The Word For Today Header




  Friday 5 September 2008 Print this Word For Today Send this Word For Today to a friend Search all Word For Today View the current Word For Today
Support your pastor!
"Hold them in highest regard."
1 Thessalonians 5:13 NIV

Phil Hines tells a humorous imaginary story about Jesus walking along the road one day and seeing a man crying. When He asked what was wrong, the man replied, "I'm blind," so Jesus healed him. Further along He met another man in tears and asked him the same question. He replied, "I'm lame," so Jesus healed him. Then He encountered a third man weeping. In response to Jesus' question he replied, "I'm a pastor." So Jesus sat down and wept right along with him! Pastoring can be a thankless job; that's why the Bible says, "Hold them in highest regard."
Somebody has described the "Perfect Pastor" as one who preaches 20 minutes and sits down. He condemns sin without offending anybody, works 16-hour days doing everything from preaching to sweeping, makes $400 a week and gives $200 back to the church, wears nice clothes, has a model family, supports good causes and helps beggars who stop by the church. He's 36 and he's been preaching for 40 years. He has a burning desire to work with the youth, and spends all his time with the senior citizens. He smiles all the time while keeping a straight face, because he has a keen sense of humour that finds him seriously dedicated. He makes 20 visits a day, spends every waking moment evangelising, and is always in his office in case he's needed. The bad news is, he burned out and died at 37!
Paul writes, "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God" (Heb 13:7 NIV). "...respect those...who are over you in the Lord... Hold them in the highest regard in love" (1 Thes 5:12-13 NIV). In other words, support your pastor!

Soulfood Bible Readings  
Ezek 14:1 - 16:52, Luke 20:20-26, Ps 27, Pr 20:5-6

An audio version of this Word for Today is also available    


 or

A reader's testimony

I don't know whether I believe in God or not. Every time I feel stressed and that my life is meaningless, I try to get myself out of the situation. But I'm trying to know more about Him and my friend showed me this website and I try to read everyday. Hopefully He can help me through these words.
anonymous from Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Share your testimony



 ·  Partnership Plan ·  Give us your feedback · 
 ·  Letter from the CEO ·  About this Publication ·  Partners · 




 



The Word For Today Daily Devotional is written by Bob & Debby Gass & Ruth Gass Halliday. Acknowledgements
The Word for Today is published in Australia by United Christian Broadcasters Australia (UCB).
© Copyright 2004-2008 www.ucb.com.au       Mission and Vision Statement       Privacy & Policy Document