Are you providing for those who care for your soul?

 9 Feb 26

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One


Readings:

Leviticus 7

Leviticus 8

Leviticus 9

Matthew 25:31-46


Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Galatians 6:7). 


Are you providing for those who care for your soul?


God’s primary means of meeting His shepherds’ needs consists of the saints’ offerings. Concerning the wave offering, Moses writes, “And the priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast shall be Aaron’s and his sons” (Leviticus 7:31). The people provide for the priests in the Old Testament. Paul states six reasons why pastors should similarly be cared for by the flock in 1 Corinthians 9:1-14. Furthermore, Paul gives the following command in Galatians 6:6: “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.” The very next verse shows the danger of ignoring this teaching (review Galatians 6:7). As the Old Testament saints were to give, the New Testament believers are likewise commanded (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). 


Employment Point: Honor God by faithfully caring for His shepherds.

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Reflections 

“This is the portion of the food offerings presented to the Lord that were allotted to Aaron and his sons on the day they were presented to serve the Lord as priests. On the day they were anointed, the Lord commanded that the Israelites give this to them as their perpetual share for the generations to come.”Leviticus‬ ‭7‬:‭35‬-‭36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  • I think the employment point is a really fair statement. As we all receive, we should also give in return. If we only receive but never give, it just seems selfish isn’t it? It is important that knowledge is shared. It is even more important that Christ’s love is shared and also His gospel. If we are somebody we didn’t know what to give, what love is there? How is that showing the love of Christ?


Here the devotional especially focused on the one who preached. Our pastors, CG leaders, or any leaders in fact. How have we been treating them? Let’s not forget that they are placed at this position because of their greater calling and they are being faithful servants to the Lord. So how do we as the sheep, honour our shepherd? The ways are many but more importantly, we do not forget those who teaches us, the time and the efforts they spend in preparation for the teachings. It takes the heart to do these kind of works. May the Lord bless them more.


““The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Matthew‬ ‭25‬:‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  • the Lord always has His heart for the least of men. So He wants us all to be filled with His love, to love others as how we love ourselves. Loving our neighbours and rendering our helping hand
  • I believe we are not meant to live in silos and therefore His teachings are not meant for us to keep for our own. It is to be shared, to be shown to others of His great love. To also bear witness of His love. So offer a drink, some clothes, visit nursing homes / prisons as volunteers for example, are ways to show love to His people. The Lord taught us to love all men, so we may His love spread far and wide through all the lives that was touched by us. May we too, in the process, make disciples of many nations.

——————————

Are You Spiritually Exhausted?

BY OSWALD CHAMBERS

February 09


The everlasting God . . . will not grow tired or weary. — Isaiah 40:28


When we are physically exhausted, it’s as though all our strength and vitality have left us. Spiritual exhaustion is similar: we feel as though we’ve come to the end of our ability to be of service to God. This kind of tiredness never arises through sin, always through service, and it happens when we’re getting our supply from the wrong source.


Jesus told Peter, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17), but he didn’t give Peter anything to feed them with. The nourishment was Peter himself. He had to be made broken bread and poured-out wine for souls who hadn’t yet learned to draw directly on God. We must offer ourselves like this as well, because other souls must draw from us before they draw directly on the Lord. But we must be very careful about where we find our own nourishment. If we don’t get it from God, before long we will be completely exhausted.


Have you betrayed yourself into exhaustion by the way you’ve been serving God? Continually go back to your motivations and examine the source of their power. If you find yourself saying, “Oh, God, I’m so exhausted,” remember that he saved and sanctified you in order to exhaust you. Exhaust yourself in service for God, but remember to take your supply from him: “All my fountains are in you” (Psalm 87:7).


Leviticus 6-7; Matthew 25:1-30


WISDOM FROM OSWALD

There is nothing, naturally speaking, that makes us lose heart quicker than decay—the decay of bodily beauty, of natural life, of friendship, of associations, all these things make a man lose heart; but Paul says when we are trusting in Jesus Christ these things do not find us discouraged, light comes through them.

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Reflections

The song “everlasting God…. We will not faint we won’t grow weary…” was playing in my ears this morning and maybe it’s not so coincidental that I see everlasting God again..


The words in bold stood out for me. I was reminded how I have to drew strength from Him when my mum is not so familiar with the Lord yet, because she draws strength from me. I had to be the service and the sacrifice. Reading this now really makes a lot of sense. 


And I remember how He will always fill me up, encouraging me, reminding me and showing me ways to love and show love. All because I need to serve. And when I keep going back to Him, truly I don’t feel tired or weary. He will remind me why I am doing this or the reasons why other parties are behaving in a certain way. A lot of times, I learn how to give grace, have mercy and also compassion. Because I also realised every one needs love, compassion and how we all need it too. Because the Lord has given so we ought to give as well, because we are all made in the image of Christ.


“All my fountains are in you” (Psalm 87:7).” I was just reading about fountains and drains in ODB this morning. It says “Paul exhorts believers to imitate Jesus' humility and consideration for others. He contrasts actions that exhaust the mind with those that edify others. He says, "Do not be selfish or vain, but humbly consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should not look to your own interests but to the interests of others" (verses 3-4, NIV). Afterward, he goes on to say, "“Do everything without grumbling or arguing,”Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Who are like drains? They are self-centered, arrogant, habitual complainers, and argumentative.

Who are like springs? Paul uses Timothy as an example, saying that no one else truly cared for the believers' affairs like Timothy did (verse 20).

Are we a source or a drain? This is a question that we should all ponder when we yearn to be a blessing to others.”

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