I just wanted to take a few moments to send a note to thank you for your encouraging testimony this past week.
The Bible tells us in Psalm 107:2 – “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;”
What an encouragement it is to have you stand and give praise to God for what He has done in your life. Only eternity will reveal the many lives that have been touched as a result of listening to a testimony such as the one you gave.
Dear
Some Sunday mornings as I prepare for service, I look out the window and I see the church bus pulling in, packed with children from our community. It always makes me smile, but when I stop and really think about what it means, it brings tears to my eyes.
These are children that may not otherwise be brought to church. They may never attend Sunday School, never get baptized, never learn that Jesus loves them. As a pastor, I can’t do everything that needs to be done. That is why God put faithful members like you in First Christian Church.
There are so many jobs that need to be done in order to have a church run smoothly. Many, such as preaching and singing, are seen every time we gather together. Those blessed with certain talents hear often the thanks and appreciation of their brothers and sisters in Christ. Then there are those tasks that are done behind the scenes. These jobs are sometimes even more important to the church than the singers and the ushers, but often those who go about quietly completing these jobs are often taken for granted.
I wanted to write to let you know how much I appreciate you. You have served this congregation as pastor with wisdom, prayerfulness and faithfulness. Your service does not go unnoticed.
Of course, you have taught us well that the only appreciation that really matters comes from God, and I am sure that He has taken notice of all that you have done, and continue to do, for First Christian Church.
I was thrilled to see you back in church, and I was even more thrilled to learn that you are very serious about lining your life back up with God’s will. It’s not always an easy thing to come back to God once we’ve made mistakes. I want you to know that God is pleased with your decision, and I am very proud of you for taking this first step.
God does not hold a grudge against us. Whatever you did in the past is in the past. The same way that we cannot rest on our good works of yesterday, neither should we continue to feel shame in yesterday’s mistakes.