1 Timothy 5: [May 15, 2010]

I'm sure that we're supposed to do devotions on Saturdays too... so I'm going to post my response. I'd like to hear more from a lot of you guys (especially the ones who haven't even posted on the forum yet... which I find disappointing.) Anyway, I hope things are going well with all of you!

The main point of the subject I find is how to treat other people, depending on the situation. The chapter gives the following primary examples:

1) Older men
2) Younger men... but most importantly,
3) WIDOWS.

It almost focuses on the entity of A WIDOW, not so much to the other two listed. Really, I'm guessing it's because in context, widows were either unrecognized or disliked. But from verses four to eight, I suppose they really apply to other people.

It demonstrates how the widows put their spiritual gifts and God's knowledge into practice. We learn from James that "faith without works is dead"; the fact that anyone would do this would apply the knowledge. As I say quite a lot, I find that we have EVERYTHING we need; all we need to do is take action!

But it also shows that living for oneself - for personal pleasure - does not glorify God in any way and is "dead". Clearly, we do things like this all the time, and praise the Lord that we still are alive. But if you recall, Sam talked about a fig tree parable; that later, if we don't produce good fruit, we WILL be cut off, or more like blocked off, from God. This applies to all of us, guys! We all fall into temptation daily, and we all do ungodly things; I mean, we aren't perfect, but it does not mean we give up. If you seek, God will give us strength to succeed!

I find that from verses eleven to fifteen, my prediction, in fact, came true. The older widows were unappreciated while the younger "widows" were rebuked and disliked upon.

As for the elders, it shows that it is good to respect them. Although a "traditional" Korean family might be somewhat strict and very against the beliefs of Christianity, I find that we should respect them usually. I mean, our grandparents do have some knowledge that they may share with us. I find that to be great! But I find there's a limit to doing so. If one were to have grandparents that are just being depraved by sin, then I personally would not give them more respect than any other person. This is just personally what I feel. I don't mean to be cruel, but I find that with other individuals too. If they're just making fun of something I believe in, even though I don't hurt anyone, I find that to be very pitiful. Sorry to be really dark!

I encourage everyone maybe to memorize verses twenty one, twenty-four, and twenty-five. I think these ones seem to help me in prayer, and that is a challenge even for me!

I would ask a question: I'm not too sure on the significance of wine that is in verse twenty-three. Is it because wine is symbolically the "blood of Christ"? Or does it represent Christ's works? I'm just curious, and like to know!

God bless!

Julian.

Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Hey guys!

Julain beast my friend! Keep it up!

So for this chapter, i had some trouble on what to talk about, so im going to talk about whatever came up my mind after reading this chapter. This might not have any relevent to the chapter, well maybe, anyways here it is!

Basically, after reading this chapter, the 5th commandments of the Ten, Honor your father and mother simply came in my head for some reason. So basically in this chapter in the first few versus, it talked about treating other people as your brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, am i right. In verse 1,2 it says, "Do not rebuke an older man harshly but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity". This is the verse where the 5th commandment kind of came in my head because, we must honor are parents for they are the ones, who cared for us and always loved us. Just like how God always cared and also loved us. And always will. Correct me if im wrong, The Lord says in order to love me, you must also love your parents. Its like saying, in order to get to God, you must get through Jesus first, right. So, honor your parents, as you would honor God.


AMEN!

Man i am so tired from work after prom last night.
my feet kill!!


anyways. back to the bible.

The verse that stood out to me most was the first:

"Do not rebuke an oldrer man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity."

It's important for us, as not only Christians but as God's reprsentatives that we treat people in a loving manner. Why? because we are kinda like...advertisers of what life is like following God. Am i wrong? I mean, people will judge a relationship with God first by analyzing us. The first step for them to become converted, is to be convinced by our warmth and personality. That way, they are convinced what we preach is ultimately the truth.