18 October 2023 – Thank You Lord For The Reminder

Thank You Lord For The Reminder

BRD REFLECTIONS:

1 Timothy 2 and Psalm 85 (NIV)

(Goh Khean Chye DISCIPLE Chairperson, D&N Ministry)

READ

As I was assigned these passages, Pastor Adrian and Pastor Gladwin had just covered a similar passage on conduct during worship in 1 Corinthians 11.

Hence I decided to focus on 1 Timothy 2:1-8 (CEV):

¹ First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone. Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. ² Pray for kings and others in power, so we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honor God. ³ This kind of prayer is good, and it pleases God our Savior. ⁴ God wants everyone to be saved and to know the whole truth, which is,

⁵ There is only one God,
and Christ Jesus
    is the only one
who can bring us
    to God.
Jesus was truly human,
and he gave himself
    to rescue all of us.
⁶ God showed us this
    at the right time.

⁷  This is why God chose me to be a preacher and an apostle of the good news. I am telling the truth. I am not lying. God sent me to teach the Gentiles about faith and truth.

⁸ I want everyone everywhere to lift innocent hands toward heaven and pray, without being angry or arguing with each other.

OBSERVE:

1 Timothy 2 gives us instructions on worship.

1. We are to start worship by praying for everyone, giving thanks for each other and asking God to help all, specifically those in leadership, (v1-3);
2. This is to be followed by a reminder of God’s gift of salvation for all (v4-7); and 
3. Finally ending with how we are to conduct ourselves during worship (v8-15)

APPLY:

As I read these passages, I am reminded:

1. To start each day with a prayer giving thanks and praying for our leaders (v1-3).
2. The second segment reminded me that while I am keeping pre-believing relatives in my weekly prayer list, I have done little else in terms of taking action. This is unlike the other items on my list which have clear plans and target dates (v4-7).
3. To apply the 3 Principles of reading the bible. (v8-15) (I was also reminded of these when I was watching the video for 1 Timothy during my recent DISCIPLE class):
   
   A. Read individual passages in light of all Scripture. 
   
   B. Distinguish between passages addressed for particular times and those with universal and timeless applications.
   
   C. Consider cultural, social, and historical settings.

DO:

I will keep up the discipline of prayer and reading. I will set aside enough time to properly pray and read the Word each day. I will prioritize attending this evening’s prayer meeting with my small group.

I will take concrete steps to reach out to pre-believing family members.

PRAY:

Father Lord forgive me for I have allowed myself to be distracted by the busyness of life and taken short-cuts in prayer and reading your Word. Thank you for pursuing me and reminding me through your Word. May you grant me boldness and wisdom to know how best to reach out to my pre-believing family members. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.