Have you thanked your Pastor lately?

Hebrews 13:7

New Living Translation (NLT)

⁷ Remember your leaders who taught you the Word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

Every morning I send out my "Today's Verse"( a bible verse that I email daily ) to a group of my friends. Last week as I was reading my Bible, searching for a verse to publish, I came across Hebrews 13:7. It got me thinking about the pastors who have touched my life over the years. These are the people who helped make me the Christian man I am today through their teachings and through the example their lives have been to me. Here's a sampling of some the things I learned from their words and actions.

Pastor Dave
As you were preaching one day, you said something that had really stuck with me. You said,"if you are not for Christ, then you are against Him". It made me think about the Church in Laodicea whom Jesus called "lukewarm" in the book of Revelation. They were neither hot nor cold for Christ. Jesus told them that He would spit them out. We can't follow God halfway, it's all or nothing.
Pastor Dave, I wish I could thank you today, but the Lord took you home 3 years ago. You are missed greatly.

Pastor Leland
What a teacher you are! It was over 8 years ago that I sat in your church and heard you preach. Your teachings are still fresh in my mind. You would dissect the Bible with the precision of a surgeon explaining each part until I understood. More important than your words, were your actions. You not only preached the Word, you lived it. You followed what James said in James 1:22... "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." During the lowest time in my life, you walked with me and guided me through. You laughed with me, you cried with me. Thank you for your part in shaping my life. Thank you for being my friend when I had none.

Pastor Michael
I got to sit under you during a time of healing in my life. You brought my worship of God to a new level at a time when I could not thank God enough for what He had done in my life. During your sermons, you would stop and walk up to the keyboard and praise God with song. That told me that we need to worship God throughout our whole day, in all circumstances.
You gave me the opportunity to lead a men's group and to speak at a men's retreat. Thank you for getting me out of my comfort zone. I was truly blessed by the opportunity to share my struggles.
Most importantly, you taught me that the Kingdom of God was bigger than the church we attended. That God's work extended past the four walls of the church we sat in each Sunday. Thank you Pastor Michael.

Pastor Brad (VT)
Pastor Brad, it was only a short period of time that I was privileged to attended your church. During that time you taught me Bible principles that I saw take place in my life. My favorite was "the favor of God results in the favor of man." Like Joseph in the book of Genesis, I saw things fall into place because I had the favor of God. The sale of my business, finding a job where God wanted me, these were all a result of God's favor.
Pastor Brad, you believed in me. You gave me the confidence to be a effective worker for God. Thank you Pastor Brad for still believing in me and for your constant encouragement.

Pastor Brad (DE)
You picked up where Pastor Brad (VT) left off. You not only believed in me, you put me right to work! You tapped into my gifts right away...you saw gifts that I never knew I had. Kid's church, small group leadership, hospitality room, ministry leadership team...never did I think I could do these things. You even encouraged me to write a blog.
You took the time to explain some things that I misunderstood. Things that were holding back my spiritual growth.
I am excited to serve with you, and to see where God is bringing Northlife Community Church. Thank you Pastor Brad!


So, today I am challenging you ...

We all have a Pastor or Christian leader that has been a positive influence in our lives. Take some time this week to thank them. Drop them an email, a note, even a text message. Be specific, let them know how they helped direct you, how they helped shape you into the Christian man or woman you are today.

Have a great week!

Joe
(If you want to receive the "Today's Verse" that I email daily, email me at joemenei@gmail.com.)