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Day 11

Pastor Jane Cummings

Topic: Our Pastors

Scripture Reference: 1 Timothy 5:17

Devotional:

When I was asked to write the devotional on this text, I was immediately hesitant. Not that I don’t believe the scripture reading for today, but as someone who has pastored people for years, I was concerned those who read this may assume that my motives are to gain more honor for myself or somehow leverage the words of scripture for selfish gain.

As I thought and prayed about it (actually, I almost asked if I could have a different theme to write about), I felt the Lord spoke clearly to me about this. “Jane, this is about honor and protection. It’s important that people grow in honor and also see that, when there is honor for those who serve as leaders, it brings protection for them.”

For Lee and I, ministry has never been about what we could gain for ourselves, but what we can give to help others and strengthen God’s people. It’s an incredible privilege for any of us to be called a child of God. This is where honor begins—when we honor the Lord and surrender our lives, He invites us into His family by grace alone. But for those of us whom God has called to serve His people, it is a double honor.

Ministry may seem to be glamorous, but what people don’t see are the attacks and spiritual warfare that are constant. These don’t just happen on Sunday mornings, but every single day. Ministry is more than reading the Bible and sipping coffee. It’s crying with people, making hard decisions in prayer, letting people believe the worst about us, and choosing to believe the best about them. Ministry comes with huge responsibilities and burdens, but greater than the burdens is the honor that comes with being able to serve Jesus in this way.

Double honor means more than just financial blessing. In fact, the greatest blessing that you could give your pastors and leaders is your constant prayer and support. Like the head pin in bowling, the enemy constantly targets those who are leaders, knowing if he can take the head pin down, many others behind them will be affected. Don’t get me wrong, every believer is a target, but the level of intensity of pressure, scrutiny, and warfare that those who serve as “pastor” is different. I say that to say this: Building a prayer shield over your pastors and leaders and their families is a gift that no money could ever buy.

In a world that is growing increasingly dark, the people of God should shine brighter, grow bolder, and never shrink back from speaking the truth. Pray for your leaders that God would continue to use us as His mouthpiece. There is a blessing for us when you pray and support us, but there is also a shield of protection that surrounds those who choose to honor and uphold those who serve as spiritual authorities within the house of God. When we show honor to those whom God has placed over our lives, we are able to walk in blessing and receive from God through them.

Thank You, Lord, for Your people that pray and support our amazing pastors. Thank You for the double portion of both prayer and support which release our pastors to walk in their calling and provide protection for us all. All honor to you, our Master!