God's Holy Fire: 'Spirit Appointed'

Friday, June 18, 2021

[Paul, to the Ephesian elders at Miletus:] "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."
— Acts 20:28 NIV

Key Thought

Paul reminds the Ephesian elders of three heavenly truths about leaders:
  1. Leaders are to watch, feed, protect and care for (or shepherd) the people of God.
  2. The Holy Spirit is involved in putting leaders into their leadership role.
  3. Those who lead must always realize that those they lead (called "the flock" and "the church of God" in today's verse) never belong to them but to God, who purchased them at such a high cost.
These truths give leaders a powerful and sobering reminder of their call as leaders and give followers a reminder to follow. For each of us, these truths give us a reminder of just how precious the church is to God!

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, please be at work in our churches today through the Holy Spirit's calling those you want and we desperately need in leadership roles in your church. I ask forgiveness, dear Father, for not valuing your church more highly, and I pledge to cherish it as you do. In Jesus' name, I offer these petitions and this commitment. Amen.

Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, June 18, 2021

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Unselfish Servants' (2 Co. 11:16-21)
"Dear Father, to whom our pure devotion is due, When someone seeks to make slaves of us, to prey upon us, to take advantage of us, to put on airs, or...."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Be Exalted above the Highest Heavens!'
"Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Something Worse' (Mt. 12:43-45)
"[Jesus continued his response to the Jewish leaders who asked for a sign:] "When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
1 John 3:18
"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. "

Illustration

Illustration of 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."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations