Hope of Glory by Lisa Thacker

Having been a pastor's wife for the last fourteen years, I have had the privilege of seeing a lot of people come and go in our church. Everyone of them, of course, has formed some kind of opinion about me, my busband, and our children. believe me, they're not all good opinions either. However, we have managed with the grace of God, through His Word and much prayer, to get through. Most church members are clueless to the pressures and scrutiny that a Pastor and his family live under.

It's hard enough as Christians to live in glass houses and resist throwing stones; but most Pastors' families apparently seem to live in a "Magnifying Glass House"! Some people are watching & waiting to find fault in some area in our lives always assuming, always accusing and we are under scrutiny all the time, hence the pressure. Well, Shame, Shame, Shame if you're one of those people. No wonder churches are closing down.

I Peter 3:13-17 "And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Having a good conscience: that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ."

Over the years we have seen a great falling away of preachers, teachers, and faithful church members mostly because of sin, but partially because of the discouraging, unedifying, and always accusing attitudes that is so evident today. Understand that we are not without sin, and deserve some rebuking and chastening.

"... for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." I Peter 4:6. But, where is the restoration? Galatians 6:1 We are to restore when one is overtaken in fault, not destroy them! Praise God we have a Saviour who we are all going to stand before and give an account for our own actions.

We need to be nice, courteous, kind one to another and not assume the worst in or about people, especially Pastors and their family. Hey, remember, they are human, they are sinners just like you and just like me. "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." I Peter 4:7-11. If our hearts are right with God there should be real fervent charity present in our churches and our homes.

"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" I Peter 4:16-17.

Remember judgment begins at the house of God with us first!