Musings from a Musician
By: Valerie Pilkington
I just keep doing my best, pray that it’s blessed and Jesus takes care of the rest!
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV).
A few weeks ago I was signing in at the welcome table, and picked up a refrigerator magnet with the quote, “Have you Prayed for your Pastors Today?” and I paid special attention especially to the benediction Pastor Amy gave, The Lord bless you And keep you... etc. WE HAVE ALL BEEN BLESSED for the coming week, a special prayer blessing right from the Throne of God HIMSELF. For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring. (Isaiah 44:3 NKJV). Oh, may we always be thirsty for God’s WORD.
Do we realize how much our pastors do for us, and how they give their lives away? Amy, as our Shepard and preacher, and our example of love for our congregation, cares about each one of us, and it shows. Jeff as our Holy Ghost preacher uses Joy and enthusiasm as he preaches and prays, and Cliff as our evangelist leader, has the calling on his life to seek and save those who are lost; let us go get the lost.
Does anyone else remember the cards that Pastor Amy passed out to all of us? There are 3 “ x 8” cards to keep in our Bibles, with references such as: Everyday Prayers for your Spiritual Battle, Prayers of Repentance, Prayers for the Prodigals, and many other titles.
One such card is: Scripture-Based Prayers to Pray for Your Pastor. I love these cards: this one has specific categories, to pray over our pastors, such as Victory, Protection, Priorities and many more. I believe we should pray these over our pastors, but I noticed that there was no category for Rest and Refreshing in the Holy Spirit. We all need this Rest and Refreshing, especially our Pastors who take care of us and point us to Jesus, and send us out into the world around us. (If you want a card, this is located in the hall between the main entrance and the nursery, go pick one up).
I found some wonderful scripture on the rest and refreshing:
- And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him (1 Samuel 16:23)
- He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. (Psalm 23:3)
- The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesimus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 2 Timothy 1:16
Even Paul needed this rest and refreshing. Not to mention as I pray for someone,(and sing over them), I also get from the Holy Spirit, PEACE, JOY and an overabundance of God’s LOVE, and yes a Refreshing comes into my soul.
Do you really want a refreshing? Please listen to : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnC7z03QkEM. If the link does not work, please look up The Blessing, by Kari Jobe on You Tube. The lyrics are primarily taken from passages of Scripture: the priestly blessing of Aaron in Numbers 6:22-27
- The Lord bless you And keep you Make His face shine upon you And be gracious to you The Lord turn His Face toward you And give you peace Amen.
- May His favor be upon you And a thousand generations And your family and your children And their children, and their children May His presence go before you And behind you, and beside you All around you, and within you He is with you, He is with you In the morning, in the evening In your coming, and your going In your weeping, and rejoicing He is for you, Amen.
- “The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17).
Let’s pray and sing over our Pastors, the REST and REFRESHING comes on us ALL.
