Today’s Reading, Jeremiah 18-22
Focal Scripture: Jeremiah 20:9 “I say, “I won’t mention him or speak any longer in his name.” But his message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones. I become tired of holding it in, and I cannot prevail.”
There are some things you get to do in life and then there are things you are compelled to do in life. When you are compelled to do something it is a desire that comes from deep within. When you don’t get to do it you long for it in a desperate way. Personally, I am compelled to preach the word. It is not just something I want to do but something I have to do because it is a compulsion. Opening up scripture, studying, praying, and then being used by God to explain his truth to others is the greatest calling a person can have besides being a husband and father.
In today’s reading we see Jeremiah go through a mix of emotions. He is frustrated because people are mad at him. He is annoyed because he delivers the message and he is ignored. He even thinks about not talking about God any longer. However, the message burns in his heart when it is shut up in his bones. Then it must come forth because he can’t contain it any longer. He is called to proclaim truth no matter what, to people who will listen and even to those who won’t listen.
Yesterday, we talked about false prophets and what to look out for when selecting leaders. Today, we talk about what type of pastor you need in your church. Let me start off by saying that pastoring is more than just preaching a few times a week. You have to give guidance to others. Disciple church members and visit those who are sick and in need. Perform weddings and funerals and serve the local community. Even with all of that the greatest responsibility a pastor has is to rightly stand up and give the word to the people. When a pastor is consumed by the word everything else will be manageable.
Why do I bring this up? To many pastors aren’t passionate about the word of God. They view themselves as CEOs or team leaders. Some as chefs or even dictators who tell the body what to do. These men forsake the most important thing, for worldly gain. They don’t view preaching as an act of worship and when this happens the body is no longer being lead into the presence of God but into the skills of a man.
You see when a pastor makes the word of God the main priority it constantly puts into frame his dependence on God for everything. He needs help in time for preparation and how to give guidance to the church to stay biblical. You can always tell when a church is being lead by the word of God or by a man with skills. They become more loyal to the person than to God. They make excuses for behavior instead of holding the pastor accountable.
Pray that your pastor is a man of the book and proclaims its truth. Pray it burns inside of him and he is compelled to tell others the truth. If he is not it might be time for him to repent or find another profession. Churches have to many self called and family called pastors. If a pastor isn’t passionate about the word how can they lead others to be passionate disciples.
May this desire burn inside all who desire to proclaim God’s truth.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Jeremiah 23-25
