The principles he proclaims and the biblical standards of conduct he teaches can have a profound effect upon his people. Their righteous attitudes and actions then affect society and government. (Google image, Preacher)
The shepherd must help them to lead such righteous lives that they become the salt of society and the Christian light in the secular and pagan darkness around them. This is the meaning of "He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." "For his name's sake" means both "in accordance with His holy nature" and "for the honor of His name."
Bible standards teach hard work, integrity in employment and all of life, frugal expenditures, and assistance to the needy. This not only helps the church make a wholesome impact upon society, but also brings reward from the Lord. God blesses believers with peace, spiritual and physical blessing, and sometimes with personal prosperity also.
Just as counseling is one of the primary roles of the Holy Spirit, so counseling is an important aspect of the shepherd's ministry. The Greek word parakletos, which Jesus used as a name for the Holy Spirit in John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7, can be translated Comforter, Helper, or Counselor.
In fact, some Bible translations prefer "Counselor." The Holy Spirit is given to us to guide us into all truth (John 16:13) and in many other ways. He loves to lead each Christian (Rom. 8:14).
The Holy Spirit is the Counselor of every believer, but he is specially available to equip you as a shepherd to guide in counseling God's people who are under your leadership.
If you have a shepherd heart, you will constantly see needs for loving, wise, and biblical teaching and counseling. You need constantly to pray and ask for the Spirit's counsel and anointing in this aspect of your ministry.
You become the trusted friend and advisor of your people. They often put special weight on your counsel because they recognize you as God's representative to them. How careful you must be that you yourself are being led by the Spirit as you in turn lead and advise them.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.
#44 The Shepherd Must Give Guidance to His People
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 149-150) ZondervanPublishingHouse
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| Prayerful woman |
Father, as a spiritual leader, we are closely watched and our words and example are followed by those we lead.
Help us to be true to You, and not be guilty of misleading anyone in our living among them, as they tend to believe we hear from You.
As leaders in our churches, we must encourage and teach those who we lead to live righteous
lives, and to become the salt of society and the Christian light in the secular and pagan darkness around us.
May we teach that hard work, integrity in employment and all of life, frugal expenditures, and assistance to the needy helps the church make a wholesome impact upon society, and also brings reward from You.
As we become a trusted friend and advisor of our people, they put special weight on our counseling. Help us be careful that we take time to pray and to seek Your guidance and power to lead and advise them.
I ask this, knowing that You will help me to be the counselor You need in my position of leadership, whether it be in my home, at work or in a responsibility in my church.
In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Help us to be true to You, and not be guilty of misleading anyone in our living among them, as they tend to believe we hear from You.
As leaders in our churches, we must encourage and teach those who we lead to live righteous
lives, and to become the salt of society and the Christian light in the secular and pagan darkness around us.
May we teach that hard work, integrity in employment and all of life, frugal expenditures, and assistance to the needy helps the church make a wholesome impact upon society, and also brings reward from You.
As we become a trusted friend and advisor of our people, they put special weight on our counseling. Help us be careful that we take time to pray and to seek Your guidance and power to lead and advise them.
I ask this, knowing that You will help me to be the counselor You need in my position of leadership, whether it be in my home, at work or in a responsibility in my church.
In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Today's special link: Ivan Parker, son of a preacher man
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| (Google image) |
Today's Bible verses-
the Holy Ghost is come upon you."
James 5:16 (MSG) "Confess to one another therefore
your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses,
your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you
may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind
and heart]. The earnest (heart-felt, continued) prayer
of a righteous man makes tremendous power available
[dynamic in its working].
Today's quote-
Fred D. Jarvis- "Call it what you will, there is a call to the higher life, the fuller life, the deeper life, the consecrated life, the victorious life, the Spirit-filled life. How desperately we need a fresh visitation from God, a new consciousness of God's presence and power, a new anointing of His Holy Spirit!" We Need The Supernatural Power Of The Holy Spirit (click to read the whole article).
[Taken from Herald of His Coming newspaper, Vol 77, No 3 (915), p. 1. Used by permission.]
Today's question-
Do our fervent, powerful prayers accomplish much?
Jesus wants us to know our lives count and that we have an eternal value. We need to have purpose-driven lives that tend to accomplish much, and one important way is through tender-hearted concern for others.
When we lift them up in heart-felt prayers, it is providing the Holy Spirit the permission to get involved in the matter brought to His attention from our point of view.
As He examines our hearts intents, He knows how concerned we have become, and He delights in answering each prayer, though not always like we think, but in the best interest of those we pray for; what will honor Him.
Ask God for His help to do His will for you, as you are meant to have a relationship with Him and to be on His mission for the sake of others; to pray for them, as well as for yourself.
Do our fervent, powerful prayers accomplish much?
Jesus wants us to know our lives count and that we have an eternal value. We need to have purpose-driven lives that tend to accomplish much, and one important way is through tender-hearted concern for others.
When we lift them up in heart-felt prayers, it is providing the Holy Spirit the permission to get involved in the matter brought to His attention from our point of view.
As He examines our hearts intents, He knows how concerned we have become, and He delights in answering each prayer, though not always like we think, but in the best interest of those we pray for; what will honor Him.
Ask God for His help to do His will for you, as you are meant to have a relationship with Him and to be on His mission for the sake of others; to pray for them, as well as for yourself.
Upcoming posts-
Offenses Will Come
Offenses Will Come
4/14th- Saturday's post by Jean Oathout
#45 The Shepherd must be With His People in Their Time of Need
17th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#46 The Shepherd's Accountability
19th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Self-Discipline: The Missing Element in Christianity
21st- Saturday's post by James H. Cagle
21st- Saturday's post by James H. Cagle
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| Bergenia #8 |
Jean's published book Paper back $7.95
(Be sure to "look inside" to see contents
through the 2nd devotion)
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