LOVE OUR PASTORS AND LEADERS
As Your body LORD we must remember our Lord and Savior's words,
“A new command I give you:
Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
We make room in our hearts for the brethren and submit to those that watch over us that their work be a joy to benefit all.
The body of Christ by Your grace will wrong no one, corrupt no one, and exploit no one.
The ministers You have appointed over Your flock admonish without condemnation but tell the truth in love,
and they would live and die with Your flock.
They have great confidence and take great pride in Your people, following Christ with great encouragement.
IN TROUBLES Your ministers know no bounds, though the body has no rest, harrassed at every turn--conflicts on the outside, fears within.
You comfort the downcast, LORD, and bring encouragers with the same comfort You give to them.
We long for our pastors and leaders.
When they suffer we also have deep sorrow.
May Your flock show ardent concern for them so that their joy be greater than ever.
GODLY SORROW
Preachers and teachers of Your word may cause sorrow, but there is no regret though it hurt, but only for a little while.
Father God, no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Everyone should be happy, because this sorrow leads to repentance.
Therefore, LORD, may the hearers see that Your ministers mean them no harm,
and our lost loved ones see that it is Your intent that they be sorrowful
because Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret,
but worldly sorrow brings death.
WHAT!
Inwardly, Godly sorrow produces:
What earnestness
What eagerness to clear oneself
What indignation
What alarm
What longing
What concern
What readiness to see justice done
POSITIVE MESSAGE
At every point we must all prove ourselves to be innocent of such matters.
You sent this message not for the person who does wrong nor the injured party,
but rather that BEFORE YOU GOD, we see for ourselves how devoted we are to those You have appointed over Your flock to follow them as they follow Christ.
May they be encouraged and refreshed.
Those that feed Your sheep enjoy boasting over Your flock without being embarrassed because it is a proven truth.
This brotherly and sisterly affection is all the greater at remembering all the obedience in receiving a servant of the LORD with fear and trembling,
and he can have complete confidence in Your flock, for Christ is the head of the church and in Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
You did all this, LORD, to save the lost, and save our lost loved ones. Thank You, our Father! in Christ Jesus name.
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