What Kind Of Example Are You? – Part 4 - May 19, 2013

What Kind Of Example Are You? – Part 4

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Jesus said: ‘Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be the sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful’ (Luke 6:35-36). Such words bring us to our knees, for we fall far short of practicing them. The pastor of a large church tells of being on an elevator with a drunk man who was throwing up. The pastor couldn’t wait to get off. All the way to his room he kept criticizing the man. Later that night God spoke to him and said, ‘You laughed at him, but I loved him enough to die for him.’ Watch your attitude! The same sunshine that melts the butter hardens the clay. When you constantly deal with people’s problems, it will make you either callous or compassionate. In spite of his disappointment in people, Jesus never lost His sense of compassion. Love isn’t a virus that you catch, it’s a virtue you’re supposed to practice every day. And there’s a divine dimension to this kind of love. ‘... the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us’ (Romans 5:5). You can’t reach into the well of your own emotions to find such love; you can only take the love of God that’s been poured into your heart and share it with others. And if you are to serve God successfully, you must have regular transfusions of His love.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to love others as You love them and to treat them as redeemed children of Yours. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen

What Kind Of Example Are You? – Part 3 - May 18, 2013

What Kind Of Example Are You? – Part 3

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Seneca, the Roman statesman, said, ‘I govern my life and thoughts as though the world were to see one and read the other.’ You can always predict what a person of integrity will do in two areas: 1) In business. Saying ‘no’ to your boss usually isn’t a good career move. But when faced with a choice between his career and his convictions, Daniel refused to eat the king’s meat because it was a violation of God’s law (Daniel 1:8-17). Joseph refused to sleep with the boss’s wife (Genesis 39:6-12). Elisha refused to accept a rich man’s money in exchange for healing (2 Kings 5:1-16). Getting the idea? 2) At home. Noah saved his family from destruction by listening to God (Hebrews 11:7). And the first thing he did when he emerged from the ark was to build an altar. Think about that! Noah had an altar before he had a home. Most of us have homes, but no prayer altar, and it shows! Lot, on the other hand, lost his wife and his sons-in-law to the destructive influences of Sodom (Genesis 19:14-26). Today issues of character that once raised alarm don’t even raise an eyebrow. But they should. ‘... I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect’ (Romans 12:1-2).

Prayer
Heavenly Father, today help me to live in a way that is faithful to You and respectful to others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

What Kind Of Example Are You? – Part 2 - May 17, 2013

What Kind Of Example Are You? – Part 2

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

It’s nice to say, ‘Be an example,’ but in what specific areas? For the next few days let’s look at some of them: ‘Be an example... in speech.’ Go back and read what Paul says to Timothy before this: ‘Don’t let anybody look down on you because... ’ When you speak, your credibility is at stake. Solomon says, ‘Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him’ (Proverbs 29:20). The trouble with words is, once they’re spoken their impact is felt either positively or negatively—and you can’t take them back! You can say you’re sorry, but you may have to rebuild your credibility with the person you spoke to, or about. Here’s the litmus test for your words, and it’s a high standard: ‘May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord... ’ (Psalm 19:14). The poet wrote: ‘A careless word may kindle strife; a cruel word may wreck a life. A gracious word may soothe the way, a joyous word may light the day. A timely word may lessen stress, a loving word may heal and bless.’ So today let your words be faith-building, for people battle with doubt and fear. Let your words be comforting, for people have wounds you cannot see. Let your words be uplifting, for people get torn down by criticism and discouragement. Let your words be calming, for God has promised to bless you if you are a peacemaker. And let your words be character-building; that way you’ll leave people better off than you found them.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, let my words today be Your words that build up and bring healing to someone who is down and hurting. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen

What Kind Of Example Are You? – Part 1 - May 16, 2013

What Kind Of Example Are You? – Part 1

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Andrew Murray wrote, ‘God has no more precious gift than a man who lives as an embodiment of His will, and inspires those around him with the faith of what grace can do.’ When Paul writes, ‘Be an example,’ he means ‘be a role model.’ The first car off the assembly line is a prototype of all that follows. Dressmakers study the pattern, and then design the garment accordingly. The word ideal sounds lofty, and it is. But even if you don’t achieve the ideal, it should still be your goal. What Paul was saying to young Timothy was, ‘When you talk about Jesus, people should see so much of Him in your life that they desire to know Him. When you talk about faith, the evidence of it should be so compelling that they want to live by it.’

The poet wrote: ‘I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day; I’d rather one should walk with me than merely show the way. The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear, fine counsel is confusing but examples always clear. And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds, for to see good put in action is what everybody needs. I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done; I can see your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run. And the lectures you deliver may be very fine and true; but I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do. For I may not understand you and the high advice you give; but there’s no misunderstanding, how you act and live.’

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to live my life in a way each day that reflects You in all I do and say. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Having a Clear Conscience - May 15, 2013

Having a Clear Conscience

... holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 1 Timothy 1:19

Speaking of conscience, Paul writes: ‘... I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people’ (Acts 24:16). He lays it on the line to Timothy: ‘Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.’ Now a captain doesn’t set out to wreck his ship. But if he falls asleep at the wheel or takes his eye off the compass, he will end up on the rocks anyway. The question is not, ‘Can I get away with it?’ No, the question is, ‘Can I live with it afterwards? How will it affect my confidence before God? How does He feel about it? Will it prevent or promote His blessing in my life?’

Someone has written: ‘I have to live with myself and so, I want to be fit for myself to know; I want to be able as days go by, always to look myself in the eye. I don’t want to stand with the setting sun, and hate myself for the things I’ve done. I want to go out with my head erect; I want to deserve all men’s respect. Here in the struggle for fame and wealth, I want to be able to like myself. I don’t want to look at myself and know, that I’m bluster and bluff and empty show. I can never hide myself from me, I see what others may never see; I know what others may never know; I can never fool myself and so, whatever happens I want to be, self-respecting and conscience free.’

Prayer
Heavenly Father, Help me to live my life in a way that before I act on things I think them through, as to if they are honoring to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen