A Change of Direction

I don't know if anyone reads this blog anymore since there hasn't been any posts since 2010 but the reason there have not been any posts is because of the purpose of the blog. It was about the journey to my first pastorate, which ended at Guthrie Baptist Church where I have served for nearly 4 1/2 years.


I am changing the direction of the blog: It will be about what God is teaching me as a pastor one day at a time (or week, or month). I hopefully will have something to look back on to see how God has grown me and maybe even provide some encouragement to you who read the posts. I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I do writing them.


On Wednesday nights we are studying 1 Thessalonians and we were looking at the last part of Chapter 2. Paul speaks to the persecution that the Thessalonians had suffered at the hands of their own countrymen just as the Paul, Silas, and Timothy were persecuted by their own countrymen. Persecution can come from anywhere. Paul wants to encourage the believers to continue living in a way that is worthy of God even in the face of persecution and so I believe he gives them three truths that we need to hold dear as we face persecution:


First, those that are persecuting us are adding to their sins daily and wrath has overtaken them. Through our faithfulness one of two things will take place: they will see the change that has been brought about in our lives and change as well by repenting of their sin and believing in Jesus or they will not and get what is coming to them because they will reap what they have sown. God has not forgotten one thing the lost persecutor does to us. We should pity them and do all we can to win them to Christ before it is too late.


Second, we are not alone. Though Paul, Silas, and Timothy had to leave physically, emotionally they were still there. Though we have One that is better than those great missionaries, the Holy Spirit of God that will never leave us or forsake us. He will comfort. He will convict. He will counsel. We have the church and we have God Himself there to help us through the trials of persecution and there is always great hope in knowing that you never have to go through anything alone.


Third, we are dear to others. Paul says they are their hope, joy, crown, and glory. There are people that want what is best for us even if there are those that want us to experience evil. There are those that we encourage to continue on in their work because we are in their lives. There are those that we bring a smile to their face because we are in their lives. We are crown of boasting and the glory of another, which they will cast at the feet of Jesus and redirect to Him for He is worthy.


Whatever persecution we may face (maybe not as severe as some but persecution nonetheless) God knows, we are not alone, and we are loved by others. Hang in there! Keep up the good work! Don't give up! Love your enemies, bless those that curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. After all, our suffering for the sake of the Gospel allows us to partake in the sufferings of Christ, which is the greatest honor that any Christian can receive.