Scripture Union Daily Guide 14 July 2024 (Sunday) Devotional Message
TOPIC: Heed the Words of Admonition!
OPENING PRAYER: Plant my steps in the sure promises of your word today, dear Lord.
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SCRIPTURE: 1 TIMOTHY 5:17-25
Question(s) for Reflection
* Q5: Is there any warning for me to heed?
* Q7: What truth is God revealing to me in this passage?
It is no wonder that Paul advised Timothy not to allow anybody to look down on him because of his age (4:12). He had much work that surpassed his age. Disciplining and rebuking errant leaders couldn’t have been easy for him.
A church leader/pastor who preaches the word of God with sound doctrine and lives a disciplined Christian life should be supported with respect and provision (3:1, 5:17&18). There is no perfect pastor. Just as a Vicar of mine said, “A pastor can be wrong and that’s why the Parish Church Council should be a pastor to the Vicar.” The sin of an erring church elder/leader should not be covered up. He should be rebuked to warn others (v.20). Notice, however, the protection Paul provided against frivolous accusations (v.19).
Discernment is required in ordaining pastors and deacons. Leaders must rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance in this matter.
Some people often quote v.23 to support their drinking habit. It should be noted that Timothy was not in the habit of drinking, otherwise he would not have needed that advice. The evil effect of drunkenness is clearly visible and the warnings against it are numerous in the Bible. Read for example Proverbs 20:1; 23:31-35.
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
KEEP THYSELF PURE
1. Keep thyself pure! Christ’s soldier, hear,
Through life’s loud strife, the calls rings clear
. Thy Captain speaks: His word obey;
So shall thy strength be as thy day.
2. Keep thyself pure! Thrice blessèd he
Whose heart from taint of sin is free;
His feet shall stand where saints have trod,
He with rapt eyes shall see his God.
3. Keep thyself pure! For He who died,
Himself for thy sake sanctified;
Then hear Him speaking from the skies,
And victor o’er temptation rise.
4. O Holy Spirit, keep us pure,
Grant us Thy strength when sins allure;
Our bodies are Thy temple, Lord;
Be Thou in thought and act adored.
Closing Prayer
Lord, give me the grace to flee from all appearances of evil.
Offer a prayer of faith in line with Genesis 24:60
“And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.”
One Year Bible Reading Plan
Daily Bible Reading Plan: Day 196- 2 Chronicles 28; 2 Kings 16-17
NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN – Sunday Jul 14, 2024
PRAYER FOCUS
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD
Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph. 6:11
THANK GOD FOR:
‣ Being our very present help in trouble.
‣ The strength of the Lord that gives us courage to face any situation He allows.
‣ Being our Defender.
PRAY FOR:
‣ Spiritual alertness to see the plans of the devil to undermine and frustrate what God had intended for our lives.
‣ Grace not to fear, but to stand battle-ready, being equipped will all the spiritual armour, knowing fully well that we are more than conquerors
