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A personal word to all my pastor friends

Dear Folks,

About 20-years-ago I found myself going through an extremely difficult time in ministry. It seemed as if every demon in hell was turned loose with orders to harass me and cause me to give up and quit.

One of the most difficult points of attack came from someone whom I believed to be a friend...needless to say, that person was not the friend I believed him to be. It devastated me and drove me to the couch, where I pulled a blanket over my head and determined that I would not get up. Tears filled my eyes and I had a big pity party.

I cried and asked the Lord, "why do I ever trust anyone?" 

It was an honest cry and question from my heart. I laid there for quite some time...wondering why someone would ever purposely set out to hurt me while telling me they loved me. 

The Lord spoke very clearly to my heart. He told me to get up and quit feeling sorry for myself, that He totally understands betrayal and has experienced it Himself. Suddenly, I was ashamed of how I had acted.

As I got up off the couch and said out loud, "I will never get like this again." I have kept my promise.

Why am I sharing this tonight? Because I have seen the open attack on pastors, and I have seen them abused and mistreated. Granted....some have brought a lot on themselves...but it still doesn't make it right.

PASTOR, listen to me. Those critics who have you on the couch should not have that much control over you...rise up in the power of the Lord and in the Name of Jesus cast the depression off...after all...if your critic could do the job better than you, then God would have called them instead of you.

I am praying for you tonight! Be of good cheer...the Lord has overcome the world and you will too.

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