Speaker: RENEE MILLER
Words of Appreciation for Pastor Johnson and Lady Sharon Johnson
RENEE MILLER: Good morning. Excuse me. I look a mess. I'm in a robe. I don't have all makeup because it's 3 a.m. And I'm doing my morning Bible study and I, when I read the Bible study, the word this morning, I immediately thought of Pastor Johnson and, and sister uh Lady Sharon. And, and so I just said, well, let me share it now while it's on my mind because it doesn't matter what I look like. I hope what I say is what matters. Uh The Bible study this morning was from First Thessalonians chapter two and I'm gonna read verses three through 13 because this is you to me. And what the word says is for the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives. Nor are we trying to trick you? On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We're not trying to please people but God who tests our hearts. You know, we never use flattery nor do we put on a mask to cover up greed. God is our witness. We're not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else even though as apostles of Christ, we could have asserted our authority. Instead, we were like young Children among you, just as a nursing mother cares for her Children. So we cared for you because we love you so much. We were delighted to share with you. Not only the gospel of God, but our lives as well. Surely you remember brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship, we work night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preach the gospel of God to you, you are witnesses and so is God of how holy, righteous and blameless. We were among you who believed for, you know, that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own Children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God who calls you into His kingdom and glory. And we also thank God continuously because when you receive the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe I praise God for you. I thank you guys for coming into my life and, and the lives of so many others at the church and in the community, I live in Springfield, Missouri. But I was blessed all the way through COVID by the, by the word and the preaching and, and the ministry of you all. And I praise God for you. Thank you so much for what you've given and thank you on behalf of the rest of God's Christian people and the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
