ADORATION – Reflect on God’s Greatness
GOD IS WRATHFUL
Unlike human anger, God’s wrath is never capricious, self-indulgent, or irritable. It is the right and necessary reaction to objective moral evil. Nahum 1:2-8
Nahum 1:2-3
The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath.
The Lord takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.
The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.
His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet.
Praise the God vents His Wrath
In general venting is seen as a bad thing. When God vents His wrath, it is terrifying but ultimately good. God vents His wrath because He is fully just, infinite in love, and completely good. He is holy. Praise God for His wrath. Without wrath there would be no justice or love.
CONFESSION: Confess your sins to God and receive his continued mercy.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks to God for his specific blessings in our lives.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100
SUPPLICATION: Bringing our requests to God.
- Bring your personal prayer requests to God.
- Pray for your friends who do not know Jesus. Ask God to strengthen your friendships and give you opportunities for gospel conversations.
SCRIPTURE READING:
1 Timothy 3:1-15 New Living Translation
Leaders in the Church
3 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader, he desires an honorable position.” 2 So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
The Truths of Our Faith
14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:
Christ was revealed in a human body
and vindicated by the Spirit.
He was seen by angels
and announced to the nations.
He was believed in throughout the world
and taken to heaven in glory.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
The past two days, we’ve looked at the list of qualifications for leaders and talked about why all of us should strive to have these godly characteristics evident in our own lives. But remember one thing, these traits are not all-inclusive. Paul and Timothy had already worked side by side for over a decade. Certainty, Timothy would have known Paul’s expectations. It would be better for us to understand these character traits as God’s strong views about the kind of people who make up the church. Think about that for a moment. You’re probably thinking, “Thanks Jim; now I feel even more inadequate. I can’t do this!” And to that thought I say, “You’re right. You don’t have what it takes on your own! But you’re not left all alone without hope either. Here’s the good news! The mystery of godliness is Christ himself! In him is where true godliness springs!” Read verse 16 again…
16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
Think about all the implications this verse has for your life. It’s tremendous! If you need to repent and confess anything, then do so. And then rest in the mighty arms of Jesus. Be faithful. Follow God’s leading and remember, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”