Something Greater

Lord, how my troubles have increased today! I feel overwhelmed and and I need your help. Protect me from faithless anxiety. Remind me of your great goodness and sovereign rule over all that concerns me. Grant me trust-filled sleep and restore my confidence in your control over all circumstances. Remind me of your promises and plans for me, promises and plans of righteousness and justice. Restore my trust in you unfailing love. Everything in the world and all that is in the universe are under your control, Lord. Teach me to fear the consequences of ignoring you, of minimizing you, of making plans and pursuing goals with little regard for your majestic power and judgement. Teach me to depend on your faithful love, in all circumstances, through thick and through thin. Teach me to wait for you, to rejoice in you, to trust in you, and to hope in you. I lift my eyes to you, the one enthroned in heaven. Like a servant’s eyes on his master’s hand, like a servant girl’s...

1 Timothy 3: Serving Well as Deacons 1 Timothy 3:8-13 What has gone before... Paul warned Timothy to avoid appointing an inexperienced Christian to a position of leadership. The warning focused on comparing a newly sprouted plant to a newly converted believer, emphasizing their need for a deep, healthy foundation upon which to lead others. Moving on... 1 Timothy 3:8-13 (ESV) "Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Ch...