Retirement Lesson 5, I Love the Church

In these 9 months that I’ve been retired we’ve been visiting a lot of churches.  Some are where our children attend, others are located where we are traveling, and still others are those where friends attend.  While pastoring we didn’t visit many other churches, but I do remember comparing the ones we did visit with the church I pastored so I could glean good ideas to improve our  worship service.

Now when we visit, though, it is different.  I am encouraged by each ministry for its faithfulness in spreading the Word in their location.  I appreciate the difficulties and obstacles the pastors and leaders face and feel compassion for them.  Each one is different, but I have no desire to judge or criticize for I know they are doing their best to follow and serve God.  Who am I to decide if they are doing right or not?  I look at the pastors and people and am blessed to see those who love and serve God.  They are my brothers and sisters.  I have a new appreciation for them as they use their time and talents to worship and share Jesus in their communities.  It’s good to see God’s people at worship in many different ways and places.

I feel the same way in India.  I am proud to be part of this great group of believers called the Body of Christ whose lives have been changed by Him and are now dedicated to living for Him.  Despite all our failures and struggles, God’s people are still moving ahead to advance His kingdom on this earth.  God’s people are the best people anywhere.

Romans 12:4-5   For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Ephesians 2:19-22   So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

How do you view your own church, pastor and fellow church members?  Do you see the good in what they are trying to do, or do you focus on their faults and failures? 

Are you proud to be one of God’s people, part of the Church of the Living God, or do you focuses on its weaknesses and shortcomings? 

Ask God to show you what you can do to encourage your own pastor, church leaders and local Christians in their own Christian walk.

INDIA UPDATE & PRAYER: Pastor Moses’ church has outgrown its building, which is a rented second floor apartment.  They have expanded to using the roof, but really need a building of their own that is large and easily accessible.  They have been looking and praying for several year but real estate there is very very expensive due to many foreigners buying property as investments.  Pray they would be able to find the right place soon.  Also pray they would find a new, better location for their children’s orphanage so it can continue.

Pray for Pastor Moses and his family also.  Pray God would continue to protect them and use them for His glory.  Pray for their health, finances, jobs for the children and God’s blessing on this fine, special family.

 

Jerry Schmoyer

Christian Training Organization

Jerry@Schmoyer.net

india.christiantrainingonline.org/

C t O Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
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