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23 September 2008
1 Timothy 5:22-25
Think carefully before you lay your hands on anyone, and don't share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Stop drinking only water, but drink a little wine to help your stomach and your frequent sicknesses.
The sins of some people are easy to see even before they are judged, but the sins of others are seen only later. So also good deeds are easy to see, but even those that are not easily seen cannot stay hidden.
How good are you at taking advice? Today's reading shows Paul giving advice to Timothy about Church life and about his personal wellbeing. So three quick points...
1) Laying hands on someone here could have two possible meanings. Firstly it might mean laying hands on people as you pray and commission them for leadership, or it might mean the way someone who had sinned was welcomed back into the early Church, through a service where they publicly said sorry and were publicly forgiven and blessed. Both these meanings make a similar point - don't go rushing into things, but take time to think, judge, pray and reflect before you act. Sometimes it can take a while to see what is really happening in a person's life and if they really are who they say they are.
2) God is interested in all of our life and world, not just the bits we think are Holy. Paul's advice about drinking wine shows he was interested in Timothy's physical health as well as his prayer life.
3) Thirdly Paul says look carefully, because some problems are obvious, some are hidden and only come out in the long run. Not everything that looks great is, and not everyone who does great things shows off about it.
How do you make decisions? Today when you are faced with a tough choice try not to rush to an answer but take time to think and pray. That way you have a far better chance of hearing God than if you do everything in a hurry.
Lord help me to slow down and listen to you today. When I am busy or stressed help me to stop, think and pray before I act. Don't let me be fooled by first impressions, but help me make wise choices I pray. Amen
Written by David Booker D J Booker ________________________________
Word on the Web is provided free of charge as part of the ministry of Church Army.
1 Timothy 5:22-25
Think carefully before you lay your hands on anyone, and don't share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
Stop drinking only water, but drink a little wine to help your stomach and your frequent sicknesses.
The sins of some people are easy to see even before they are judged, but the sins of others are seen only later. So also good deeds are easy to see, but even those that are not easily seen cannot stay hidden.
How good are you at taking advice? Today's reading shows Paul giving advice to Timothy about Church life and about his personal wellbeing. So three quick points...
1) Laying hands on someone here could have two possible meanings. Firstly it might mean laying hands on people as you pray and commission them for leadership, or it might mean the way someone who had sinned was welcomed back into the early Church, through a service where they publicly said sorry and were publicly forgiven and blessed. Both these meanings make a similar point - don't go rushing into things, but take time to think, judge, pray and reflect before you act. Sometimes it can take a while to see what is really happening in a person's life and if they really are who they say they are.
2) God is interested in all of our life and world, not just the bits we think are Holy. Paul's advice about drinking wine shows he was interested in Timothy's physical health as well as his prayer life.
3) Thirdly Paul says look carefully, because some problems are obvious, some are hidden and only come out in the long run. Not everything that looks great is, and not everyone who does great things shows off about it.
How do you make decisions? Today when you are faced with a tough choice try not to rush to an answer but take time to think and pray. That way you have a far better chance of hearing God than if you do everything in a hurry.
Lord help me to slow down and listen to you today. When I am busy or stressed help me to stop, think and pray before I act. Don't let me be fooled by first impressions, but help me make wise choices I pray. Amen
Written by David Booker D J Booker ________________________________
Word on the Web is provided free of charge as part of the ministry of Church Army.
