October 20 devotional

Scripture

1 Timothy 5: 1-2 “Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as though he were your own father. Talk to the younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat the older women as you would your mother, and treat the younger women with all purity as your own sisters.”

Observation

Paul is teaching Timothy how people in the church ought to treat one another. First of all he compares the church to a family. Many people try to run the church like a business. The church is not a business. It is a family. We treat people differently in a family than we do in a business. He told Timothy to:

1) Treat older men like a father. You do not speak to them harshly. You appeal to them. You treat them with respect.

2) Treat older women as your mother. Do not speak to them in a manner you would not speak to your mother.

3) Treat younger men as your brother.

4) Treat younger women as your sister. Here Paul adds one point and that is treat them with all purity. Paul understood the danger of sexual temptation and instructed Timothy to treat younger women as a sister with all purity. Guard yourself from being tempted.

Application

If the church would follow these simple instructions, most conflict would be eliminated. Having unity is the church is not complicated. These instructions are simple. But unity is the church is difficult because of our sinful nature. We want to get our own way and we concentrate on how we should be treated rather than focusing on treating others right.

I must set an example in the church. I treat members of the church like family. I do not overlook their sins but I do respect and love them. We are members of the family of God.

Prayer

Forgive me for the times I have acted selfishly. I want to be other person centered. I am a member of your family and I want to treat everyone with love, respect, kindness, honesty, etc. I want to value them as family and add value to their lives.

October 5 devotional

Scripture

Colossians 1: 28-29 “So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ mighty power that works within me.”

Observation

1) Paul’s goal was to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.

That means my goal as a pastor is to present the people of First A/G perfect, whole, complete in their relationship with Jesus. That is the end product. That is whole person discipleship. They serve God with their hearts, heads, hands, and feet.

2) Paul’s means was he worked very hard, as he depended upon the power of Jesus that worked within him.

Pastoring is hard work. It took time, love, sweat, tears, heart ache, etc. Paul gave his people his all.

It also takes the supernatural. There is only so much we can do. We work as hard as we can and then we have to depend upon God. We do all that we can to help someone turn their life around but then we look to God to do the rest.

Only God can truly change a life.

Application

I must commit to working hard in discipleship. I labor. It is work.

I also cannot take responsibility for others. Only God can change a life. Only God can make someone whole. I work and trust. It is not either/or it is both.

Prayer

I ask that each person who attends First A/G will be perfect in you. I ask that they commit their lives to you and turn from sin. I ask that they love you with their hearts, head, hands, and feet.

October 1 devotional

Scripture

Proverbs 24:13-14

“My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.”

Observation

God is comparing wisdom with something sweet to eat. Honey taste good. Wisdom also tastes good. Finding wisdom is the key to a successful future. My dreams will not be crushed if I pursue and discover wisdom.

Application

I can discover wisdom by:

1) Reading and applying the Bible

2) Reading and applying other books.

3) Having wise counselors.

4) Learning from life experiences.

Obtaining wisdom is a priority in my life. I cannot be a successful husband, father, or pastor unless I pursue and discover wisdom.

Prayer

Give me wisdom. The Bible says if I lack wisdom to ask you for it and you will give it liberally. Give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation. Give me faith and courage. Show me what to do and then give me the guts to do it.