Happy Monday! It is December 8, 2022. Ever wonder why God didn’t just create us as people who were already healthy, wealthy, and wise? That would be such a nice starter package. Instead, God creates us hungry, poor, and desperate! Why? Is there something we don’t know? What does He intend to build? What’s His purpose? Read on …
Today's Reading:
1 Timothy 1,2,3,4
Scripture
““I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me … because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” (1 Timothy 1:12)
Observation
Here, we find the order in which we become useful for the Lord’s purposes. He doesn’t necessarily give us instant strength as a sign-up bonus. Instead, He presents opportunities … opportunities to serve, volunteer, help, give, and contribute. Faithfulness would need to be built before a formal placement and assignment. Then once He’s found us faithful, He grants a sustaining strength and puts us into His service. Faithfulness is not like an Amazon package we are waiting to be delivered to our front door. Instead, it is built brick by brick as we respond to God-opportunities.
Application
God gave Paul strength, but not just because he asked for it. His power and his potency didn’t come from a drag-and-drop app. Instead, Paul was found faithful first in the opportunities that the Father presented — faithful first in service, in contribution, in volunteering time with those who needed help, or in whatever God asked of him. Even when Paul didn’t feel he had all the discretionary time or resources for it, he leaned into God. The Father noticed that! And seeing that Paul was content to serve without accolades, his faithfulness activated a divine strength and power that would carry him on the journey God was about to assign. That was the beginning of his life-long ministry of power and miracles. God knew that certain qualities would need to be built before, not after, the journey started.
The same is true with marriage, ministry, wealth, and leadership influence … can we be faithful first?
Prayer
Dear Father, You have given me daily duties and long-range assignments. I choose to be faithful first … not according to reward or profit but according to Your Word. I will steward the vision You reveal, the knowledge You deposit, and the authority You entrust. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
–Wayne Cordeiro
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