How many times have we asked ourselves in life: Is it worth it? It may be raising children that seem unappreciative and uncaring, or, maybe it is dreary homework, getting an education, or, just trying to live an overcoming Christian life. Is it worth it?

You are not the first one to ask such a question, and, you won't be the last. Regardless of the outcome and the hardship of raising our children, we still say at the end of the day: Yes it was worth it! But there is a far more important question I would like to address in this message. In our walk with Christ, the up hill's, and the down hill's, the heartaches, problems, labors, and sometimes sacrifices, is it worth it?

As a Pastor, perhaps when you have done the will of God to the best of your ability, and, when criticism seems to be the name of the game, is it worth it to keep pressing on? When the time is "not only coming" but is already here, when the flock will no longer endure "sound doctrine", but run after every crazy fad, prophecy, dream and revelation from Television's "man of the hour", is it worth it?

Pastors, have the most unique challenging task of any office in the Ministry if done properly. It is by no means an easy task, but, it is also a "most rewarding task"! The souls of men, women, boys and girls, hang in the balance! Although the rewards are great, so are the responsibilities! I believe that a good Pastor is one of God's "special Jewels". It has been said: that there is nothing "greater" than a good Pastor, and, nothing "worse" than a bad one!

In the Churches the Apostle Paul started, he did not want to leave them with just anyone in charge. He was so concerned about the Church in Philippi, that he had these loving words to say:

It is sad today, and, it is so very difficult, to find a really good "God called" caring Pastor.  One who watches over the flock lovingly, tenderly, watchfully, and fearlessly.  One who knows the awesome responsibility he has to the flock, and, to his God.

One who not only feeds the sheep, but binds up the hurts, the wounds, and realizes that he is not a Pastor "to be served", but, to serve himself!   Realizing, that the word Minister in the Hebrew, simply means "Servant"! It is quite the opposite today in many Churches. It is the "Pastor who gets served", and "quite well" I might add. Out of the many Churches in the last 43 years, (I have seen only three (3) Churches, where the Pastor sought to serve the people, rather than visa versa! It is much different in ministering to the flock constantly, rather than have the sheep at your "beck and call" so to speak. It is true also, that many times the congregation will try to take advantage of such a Pastor!

When some "good brother" in the Church is constantly finding fault with every thing you do, (or try to do), is it worth it? When he is so greatly talented to "sow discord" among the brethren, (and sisters), is it worth it?

When every thing you plan for in the outreach for souls, is considered to be the "wrong plan" by the Deacons of the hour, or, your best tithe payer, is it worth it? When you sometimes think that not one soul at the Church cares whither you succeed or fall flat on your face, is it worth it? Praise God for ever more, the answer is a resounding thousand times YES, IT IS WORTH IT! On this side of the "river" there will be much toil, heartaches, pain, suffering, tribulation, caring, praying, working, and much labor in the Master's Vineyard!

But, there is also the other side where the faithful Pastor, Teacher, Evangelist, and Saint of God can eventually lay down his cross at the Masters feet, and then sing with great gusto: "The toils of the road will seem to be nothing, when I've gone the last mile of the way"!

How close are you Pastor, Saint of God? I realize that you don't know for sure the hour of your "home going", but it is coming, and, could be very soon! Our few trials here will seem like fleeting moments, as we gaze into the eyes of the Master for the first time. On that beautiful morning when we see Jesus "just as He is", we will never regret for a moment that there was to much giving, praying, singing, loving, caring, sharing, reading, and least of all, the privilege we had to be able to serve the Wonderful Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on this old earth! YES; "IT WILL BE WORTH IT" SAINT OF GOD, DON'T YOU FORGET IT FOR A MOMENT!

I have never seen such a generation, when Children seem to have lost "all love and respect" for their parents, and, every one around them! Bad is good, and good is bad! I have seen loving Mothers up in years, place dinners on the table, with just about every imaginable good food there is, to then hear their unappreciative Son say: "Is this all there is to eat"?  Such heart break for a Mom,  who had labored over a hot stove to hear such rude, unthankful, spiteful, insensitive, and unappreciative, selfish, and disrespectful remarks. To have raised such a child, "is it worth it"?

