Pastor, Have a Joyful Christmas

My prayer for you this week is that God will bless and anoint your ministry. I’m so thankful for your testimony of faith and obedience. For such a time as this, God placed you in leadership at your church, and he has equipped and provided you with everything you need to be the servant leader he requires for your congregation.

God is glorified and honored by your tireless work and sacrifice. What you are doing now will bring so many people into God’s family! The time, energy, and sacrifice are worth it all. Because of your obedience, God is doing a great work through you.

You bring pleasure to God because you have a heart full of praise and thanksgiving. God is pleased with this worship, and he knows it works both ways. When we express our thanks to God for what he has done for us, it brings him joy — but it also increases our joy. The book of Psalms says, “The righteous are glad and rejoice in his presence; they are happy and shout for joy” (Psalm 68:3 TEV).

Our joy is a continuation of the joy sent that first Christmas. The angel said, “… I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people. This very day in David’s town your Savior was born—Christ the Lord!” (Luke 2:10b-11 TEV)

Your heart filled with joy will bring joy to your congregation. I am so blessed to co-labor with you, and I pray that God will anoint your ministry with joy this Christmas season and throughout the coming year.

Your friend,

Rick Warren

Photo by Marian Trinidad via CreationSwap.