Gleanings for January 3

BEING MINDFUL of OTHERS

First Timothy 2: 1-6: “Therefore I encourage first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all people, for kings and all who are in a prominent place that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.

“For (praying in that manner) is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time.”

Too often we pray only for ourselves. It could be we only think about prayer when we are in special need ourselves. In the scripture above, the Apostle Paul gave Timothy some good instructions about prayer.

Praying for those in authority affects us in many ways. “First of all” the verse tells us, our prayers should be for all people; “leaders of our nation” are specifically named. God is concerned about whether those we have chosen to make decisions for our country are people who will acknowledge Him as they rule.

The church I attended as a youth had special emphasis on united prayer during the month of January. The week after New Year’s Day, we (along with other churches in the community) had special prayer services every night (sometimes all day). The inspiration for those meetings could well have come from the text we have chosen for our devotion today.

As Pastors and leaders encourage their members to follow the teaching given in this passage, I believe the result will be a healthy, growing congregation. People will want to share with others the Good News that the Gospel presents and they also will choose to share with those who may have special needs.

Sincere prayer will produce fruit in our lives---the kind of fruit that we find in the life of Jesus. He is not only our Savior but He should be an example for us to follow.

Somebody did a golden deed, proving to be a friend indeed

Somebody sang a cheerful song, brightening the sky the whole day long.

Somebody made a loving gift cheerfully tried a load to lift;

Somebody told the love of Christ; told how His will was sacrificed.

Somebody filled the days with light, constantly chased away the night;

Somebody’s work bore joy and peace, surely that life shall never cease,

WAS THAT SOMEBODY YOU?

Each of us must answer that question for ourselves. We need not rely on our own ability to live in such a way, we have the power of the Lord living within us---He is the One who will direct us to do the things He wants us to do---if we will ASK Him. I promise you, as you think about OTHERS, you will find:

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!