Friday, October 20
Acts 20:28
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.
Devotional:
In Acts 20:28 Paul is sharing the importance of keeping watch over yourself first, and then the people you lead in your daily life. He extends this to the Church, making sure to remind the reader that the Church was paid for with the blood of Christ’s death on the cross.
To keep watch over ourselves is to stay in a solid walk with Jesus; by examining yourself and your walk as a Christian. You need to ask God to help you keep yourself in his will. It is very important to have our actions and words match the faith we claim in Christ. Realize, we may be the only Bible some people have ever read. We are given the Holy Spirit upon our salvation in Christ – that we would live for Christ, with Christ and like Christ.
It is important that we not only keep watch over ourselves, but also that we care for the needs of those we have been given charge of. In this verse, Paul is talking about shepherding. What exactly does a shepherd do? A shepherd wakes up early (to lead the flock safely to sustenance), stands guard (not letting the flock wander too far or get lost), and keeps the flock (so that they remain together, in unity with one another). May we be alert and depend on Jesus (our Good Shepherd) for guidance and strength as we lead others to the cross.
Prayer:
Father God, Please show me my next step today. Is there somewhere I can step in and give of myself?. I need your eyes and ears to keep watch over those You have given me charge over. Help me to be a humble part of the shepherding of Your church. Lord, you know my fears about shepherding and stepping out of my comfort zone. Please remove any hesitation I may have. Help me to remember that you don’t call the qualified. You, mighty God, qualify the called. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Application:
Is there some way you can GIVE guidance to people at our church? Today ask God to show you how you can help when it comes to shepherding others. Listen for God’s answer, and talk with someone you trust about what your next action step might be.