Under Jesus’ leadership

For since a church leader is in charge of God’s work, he should be without fault. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered, or a drunkard or violent or greedy for money. He must be hospitable and love what is good. He must be self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the message which can be trusted and which agrees with the doctrine. In this way he will be able to encourage others with the true teaching and also to show the error of those who are opposed to it. (verses 7-9)

Read Titus 1:1-16

You may be discouraged when you hear in the news about leaders who let their people down by their poor conduct or by their false words. You may be especially discouraged when you hear such things about Christian leaders.

But take heart. Jesus is the perfect leader. Not only does he teach you God’s perfect will in his words, but he put his body on the cross to take your sin and to show in his action his perfect love for you. Jesus now lives, and he prays for you and the whole church. Ask him to keep your leaders faithful to their calling, and ask him to raise up people to take his word to the whole world. As you do this, God is at work in you, to build up his church, and to encourage and strengthen you.

Lord Jesus, please keep the leaders of your church faithful to the calling that you have given them, and please raise up people to proclaim your good news to the whole world. Amen.

by Fraser Pearce, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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