RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
YOU’RE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Wednesday January 15, 2025.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
????Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood (Acts 20:28).
If you’re a leader in God’s Kingdom, you must first understand that you’re an overseer, entrusted with the responsibility to take care of God’s children, the souls for whom Christ died. The Bible says, “Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion or constraint, but willingly…Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation)” (1 Peter 5:2-3 AMPC).
It doesn’t matter if the people are many or few; the responsibility is the same. Don’t let any one of them backslide! Intercede for them; pray about their needs and the challenges they might be going through. It’s important to have a prayer diary where you write out their names, calling each one by name as you contend for their souls in prayer. Pray passionately that every resistance to their spiritual growth and progress is broken and their desire for the things of the Spirit is fanned aflame and sustained as they grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
You have the privilege and responsibility to stand in the gap for others. You’re the priest over them; you’ve been given the office to minister and pray, and God will hear you. Perhaps you’re a cell leader, a church pastor, a coordinator, etc., when your members face challenges, go into intercession in their behalf.
As their leader, you’re responsible for their spiritual growth. Help them; teach, and guide them in the things of God. As you teach train, and share the love of God with them, you’ll see them grow. This will become your joy because every time you witness the Word of God producing results in their lives, it excites you. And at the end, that’s what you’ll present to God, souls—those whose lives you’ve impacted and helped to transform. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for making me an overseer of your flock. I have the grace to care for each soul under my charge, interceding for them with passion and fervency. I declare that they are strengthened, built up in the Word, growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Their desire for the things of the Spirit is aglow and sustained, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
|| Acts 20:28 NIV Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. ||
|| Ezekiel 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. ||
|| 1 Peter 5:2-3 NKJV Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; ||
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan Matthew 11:1-30 & Genesis 36-37
2-Year Bible Reading Plan Matthew 6:14-24 & Genesis 15