MONDAY 27th FEBRUARY 1984

A GOOD MINISTER OF CHRIST

READING:  1 Timothy 4:12-16                 English - Vivien   Chinese - Katty

12  Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
13  Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching.
14  Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophetic utterance when the council of elders laid their hands upon you.
15  Practice these duties, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress.
16  Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

COMMENTARY                                        - Monica

We may think that we are young.  Nobody will look upon us. We may be holding the least position in an organisation, we are unimportant, but we are told, "Let no man despise your youth."

We should be an example in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith and in purity.  We should continue to exhort and encourage one another and also to teach people in the way God wants him to lead.

Each one is given a special gift by God.  It could be prophecy, hospitality, or teaching, and we are told to be diligent in these things, continue to do the good work God has bestowed on us.

Timothy is a young man but he is faithful, honest and diligent. Paul loves him very much.  It is a love relationship of a father and son.  Though Timothy is looked down upon by others.  Yet he has great potential and also has many gifts.  Paul urged him to carry on the work of the Lord.  Though many people may say, I eat more salt than you eat rice, yet let us not be discouraged by these words.  The words by Paul, let no man despise your youth, but be an example to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.

May this be an encouragement to us to strive ahead and to carry on the work the Lord has asked us to do.

NEWS

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, give us encouragement and help us to forget the past but to look ahead for the things that you have prepared for us
In Jesus' Name we pray.  A-men