Pastors Conference
Focus Verse: Psalms 73:24 –
“You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me up in glory.”
Fellow pastors, we have a special call placed upon our lives. The Word of God tells us that anyone who “aspires to be an overseer, desires a noble work” (1 Timothy 3:1). We are representatives of our Lord Jesus. It is our task to lead His flock, as we serve the Lord as Under-Shepherds. We must remember that those whom we lead are not ours, but the Lords. Those we preach to, those we lead to Jesus, belong to Jesus.
It is our duty to be reflections of Jesus. We are to call those around us to “imitate me as I, also, imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Brothers I promise you that people are watching you all the time, taking note of what you are doing, remembering continually what you are doing, and they will do what they see you doing! If you are seeking Jesus, living out what the Bible says to do; then those watching will follow suit. However, if you are SAYING one thing, but DOING another, then those who are watching will also DO as you DO!
We are called to do more! WE, PASTORS, are to BE LIKE JESUS!
Remember Brothers that MAN is not intended for this earth. We are to be IN this world, but we are not to reflect this world, we are not OF this world. We are pilgrims passing through this world into a world of eternal happiness. And since we are PASSING THROUGH, we need a GUIDE!
Thankfully Brothers, we have a GUIDE!
Psalms 73:24 tells us very clearly that the LORD IS OUR GUIDE!
HE guides us with HIS Counsel. Brothers HE counsels us through His word, the Bible! The more time we spend studying His word, and PRAYING for guidance, the better off we will be. We will not only have the knowledge of what God says filling our mind – so that we are prepared to teach; but we will also have the spirit of the LORD fill our heart, and overflow from us, so that we may love everyone we come in contact with, and they will see Jesus reflected in our life.
Psalm 119:105:
Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.
THAT is guidance!
When we spend time in God’s Perfect Word, the Lord illuminates the path in front of us so that we can see the things that we may fall over.
Picture it this way: “a lamp for my feet” is like using a flashlight or lantern for walking through a dark path. Without it, you may bump into things, or trip over roots, trash, uneven concrete – the darkness conceals many hazards; but with a lantern or flashlight you can see all of those dangers, and step safely.
“a light for my path” is the light that shines at your destination and leads you home. It is like all of the lights that go along the side of the road, lighting up the entirety of the road. You know the road is there, because the lights shine upon it. They guide you when there are turns coming up. And finally, the light at your home – letting you know that you have arrived.
“and afterward you will take me up in Glory”.
When we spend time in God’s Word, we can walk safely through this world and avoid the dangers that are waiting to cause us to stumble. Our ministry will be safer because we are guided by the Lord, in our walk, and our destination is surely known.
Brothers spend time in God’s word to ensure you know that your destination is greater than any place found in this world. As you study God’s Word, you will learn that your destination, and the destination of those whom come to know Christ, is a kingdom that will one day be restored!
Brothers we have a wonderful calling placed upon our lives, as those who have the honor of reaching people for Jesus and leading them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Brothers remember that WE do a noble work. No doubt there are times when you will be tired, exhausted, worried, stressed, broken down, and at times you may even wish to quit, or die.
I want you to remember the journey that Paul took. In his life Paul spent time in prison, was stoned and left for dead, had to flee for his life, and at one point even desired death. And then a great and mighty lesson was learned by Paul:
Philippians 1:21
“For me to live is Christ, to die is gain”
The Apostle Paul knew that his life was SACRIFICE! That is what it means brothers, “to live is Christ” – means to live for Christ is to BE A LIVING SACRIFICE! We Sacrifice our life for the kingdom, we sacrifice our comfort for the kingdom, we sacrifice our time for the kingdom – why? Because my brothers: Jesus is WORTHY!
“to die is gain” – that is the reward promised “and afterward you will take me up in Glory”.
When we are finally through with the work that the Lord has set upon us, we will be called to Glory. Where we will spend our eternity with the Lord who sacrificed HIS life and bought us with the price of HIS blood!
And brothers, in Heaven we will be crowned for our work. We do not work for the recognition, we do not labor for the crown; but my brothers we labor and will be rewarded with crowns in heaven – the crown of eternal life!
And with our eternal life we will be with Jesus and we will PRAISE Jesus and we will never suffer trial or tribulation again! We will never suffer loss again. We will never have to worry if our children are safe again! Because the Kingdom of God is perfect and there is no worry, there is no suffering, there is no fear!
Brother I know that you are doing a great thing and I praise your name to Jesus for all you do.
Remember always:
Psalms 73:24 –
“You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me up in glory.”
AMEN!
