Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Introduction: Very recently, I attended a Church of the Lutheran Confession pastoral conference. I was curious what favorite Bible verses these pastors cling to in their lives and why. So I asked. Twelve pastors responded.
FAVORITE BIBLE VERSES (3)
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
"One of my favorite passages is Philippians 4:6. It helps me to keep the right perspective on life. There's always reason to rejoice!"
Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
"This verse simply reminds me I'm forgiven."
As a pastor, I can say it is easy to be anxious about the ministry. Whatever the area of the ministry may be -- visiting the sick, widow, or shut in, counseling shaky marriages or family problems, teaching and training the youth, helping out on the various boards and councils, making calls, tending to the straying sheep, lending aid to the synodical work, preparing Bible classes or sermons, getting up in front of the congregation and delivering the Word of God, or simply leading the believers by example, it can be so easy to become anxious with the tasks required of the ministry. Even more so, it can be discouraging to recognize one's own failures through it all!
But God says "Be anxious for nothing." It means having the right perspective in life. It means trusting His perspective because no matter what occupation or task I face, in spite of my failures, "in Christ, I have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins ... and the riches of His grace!" In His mercy alone I find full and complete comfort, support, and strength to take everything to Him in grateful prayer, confident that He always hears me and I am never alone.
Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 651:3)