I have seen (many) grandparents, that have not only raised their own children, but also have raised their Grandchildren! This is not the plan that God had laid out for His people. Through the inspiration of the scriptures, the Holy Spirit led Timothy to write these challenging  words:

These are strong words, but they are true today! Timothy said: That if you don't provide for your own, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE OF YOUR OWN HOUSE, THAT HE HAS DENIED THE FAITH and worse than a infidel, (UNBELIEVER). What is worse than an unbeliever? That is strong stuff! I know a precious old lady who has great difficulty in walking, but holds down a job at Wall-Mart, while trying to supply the needs of her grandchildren- and assisting her own healthy capable children as well. Is it worth it? She goes to Church faithfully, and no doubt prays for strength to keep working, so "she" can help  provide for her own Son's family! That is "his job" to provide, not his aged Mother! This is tragic! One day as she stands before God, she will be commended for the love and compassion she had for her grandchildren, who were at the mercies of their parents, and who would not provide for them.

I have never seen such a time in the Church world, when people that claim the name of Christ, still do the same old things that they did while a (sinner), they still maintain the same old habits, and the only thing changed many times, is the "shout, and running the isles of the Church". On the other hand, you see Christians that are doing their utmost to measure up to God's word. You see them take on the extra load, of the 90 percent who won't work in the Church, with it's upkeep. They seem to be the only ones that the Pastor can count on. Is it worth it to do all of this extra work?

When you are criticized for being so "super religious", for all of your "intolerance" of sin, for being called the "hypocrite" of the Church, is it worth it? When it seems that you have done your very best and no one seems to care, not even the family, is it worth it? Dear one, anything that we do that is backed up by God's word, MAKES IT WORTH IT! Jesus never promised any of those that followed Him, that it would be a "thrill" to the end, but, He did promise them "that He would be with them to the end", that made the difference.

I knew a precious Mother, who was either whipped, or locked out of her own house by her husband, when ever she went to Church. She would go to the neighbors house until her drunken husband sobered up. Was it worth it? Very much so! Her husband eventually came to the Lord, and was a faithful Christian, but it was all brought about by the love and perseverance of the loving wife. I might add, that many of her children came to know the Lord by her loving example. It was worth it!

I once knew of a man, and although while being raised in a Christian home by his Grandmother, he strayed far from the path he had been taught as a child. He drank,  and did many sinful things, but his Grandmother kept praying for his salvation. He even swore one day that he would never pray again, that he didn't need God, or,  anyone else, but his Grandmother kept praying! She prayed for him in jail, she prayed for him in prison, she never stopped praying for her Grandson. 36 years had gone by, and still no "praying Grandson"! Was it worth it?

One day out of total desperation, having almost wrecked his life,  and that of his family, he fell upon his knees and ask God for pardon for all of his many sins. He made a commitment to Christ, that still holds true today. A few years later, he went into the ministry, and has had the opportunity and privilege to reach many souls for Christ, all because of the grace of God, AND HIS GRANDMOTHERS PRAYERS! Was it worth it?

Remember dear friend, that there is nothing that you do for the Lord, that will not be rewarded! Your labors, tears, heartaches, concern, interceding, praying, witnessing, compassion, time, and love for others "will all be worth it"!

Yes dear one, it will be worth it, it will be worth it all!    Some say it is not worth it to be a Christian, but I say after 43 years of traveling this sometimes rocky path, it is a "thousand times worth it"! I would have no other life! How about you today, do you personally know the Lord Jesus as your Savior and Master? Have you ever had the privilege of having all of your sins forgiven? What a joy it is indeed, to know the Lord as your Savior. If you will ask Him, He will forgive you of every sin you have committed, and then give you a "peace" greater than you have ever known! Won't you do it right now? May God bless you is my prayer.

an unworthy Servant

Billy Blankenship