Today’s Key Scripture

“Shepherd the church of God.”

— Acts 20:28

As a Counselor and Guide, the Holy Spirit shows us how to take responsibility for God’s work and empowers us to do it with supernatural results, giving us a place of responsibility and influence in the kingdom.

Paul’s farewell message to the Ephesian elders after three years of ministry came straight from his heart. His objective was for them to accept the mantle of leadership in the church. He told them with great emotion, “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).

Paul issued this challenge with great confidence because he knew the Holy Spirit would give them all they needed to succeed as spiritual leaders. He also knew that after his departure “savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).

Like Moses centuries before, who “was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3), God made Paul into a great leader.

May God continue to do the same today.

 

A Prayer for Today

Father God, change my leadership to reflect You. I thank You for enlightening my mind to the light of Your Word. My Father, give me faith today to understand Your will, especially in relationship to others. Help me not to give lip service to Your promises and guidance, but give me the insight and strength to understand that You want me to succeed and do all You want me to do. May I glorify You in word and deed today. I pray this in the name above all names, Jesus, amen.

 

*All Scripture references are NKJV unless otherwise noted.