TODAY'S DEVOTION THOUGHT
1 Tim 4:12-16
11These things command and teach.
12Let 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.
13Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy,
with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them:
for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
'Standing Tall' means 'Stepping up'
Many times young people have a hard way to go. They don't receive the support they need from adults, they are treated like their thoughts and opinions don't matter. They sometimes feel alienated from the plans and decisions of the church but then they are asked to do the heavy lifting. They are sometimes asked to sit on committees so the adults can look progressive but the minute they attempt to contribute to the conversation, suddenly they're expected to be seen and not heard. Yet despite your challenges I urge you to Stand Tall for Christ this year.
"Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit in faith, in purity"
Prove that you belong at the table. Prove it not just in maturity but in character, in faith and in purity- let your lives reflect the character of Christ. Let your lives reflect the faith of one who put their trust in Jesus. Let your lives reflect the purity of one who has surrendered your bodies a living sacrifice wholly and acceptable unto God.
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery"
God has given everyone one of us gifts that can be used to further the work of the body of Christ. No matter how young you are, you have a gift. Don't ignore it! Cultivate it! Study it! Promote it! Challenge it! Dedicate it! Prepare it! Protect it! Get to work! God has placed His hands on you- dont' let anyone forget it! Take your gifts seriously. If you need help with it ask- if you need opportunities- make it! If there is a department you want to work in, a ministry you want to start, an event you want to plan- Do it!
"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it: "Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."
"for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."
Remember there is a word in you that only you can speak. Don't deny others the opportunity to hear what God has placed on your heart to say. Sometimes only you can reach others like you. There is a young person out there who is playing in the river on the bank with their salvation and your gift is just the thing to help them make a decision for Christ.
Don't squander the opportunity.
God Bless
Meredith Forde
