PASTORAL BLESSING

01/20/2024

"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you." (Hebrews 13:17)

There is profit in having a pastor. But there is even more profit in having your pastor perceive you favorably, not with eye service but by your conduct toward God and your commitment to follow pastoral instructions. Hear me, the one who has no pastor and says, "Jesus is my pastor" is in a very dangerous place. Jesus says to that one, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you would be cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth" (Revelation 3:15-16).

Understand that our kingdom is so designed that even the "greatest" pastor on earth has a pastor. Colossians 1:16 clearly describes the divine design: "For by Him [Jesus Christ] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him." And the one who has no one ruling over him or her in our kingdom is a rogue operative. 

That said, if you are reading this and you do not have a pastor, you are spiritually exposed, and all you need to do is to yield your heart to the Lord, and before you reach the end of this devotional, He will lead you to His chosen pastor for you. 

Now, returning to today's theme scripture, it says, "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you" (Hebrews 13:17). What this means is that there is profit for you if your pastor can give an account of you to the Lord with joy. And this profit is completely within your control to make happen.

Ephesians 6:5-6 says, "Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart." The untrained would look at this scripture and think it refers to employees. But the Christian is owned. The confession that brought you salvation was the confession of Jesus as your Owner, and the earthly masters referred to in this scripture include your pastors. Are you one to argue with your pastor? It is unprofitable for you. Repent. Are you one to mock or gossip about pastors? It is unprofitable for you. 

This year, if you cannot completely submit to your spiritual covering or find yourself struggling with following spiritual instructions, cry to the Lord for deliverance. He will answer you by granting you a voracious desire for the Word of God because it is a problem of immaturity. 1 Peter 2:2 says, "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby..." 

The Lord desires your profit, and He has deposited that profit in the person He has spiritually placed over you. 

God bless you!

Faith-Filled Confession

I walk circumspectly this year, not as a fool but as one who is wise, redeeming the lost kairos moments. I experience restoration of all as I renew my submission to God's anointed covering over my life. I profit by His prophet. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Day 19 of 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

Prayer of Praise

▪ Let's spend the Day in praise to our Father for His marvelous works in our lives throughout this year. '

▪ Praise Him for making the year exactly as it was told us through the mouth of our Man of God. 

Scriptural Reference: Psalms 67:3-6 2 Chronicles 20:21-22. 

 One-Year Bible Reading Plan: Genesis 46-48; Matthew 14:22-36