Recognition

Recognition

1 Timothy 5: ¹⁷ The elders who do good work as leaders should be considered worthy of receiving double pay, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox when you are using it to thresh grain” and “Workers should be given their pay.” ¹⁹ Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or more witnesses. ²⁰ Rebuke publicly all those who commit sins, so that the rest may be afraid.

 

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After working hard for a long period of time, the project was finished. At the convention, the project was accepted well and people flocked to our booth. It felt great to get recognized when they gave our team an award.

 

• I felt good being recognized for my hard work.
• I felt appreciated for what I was doing.
• I felt honored.

 

Paul suggests recognition to Timothy. Recognize elders who do a good work as a leader, preaching and teaching. Unlike most leaders, this one stands out amongst the people as a true leader. Paul warns Timothy that some people may get jealous and present false accusations against the recognized elder. He suggests their sin be brought in front of everyone in a public rebuke.

 

My Observations

• Pastors, preachers and teachers who dedicate themselves to serving the LORD should be supported for doing so.
• GOD recognizes people who serve HIM without needing to be paid.
• GOD wants me to lead with integrity and not be concerned about being paid for it.

 

Recognition is great! I mean, it feels good to be appreciated and honored especially when unexpected. But what happens when no one sees what you and I do? GOD sees those who work from the heart.

 

HE is more impressed when I serve HIM in secret than when I seek to be recognized in front of many. HE also wants leaders to recognize other leaders who have dedicated himself or herself to serving the LORD and are doing it well. You will know them by their fruit. I gladly recognize those who serve the LORD with all their heart!

 

Challenge

• What is the writer recommending?
• Have you ever received recognition?
• How did it feel?
• Will you recognize those who have served the LORD with all of his or her heart today?

Living Example

Living Example

1 Corinthians 4: ¹⁴ I write this to you, not because I want to make you feel ashamed, but to instruct you as my own dear children. ¹⁵ For even if you have ten thousand guardians in your Christian life, you have only one father. For in your life in union with Christ Jesus I have become your father by bringing the Good News to you. ¹⁶ I beg you, then, to follow my example. ¹⁷ For this purpose I am sending to you Timothy, who is my own dear and faithful son in the Christian life. He will remind you of the principles which I follow in the new life in union with Christ Jesus and which I teach in all the churches everywhere.

 

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“How To” videos were not as accessible at the time. I was trying my hand at making furniture from scratch. I asked my uncle for advice. He had won many contests for making furniture and owned a thriving restoration business. I carefully listened to his advice and completed the furniture.

 

• There have been many people who have given me some great advice.
• There have been many people who have shown me how to do things right.
• There have been many people who have been great examples for what I wanted to do.

 

Paul likens himself to a “Father” who has given birth to those who believe in JESUS as their Savior. He brought the Good News to many people and they believed. They became his children and he urged them to “follow his example” to do the same. Spread the “Good News” and become a living example.

 

• GOD wants me to spread the Good News of JESUS’ resurrection.
• GOD wants me to go and make disciples out of many nations.
• GOD wants me to become a parent to many people who believe in JESUS.

 

Being an example of JESUS is great! I mean, I don’t have to be perfect because HE was and is. HE was the one who died for my sins and all I have to do is point people to HIM for forgiveness. My imperfection, flaws and failures draw people to HIM rather than repel.

 

When I admit I am a sinner versus trying to pretend I do not sin, I end up with children who believe in GOD. I am glad GOD put so many living examples of HIS followers in my life.

 

• Do you have an example of a follower of JESUS?
• Do you admire people because of how he or she follow JESUS?
• Will you become a living example of how to spread the Gospel of JESUS today so you may have many children in the Kingdom of GOD?

Signs of Passion

Mark 16: ¹⁹ So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. ²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

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“Why am I doing this?” was my question as I continued doing the thankless job. It seemed like no one cared about what I was doing at the time so each time I did what I was doing, it became more of a chore. One day someone said, “I have been watching you for years. What makes you do what you do?” “Wow!” I thought to myself. “What should I say?”

• There were times when I wanted a sign that I was doing the right thing.
• There were times when I wanted to give up because I did not have a sign.
• There were times when I wanted someone to at least thank me for what I was doing.

After seeing JESUS absorbed into heaven and witnessed HIM sitting at the right hand of GOD, the disciples had passion like you would never believe. They went everywhere and told everyone they could meet that JESUS CHRIST is LORD.  JESUS did not just let them go alone. HE went with them confirming everything they said about HIM. HE gave signs so that others may believe.

