Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

A pastor’s responsibility to nurture and strengthen the souls of his congregation is tremendous. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that lives are at stake; not terrestrial, earthly lives, but eternal ones. The right message could plant mustard seeds of faith into a stranger’s heart, but false or misguided teaching could turn many away who would have come to Christ. In Hebrews 13, Paul implores the early church not to make it harder on their leaders and teachers by having a poor attitude. He never instructs believers to embrace questionable doctrine without a second thought, but you should obey the good and righteous people God has put over you and be willing to be corrected by them. It usually isn’t the teacher who needs instruction, but the student.

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Tuesday, October 24, 2023
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Chances are you know plenty of people who are working hard to make an impact for Christ, whether they’re teaching Sunday school, hosting bible studies, or preaching on Sunday morning. They may seem like everyday people… and you’d be right. God uses unsuspecting, ordinary, even flawed people to do great things in His name. The people who obey His call are worthy of not only high esteem, but also love and support from the Christians around them. If believers don’t support each other, who will?

Monday, October 23, 2023

Monday, October 23, 2023
1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

Age means experience, experience means character, and good character demands respect. You and I should respect our elders, who came before us and helped shape the world we now live in. Those who have walked with Christ for a long time have doubtless helped others on their walks, too, sharing wisdom gained from experience. They’ve not only changed lives here on earth, but they’ve added lives to God’s Kingdom. Sometimes it’s natural, but sometimes it’s hard work. Don’t let the elders in your life go unappreciated.

Friday, October 20, 2023

Friday, October 20, 2023
Acts 20:28
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

The first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, but the second greatest commandment is to take care of the people He has placed in your life. Jesus told His followers to treat everyone with kindness and respect, even your enemies, but the Word puts special emphasis on taking care of fellow believers. The Body of Christ, God’s people, are carrying out His will here on earth, spreading the gospel and making disciples in all nations. You as one of His sheep should be ready and willing to help and support the flock in any small or big way you can, treating each Christian as an ally, soldier, and sibling in Christ.

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Thursday, October 19, 2023
Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.

Jesus didn’t stand up for Himself while He was being beaten, whipped, and crucified. When asked if He was the Son of God, He responded truthfully, and the King of the Jews was crowned with thorns. At any moment Christ could have stopped the torture, eased His own pain, or split the miserable earth in two, but He didn’t. There was something far more valuable at stake; something that the Creator didn’t want to spend forever without. You. You, and any lost sheep who are willing to accept the spotless Lamb of God as their Savior and King.

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

It takes honesty to admit that you’re flawed, but not much honesty. Our sin and deprivation are impossible to hide or ignore, because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. If His standard is perfection, no one has gotten close… not even people we would call saints. Even if you heal and improve yourself, there’s nothing you can do to wipe away the mistakes of your past. Which is exactly why God’s people needed a sacrifice; a one-and-done payment for the sins of not only the Jewish people, but the world. Will you accept the payment for your mistakes? Or are you still trying to atone for them yourself?