Reading, Reflection & Prayer

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Please Read: 1 Timothy 4-5 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ: we pray for your Church, that she might be presented to you as your bride – pure and spotless – when you return.

Train for godliness

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT) – Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

1 Timothy 4:12-13 (NLT) – Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

+ Thank you, Lord, for pastors and priests – may they be shepherds after your own heart, who will feed your people with knowledge and understanding.

Treat others respectfully

1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NLT) – Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.

+ Thank you, Lord, for every person you have adopted into our church families – men and women, young and old – may we show one another the same consideration, courtesy, and deference as we would to those in our natural families.

consideration, thoughtfulness, attentiveness, politeness, courtesy, civility, deference

Take care of families

1 Timothy 5:3-4 (NLT) – Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.

+ Thank you, Lord, for families – may we support and care for one another, especially our parents and grandparents when they are in need; and may we do so cheerfully and generously.

Support for older widows

1 Timothy 5:9-10 (NLT) – A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband. She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?

+ Thank you, Lord, for the elderly among us, especially those who have lived faithful, godly, lives – may your people provide the comfort and support they require, especially when there is no family available to care for them.

+ Thank you, Lord, for your selfless servants around the world who are caring for the elderly, the sick, and the dying in Jesus’ name.

Not for younger widows

1 Timothy 5:11-14 (NLT) – The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry. Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge. And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t. So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them.

+ Thank you, Lord, for giving us the wisdom required to utilize the Church’s resources to build up your people and set them free, rather than creating dependency and encouraging laziness. We pray especially for those to whom you have called to serve as financial stewards – may they administer your resources with fairness and justice.

Treat elders respectfully

1 Timothy 5:17 19-20(NLT) – Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.
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Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

+ Thank you, Lord, for those who serve as elders in the Church – may they receive the respect that is due their office, and may they be diligent, hard-working, servants of your people. Protect their families, that they may serve as positive models of Christian living.

All will be revealed

1 Timothy 5:24-25 (NLT) – Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.

Lord Jesus Christ: we await for your return in glory when all will be revealed. Help us to love one another, and encourage one another through all the ambiguities of life in your Church. May we always believe the best about one another and graciously administer your kindness and mercy; you alone knows what’s truly in our hearts.

To you be all honor and glory in the Church, throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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“The Church’s One Foundation” – Egmore Wesley Church, Chennai, India

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!