So....Pastor, you have discovered that everyone doesn't love you. Someone actually dislikes you. They don't like your preaching. They are critical of your wife and watch your children like a hawk. They give the impression to others that they are devoted Christians, but truthfully they are full of envy and jealousy. They resent going off to work while you sit in your office studying your Bible.
They tell others that they think you get your sermons off the Internet. You are not nearly as smart and scholarly as a previous pastor was. He knew some Greek words. You haven't visited their ex-cousin-in-law who has been in the hospital in the next county. You bring new people into church and they make them feel uncomfortable. As soon as they get the chance, they will inform the new people about what is all wrong about the church.
You can't get them to come to prayer meeting, but they always show up for business meeting; to express their opinion. You see needs that could easily be met by the church. There is plenty of money in the treasury. But they insist that we "take up a special offering." They seem ready to support mission projects in far off lands, but say too much money is being spent on the youth program or gasoline to pick up children in the church van.
They sit for hours waiting to be the first into the big college game, but when it gets close to 12:00 in church, they start rustling around and looking at their watch. They bemoan the decline of the community and note the declining church attendance, but they don't want the kind of people who now live around the church. Yet, they get teary eyed when they say they wish they were in a position to go on a mission trip to Africa.
When you tell a humorous story to lighten the mood, they are offended and too spiritual to laugh. You are not to have any political views -- unless they are the same as theirs. Oh....No. Now you hear that they have been visiting another church ....and you may lose them!!! Oh my, pastor, what will you do? Everyone will blame you.
Psalm 3 (New International Version)
A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
O LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
"God will not deliver him."
But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.
Arise, O LORD!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.
Remember 1 Peter 5:10 says the Lord will only let you suffer for a little while and then. Restore you.
In Ephesians 3:20 He says He will restore you greater than anything you can ever ask for.
You know the scriptures in James and you will grow from whatever he allows you to go through.
I love Romans 8:28 where God says He allows all things for Good to those who love him and are called according to his plan. That's you Pastor.
You are obedient and he is going to bless you!
Don't forget He says he will provide your needs and not to be anxious about anything, just trust him. He is always right, has never made a bad decision, starts what he finishes which is a good work in and through you and has never failed at anything. He resides in you and you stand tall as he walks in your shoes and looks through your eyes. The best part is that he will never leave or forsake you.
By Golly, you are a winner and can't fail in spite of what Satan is attempting. I am so glad satan is already beaten. He may win a battle or two here or there, but if you just start singing hymns and praying and praising him, satan and his demons will have to flee.
Remember what you are suffering is nothing compared to what Jesus suffered. Keep your eyes on the Lord and not on your problems. When you are weak, just draw on his strength. Remember He is carrying you when you are too weak to walk.
We love you and that is enough.
