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Topic: Why Your Ministers Matter
[DCLM Daily Manna 26 January 2020 Daily Devotional by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi]
Text: 2 Corinthians 7:1-7
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.
Key Verse: “And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.” – (2 Corinthians 7:7)
MESSAGE:
One desire of the minister of the gospel is to fulfill God’s expectation, and be a glory to Him. But equally important is their usually unspoken desire to be loved and appreciated by believers under their care. Often, this point is lost on Christians. They expect the utmost care from their pastors at all times, but in the process, become blind to the needs of the servants of God, who then go about life seemingly unloved and lonely, even though they are in the midst of a large congregation.
The Apostle Paul, in our text, pleaded with the believers in Corinth to show more concern, understanding and care for him and his fellow ministers. He reminded them of the centrality of cleansing from sin, holiness of life and fear of God. They too, as ministers of God, should be accepted and treated with due consideration. He assured the believers that they were very dear to him and that he never sought to condemn them, even when he rebuked them. In fact, he boasted of them, and was comforted every time he thought about them or heard about their affairs. He told them he was particularly encouraged and comforted when he heard from Titus about “your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.”
Ministers of God, pastors of our churches, leaders in our fellowship all deserve our affection. We should care and love them; we should constantly show that we appreciate all their labours over us. We should respect and honour them, and follow the godly precepts they teach and show through their exemplary living. We should pray for them always. These will serve as tonic for them to serve God more and attend to our spiritual needs better.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “Remember them which have the rule over you…”
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Exodus 33-36
