The Virtuous Life – Day 217 – 1 Timothy 4-11-14 – Teach Believers With Your Life – Growing As Disciples
Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use. 1 Timothy 4:11-14 (MSG)
Life And Words
Do you want to get the word out? Do you want me to use your life to lead others to me? Do you want me to use you to go out into the world to make disciples? Yes, I will get the word out. Yes, I want you to use my life to lead others to you. Yes, I want to go out into the world to make disciples. How will you use me? How will you speak through me? Those are two very good questions. I will speak through you in two very different ways. Both ways must be combined together for you to be powerfully used by me. You have my full attention. I am listening carefully to you. First, you must live a godly life. The conduct of your life will speak to others. How you live your life will send out a message into the world. The demeanor of your life must be a flesh and blood demonstration of love and faith and integrity. Others must be able to see my life being lived out in and through you. Your life must shine brightly in the darkness of this world. Your life must be attractive. Your life must be winsome. Is this all clear to you? Do you fully understand what I am saying to you? Yes, I do. That’s good.
Your life alone will not speak clearly enough. Your life alone will only open the door to minister to others. Your life alone will only make others eager to hear what you have to say. Without your words, others will not come to know and love and follow and serve me. Without your words, others will not come to be my disciples. You teach and counsel others with my word. You must boldly declare my word so it can be heard. Will you meet with me in my word? Will you read my word? Will you teach and counsel others with my word? Yes, I will. Will you use all the gifts that I have given you to minister to others? Yes, I will. Then your life and the words I give you to declare will be powerfully used by me. Others will come to know and love and follow and serve me through your life and words. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, I will use the gifts, talents, resources, and abilities you have given me to minister to others. I will teach others by the example of my life and with the words of my mouth. Help me to make sure that nothing you have given is unused and goes to waste. Amen
Key Question… Why will your words of testimony also need to accompany the testimony of your life?
Living It Out… Continue to use all the gifts, talents, resources, and abilities God has given you to minister to others.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord has given you gifts, talents, resources, and abilities to use to minister to others.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how the Lord is using you to minister to others.
Prayer To Bless Others… May your life and words teach others how to love and follow and serve the Lord.
For today’s complete 4 page Discipleship Devotional Study Guide click here:
The Virtuous Life – Day 217 – 1 Timothy 4-11-14 – Teach Believers With Your Life – 4 Page Discipleship Study Guide
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