S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
1 Timothy 5:22
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
O-bservation:
This warning to young Timothy by the Apostle Paul, his mentor, had to do with ordaining people into the ministry. Paul told him that when this happens without a complete background check on this person’s true calling and personal relationship with Jesus, it could come back to hurt the church later. Included in this warning, Paul said, “Do not share in the sins of others.” By this, the Apostle meant don’t restore a fallen brother or sister to church fellowship too soon. Paul believed that if a man or woman was truly penitent, it would be obvious to others. If they weren’t, the minister wanting to restore them too quickly would himself fall into sin. It was Paul’s desire that the ministers remain pure.
A-pplication:
How many times have we heard of a young minister falling spiritually early in their ministry? For me I’ve heard the stories now through five decades of spiritual leadership. The weight of spiritual leadership is hard to measure because it’s immeasurable. It may mean one thing to one spiritual leader and something else to another spiritual leader. No two are alike, and the burdens that will bury some are a piece of cake for others to carry. Either way, the weight of Christian leadership is not given by the devil, but instead, it is given by God the Father. This calling by God to young people to preach the Word, makes proper ministry placement paramount as they move forward. Yet, as talented as some of them are, they all need refinement in God’s refiner’s fire. When they fail to receive this refinement and somehow move to the top of the heap of ministry selection, the word to all ministry buyers is, “Move Slow On This!” Don’t try and play God in hiring this person. In fact, you may let someone else have first dibs on the young shining star in question.
P-rayer:
Dear Jesus,
Through the years, you’ve been so kind to me. More than once or twice, you brought a young person or a young couple to meet our needs. Thank You, Jesus! Amen.
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