Preachers are repetitive creatures. we are even repetitive on purpose sometimes…Ok sometimes we forget we already said something, but on the main we use repetition as a teaching tool, a mnemonic device to aid your memory. Peter ‘fessed up and said the same thing .
“2Pe 3:1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2Pe 3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:”
This got me to thinking about what themes I have repeated most in my years as pastor.
The answer came to me like a flash of lightning on a dark night…. Don’t quit. Never give up. Keep going. I have always wished that God would give me a special prayer that would remove regret, or displace the dark times my people go through. But I don’t have that prayer it seems he reserves that for himself in glory when he will heal our hearts and our hurts completely …..”Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. “
Rev 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. “
Even though I don’t have that special prayer I have a powerful principal left to me, to help people in crisis
PERSERVERANCE. Paul put it this way “Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. “
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. “
Press on. Keep going. Hold fast. Be an overcomer. Be more than a conqueror.
I will leave you with the illustration that I have used more then any other, It is called
the fellowship of the unashamed.
“Romans 1:16 Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek
I am a part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." I have the holy spirit's power. The die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, and decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, top, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by the presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer and labor by power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, taken back, diluted or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, and ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, back up, let up or shut up until I have preached up, prayed up, praised up, stored up and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I will go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until all know and work until He comes. And when He comes back to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear. “
I am a part of the "Fellowship of the Unashamed." I have the holy spirit's power. The die has been cast, I have stepped over the line, and decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, top, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by the presence, lean by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer and labor by power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, taken back, diluted or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, and ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, back up, let up or shut up until I have preached up, prayed up, praised up, stored up and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I will go until He comes, give until I drop, preach until all know and work until He comes. And when He comes back to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear. “
Press on my dear children press o
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