ENCOURAGING THOUGHTS - Pastor Bill Ivy - FRIDAY - OCTOBER 29, 2021
We all feel like we need a time of rest. Especially American's, we need our vacations, our time of leisure with no responsibility, to do what we want to do. And, yes, there is a time we need rest, however, Jesus in His Work on earth rested very little, even though he wanted to and needed it. There was something always more pressing that needed to be done.
He tried to sleep as they traveled in a boat, but was awakened to speak to the storm. This was also calming the storm of doubt in the hearts of the disciples. They should have known, regardless of the storm, Jesus was in the boat. That should have been enough for them. He rested with a desire to be awakened to do the work He was called to do.
He took His disciples aside to rest in a desert place, and the people followed Him. Instead of resting Jesus was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd and began to teach them.
After the service He even prepared a meal for the thousands of people that were there. Taking five loaves and two small fish and multiplying it to satisfy their natural hunger.
People still need a Shepherd with compassion that goes beyond their own natural desires to find leisure time to do what we want to do. We all have someone that needs our care, more than we need to care for our own personal pleasures! Just look around, they may be following you.
It has been said by a prophet to this generation, that God does not want "whispering pastors." I do not thing He wants LAZY pastors either - but shepherds that will give their heart and soul to the service of those that the Holy Ghost has made them overseers of.
WILLIAM BRANAM IN HIS SERMON -"STANDING IN THE GAP"
"...Moses stood in the gap for the people. Then I wonder, in this day, of this loose, lazy, soft Laodicea age that we live in. We all know, and have been through the Church Ages, that we're living in the last age, the Laodicea Church Age. And this lazy, loose, happy-go-lucky, joking, sinful age of lust that we're living in now, it's a wonder that God doesn't just say, 'Step back, church, I'll just a liquidate the whole group.' What a age that we're living in! "
Pastor Bill Ivy - Living Word Tabernacle, Campbell Missouri - www.livingwordtabernacle.com