Spiritual Leaders

Text: Hebrews 13:17-18

Theme: Our spiritual leaders should have our support through obedience and prayer.

Key verses: “Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow…Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. And especially pray that I will be able to come back to you soon” (v. 17-18).

What God said to me: Good morning, Dwayne! This is two days in a row you’ve met early with me to read and journal from my Word. As I have promised you numerous times and written in my Word, I will honor your time meditating on scripture and through prayer. You are choosing that good part which will not be taken away from you. Too often you play the part of Martha. You cannot allow yourself to fall into that trap. Dwayne, you yourself are a spiritual leader, and many look to you for help and direction. You are accountable to me for what you teach and show them. Therefore, you must know me well and listen to me constantly. You must meditate on my Word day and night. Now, regarding this passage today, notice there are two specifics expectations the author instructs his readers to do: obey and pray. Obey your spiritual leaders and pray for them. He gives reasons for doing both. You should do what your leaders say because their work is watch over your souls. You should trust me to whom they are accountable, and you should make their job as easy as possible, joyful in fact. Secondly, you should pray often for them, that they keep their consciences clear and live honorably in all they do. The enemy is strong and devious, and he would love to divert, distract and destroy spiritual leaders I have appointed. Thus, they need your effective, fervent prayer support. They are not perfect or infallible. However, they do deserve your respect and obedience as long as they continue to follow my precepts and path.

What I said to God: Thank You, most Holy Lord God, for speaking to me and reminding me of the importance of obeying and praying for my leaders whom you have put in authority over me. My list includes my pastor, Jamey Pruett, and my spiritual mentors, Scott Dawson, Ken Gaylean, Joel Carwile and Randy Norris. It also most certainly includes our NLW Board of Directors. I will begin praying for each of them more often and more fervently. I thank You for placing them in my life and for trusting me with such godly and wise leaders to help guide me. Please use me today and help me influence someone around me to follow You more closely and love You more dearly. I also pray for the NLW staff. I never want to take them for granted. I know they look to me for direction and wisdom. Help me be more like Mary, sitting often at Your feet to listen to you and draw closer to You. Only then can I rise to lead with a clear and confident conscience before You and them.