Tag: Psalm 101:2-3
Never put yourself first!
Scripture reading for November 27th: 3 John, Psalm 101-102, Proverbs 21
Key Scriptures: 3 John 9-11 “I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who like to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church. Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.”
John mentions by name a man who was causing trouble in the church. Diotrephes was known for his self-centered attitude and failure to submit to those God had placed in authority in His Church. John warned the believers not to imitate evil, but to imitate what was good. This man had not seen God and was not doing good. Even worse, he was in Christ’s church family and thought of himself as a believer: he was deceived!
Faith Confession: Lord, help me to practice good and avoid bad examples. I will respect those You place in authority and show hospitality to the brothers and sisters, putting others before myself.
Psalm 101:2-3 “I will ponder the way that is blameless. O when will You come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.”
Elders are entrusted with God’s work!
Scripture reading for October 7th: Titus 1
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Titus 1:6-9 “An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer is entrusted with God’s work, he must be blameless–not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”
Every organization needs sound leadership. The Church of Jesus Christ is no different and Paul instructed Titus about choosing sound leaders that could be entrusted with God’s word and work. First, the elder-leader must be above reproach in the community and family that he leads. He must be the husband of ‘one’ wife! He should have taught his children to believe and instilled God’s word in their lives. His personal habits and character will be known by those living near him and he must have a good reputation–not doing things that are destructive and doing good to his family and others. He must have a good grasp of God’s word and sound doctrine.
Observations for over-comers: Information and application of God’s word go hand-in-hand with an over-coming life. Believers should strive for a blameless reputation. “I will be careful to lead a blameless life–when will You come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing.” (Psalm 101:2-3)