The role of a Pastor

            What exactly is the role of a pastor in today’s church?  They bible likens us (church members) to being sheep and pastors are like shepherds.   Shepherds are told to tend the flock.

“Be shepherds of GOD’s flock that is under your care.  Serving as overseers, not because you must, but because you are willing as GOD wants you to be, not greedy for money, but eager to serve.  Not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”

~1 Peter 2-3.

            A pastor must be an example of Jesus and his love.   They must live their lives “above reproach.”    Above reproach means they are supposed to have high standards of living.   They are supposed to be the very essence of what a good Christian should be.   Pastors will makes mistakes, but there will be no scandals or false motives involved.   In Hebrews  13:7 it states: “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.  They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.”   If a church leader sins against you or hurts you, they must be accountable to GOD.   We (Sheep) are the Children of GOD, and pastors have been entrusted to care for us.

            In John 21, Jesus tells Peter that his job is to “feed the sheep.”  This means spiritual nourishment.   In 1 Corinthians 3:2 “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.”   Milk is for new believers.   Meat or solid food is for mature Christians.   “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.  But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” ~ Hebrews 5: 13-14.    A pastor should feed both milk and meat to members of his congregation.   This does not mean watered down Christianity.    Pastors must uphold the word of GOD with the great honor it deserves.   Pastors must ensure that they foster a spiritually healthy environment.

A pastor must also care about their flock.    “Be sure to know the condition of your flocks.   Give attention to your herds.” ~ Proverbs 27:23.   A pastor must put the interest of their sheep ABOVE their own needs, wants and agenda’s.  A pastor must be concerned about their sheep.    A pastor should never mistreat a member of the congregation and wrongfully use them.  

And most important a pastor must protect their sheep.   “Keep watch over yourself and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.  Be shepherds of the church of God, which he brought with his own blood.  I know hat after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” ~Acts 20: 28-30.      The pastor must keep a watch over his church or groups to ensure that every member is protected from wolves.

The pastor has many responsibilities~ and they are held to a higher standard than the rest of us.  They must be held accountable for every action they take that might harm a sheep.   It is not easy being a pastor.    

~Sunny :D

Trusting GOD

How can one define trusting GOD?   I have heard it said that trusting GOD requires us to not know how GOD is going to accomplish what needs to be done and now knowing when he will do it. 

            In the past few months, I have been getting many, many verses and songs about trusting GOD.   He has a plan and he knows the desires of my heart.   He is the great provider of all things.  “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” ~James 1:17

Timing plays a part in trusting GOD..  Timing and Trust go side by side.   We must wait on GOD for the answers.  

            Joseph had to wait to trust GOD.   In Genesis 39 Joseph is wrongfully accused of putting sexual moves onto Potiphar’s wife and he was thrown into jail.   Timing was everything.  If Joseph had escaped or gotten released sooner, he might not have been able to assist the Pharaoh in analyzing dreams. 

            When we accept GOD’s timing, we can learn to live in hope and enjoy our lives while GOD works it all out.    GOD’s has a plan for each of us.  In order to experience peace and joy we must accept those plans are for our good.   GOD knows when we are ready, not when we think we are ready to accept the blessing.    “He makes all things beautiful in his time.” ~Ecclesiastes 3:10.

            GOD will allow things to happen at the right time.   Don’t try to figure it out.  Just finish the race~ Trust Jesus and keep your eyes focused on HIM!

~Sunny :D

Broken

I recently watched the Mocking Jay (Part 1) in the movie theatre.   There is a line in the movie:

“It takes ten time as long to put yourself back together as it does to fall apart”

~Finnick Odair, Mocking Jay.

I can relate to this quote.   I have been broken.  I spent 12 weeks of my life getting my spirit crushed.  I gained weight, lost friends, and my life is nearly destroyed.   Right now I am putting the pieces of my wrecked existence back together.     Six months ago I was a strong, confident women of God and now I am a broken mess. 

            GOD is here!  I can feel his presence.   Psalm 34:18 promises: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit.”   Lord.. My spirit is crushed.   My heart has been broken.   I know that GOD is closer to me now than he was six months ago.  I can actually feel him.  Not that I didn’t feel him sixth months ago, but it feels more intimate, and closer. 

I feel like my heart has been put into a blender and spun around, then served as a smoothie to the very person who hurt me the most.    Apparently my heart must taste delicious because that person continues to hurt me over and over.   They have not sought forgiveness, rather they are quick to hurl insults and find my faults.    “GOD is my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” ~Psalm 46:1

I cry out to GOD!

            I get verses about trusting GOD.   I hear songs about trusting GOD.  I can almost hear GOD yelling down from heaven “TRUST ME SUNNY!!!!”  Ultimately I believe this trial is for my good.  GOD is trying to teach me something.  Perhaps I am learning to be more dependent on him?  Maybe I need to rest in his love?  Honestly, the LORD has not fully revealed the entire lesson to me yet~ all I am being told is to trust him.

However, I know this is not a lesson I want to repeat.

~Sunny :D

BIG Plans

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to proper you and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future.”

~Jeremiah 29:11

            I first stumbled onto this verse about two years into my walk with Christ.  I think I found it on a bumper sticker at a bible bookstore.  I remember reading it and it brought me to tears.  Big plans.. for me?

            17 years later, I am still trying to figure out what these big plans are…     However, GOD has placed a dream in my heart.   There is a vision in my head.   If everything works out as I see it in my mind, it is a beautiful plan.   

            I am praying that GOD will open the doors he wants open and close the ones he does not.   I will keep you posted dear readers!

~Sunny :D