They are to be watchmen. God told Ezekiel He had made him a watchman for Israel, with two duties: to hear from God, and to give the people God's message (Ezek. 3:17). (Google image, What are the duties of the Pastor?)
Thirty chapters later God repeated the same basic message. He then went on to say that the leader was responsible to let everyone know adequately God's warning and message.
If he failed to give God's message, God would hold him accountable for the blood of the people (Ezek. 33:1-9). In Isaiah 62:6 God added to the role of the watchman the responsibility of intercession.
There were really no pastors in the Old Testament period, although both prophets and kings chosen by God at times exercised some of the roles of the watchman. Shepherd was another term used in the Old Testament times for the spiritual responsibility of leaders.
God wants you as a christian worker to have the heart of a shepherd. Every leader is responsible to shepherd all the people under his influence and care. Each elder and deacon in a local church shares some of the shepherding responsibility.
Every Sunday school teacher or leader of a church group has a like responsibility. A bishop of a denomination or superintendent of a Christian organization is responsible to shepherd the pastors or Christian workers under his supervision.
Shepherding is one of the most important and needed roles among the people of God. To some extent every Christian is responsible to help shepherd those younger in faith and also those young in age.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.
#39 The Shepherd Heart
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 136-137) ZondervanPublishingHouse
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| Man in prayer (Google image) |
Father, help us to understand that it is essential for us as leaders, to have a shepherd heart as a parent, Pastor, or some other ministry assigned us.
Each of our elders and deacons, as well as the pastors in our local churches, are responsible to shepherd all those under their care.
Every Sunday school teacher and leader of a church group has a like responsibility.
May we be urged by the Holy Spirit to increase our love and concern for those we lead in one way or another.
I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Each of our elders and deacons, as well as the pastors in our local churches, are responsible to shepherd all those under their care.
Every Sunday school teacher and leader of a church group has a like responsibility.
May we be urged by the Holy Spirit to increase our love and concern for those we lead in one way or another.
I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Today's Bible verses-
Rom. 7:24-25 (KJV) "O wretched man that I am
who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
(v. 25 a) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Rom. 8:11 (KJV) "But if the Spirit of him that raised
up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised
up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal
bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you ."
1 Cor. 12:28 (KJV) "And God hath set some in the
church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly
teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings,
helps, governments, diversities of tongues."
Rom. 7:24-25 (KJV) "O wretched man that I am
who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
(v. 25 a) I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Rom. 8:11 (KJV) "But if the Spirit of him that raised
up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised
up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal
bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you ."
1 Cor. 12:28 (KJV) "And God hath set some in the
church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly
teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings,
helps, governments, diversities of tongues."
Check out Ron's message about the donkey Jesus rode into Jerusalem on, that it was untamed and never-been-ridden . . .
Referring to the change Jesus made in his unruly life, Ron said, "I don't have to go far to see a miracle. I can look in the mirror."
"The sun descends in glorious colors. The clouds reflect the sunlight adding beauty to the scene. We become incredibly beautiful when
we reflect the majesty of God. Jesus' death and resurrection opened the door to enable us to reflect that incredible beauty for all eternity."
Our quote today:
~ By hopecity "When you pray in earnest, you come face-to-face with the God of the universe, the God who shows you grace, the God who adopts you, the God who guides and strengthens you.
The most amazing thing about prayer is we are communicating directly to the Lord Almighty who is the final authority over everything . . . We just need to talk and listen.
As we spend time in His presence talking to Him, listening to Him, reading His Word and meditating on His principles, eventually we will grow to a place in our relationship with God that we recognize and understand what He is saying to us."
Upcoming posts-
#40 Jesus, the Model Shepherd
29th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
A Reason For Everything
31st- Saturday's post by Fran Pasch
#41 The Shepherd's Role
4/3rd- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#42 The Shepherd Leads Constantly to Spiritual Refreshment
5th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
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