DCLM Sincere Milk 10 March 2024 — Living by Example
DCLM Sincere Milk 10 March 2024 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Living by Example
Topic: Living by Example
Text: 1Timothy 4:9-16
9This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
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.
Key Verse: “Let 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.” 1 Timothy 4:12
Message
To live by example means to be a shining light among others. It also means to live a life that others can copy from. If the life you live is not acceptable to God and cannot be copied by others, then you need to check yourself.
Timothy in our Bible passage was encouraged by apostle Paul to be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity, and truly he was a good example. You should be like Timothy; let others see Jesus in you in the way you talk, in your actions, in dressing, in character and in relationship with other children. Prove to them that you are a child of God so that they can learn from your life and repent. A sinner cannot live by example. You have to repent of your sins and accept Jesus into your life. Then you can be free to live an exemplary life for others to follow.
Write out one quality in the life of the following Bible characters that make them exemplary.
Samuel ______________________________________________________
Joseph ______________________________________________________
Rhoda ______________________________________________________
Further Reading: Matthew 5:14-16
Prayer for today: Father, make my life a book for others to read.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
