Differing Mindsets
Sitting in Your presence this morning this old song came to mind: “Father, I adore You, lay my life before You, How I love You.” It is a simple truth to begin my day, but one laden with profound possibilities.
1 Timothy 6:3-5 (<<click here)
Reading this passage my mind is a swirl with all the opinions and mindsets of this world. Many are quick to proclaim what they hold to be truth and many of those are just as quick to condemn all who do not hold to the same “truth.” What I struggle with, Lord, is… if they read Your Word and I read Your Word and it is the same Word – how can our interpretations be so vastly different?! We cannot all be right.
Lord, I strive to follow You. My daily goal is to read Your Word and to abide by it faithfully. As Paul says here to Timothy, “Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ,” v.3
Things I hear, things I read many times just don’t fit – they out and out contradict Your “wholesome teachings” Lord! I pray that you will reveal Your truth to me. Help me to clearly see Your reality. Help me not to bend and twist Your Word so that it fits my mindset – my agenda. Paul speaks the truth when he state that these mindsets “stir up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander and evil suspicions…” and they “…always cause trouble.” Boy, do they ever!!
Lord first and foremost I pray that You and You alone would be my source for what truth really is. And as I know that truth that I would live that truth. And when my life intersects with all the other, so called “truths” that I would respond as You would – if they are lost – with love and the utmost of patience and if they are “believers”- with firmness and courage! Help me to be Your ambassador.
Sept 25th, Fri, 5:58 am
Butterfly Nets
Father, I am grateful for this time we have together. It bothers me that I am not as eager as I have been in the past to sit with You. I know that it is me and I’m sure there are many contributing factors. Help me, Father. Flush out all that hinders me and fill me with You! I know there will be times of testing. I am weak in and of myself. My strength is found only in You. In my weakness help me not to fall but to immediately be drawn to You! Amen – so be it!
1 Timothy 6:1-2 (<<click here)
Paul has addressed the relationship between slave and master, or a more contemporary application, between employee and employer, before. But it is a good reminder.
Just about every job has its frustrations and struggles. Things can be going well but it doesn’t take much to throw a wrench into the works. A negative comment, an act of perceived unfairness can bring dissatisfaction. Some of us never seem to be able to escape difficulties on the job.
Lord, many times work is what we make it. Our attitudes contribute greatly to how outside forces impact us. It’s a weird thought but sometimes it seems we have our butterfly nets out and instead of trying to catch butterflies we try, with the utmost of efforts, we try to snatch any negativity that flutters into close proximity. We will even race after it just so we have something to complain about.
Instead we’d be better off being like ducks. Let it rain, let it pour! But all that negativity will just run right off of us!
Lord, help me to work so as to please You. Help me to do my best to encourage others and to be a reflection of You!
Sept 24th, Thurs, 8:38 am
Don’t Judge a Book…
What a restful night’s sleep! Thank You Father! Please take this day and use it, use me, to accomplish Your will. Help me be attentive and obedient.
1 Timothy 5:24-25 (<<click here)
These two verses speak of selecting leaders but it is very applicable to all of our interactions with others. The phrase “Don’t judge a book by its cover” comes to mind. Lord, I know that quite often we jump to conclusions with people, sometimes makes snap decisions after meeting others for the first time. Sometimes we are even tempted to pinhole people by what others have said before we even meet them.
Lord, help me to be discerning and along with that to be patient and compassionate. I should never be quick to judge, though on many occasions it is very easy to do. And help me remember, too, that it works both ways. Often we think of people negatively right at the start but then learn that they are in actually good people. Maybe it’s more subtle but sometimes we like people because that say or do acceptable things in the beginning but as time goes on we find they are not sincere or possibly have ulterior motives.
When it comes right down to it, Lord, what I need is to see people as You do. Help me to draw closer to You so that You can direct my thoughts and actions. Thank You for Your love and presence!
Sept 23rd, Wed, 7:12 am
Impact Each Other
Father, once again I sit at Your feet. As I open up Your Word may I see what You want me to see. May the impression it makes on me speak to me throughout this day and the days to come.
1 Timothy 5:17-23 (<<click here)
As a pastor, Lord, it is obvious that I have great responsibility: to uphold and proclaim Your Word and to live an exemplary life before both my congregations and the world. But as Paul states in today’s passage the congregation has responsibilities, as well: to support their pastor financially and to lift him up and encourage them. They are also to hold them accountable.
Lord, I am so very blessed to serve the churches to which I have been appointed. Growing up in a pastor’s home I have many warm thoughts of people and events but I am well aware that there were many struggles. There were many contributing factors but it is a fact that we didn’t live in any community for more than 3½ years. Situations would develop and packing would commence. I am grateful that my father, too, has been richly blessed to serve a congregation in his “retirement” where he is loved and supported in so many ways. He has touched many lives and they have touched him as well.
My prayer is that I continue to meet the needs of the churches I serve – that I will faithfully teach them and feed them and challenge them. I know they love me, and support me and respect me. Yes, there are things I could improve upon and with the Lord’s help I will. May they continue to go deeper in their relationships with God so that together we will impact the world for the Kingdom!
Sept 22nd, Tues, 6:40 am
Caring for Widows
Thank You, Father for a good day yesterday. Thank you for Your presence in our services and for enabling me to proclaim Your word. Thank You for a good day with Karen and for all we were able to accomplish together. I am truly blessed! I am Yours this day, Father as well. Use me to fulfill Your will. Amen
1 Timothy 5:3-16 (<<click here)
Lord, I am so grateful for families. This morning’s passage speaks specifically of our care for widows and throughout my lifetime I have witnessed time and again how families care for their loved ones. Many times families have helped out their mothers by taking them under their own roofs. Other times they have enabled them to live on their own for as long as possible. Many a time I have chatted with these wonderful ladies and we are reminded how fortunate – how blessed – they are to have a loving family to help meet their need. Looking back, I cannot recall an instance where the Church needed to step in because the family refused to help their mothers – what a wonderful thought. I know my congregations would do everything they could to help but what an absolute blessing to have families who are there for their mom’s and put their love into action!
Lord, I would ask that You would help us be attentive to others around us who are in need. Not everyone has a family who cares enough to help them – some don’t even have families at all! If the need arises, Lord, may we step forth to show Your love in tangible ways to the best of our abilities. Amen – so be it!
Sept 21st, Mon, 5:58 am