Devotional for August 11, 2021
Morning:1 Timothy 4: 12-16
Noon: Psalm 97
Evening: Ephesians 2:20 - 22
In Christ's church, God has provided authority.
Certainly Christ is the only head of the church, but He exercises His authority through the pastors and ministers He has instituted ; they will subject themselves to Christ by following his rules and doing everything as He established in his Word.
Those pastors must be very careful not to cross the boundaries of his authority. Christ has vested them with the power to guide the flock, take care of it, feed it and govern it; but always seeking the glory of God and the benefit of the sheep. On the other side, the church must be very careful not to trespass the pastoral authority. But how can a pastor make their authority respected?
Timothy did not allow himself to be belittled because of his youth, but what could he do? Paul's thesis was: the good minister of Jesus Christ will conquer and sustain the authority required for the performance of his work, through unimpeachable conduct, and committed ministry.
This truth is for everyone whom God has placed in authority.
-Antonio Corrales
We gain respect through our conduct.
Morning: 1 Timothy 4: 12-16
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Noon: Psalm 97
1 The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.
8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord.
9 For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
10 Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.
11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Evening: Ephesians 2:20 - 22
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
PRAYER GUIDE: [Perú-Buganvillas] and [Panamá-El Porvenir]
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