5-Day Devotional for Pastors

Pastor; Shepherd, Protector, Leader, Feeder, Caretaker, Servant.

Before we begin, take a few minutes to stop and pray. Ask the Lord, “What do You want me to hear from You this morning?”

The purpose of this daily devotional is for you as the reader to look inward, to truly ask yourself the question: “Am I Honest with Myself, God and Others about how I am really doing?”

What we are not asking is: “How am I performing with my daily tasks, but at the soul level, what is the true condition of my Heart?”

As Pastors we are faced with our calling to shepherd others and serve the people God has entrusted to us to lead. But before we can lead others, we must be Led first.

We will take the next five days discussing and challenging our ability to be led first and how it affects those whom we lead.

Self-Reflection

Psalm 51:6, “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” David, a man after Gods own heart. A man broken and withering, crying out to the Lord for mercy for his sin. He cries out,” against you, you only, have I sinned.”

Lamentations 3:40, “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord.”

Self-reflection can be a scary place where we are faced with our deepest wounds and sins. It involves stopping to examine our inward thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. And if we’re honest, we are often not too pleased with what such inward examinations reveal. Honesty can be a hard pill to swallow, and how honest are you with yourself?

As Christ followers, pastors, and leaders, much is required to serve those God has entrusted to you. One’s willingness to serve the Lord is honorable, but don’t be deceived. In Matthew 26:41, Jesus instructs His disciples to, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” This instruction from Jesus warns those who are His followers and leaders that we live in a broken world, filled with temptation and sin. You too as pastors are not exempt from this reality. The rearing head of sin can mask itself in a suppression of one’s current reality, and in denial that you are not as bad as you may think. Time and time again, leaders live in fear that they will be found out and accused of being a fraud.

The Christian faith is rooted in our understanding that we are broken and in need of a savior. As a Christ follower, remember back to the time the Lord saved you from your wicked ways. How honest can one be in that moment, knowing that you are broken and that there is nothing you can do in your own power to save yourself. We reflect on this moment because it reminds us of what Christ has done for us, and in us.

Take a moment to reflect on your own personal life and leadership:

1) Where have I not confessed sin in my life?
2) How has pride blinded me from my current reality?
3) As a leader and teacher what is your greatest fear?

Humility

In the 21st century and Western culture, there are often competing views on what humility truly means for you and me. Humility can be viewed as one’s way of behavior or general personality. While another can be viewed as a deep-seated characteristic trait. Not that one is more right or wrong than the other, but it is important to recognize the differences.

Cultivating humility in your heart and mind requires intentional focus and deep reflection. Paul writes in Romans 12:3, “For by the grace given to me, I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” As a leader we often base our self-worth on our behavior and self-accomplishment. Paul refutes this behavior and personality trait by reminding us that we are not defined by what we do, but by whose we are. Romans 12:3 also reminds us that our ability and gifts that God has bestowed upon us are not things that we have earned but have inherited by God alone.

Our behaviors reflect a work taking place within us. Paul also writes in Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourself. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” We notice that Paul starts out his message to the church of Philippi reflecting on the inward being and one’s motivations. While also detailing how someone should act. Your character is defined first by the finished work on the cross, and secondly your accurate view of self in association with the prior.

Meekness is defined by your ability to be submissive. It is so important as a pastor and leader to recognize that you have limitations and must remain teachable unto the Lord. Matthew 18:4 reminds us, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Before we deflect and say, “Well, I am a humble person…”

…take a few moments to ask yourself these few questions:

1) Am I teachable?
2) Are there areas in my life where my actions do not reflect humility?
3) Am I submissive to the will of God?

Talking to God

Psalm 139: 1-4, “O Lord, you have searched me and know me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.”

Oh, what a beautiful thing it is to be known by God and to know the one true God. In Psalm 139 David is asking the Lord, ‘Search me, O God, and know my heart’. A simple ask with a profound understanding that God sees all things, knows all things, and is acquainted with all of our ways.

Hebrews 4:13 says, “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

If we were honest with ourself and God, being exposed strikes fear to our core. We live in a world that has conditioned us to believe we are to be strong and act as though we have no shortcomings.

