Daily Scripture
“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day,but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
1 Timothy 5:1-8
Daily Devotion
What does it look like to show Respect and Care to others? If you are like me, these words have been used to teach values in most of our homes. I always knew that we had to show respect and care towards others because it was the right thing to do, but I don't know if I ever put into perspective how these two words are a driving force of the Gospel.
Paul was pretty clear in his words to Timothy and his instructions to the church. This is how we show a fallen world the love of Christ and HIS church. Henry Blackaby said, “If you know that God loves you, you should never question a directive from Him. It will always be right and best. When He gives you a directive, you are not just to observe it, discuss it, or debate it. You are to obey it.” Older men, we are to exhort as a father and younger men are to be treated as brothers. Women are to be treated as mothers and sisters. Widows are to be taken care of by the church.
When we follow these instructions left by Paul, Respect and Care will follow. Our actions as the church have to match our words. Our church is our family, and we should treat our family with Respect and Care. We love our family and want to lift them up. When we do this within the church, we show Christ to an unbelieving world. Live and Love like Jesus!
Jesse Martin