Punching Bags

Acts 9:15-16

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go!  This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

These are the words of Christ to Ananias.  True enough, as pastor we are expected to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.  Yes!  The church is not a haven for the meek and gentle, often times it is chaotic.  Understandable, for Christians although redeemed by God still possesses their sinful nature.  We pastors should accept the fact that we are like punching bags.  We are expected to absorb the blows even if it is already below the belt.  We should learn to withstand each blows and not give up.  We were never called to fight but to be there when the boxer eventually tires out and quit.  Only then are we to step in and serve as towel and wipe out his perspiration.  We need to pray that God will allow us to be the towel in the shortest time possible, but remember not our will but His will.  Let us endure for the Lord, because Jesus endured much for us to be saved!  God bless

God is in Control

It has been quite sometime since I started my new ministry.  I graduated from the seminary last summer, and I am now pastoring a Filipino-Chinese church.  Thanks be to God, He has been working mightily in our midst.

Two weeks upon our arrival, the resident pastor of the church step down and handed the ministry to us.  I know God have clearly led me to pastor this church, but I never expected such a huge responsibility as early as that.  I pray and rely upon the Lord for wisdom.  It is good that there are three of us, all new graduates, who came together.  However, I am expected to spearhead, mainly because of my maturity in terms of age.  The ministry is both a challenge and a good opportunity to learn.  Certainly there are heartbreaks and frustrations, but make no mistake that God is our comfort and strength.  Throughout my ministry here, I am reminded of a passage in Acts 5:38-39.  This particular passage gave me encouragement and comfort.  The passage speaks about the early ministry of Peter and and the other apostles.  They were persecuted and questioned.  But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, whom the Bible described as honored by all people stood and spoke these words:

“I advise you:  Leave these men alone!  Let them go!  For if the purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Isn’t it comforting to be assured that as long as we are doing the Lord’s work, God will be fighting for us? Fellow pastors, I encourage you all to rest upon the leading and guidance of God.  Let us faithfully do His work and leave all our concerns and hurts to God.  Please pray for all workers of God, for our struggle is not against flesh and blood … but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph. 6:12).

God bless and be comforted by the Word of God!