Hold Up Your Pastor's Hands

'I will give you shepherds according to My heart...' Jeremiah 3:15 NKJV

Here's a sad statistic: over 50% of those who enter the ministry leave it within ten years because of discouragement. Isn't that a incredible stat. Amy and I have thought about leaving the ministry a time or two. But then God intervenes and encourages us and we continue on. I was so encouraged yesterday after service as many of you stood to be prayed over for your marriages. Days like that keep us going and the hunger to help people gets stronger. But everyday isn't like that and we need love and prayers just like you. So how do you hold us up? Picture this: Joshua's soldiers are down in the valley fighting the Amalekites. Above him on a hilltop sits Moses with his hands raised toward Heaven. As long as his arms are raised the battle goes their way. But if you've ever tried to hold your hands up for long, you quickly grow weary and lower them. The moment Moses does that, the battle goes against Israel. So Aaron and Hur hold up his arms and the tide turns in favor of Israel. It wasn't just Joshua's ability to fight, it was Moses' ability to hold up his arms that won the day. Aaron and Hur kept a leader from fainting so an entire nation could be saved. God said, 'I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.' God has given you a great team who love, lead and feed you. It's your job to support the team. Hold up our hands! In the Old Testament tabernacle the candlesticks had to be kept burning day and night because their light represented God's presence among His people. If a light so much as flickered, designated servants moved in immediately to refuel it and restore it to its original glow. Are you getting the idea? It's your responsibility to make sure the light doesn't flicker in your church or the fire go out in your pulpit. So pray for your us every day. And be sure to encourage us every chance you get. Because we really need it. The spiritual battle gets harder and longer as everyday passes. You are loved...