6 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples: ‘The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses. Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach.’”
Matthew 23:1-3 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Without leadership, most things are impossible. We need someone at the front who competently points the way.
But, in real life, leadership is difficult. Whether we are a CEO, a pastor, a school teacher, or a parent, leading others can try our patience. In some of the most difficult cases, it can make us feel like checking ourselves into a psychiatric hospital.
I know a man who has risen to a very high position of leadership in the Southern Baptist Convention. In one of my many conversations with him, he told me that a few years earlier, leading a particular church had become so difficult that he felt like letting drool freely flow from the side of his mouth as he checked himself into a mental hospital. Fortunately, those were only feelings. He is now being used by God on a grander scale in a leadership position that has much greater responsibilities, privileges, … and stresses.
Leadership isn’t for the faint at heart.
So, what does God think of leadership? In your role as a leader, others may have “attacked” you and you feel beat up. You feel incompetent and unappreciated. And you might be tempted to think that God feels the same way about you.
Yet, if you look at our Verses for today, you will see that Jesus valued leadership positions. While he told his followers to refrain from doing what the Pharisees did, they were to listen to their teaching because they were “seated in the chair of Moses.” God values leadership and those who fill those roles.
As we read through Acts 23, we come across Paul’s sarcastic rebuke of the man who ordered that he was to be slapped in the face. Yet, when Paul found out that the man was actually the High Priest, Paul backed down. He valued leadership, even though the one filling that leadership role was unworthy of it.
Over and over in Scripture, we see men like David who refused to harm King Saul because of his position of leadership. He didn’t want to “lift a hand against the LORD’s anointed” (1 Samuel 26:9).
So, my friend, you may feel beat up in your leadership role. You may have scars that you have obtained over the years from people who resisted you and fought against you. But, know that the Lord does not feel that way. He values you and the position you hold.
Focus on learning more about leadership from the pages of Scripture. Strive to lead well and lead for the benefit of those who are under your authority. And know that God has placed you in your position of leadership, so experience His favor today.
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Lord Jesus, thank you for entrusting me with the leadership position that I am in. While I may not have perceived that I am a leader, if I am influencing others, I’m a leader. Even though I desire to be a blessing to those who are supposed to follow my leadership, it has not always been easy. Thank you for letting me see in Your Word that you have such a high view of leaders. It brings me such comfort to know that You are on my side.
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“Letters from Hell”
In spite of the fact that Jesus talked often about Hell, it rarely comes up in current Christian sermons and conversations. In fact, it seems that unbelievers are the only ones who talk about Hell … when they use it as a curse word.
In this fictional story, the author seeks to unpack a biblical view of what Hell is like. With 34 letters sent back and forth from a man on earth and another man in Hell, the author uses the letters from the man in Hell to describe, in very specific ways, what it’s like there.
A secondary objective of this book is to expose and attack sinful, nominal Christianity. Someone who claims to be a Christian, and yet is not taking his pursuit of holiness seriously, will either be offended or will experience godly conviction and make the necessary adjustments in his life.
To purchase this book on Amazon, click here. (You can download it for free on Monday, January 27.)
Matt’s Musings 