Title

Honoring God’s Man

Scripture
This is the twenty-third year in which the word of the Lord has come to me but you have not listened.
(Jeremiah 25:3)
Devotional
Jeremiah was celebrating his twenty-third year in the ministry. Instead of being able to rejoice with the people, he was broken-hearted because of their unbelief. How sad that here was one of Israel’s greatest prophets and none would listen to him. I am sure that the people had many excuses. He preached too long. His sermons were boring. He was not relevant to the times. The list, I am sure, was extensive. Nevertheless, he was God’s man. God never promised to send an entertaining man to teach and minister to His people. He said that He would give them shepherds according to His heart who would feed them with knowledge and understanding. It is the wise man who listens to his pastor and receives instruction in knowledge and understanding. Therefore, honor your shepherd by having an ear to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to the church through him. He is God’s man.
Text For The Day
Jeremiah 25:3: “… This is the twenty-third year in which the word of the Lord has come to me; … but you have not listened.”
Thought For The Day

 “For you, I am Bishop, but with you, I am a Christian. The first is an office accepted, the second a grace received; one a danger, the other safety. If then I am gladder by far to be redeemed with you than I am to be placed over you, I shall, as the Lord commanded, be more completely your servant.” St. Augustine (354-430), Aurelius Augustinus, also known as Augustine of Hippo

Questions To Ponder
 
Morning Study Guide
Defining:  “Pastor”: Under shepherd, overseer of the flock, elder brother, bishop, presbyter, teacher, fellow laborer, and minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
Referencing: “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” Ephesians 4:11-12.
 
Applying: “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine,” 1 Timothy 5:17.