Who Do You Honor?

Prayer – Lord, show me who I should honor. It is Presidents’ Day and our nation is honoring George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Fine upstanding men who were great leaders in our country. You have given us directions to honor leaders in the Lord’s work. Are they leaders in our churches, those on YouTube, or even missionaries around the world? How should we “honor” these people? 

Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 NLT

 

Paul taught the church at Thessalonica to respect their leaders. He did the same, being very specific about the workers, with the church at Corinth.

I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. 1 Corinthians 16:15-18 NKJV (Underlined for emphasis.)

Paul is teaching that we are to submit and to acknowledge those who are devoted to ministry, providing us with spiritual leadership.

 

A rose for my mentor.

Spiritual guidance is available in so many media today—books, magazines, radio, television including YouTube, other social media and of course our churches, Bible studies and friends. How do you honor those who are your spiritual mentors? Cards, gift cards, phone calls, txt messages, e-mails, a simple thank you, flowers, or a meal in their honor? This day, Presidents’ Day is usually focused on our nation’s founding father’s birthdays, but it could also be a day for us to consider the other leaders or mentors in our lives. Spiritual leaders. The spiritual realm is the most important dominion in our world. Sure, we have to live day by day in this physical world, but there is a spiritual kingdom that we are a part of, especially if we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior, acknowledging God the Father, and the Holy Spirit as an eternal part of our lives. This “forever” kingdom will be without end. Everlasting.

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11 NKJV (Underlined for emphasis.)

What are “these things” referring to? God’s word gives us eternal guidance. Read 2 Peter 1 for the answers. Will you be part of this “everlasting kingdom?” Yes, if you want Jesus to be part of your life. The choice is yours.

 

Verses of Salvation ~ Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. Isaiah 45:22-23 NKJV

 

© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted. 

New King James Version © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Harper Collins Publisher. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

New Living Translation (NLT) copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

 

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