Take Courage

Protect and Serve

To Protect and Serve

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.”(1 Corinthians 16:13-14)

Being involved in ministry and leadership will be difficult. We need to get over that so I will say it again. Being involved in ministry and leadership will be difficult. There is no getting around it. But the Church needs us to faithfully stand in the gap. The world may not know it, but it needs us to faithfully proclaim the Gospel and make disciples.

We have to be on our guard because there are wolves that seek to harm the sheep. The wolves are clever, cruel and relentless. It seems they never rest. They change their plan of attack and they try to catch us off guard. Those of us in ministry and leadership have been given the responsibility of protecting the sheep. Believe it or not, sometimes the sheep do not appreciate the shepherds’ service. But good shepherds (ministers and leaders) protect and serve anyway.

It’s the middle of the week.  We may be tired. Protect and serve anyway. We may feel overwhelmed by our duties. Protect and serve anyway. We may feel underappreciated. Protect and serve anyway. Stand in the gap and pray, preach/teach, lead by example, care, visit and love the sheep. Our heavenly Father expects no less from His men that serve Him and His Church. He will help us protect and serve. We can accomplish the ministry He gives us because He will help us.

When we are tempted to whine or complain about our sheep or our circumstances I think we should stop and pray and give thanks to God for His patience toward us. We know our failings better than anyone else does. We know our weaknesses and the struggles both in our thoughts and lives. And God in His great mercy still gives us the opportunity to protect and serve.

Rise Up, O Men of God

By William P Merrill

1. Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things;

Give heart and soul and mind and strength To serve the King of kings.

2. Rise up, O men of God! His kingdom tarries long;

Bring in the day of brotherhood And end the night of wrong.

3. Rise up, O men of God! The church for you doth wait,

Her strength unequal to her task; Rise up and make her great!

4. Lift high the cross of Christ, Tread where His feet have trod;

As brothers of the Son of Man, Rise up, O men of God! Amen.

Your ministry is needed. God will help you.

Redeem the time,

Bill  (a fellow-laborer)

(Rom. 15:13)

P.S.

If you know a police officer or fire fighter, pray for them because they put their lives on the line everyday to protect and serve. They may not know you are praying for them, but they and their families will benefit from our intercessory prayers. Thank you.