Lord Jesus, you led me to 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 NIV today.
V16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Lord, help me to have your eyes, to see clearly. I want to see all people the way you see people. I want the eyes of a pastor who is ordained by you as an ambassador of Christ.
NOT EVERY MINISTRY LEADER IS ORDAINED BY CHRIST TO LEAD MINISTRIES
V17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Thank you for making me into a new creation. I am new this moment in time as I start my day with a spiritual shower. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness Lord, that I may walk totally clean before you in the purity of a clean soul. Wash away any sins on my soul, that I may dwell in harmony in your presence.
V18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
Yes, Lord. I accept this ministry, and I accept my mission: to do all I can do to propagate this ministry. Please give me your favor as I do so. Please direct my path.
V20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
THERE ARE MINISTRY LEADERS WHO ARE BEING SINFUL, AND NEED TO RECONCILE TO GOD
Yes, Lord. You had me memorize this scripture during my time with Acie Johnson, my first mentor in Christ, in 1987. Those were several great years and I am so grateful for him and the work that he has done to disciple me over the years. Please give me this same relationship with Buddy.
V21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Yes Jesus. We are the righteous of God. Help all of us to walk in that righteousness. Amen.
WARNING FOR FORMAL MINISTRY LEADERS
Dear Daniel, tell my people, especially the pastors who read this two-way prayer of yours: 3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1NIV
Yes, Lord, there are those who should stop teaching your Word, because they are not YOUR ambassadors. They are their OWN ambassadors. They are doing what they do for the wrong reasons. Help SOLIDpastors discern who they are, and to help those ministry leaders either get right with you, or step down from their positions until they get right with you and are given permission by you to hold themselves out, once again, as teachers of your Holy Word and ambassadors on your behalf.
Dear child, proclaim this: 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:22-23 NIV
Yes, Lord Jesus, yes, this is true. Help us to discern the evildoers who are in ministry but don’t belong there. The last part of our vision statement at SOLIDpastors, given to us by you, is so powerful: “… helping Christ’s ministry leaders finish well.” There are so many ministry leaders that are not ordained by you. Thank you for ordaining me, and Arthur, and the team at SOLIDpastors. Please help us to remain true to your vision for this ministry: “A coach for every pastor, and every pastor a coach, helping Christ’s ministry leaders finish well.”
Dear Daniel, I am with you and the team at SOLIDpastors. Enjoy them, and your time together. Help them to have great joy in their work, and encourage them to work for my glory.
All praise, honor, and glory belong solely to you. If any good comes out of this ministry, it is because of you and only you. We give you all the credit. Amen. Thank you Jesus – Lord, savior, friend, mentor, counselor, teacher, master – my all in all. Amen.
Your aspiring servant,
Daniel M.
3 April 2023