Your Daily Devotional for May 26, 2006

May 26, 2006 

 

Oh, To Be Used of God!

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

“Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And send Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith.”

 

1 Thessalonians 3:1-2

 

What kind of a man or woman does God use?  Why did the Apostle Paul choose Timothy for the work in Thessalonica instead of some other disciple?  What characteristics did Timothy possess that made him fit for the Lord’s work?

 

As we study today’s verse, we see that Timothy was first and foremost, a saved man.  It may be pretty basic, but it is absolutely necessary for us to be saved in order to produce any fruit in the ministry.  Timothy was raised by godly women—his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois.  The Apostle Paul, witnessing their godly influence in Timothy’s young life, caused him to write in 2 Timothy 3:15, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation.” 

 

Timothy was a servant leader and possessed a heart for God.  He saw the need and took the lead.  He was probably more than glad to wash a chariot and feed the horses.  He was probably more than happy to run errands for the Apostle Paul and more than willing to disciple new believers.  Have you ever noticed that some Christians are always looking to get out of doing something?  May we be willing to bring that one from across town who has no means of getting to church.  May we not be so anxious to get to the local restaurant that we overlook a visitor crying in the foyer after the morning service.  Timothy was always looking for ways to be used of God because he had a servant’s heart.

 

The Apostle Paul referred to Timothy as a fellow-laborer.  Folks, ministry requires work.  Spreading the gospel entails labor.  Ministry is bearing one another’s burden.  Ladies, it’s being up all night trying to help a tearful wife cope with being abandoned by her husband. It’s helping someone who’s just getting off of drugs or alcohol.  Ministry isn’t just saying howdy-doody around church, doing your thing, and running out.

 

I thank God for people in this church who labor on those buses Saturday after Saturday.  I see our men working on those engines, making sure our buses run smoothly so kids can get picked up and brought to church.  I thank God for my wife Terrie, who goes the extra mile to be a blessing and encouragement to her 4^th grade Sunday school class.  I thank God for those who worked alongside me during those early years, mowing the lawn, trimming the bushes and cleaning the bathrooms. 

 

What a joy it is to be used of God, whether in little or big ways!  I pray that we always have the attitude of gladness when God chooses to use us to work out His wondrous ways today.  May we continue to learn to be true servants of Christ.

---

================================================
THIS IS AN AUTOMATED MESSAGE PLEASE DO NOT REPLY
================================================
Manage your online subscriptions at
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-login.aspx

To Unsubscribe from this list please follow this link
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-unsubscribe.aspx?s=4159&l=1