Good morning to all on this glorious Sunday morning. The weather in Atlanta is just wonderful! We were in the 70's yesterday. Please continue to keep ET and his healing in your prayers and the health of JKS. Also remember that TK needs a job in Atlanta, in Jesus name. God is so wonderful and when you pray in Jesus name and believing, your prayers are ALWAYS answered.
I am continuing my journey in 1 Timothy 3 verses 1-13 "Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus." Amen.
Paul is giving instruction on how to select Trustees and Deacons for the Church, and as you can see it is not a personality contest and not an occasion for the pastor to pick folk that will be "yes men". Trustees and Deacons are to be the folk that other folk can look up to and to come to them for counsel. I personally believe a strong church is one in which you have as many men as women and that men take an active leadership role in the church. When Waine and I select a church to belong to, we always look at the number of men in the congregation and their role. God loves to see men active in the church and loves to build his foundation of any community on the backs of STRONG CHRISTIAN men. Likewise women are INSTRUCTED not to be gossipers and have malicious tongues. Joyce Meyers often talks about the role of the "tongue" in bringing you down first and then others. Women are to be temperate and trustworthy. How many of us feel we can share anything with a female friend without judgement or without fear that the other woman won't reveal our secrets. Well in the Church we are supposed to be able to share and get honest feedback; not feedback laced with maliciousness or envy.
At all times men and women of Christ should be watchful that we not fall into the devil's trap of which are many both when you are awake and sleeping. What you put into your mind will also affect you when you are sleeping so always pray before going to sleep and empty your mind of all things other than the Words of God. We are not only to be good stewards of the physical church but also be good stewards of the Temple of the Holy Spirit -- us!
Now may the LORD bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.
If you have tapped this Blog this day you are blessed!
Stephanie
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