I KNOW THEREFORE THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD IS GOD;

HE IS THE FAITHFUL GOD, KEEPING HIS COVENANT OF
LOVE TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS OF THOSE WHO
LOVE HIM AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.   
                      ( DEUTERONOMY 7:9 *NIV )

     Brethren, there is no way humanly possible to measure
the love that God has for each of us.

    Moses wrote; KNOW THEREFORE THAT THE LORD YOUR
GOD IS GOD; HE IS THE FAITHFUL GOD, KEEPING HIS
COVENANT OF LOVE TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS
OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND KEEP HIS COMMANDS.  
( DEUTERONOMY 7:9-10 )  

     The Prophet David explained it best when he wrote: YOUR
LOVE, O LORD, REACHES TO THE HEAVENS, YOUR
FAITHFULNESS TO THE SKIES.  YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS
IS LIKE THE MIGHTY MOUNTAINS, YOUR JUSTICE LIKE
THE GREAT DEEP.  HOW PRICELESS IS YOUR UNFAILING
LOVE!  BOTH HIGH AND LOW AMONG MEN FIND REFUGE
IN THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS.   ( PSALM 36:5-7 )

     The Apostle John wrote; HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE THE
FATHER HAS LAVISHED ON US, THAT WE SHOULD BE
CALLED THE CHILDREN OF GOD!   AND THAT IS WHAT
WE ARE!   ( 1 JOHN 3:1 )

     So tell God how much you love Him when you pray,
today and every day!  Also thank Him for all of the
Blessings that He has given to you as well.  Then before
you know it you will be saying, "I WILL SING OF THE LORD'S
GREAT LOVE FOREVER; WITH MY MOUTH I WILL MAKE
YOUR FAITHFULNESS KNOWN."  Amen.  ( PSALM 89:1 )

     Have a wonderful day brethren, and may God Bless You!

A God's minute reprint

Our Calling: What We Fight For

 Our calling as pastors includes fighting. I don’t mean we strap on the gloves and go toe-to-toe with our elders and congregational members. I mean, as pastors, we’re called to defend the faith.

  Image from Photodune.

As time passes, we will see our orthodox faith in Jesus Christ attacked more and more. We will find that the things of God are increasingly viewed with suspicion . . . addressed with cynicism . . . and, eventually, banned completely.

When we entered ministry, whether we knew it or not at the time, we entered a war zone. The pastorate is a battleground, not a playground.

This is why Paul included in his first letter to Timothy these sober commands:

Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12–13)

As pastors, it is never appropriate for us to earn a reputation as a fighter, in the sense of being argumentative or a bully. That’s the last thing the body of Christ needs—another angry, bullheaded preacher pushing his agenda.

What We Fight For

No, here’s the type of “contender” we need to be:

• We must have a strong determination mixed with keen discernment.
• We must refuse to allow anyone to intimidate us in our convictions.
• We must fight against those things that can damage the flock.
• We must have a tough hide and a tender heart.

Paul commissioned Timothy to pastor the church at Ephesus. Interestingly, the letter Paul penned to that local body echoes with battlefield metaphors. Because our battle is a spiritual conflict, our weapons also are spiritual (Ephesians 6:11–17).

What We’re Up Against

May we never forget that our adversary is the devil, not our congregations. Speaking of our adversary, here are a few reminders:

• He is wily, clever, and brilliant.
• He stands against everything you stand for.
• He will despise the times you preach the truth.
• He will want you to soften your blow.
• He knows you better than you know yourself, making a study of every chink in your armor.

Drawing Upon the Strength God Gives

The battleground of ministry always reminds me of Martin Luther’s ageless hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Take a moment now, lean back in your chair, and sing these verses out loud and clear.

And I mean sing! After all, we’re in a battle.

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe— His craft and pow’r are great, and armed with …
… to them, abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours thro’ Him Who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also— The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still: His kingdom is forever. 1

Notes

1.

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Martin Luther, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” in The Celebration Hymnal: Songs and Hymns for Worship (Nashville: Word/Integrity, 1997), hymn 151. reprinted from The Pastor's Blog - Chuck Swindoll