Despite the many labor-saving devices that have been invented in the last few decades, we seem to be busier than ever. Pastors especially have more to do than in previous generations. A pastor in the past used to preach on Sunday morning, visit the sick during the week and oversee the occasional wedding or funeral. That is no longer the case! Now pastors are business CEOs, preachers/teachers, counselors, financial advisors, public relations experts, money raisers, organizational overseers, building campaign leaders, staff training experts and on and on and on. There is more to do than there are hours in a day. Therefore, prioritizing is very important. What is most important? What should a pastor do every day?
READ THE BIBLE as a letter from God to you. Sometimes when preparing sermons or lessons we don’t let God’s Word speak to our hearts. If that is the case with you, make some time first thing in the day to hear from God.
PRAY every day, and not just for what you need God to help you with that day. Spend time listening to God, meditating on His truth. Pray for your wife and children as well as your own spiritual needs. Share the burdens of your heart with God – He knows them anyway. Don’t be too busy to spend time talking to God!
PRAISE, WORSHIP should be a daily as well. It can be when you read the Bible and pray. You can listen to praise music when exercising or resting. Get in the habit of praising God throughout the day when you think of Him or are reminded of His goodness and faithfulness. When things are going badly, praise Him then as well. Even a short word of praises goes a long way!
SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH YOUR WIFE AND CHILDREN. Our families are our first responsibilities, before our ministries. Often we don’t make it that way, though. Don’t just spend time doing normal daily activities with your family. Do things that they want like talking about things important to them, laughing, helping them, entering into their world and praying/reading the Bible with them. This is more important than most of the other ‘busy’ work we do.
INVEST IN YOUR HEALTH by eating healthy food, and not overeating. Spend time each day exercising. Get enough sleep at night. Have times of rest during the day. Take time off of ministry during the year to spend only with your wife and children. Our bodies are the temple of God and we must be good stewards of them!
You may not be able to do every one of these every day, for each day is different and some have unusual demands. But these should be a part of each day as often as possible. Missing any one of them for several days in a row is not good. It’s easy to get caught up in the urgent, things that seem to need to be done right away. But that keeps us from what is really important – to us and to God.
As you begin this new year, 2024, make it your goal to do these things every day. If you do these all yar you will be a better husband, father, pastor, friend and person.
Matthew 25:21, 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
How are you doing with the things listed above?
Where do you need improvement?
What can you do to change? Do it right now!
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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