Christianity Oasis Forum

[Lani]

1 Timothy 4:6-16
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.


Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up. Proverbs 12:25 (NRSV)




While I was preparing a presentation to the faculty at my school, one of my students inquired about it. As I described it, I mentioned how nervous I was. She told me not to be nervous because God wanted me to do a good job.

Paul told the Colosians to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:23, KJV). My 10-year-old student made me feel that I was working for the Lord, and her words increased my confidence. My presentation was one of the best I had given.

Many years have passed since that day; but whenever I give a presentation, teach a Sunday School class, or take on a task for others or myself, that student's encouraging words still echo in my mind. I will continue to pray and to put God first, for I know it is the Lord who enables me to do a good job.



Prayer: Dear God, thank you for those who speak in your name and who serve you by encouraging others. Amen.


Prayer Focus of Day: Those Giving a Presentation


Thought for the Day: Whatever we do each day, we honor God by our efforts to do it in love.

Story shared by: M. Baker (GA)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 8/4/11