Focus for today . . .

Lots on my mind this morning; the devastation in Turkey and Syria, illness and impending death in several friends, lack of faith and even occult activity in others, a multitude of stuff in my February calendar, and a difficult project on my sewing table. In days like this, I tend to want escape, do something easy, work on a jigsaw puzzle, play solitaire, read a good book. However, my word for the year is FOCUS and the Holy Spirit is telling me to do that.

The word ‘focus’ is not in most English bibles. It does compare to paying attention and that term is often repeated. Most of the OT references quote the Lord and His prophets to pay attention to what God says and don’t listen to other gods. Only one verse says to focus on my livelihood: “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds” (Proverbs 27:23).

A few suggest the results of paying attention to God: “ . . .  Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea” (Isaiah 48:18).

The NT says the more I focus, the more the Lord will speak to me, and the less chance that I will drift away from Him. It also says if I plan on rebuking someone, I first need to pay attention to myself and to God’s Word.

And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (2 Peter 1:19).

Today’s devotional does not seem to address my scattered mind, but it does give me a focus by beginning with: “Faithful spiritual leaders are worthy of your appreciation and esteem” and taking note that Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi was to “all the saints” including the leaders and those who followed them. This is telling me to focus on our church, particularly the unity and submission in it and the joy it brings.

We had a special worship and prayer night on the weekend. One hundred and forty people came, many of them newcomers. The leaders gave a few instructions, then we sang and prayed after eating pizza together. It was a blessing to be there. However, before that and after it, two of the leaders shared burdens that are weighing them down. These burdens became my burdens too as I prayed for them.

When I told one of the leaders that the most I was doing in the church was praying. He was delighted to hear that, remarking that few do. Just letting him know I am praying brought joy to his face.

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. (Hebrews 13:17)

As the devotional writer says, Spiritual leadership is a sacred responsibility. Leaders are to lead, feed, and guard the flock of God, which Christ “purchased with His own blood.” They are accountable to God Himself for the faithful discharge of their duties.

I have a responsibility to obey and submit to my leaders as well as to pray for them.

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. (Hebrews 13:7)

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. (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)

Many people criticize and mistrust those in authority: teachers, pastors, policemen, politicians, and so on. This comes up as complaining and sometimes in violence. It weakens the ability of authorities to do good when they are continually under a barrage of criticism. As the pastor who wrote my devotion book says, “Many pastors suffer untold grief from disobedient and ungrateful people.” We know of one who committed suicide because of the way he was treated.

Jesus, the unity in our church is amazing. Our business meetings are short and sweet. Our leadership is trusted. This is a God-thing, something not seen in all the churches we’ve attended. I am thankful that our pastors and other leaders not only deserve appreciation and esteem, but get it. May that never change, yet do not let me take this for granted. Increase in me a godly attitude toward my spiritual leaders. Help me to contribute to unity and harmony within my church and encourage others to do the same. And thank You for giving me a clearer focus for today, both in my prayers and in whatever else You call me to do.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:3–14. Look for ways to pray for and support my church leaders.

Respecting Leaders (May 8, internet down)

Centuries ago when Saul was still king, David had been anointed to take his place. Saul knew it and went on a mission to kill David. However, David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) and refused to retaliate. On one occasion, he and his men were hiding in a cave when Saul and his men came into the cave. David had opportunity to strike the king down, but did not. He later said to Saul:

“Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed.’” (1 Samuel 24:11)

Fortner rightly connects this to an opposite attitude in today’s people. Instead of honoring those in positions of leadership as David did, God’s people are far too quick to pull them down, either verbally or literally, and with a great deal of disrespect, forgetting that it is God’s prerogative to put up leaders and remove leaders. The Lord may do that using public opinion, yet we need to tread carefully.

This is not to say leaders should be allowed to go against godly principles in their role. God’s Word says, “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach . . . .” (1 Timothy 3:1-2)

Leadership in the church is vital. God’s Word contains many reminders of what God expects of His pastors and shepherds. Yet in those reminders, others are also exhorted about submission to them in humility and with respect:

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (1 Peter 5:1-5)

Right from the beginning of being a Christian, I was puzzled that church meetings were conducted according to a political book called “Roberts Rules of Order.” Even though we live in a democratic country, it seemed to me that the church is in a theocracy, not a democracy. We are to do things in submission to the will of God, not by ‘majority rules’ or by ‘voting’ on issues.

This way of thinking too easily leads to electing officials by popular opinion rather than seeking the will of God, with the reverse also being true — godly and sincere pastors are sometimes put out of churches for the same reason — human opinion. Those who do this need to think twice. As today’s devotional says, true pastors are not hirelings to be seated and unseated by men. God says, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm.’ (1 Chronicles 16:22)

The Bible puts lofty standards on pastors, yet it also explains congregational responsibilities. Calling a pastor is an important decision, not to take lightly. They are to be treated as servants of the Most High God. Furthermore, we are not to bicker with one another about their value. Our role is lofty also. We are expected by God to put ourselves under the pastoral rule of that man. The Bible says:

“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.” (Hebrews 13:17)

“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.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)

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Jesus, I am thankful for the many godly leaders You have allowed me to experience and learn from. I’m glad for the desire to respect and encourage them. You gave me leadership positions with youth and women in the church and shown me a small part of the grave responsibility of church leaders. While we are all part of the same Body and equal in Your sight, leaders are in a special position and anointed by You. I must always remember this is Your will and give myself wholeheartedly to it.

Respecting leaders

In earlier days of going to church, people sometimes ‘joked’ that after the service they were going home to a meal of ‘roast pastor.’ In light of what God says, that is not at all funny . . .

“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.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)

Noting the bottom line regarding peace, this week our ladies Bible study group listened to a speaker who explained the importance of peace in our war against the evil one and sin. One of Satan’s tools to make our lives ineffective and joyless is to stir up trouble that ruins the peace of God. If this enemy can produce disharmony, and strife, that will do it. Peace is gone and we are down for the count. From the above verse, hitting us with a lack of respect for our spiritual leaders is one of those producers of disunity and strife.

The writer of Hebrews also admonishes God’s people in this vital area of Christian life . . .

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith . . . Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 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. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.” (Hebrews 13:7–19)

The Bible is clear; instead of roasting the pastor when his sermon is not what I want or expect, I’m to pray for him realizing that anything else is very likely a tool of the devil to stir up strife.

The devotional reading for today points out that our sinful human tendency is either to treat God’s servants with contempt like some did with Paul in Galatia (Galatians 4:16), or to regard them with an adoring, worshipful reverence, as Cornelius did with Peter (Acts 10:25). Both attitudes are wrong.

The faithful gospel preacher is only a human being, not pedestal material to worship and follow blindly. At the same time, he is God’s messenger. He needs to speak the truth in love, but also must not be despised, ignored or treated with contempt.

These verses make plain that as well as respecting my leaders, I’m also know them. The deeper I know each one, the more I will understand their needs and burdens. That makes prayer in God’s will much easier. Prayer for others also solves the problem of being always on their backs and puts me on their team. We must  work together for the sake of the Gospel. 

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Jesus, You are increasingly showing me the bigger picture of how Satan works. I can see how he promotes extreme attitudes because they often produce strife. Our effectiveness as God’s people is spoiled when we are at odds with one another. You tell us to have peace among ourselves, so my prayer is that You will deepen my ability to be a peacemaker. Also, enable me to pray more effectively for my church leaders.