THE SHEPHERD’S CORNER

During the first Christmas Santy and I served at FIBC, I stumbled upon Zechariah 6:15 in my daily devotion, “Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God.” On its margin I scribbled a note, “God’s promise for FIBC.” He has fulfilled His promise!

Many of you have come to help build the temple of the Lord. Like Onesimus was to Paul the apostle, so are you to me—you have been very useful to me. Now I don’t do bulletin anymore, I am virtually not involved in retreat preparation, and I hardly do anything for Church Anniversary, Easter, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve. I know nothing about food preparation—I only eat—and I don’t touch the Lord’s Supper and the sanctuary’s decorations.

I haven’t even mentioned cleaning and worship teams, family and young couple’s fellowships, visitation team, and Lifeline and Impact’s groups. And, of course the children’s ministry. You have done it all. God has fulfilled His promise! He has brought you from far away places to help build our beloved church and He has blessed all you have done. God sees how diligently you have obeyed Him.

But, building the temple of the Lord is more than just doing these physical ministries. Building the temple of the Lord is also about caring for one another and about weathering the storms of life. I know some of you have faced difficult time but through the power of God and through the love of God’s people you have overcome it. That’s the unseen yet important part of building the temple of the Lord. Santy and I would like to thank you for all you have done. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything.

Pastor Paul