Our Cross is our Crown

Well my glory cloud has burst. I'm headed back down to the valley. It was a great and awesome trip. It always amazes me how those closest to you are so eager to escort you to the valley. Bro. Nathaniel preached a message on Sunday, " Does the devil know your name?" It feels like he recites mine in his sleep. lol I realize God allowed me to learn something new and powerful to keep me when my storm comes. Tried by the fire to come out as pure gold. That reminds me of the tea cup story. The fire can get so hot it seems unbearable and the molding of our clay can be so uncomfortable. Back to the potter's wheel. I have to broken again.
We are at our best when we are broken. Being broken is such a hard place to reach and such a painful process. Its hard to see the outcome is beauty. I remember telling a pastor friend of mine one time " Your cross is your crown" He smiled at me and said "Sis Noel I cant wait for that crown this cross is killing me.." I often prayed for Him and His wife and I still do. I always thought about the crosses we all carry. Especially the ministry. I know it seems from the outside looking in so picture perfect but I know from the burdens God has placed upon me their crosses our much bigger and heavier. To much given, much is required. It is so important to pray for your pastor and his wife and their children. We don't know what they go through to be who they are. I'm not sure why I am saying this, but God changed my venue half page down. Our ministry pays the highest price to get what we benefit from in the kingdom of God. They experience the hardest struggles and deepest attacks of the enemy. If the devil can get them to compromise or get depressed how can they effectively lead the body? We can only have great revival if first revival is ignited in the heart of the ministry. Miracles and the supernatural can only dwell in the midst of a pastor who God has breathed the gift of FAITH on first. How did I arrive here? OK Lord, Your words not mine. I feel to encourage everyone who reads this to pray a little more for your pastor and his wife today. Go a little deeper, reach a little higher for them. Pray and intercede for their children. Those children fight harder than any children to keep the blessings of God on their life. The responsibility of the whole church is huge. I think about how I worry and pray so hard just to keep my own little family saved, IMAGINE the responsibility of the man of God. The responsibility for all of our SOULS... I couldn't imagine. I think sometimes I take for granted our ministry as a whole, how much they put into us. How high the cost is for them to pay. They need our prayers and support and unconditional love. They may disappoint you because they are human. But they are who God appointed to be over us. Our umbrella from the rain. There is safety there. They are our spiritual leaders, sometimes its difficult to keep up the image, but thank God they do!! I never had to see Sis Nelson lose her composure or be a hypocrite. She always was a faithful, steadfast, dependable christian example, who never wavered. I'm sure at home her children got to see a side of her we never did. I thank God for that. Because there are times I know she was going through hell on earth or suffering through one of the many trials in her walk with God, but she was there with a smile, with a praise, with love for the people. How could she do that if there were not saints of God holding her up in prayer? That doesn't come naturally. Believe it!! Well I don't know why I said all this. I'm not trying to make brownie points I just have such a love and burden for our ministry. That doesn't come naturally. I thank God for the love and respect He gave me for them. God puts them on my heart. I wouldn't do it on my own if He didn't. Pray like you never have for those who lead you. God will do a work like we have never seen in these last days. They are going to need a supernatural strength to save our cities and birth a mighty revival. So pray saints of God and get ready for battle. God is coming soon and we need to ready! Our ministry goes before us that is why we must pray for them the most!