UCB WORD FOR TODAY – 13TH JANUARY 2026 (TUESDAY DAILY DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE)
Read UCB Word For Today 13th January 2026 Daily Devotional by United Christian Broadcasters
TOPIC: Show appreciation for your pastor
‘Appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you.’
1 Thessalonians 5:12 NCV
Paul writes to the church at Thessalonica and says, ‘Now, brothers and sisters, we ask you to appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you. Respect them with a very special love because of the work they do’ (vv. 12-13 NCV). Consider these twenty-first-century statistics:
1) Fifty per cent of pastors feel so disheartened that they would exit the ministry if they could, but they don’t know any other way to make a living.
2) Fifty per cent of ministers starting out won’t continue five years in the ministry.
3) Only one out of every ten ministers will retire as ministers in some capacity.
4) In America more than seventeen hundred pastors exited the ministry every month of 2011.
There are many reasons why pastors leave the ministry. One reason is inadequate financial support and stress on the family. Paul addresses this: ‘Let the elders [pastors] who rule well be counted worthy of double honour [financial remuneration], especially those who labour in the word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The labourer is worthy of his wages”’ (1 Timothy 5:17-18 NKJV).
Some pastors leave the ministry because they are the target of frequent criticism. Paul addresses this: ‘Do not receive an accusation against an elder [pastor] except from two or three witnesses’ (v. 19 NKJV). So, pray for your pastor, and make it a point to show them your appreciation. God will bless you for it.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Genesis 27-28, Matthew 8:18-34
United Christian Broadcasters is a Christian media charity that exists to offer every person, in every place, every moment of the day, the opportunity to hear, watch or read the Word of God in a relevant and engaging way.