David reminds us with his reflection and petition to the Lord that true repentance delivers us from the stronghold of sin. “Create in me a clean heart, search me and know me God.”

A man postured and ready to hear from God. As leaders in the Church, you can feel like it is your duty to never be unprotected and visible to the people. To be exposed means that you are vulnerable, revealing and totally open. Can you remember the last time you were totally honest with the Lord, and revealed to Him your shortcomings?

It can be an emotional endeavor to be honest with the Lord. But do we really have anything to hide. Like in Hebrews 4:13, the writer shares that we will give an “account” unto the Lord for everything. The temptation to justify oneself is a deflection and representation of our pride. And to an all-knowing God, we are kidding ourselves if we believe that we have all the answers and know everything. The opportunity awaits you to reflect on how you care and lead others, and are you ready to give an account unto the Lord totally exposed.

1 John 1:9-10, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Take a few moments to reflect and talk to the Lord, asking him these things:

1) Am I honest in my prayer life?
2) Am I honest with my community?
3) Am I honest with myself?

Being Transparent with Others

James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

In James 5, we as believers are offered a message of encouragement. James urges his people to be prayerful for one another, and that prayers from our brothers and sisters have great power. An active faith embodies transparency and cultivates transparency with others through time and vulnerability. The definition of Transparency states, “The quality of allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen.” Building trust with others requires you and I to proactively confess and pray with one another. In a world that is filled with noise and distraction, Christ can feel removed and distant. Yet our heavenly father is closer than we think. We need one another to remind us of this truth and to pray against the enemy that seeks isolation and division.

One of the best ways we can be honest with others is by taking time to be still and listen to our heavenly father. When we neglect spending time with Jesus it can be difficult to have sound judgement, and a sober mind. Nevertheless, even if we are spending time with Jesus, we can choose to listen to what he wants to teach us or not. Pray and ask the Lord to reveal to you how you may not be listening to his words. And if you are feeling vulnerable enough, pray and ask the Lord to send someone to be honest with you about the things you may be missing. Having brothers and sisters who challenge your way of thinking is not a bad thing. For those who are close to you, lean into what is shared, and honestly reflect with a humbled posture toward the Lord.

Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how to stir up one another in love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more you see the day drawing near.” The enemy’s schemes are predictable, and I urge you brothers and sisters to not isolate from one another but to draw near to one another.

Take a few moments today to ask the Lord these few questions and consider what Jesus is trying to teach you:

1) Do I listen to the honest feedback from those I trust?
2) Do I avoid transparency with my trusted circle?
3) Am I transparent with the Lord in my prayer time?

Faithful Stewardship

1 Corinthians 4:1-2, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”

One of my favorite sayings is, “Surrender goes before Sacrifice.” Before we can lead others, we must be led first. Over the past four days we have discussed how important it is to examine our ways and be honest with oneself. To seek humility and know that we have limitations. That Being vulnerable and exposed to an all-knowing God frees us from bondage and sin. And finally, being transparent with our heavenly father and others rejects passivity and isolation. As believers we look to Christ as our example as it is He who embodies faithfulness, stewardship, and servanthood.

Taking time to look inward positions our mind and heart to be ready for the laborious work ahead to serve the Lord.

The requirement to remain faithful should be refreshing. Jesus cares more about how His stewards remain faithful, more than He does anything else. As leaders and pastors, we are tasked with so many different things from teaching the Word, leading groups, providing direction for the church, and so much more. While all these things are important and functional duties, it is more important that we remain faithful and steadfast to the way of the Lord.

Lamentations 3: 21-24, “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.”

Lead with hope, lead from hope. Call to mind the faithfulness of God and Pray fervently for a heart that leads from faithfulness, stewardship and Servanthood as you lead Gods people. Rest assured that we serve a God who is in control, and mighty to save. Father, do only what you can do.

Take a moment today to reflect on these scriptures and questions.

1) In what ways am I stewarding well what God has given me?
2) In what ways am I poorly stewarding what God has given me?
3) What in my heart needs to change in order to be a faithful steward of what God has given me?