to take time away from the busy week and give honor to the God of our salvation, rejoicing in how very much He loved us to give us in the fullness of time His Son and then with His departure to heaven, He gave us the Holy Spirit as our comforter and guide.

Yet our wise Father God gave us even more than that – for He instructed His Son to set up the church. And in that church He ordained wise and loving shepherds who would care for the church and teach people the principles and precepts of the Kingdom! Today I want to honor the shepherds that week after week come before God’s people with a Word of instruction, comfort, and edification. My father-in-law, who was a pastor indeed, had the following as one of his favorite verses, even putting the last portion on the church’s billboard:

4And I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them. And they will fear no more nor be dismayed, neither will any be missing or lost, says the Lord.
5Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch (Sprout), and He will reign as King and do wisely and will execute justice and righteousness in the land.
6In His days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is His name by which He shall be called: The Lord Our Righteousness.

?????? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? Jeremiah 23: 4-6 (AMP)

On yesterday I attended a birthday celebration for a pastor that I have known for many years. And all that I know of him is that he has been a “shepherd after God’s own heart.” It was refreshing to hear such wonderful things (that were true) about this man by not only his congregation and his family, but also by just a few of the many representatives who he has helped down through the years. One of the things that particularly touched me was the way he went about kingdom building beyond his own fellowship. As a young pastor he had to rent a facility until he was able to purchase a place. After purchasing a church house of their own, God told him to allow other struggling pastors to come and use their church house for as long as they needed – RENT FREE! He wanted those pastors to be able to save the money they raised to go towards the purchase of their own facility. What a testimony! Sometimes this pastor would have two or three other fellowships using their church house at one time! This is only one of the things he did to further the kingdom – perhaps his greatest legacy will be that he is known as a man who spent time with people, one on one to help them cross over from darkness into light!

I’m not giving this man’s name – or church – because he is only one of the many, many millions of unsung heroes who every Sunday go before God and God’s people to bring the words of life! I thank God for each of them who faithfully execute the plan of God for His people until that day when we will all see face to face – The Lord our Righteousness!

God Bless You on This Lord’s Day,
Maria ????? ??????? ?????????