Morning Moments

1 Timothy 4:11-13 (KJV)
11 These things command and teach.
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.

BY EXAMPLE - "example"

In this brief sentence, Paul gives us opportunity to fill a book with notes, but let's consider the verse briefly -

We STAND STRONG AMONG SEDUCTIVE DECEIVERS 1) By EXAMPLE, so -

Consistency goes a long way in effective leadership. Followers look for a leader to lead in a way that demands respect, and if we are to make disciples from those who make decisions for Christ, it is certainly not unresonable to expect us to practice what we preach. By so doing, we are demmonstrating our spiritual maturity and humility. We are both confident and humble and many seem to have a problem with understanding the combination. Confidence is full trust in God's ability, not mine, and humility is the absence of pride and arrogance.

EXAMPLE in Character - "conversation" - The old Elizabethan word "conversation" means character, which is not something we discover, but something we develop. It is developed through testing, trials, and tribulation. Paul said to the Romans that tribulation works patient endurance which works experience, and experience works hope, and hope will not leave you ashamed. In other words, tough times teach us that there are times we can do nothing but patiently wait on God to deliver us as He continues the process of building character in us through the experience, and builds in us an abiding hope.

Character is carved and chiseled through pain, not pleasure. We want to enjoy everything and endure nothing, but if we allow the Sculptor to carve and chisel away the peices of our lives that are ugly and displeasing to Him, we will end up men and woman of character who more closesly resemble our Father.

Tomorrow we shall see the example of Charity, God willing.

BLESSINGS!