by Emily Wooten
Romans 13:7- Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another hath fulfilled the law.
Scriptures are rich with instructions and examples of showing love and appreciation. Paul often wrote about the principles of loving and showing love to one another.
Romans 12:9-13 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectionate, one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul explained that everything we do should be hinged on love, compassion, a yearning to see others blessed.
In John 13:34 we see where Jesus taught us to love one another.
{A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.}
Today we honor our Pastors with Pastor Appreciation Day. We will give them cards and gifts that serve to express our appreciation for their lives of service.
We see where God inspired David to give thanks to God. Psalm 92: 1-4 It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High: To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
Pastors Ron and Lisa Johnson have spent a lifetime offering themselves in service to our Lord and Master. They’ve worked with the hands to help us grow as a church body and as individuals.
Take a moment today and lift up all our leaders: in our families, our church, our city, state and nation. Raise their names to God our father and ask for insight, wisdom and courage. Scripture says, in 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.
We need God to show himself strong in our leaders: to give them wisdom and an understanding heart.
As we celebrate their 20 years at Fort Payne Church of God let us also rejoice in the years to come, and make them feel loved and appreciated.