S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

1 Peter 5:2
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve.

O-bservation:

This was and is a word from the Apostle Peter to pastors and leaders of all time. He told them to approach their mission as a shepherd. He said you will have a portion of God’s flock that has been assigned to you, and you need to lead them with the attitude that says, “I Don’t Have To, I Get To!” Peter said that’s the way God wants you to serve his people.

A-pplication:

I have to tell you that I have been all around this planet and seen “A LOT,” in these more than five decades of Christian service. For the most part, the pastors and leaders of God’s people I’ve met during my years of service have loved their calling and the fact that they “GET TO” serve the Lord’s people on a daily basis. On the other hand, I’ve met people who approach the work of the Lord as a job with benefits. It’s all about them and their needs and what they can squeeze out of this opportunity for themselves. The actual people they’ve been called to serve in a given location are mere pawns in their “Game Of Thrones,” so to speak. Nothing could wound the heart of God more than a leader of his people who happens to be in it for themselves. Everyday, I do my best to pray and ask myself the question, “Am I a minister of the Gospel because I’ve been called or because it’s a great job?” With God’s help today, I still say, “I Don’t Have To, I Get To.”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

This AM, I am reminded that you called me to be a minister of the gospel a long, long time ago. And Lord, I’m so happy you did. Through the years, I often have said to myself, “I get to do the most fulfilling thing on planet earth.” Loving and leading just a small sector of your people has been my joy. Thank you! Amen

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