Philippians 1:3 (KJV)
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
Paul was in a Roman prison at the time of this writing and, though I think he still held out hope of release, he must have known the weight of his circumstances. Indeed, by the time he wrote 2 Timothy, he knew his situation was settled and that he would soon be in the presence of his Lord.
After years of ministry—meeting and ministering to likely thousands of people, making multitudes of friends, and many enemies—Paul had time to reflect on them all.
And he said, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”
Having been a believer now for forty-nine years, a church member for forty-six years, and a preacher of the gospel for forty-three years—and now having stepped out of pastoring—I have some time these days to reflect on the people I’ve met. So many have been friends, a few have turned into enemies, and a small handful are of such a kind that I cannot help but thank God every time I remember them.
I don’t think it would be prudent to list the names of individuals (although Paul did at times). I would hate to make anyone think they came second or didn’t place near the top of my memory list of thanksgiving. Every church I’ve been a part of has had members who became dear and precious, and whose memory still brings joy to my soul.
The church we were privileged to plant and then pastor for more than thirteen years in Astoria is always a precious memory. From the days of meeting in the abandoned gas station, to the memory of Mark Hunsberger stopping into my office (at the gas station) to inquire whether God would lead us to unite with Bayview Baptist Church just across the Old Young’s Bay Bridge, to men like Wayne Ward, Jack Burkhart, and Ed Jasper—whose memories cheer me practically every day.
The work of the ministry is work.
More than that, it is a battle. And as such, it carries with it a great deal of hardship and heartache. I want to make it the goal of the remainder of my life to lift up and encourage those men and their wives who are going through that.
But in these senior years of life, my most vivid recollections are not the losses and trials.
What I remember most are the answers to prayer, the moments of triumph, and the dearest friends a man could ever have this side of eternity.
#ThankfulMemories #FaithfulFriends #GratefulHeart #MinistryReflections #Philippians13KJV
Friends a Preacher Never Forgets — Reflections After a Lifetime in Ministry
Ministry is full of moments, but it’s the people God places in our lives that leave the deepest mark.
Who comes to your mind when you read Philippians 1:3?
Is there someone whose faithfulness, encouragement, or friendship still makes you thank God every time you remember them?
Take a moment and share their name or story in the comments. Your testimony might encourage someone else today.
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