December 13, 2023

Colossians 2:1-3

Notes From the Pastor's Desk #notesfromthepastorsdesk
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📖Colossians 2:1-3 (ESV)
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

📘Pastor's Note:
This letter, written by Paul, specifically these verses of scripture, speaks to me and demonstrates Paul’s heart for God’s people, His church. The word “struggle” means to strive for, to fight for. It paints the picture of forceful, almost violent effort on behalf of the saints of God. This is the heart of a shepherd. His main concern, second only to his relationship with the Lord, is the flock of God. All a shepherd wants is to encourage and knit together one another in love so that they reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and knowledge of Christ. I feel Paul’s heart. I believe as a pastor, this deep love and desire for God’s people to know Him more, to grow in their faith, to be transformed by the washing of His word is at the heart of a shepherd’s calling. For me personally, much of my time is spent in prayer, that I will “struggle” for the flock God has charged me to care for. Sometimes, I ask myself, do I struggle enough for them? Does the flock know how much I truly love them? Do I care for them well enough? Maybe those are questions that further spur me on to struggle more and more for those that belong to Him. Pray for me and all pastors that have this calling on their lives, that we will “struggle” well in our service to the Lord, caring for His people.
🙏I'm praying for you always. ❤️

Pastor Jamie

Read the Chapter:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians%202&version=ESV​
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