• JESUS wants me to go out and speak about HIM with passion.
• JESUS wants me to have passion without the need for signs.
• JESUS wants me to be excited about HIM and HE will provide the right words at the right time.

GOD wants passion from me. HE doesn’t require much from me at all, but when I show passion for HIM, HE gives me evidence that HE is working through me by drawing many people to HIM. JESUS rewards my passion for HIM and that is all I need.

• Are you looking for signs?
• Do you feel discouraged because you haven’t seen what you are looking for from HIM?
• Can you renew your passion about JESUS by simply telling people about HIM today?

Daily Exercise

Psalm 96: ¹ Sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
² Sing to the Lord, praise his name;
    proclaim his salvation day after day.
³ Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

⁴ For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
    he is to be feared above all gods.

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On top of the hotel was a tiny track. I was only a few years out of college and felt I was still in decent shape. Remembering my days on the high school track team, I warmed up then jumped on the track. To my surprise I was sluggish and slow.

• The longer I skip exercising the harder it is for me.
• The more time I spend not exercising the more my muscles forget.
• The greater period I spend away from exercising the harder it is mentally and physically to get back into it.

One day the SPIRIT moved me to speak about CHRIST to someone. I hadn’t spoken a word about HIM or HIS salvation in years! “Should I talk about me? Should I argue with this stranger on their stance? How should I even mention GOD?” were the flood of thoughts that scared me away from speaking about GOD. I said a couple of words and walked away disappointed. I was SPIRITUALLY out of shape.

• GOD wants me to stop using church cliché’s and start speaking about HIM with my mouth.
• GOD wants me to sing a new song about HIM meaning I need a new adventure rather than looking back at the old.
• GOD wants me to declare HIS glory among all peoples, not just the ones I feel comfortable with.

I heard a church term “Always speak about GOD and sometimes use words” but I can’t seem to find that phrase in the Bible. GOD wants me to boldly declare HIS name and praise HIM for everything HE has done, is doing and will do! He doesn’t want me to sing a song about HIM and sometimes use words or praise HIM and sometimes use words. HE wants me to use the words that flood from a heart of gratitude!

GOD wants me to exercise daily by telling people about HIM and HIS greatness. My heart needs to be focused on what HE has done versus looking at the next complaint I can lay at HIS feet. I praise GOD from whom all blessings flow. I praise HIM as a creature here below. I Praise HIM above ye heavenly host. I praise FATHER, SON and HOLY GHOST! amen

• Are you afraid to speak about GOD?
• Do you shrink back when speaking about HIS graciousness?
• Are you too busy condemning someone about their sin to tell them about GOD’s mercy on you?
• Will you stop using church terms and open your mouth by giving ‘your’ testimony about how great GOD is?

It is Time to Teach

2 Chronicles 17: ⁹ They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord; they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people.

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“I could have said that better” is what I thought as the old man stammered through his words. I looked around and saw people asleep. When they asked for volunteers, I said “of course!” I prepared a very entertaining speech and of course added some scripture for flavor.

As I filled the hour with my rhetoric, I kept everyone awake but someone came up to me and asked me to explain the deeper meaning of the scripture. I stammered and couldn’t explain.

• GOD said “Go Baptize and Teach” to me.
• GOD said “Teachers and preachers will be held to a higher standard” to me.
• GOD said “Do not think more highly of yourself” to me.

I had surface knowledge of GOD’s word and thought it was boring, outdated and irrelevant so I figured I would spice it up with entertainment. GOD says, “Do not add a jot or a tittle to MY word” meaning I don’t need the flash and fanfare.

GOD wants us to understand that we no longer live by the Law, but HE hasn’t thoroughly thrown it away. HE actually wrote the Law on every human’s heart to show how serious HE is about what HE said. GOD then cleared the confusion by summarizing the entire law through this statement… “Love one another as I have loved you.”

GOD volunteered to die for me so HE became a human to do so. HE allowed HIMSELF to be accused, slandered and murdered by pastors, ministers, preachers, missionaries and teachers who misinterpreted HIS true purpose and twisted HIS word for their convenience.

To teach means to live GOD’s word. It means saying all the promises along with the consequences. It means saying things that apply directly to me before they apply to who I am saying it to. GOD holds me to a high standard so I must be careful with my words.

• Are you complaining about someone?
• Do you think they are crazy?
• Do you think GOD is calling you to become the teacher instead of the complainer?
• Can you begin looking at GOD’s truths more deeply so you can begin teaching?