The Valley

As I type these words I'm on my last leg home from a great journey to the Holy Land...every trip is amazing and unique. Yesterday, while on our last portion of the trip we visited Mt Carmel. Surely you know this place...the prophet Elijah, prophets of Baal, prayer, and the fire of God. Check it out, I Kings 18. 
While at the site I read the passage and then made a couple of observations. We all recall what happened in the story but we often forget what happened after. Elijah should have been rejoicing in God's goodness and power but rather he was tired, discouraged, fearful, and alone. THIS IS NOT A GOOD COMBINATION!
Learn this, often time our greatest times of victory are followed by a season of testing. The valley follows the mountain! This was true for Jonah after the revival in Ninevah and it was true for Jesus after his baptism. We must all be on guard after great periods of favor and blessing. 
Secondly, God's men are not immune to these times of testing, in fact they may be the biggest targets! God greatly used Elijah but then he fell victim to the threats of Jezebel. If you're not aware every church has a 'Jezebel' or two...as does every community. In fact, a spirit of Jezebel is in our land! 
Having served as a pastor I know this and saw this first hand. So often I felt discouraged, fearful, weary...and alone. I imagine your pastor has felt that way a time or two himself. 
Let me encourage you to do a couple of things. It's Saturday, tomorrow you will gather at God's house with God's people to hear God's word from God's man. Will you stop and pray for him today? Will you text him a word of encouragement tonight? Will you show up in great support for his vision for your church tomorrow? I hope the answer to all of these is a big yes. 
Secondly, in a matter of a few weeks churches all over America will be or should be observing Pastor Appreciation Month.What will or what can your church do to encourage God's man and his family? Even his staff. Hebrews 13 says we are obey our leaders and are to show them appreciation. If your church does not normally do this type of thing...you should! God's word teaches this and God's choice servants deserve this. 
As a pastor it was hard for me to ever say those types of things but as a regular church member now I'm going to do all I can to help, support and encourage our pastors. Who is with me?