There is no time like the present to think about the qualities of leadership, faithfulness, and compassion.
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We began the week with reading 1 Timothy 3:1-7, where Paul begins the chapter with talking about church leadership roles and the importance of those who hold these positions.
The criteria for holding these positions was … their character and spiritual maturity. They were called to have lives “above reproach” (verse 2, NLT). They were to live a life with qualities that were blameless.
Their lives were to be this way not only for the guiding of the church but also so … “people outside the church would speak well of him (verse 7).
May we not take for granted our church leaders as it is easy for them to slip up. The enemy is slick and sets traps for them to fall and fail.
Let’s pray for our church leaders for in these days we are living, they need much wisdom in decision making and guiding the church.
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In 1 Timothy 4:1-5, we find Paul warning against false teachers and ideologies once again. False teachings will always abound as the enemy is ever at work to deceive and mislead.
There are three points the study makes regarding the importance of faithfulness:
- When we hold to the truth of God’s Word and faithfully teach it to others, we create generations of faithful followers.
- When we are consistently following His ways, we create a legacy of faithfulness.Â
- Faithful people make an impact on the world around them because they do good and promote the goodness of God (Cheli Siglar, page 31).
The world is so broken by recent events and the injustices occurring. May we hold onto God’s truth and faithfully impart it to this next generation.
As we think of those who have left a legacy of faith for us to follow, the study asks: What can we do to create a legacy of faithfulness for our family and friends?
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The reading of 1 Timothy 5:1-8 was a wonderful way to bring the week to a close.
As we see distressing circumstances around us, God calls us to be moved and respond because He is love.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:27)
The study adds this thought:
“When our actions, language, and love unite, we demonstrably show the love of God to the world. Our identity in Christ is authenticated in compassion.” (Cheli Siglar)
How good is that! I know that it has convicted me this morning. Who in your life needs a demonstration of care and compassion? The world is in desperate need to compassion. May compassion be the quality seen in us and authenticate our lives as His.
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We need to be people with character and spiritual maturity,
who hold faithfully to the truth in God’s Word,
and whose actions are rooted in love.
Photo 1: by vivek kumar on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Katie Moum on Unsplash
Photo 3: by J W on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
Thank you for that, yes that we would be a people of compassion to reveal God’s love to a world that so desperately needs to know. Tell His Story #8
I very much long to be among the faithful who are not only impacting those around me but helping to form a foundation for the next generation of faithful ones. “Creating a legacy”….I love that! Faithfulness is one of my favorite words, greatest compliments and highest goals!
Jennifer, I know how much I have come to deeply appreciate the foundation that helped me form my faith. May we be faithful to do the same. Blessings!
I agree that the world is in desperate need of care and compassion. Who will set the example but God’s children? We need to step up and show our light. Take those lights out from under the bushel and love as we have been loved.