SPIRITUAL
DIARY FOR 08-01-03
My
Worship Time Focus: Submit to your
spiritual leaders
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: Hebrews 13:17
1. Message of the verse: “17 Yield to those taking the lead of you,
and submit, for they watch for your souls, giving an account, that they may do
this with joy, and not with groaning; for this would be no profit to you.” (Greens LLIT)
“Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and
they know they are accountable to God.
Give them reason to do things joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your
benefit.” (NLT)
The reason
for jumping to verse seventeen is because I am following the outline in Dr.
Wiersbe’s book on Hebrews; “Be Confident.”
This verse and also verse twenty-four tie in with the his sub-title,
“Submitting to spiritual leadership.” A
believer in Jesus Christ is to submit to the leadership that is over him. Now I must say that the leadership must not
be a dictator, or someone who is not following the principles for a leader that
is outlined in the Scriptures, especially the ones in the Pastoral
letters. The pastor is appointed by the
Lord to do His work of leading and guiding the flock that the Lord gives him to
lead. The believer’s responsibility is
to follow that leadership, and yield to the leaders in matters of life. The leader is responsible to watching over
your soul, and he must give an account to the Lord Himself one day. The Pastor wants to be able to given an
account with joy for all those who are in his flock. He does not want to have to give a bad
report, for if he has to do that it will not be for the benefit of the one who
is in question.
In closing
remarks on this verse I would like to say that the Pastor who is called by the
Lord has a very big responsibility to the Lord for all who are under his care,
and a Pastor’s job is of the highest calling and not to be taken lightly at
all.
2. Spiritual meaning for my life today: Again, as in yesterday’s verse, I am glade to
be studying about this subject in light of the up coming vote for our senior
Pastor. I know that I am responsible to
the Lord for how I vote on this important issue, and I do not take lightly the
importance of it. After having conversation
with Bruce on this issue I have come to the conclusion that I am to vote by
asking the Lord what will be the very best for Grace Baptist Church? I have given a great deal of thought on this
subject and have prayed about it at some length also, and I would ask the Lord
to continue to give me peace about my decision and that His perfect will be
done for His Church that I attend.
I want to
also say that after studying these verses and others like them I have come to
the conclusion that I need to support my pastor that the Lord give us more, and
I do have a great deal more respect for this high office. Again Lord, I would pray that Your perfect
will be done in the choosing of our new senior pastor.
The Word of God was refreshing to my heart, and it also
gave conviction, and challenged my heart as I read it this morning.
My
Steps of Faith Today: I
want to take the Lord at His Word, who is the Head of the Church, that He will
provide, in His perfect will, the Pastor that He wants for our church.
Memory verses for the week:
Psalm 121:1-6
1.
I will lift my eyes to the mountains; From whence shall my
help come?
2.
My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.
3.
He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will
not slumber.
4.
Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5.
The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your
right hand.
6.
The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night.
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