Today’s Verse

Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

1 Peter 5:2

Tuesday, December 6

Jesus is not only the Savior of the church; Jesus is also the Shepherd of the church. Jesus is the Great or Chief Shepherd; I am privileged to serve as His undershepherd. I Peter 5 tells us about the pastor being the caretaker or undershepherd of the local church. 

Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, and I am the undershepherd. He grows the hay; I shovel it out.

Jesus Christ cares for this church. I always do my best to be the pastor of this church. Praying, fasting, watching, caring for, giving time to this situation or that situation, and you know, as hard as I try, it is not enough. As hard as I try to be a good pastor, it is never quite enough. There are always more needs. 

That is when I stop and remember, “Lord I am just the undershepherd and I am running as fast as I can. I am trying to get the hay out as fast as I can. I am trying to keep the manure out of the stalls and everything cleaned up. I am trying to keep things pure and clean before you. I am running after this stray and there goes another stray. Here is a family that needs some help; oops, there is another family that needs some help. Woah, here is a situation that needs some attention. Lord, I am doing everything that I know how to do and sometimes it seems like it is not enough.” 

That is when He reminds me that it is all right. I am the GREAT SHEPHERD. The great news today, He is also your Shepherd. What a great reminder to all of us!

Weekly Memory Verse

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1 Timothy 3:15

"Three Wise WOMEN would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, bought practical gifts, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and there would be peace on earth!"
- Anonymous

Pastor Armstrong

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