6 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”
Titus 2:15 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
I spent a couple of hours on Monday with a retired pastor, Jay Brinson. I love spending time with some of the men who are farther down the road than me. I love being able to pick their brains to learn some lessons from them that can benefit me and the church that I pastor.
Jay let me have some books that he had enjoyed in his ministry. One of them was by the famed, deceased pastor of the Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. His name was R.G. Lee (1886-1978) and his sermon “Payday Someday” remains a classic to this day.
I was overwhelmed when I looked inside the cover of the book and saw that Pastor Lee had signed the book for Jay. And now it was being given to me!
As a seminary student, I was a member at that same church. I had a part-time job on staff at Bellevue Baptist Church. It was my great honor to have sat under the incredible preaching and leadership of Adrian Rogers (1931-2005). Even though I was only at that church for less than 2 years, much of my understanding of preaching and leadership has been influenced by my time there.
Back in the Spring of 1997, a friend was able to get Pastor Rogers to sign his recent book for Kim and me. It remains a treasure for me even today.
What makes men like this continue to be held in such high honor by the folks who knew (of) them, even after they have died? I believe it is because of their love for the Lord, their love for people, and their love for the Gospel. They were strong leaders who stood on God’s Word, boldly and unashamedly. They proclaimed God’s Word so that it encouraged people but it also rebuked them if necessary.
Essentially, they lived out the truth of the verse I have chosen for today.
Titus 2:15 (CSB): “Proclaim these things; encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”
I’ve still got 15-20 (or more?) years of ministry left in me. I want to finish well. I desperately want to live out the truth of this verse.
If you are a pastor, pray that you can live out this verse. Then determine to do so.
If you are not a pastor, then pray that your pastor would live out Titus 2:15. And then encourage him and do whatever you can to help him do his divine task well. Eternity is on the line.
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Lord Jesus, I desire to be a minister who makes a mark for Your glory. I want to lead and feed people in such a way that they get a better glimpse of You and are made so much more happy and useful to the Kingdom because of Your work through me. I want to help the Kingdom expand in a way that more people will reside in Heaven one day as the Gospel is boldly proclaimed. I surrender myself to You. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 