1 Timothy 4:12-16 (NLT)

12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

In 1 Timothy, Paul is advising Timothy on how to handle a difficult situation. At the time, Timothy is being sent in to address areas of concern within the church. No doubt, this was an overwhelming task. Timothy was younger than many of the people he would be advising, and he also likely had less religious experience. This, however, was not concerning to God. What we see in others and ourselves is not what God sees. God sees the heart. God is concerned not with age or experience, but with our conduct, love, faith and purity.

Paul tells Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because of his age, but the principle extends far beyond just age. The broader message is that God has a plan for us no matter what our perceived limitation. As believers, we are called specifically to pursue God’s will above all else. This means that no matter our situation, we are without excuse when it comes to saying yes to what God puts in front of us. If we aren’t dead, God’s not done.

God is not waiting for us to reach a certain age, theological understanding or level of income to be used by Him. Our value to God lies in our obedience — not our age, race, gender or how much or how little we may have. Despite all the shortcomings we see in ourselves, we have the ability to confidently share Jesus’ message with those around us.

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Have you ever pulled into your parking spot at work or school and realized you can’t remember a single moment of the drive? When we see and do the same things every day, it’s easy to go into autopilot.

As our familiarity with our surroundings increases, our awareness of their specialness decreases. This is true, not just in our morning commutes, but in our spiritual lives as well. In Habakkuk 2:14, God describes a time when the earth will be shaken out of autopilot and filled with an awareness of His glory.

The world wasn’t lacking examples of God’s glory. God’s glory was all around Israel, just like it’s all around us. Everything we find beautiful in nature — from the mountains to the beach — was made by God and points to how magnificent He is. The problem was a lack of awe for the God who made everything they depended on.

Taking for granted the God who made the wood, the people started making their own gods. And while we don’t see a lot of wooden idols today, we aren’t that different from the people God was warning when He said, “How foolish to trust in your own creation— a god that can’t even talk!” (Habakkuk 2:18).

When we allow anything other than God to capture our awe, we’ve made an idol. Idols aren’t just statues. Idols take all forms — the need for acceptance, the love of money, the identity we find in roles at work or at home.

Removing idols from our lives doesn’t have to take the destruction of nations. Rediscovering our awe starts with the choice to give God credit and honor for all that we are, all that we have and all that we can do.

No matter how many steps we’ve taken from God, He hasn’t moved. God is still in His holy temple displaying His glory (Habakkuk 2:20). We just have to stop long enough to see it.

Reflect:

• Is there any area of your life where you’ve allowed yourself to become more captivated by something God created than by the Creator Himself? How has that affected your awareness of God’s presence around you?

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Everyone knows “that” crowd in high school, the one we let intimidate us by their status or influence. They were cooler, more popular, had the best of everything.

But no matter how far removed the in crowd seemed, they are people just like the rest of us. They face the same struggles, hopes and fears. And while we might be intimidated, God sees us all the same. He does not show favoritism. We are all sinners in need of a Savior.

In Galatians 2:6, Paul writes, “Those men who seemed to be important did not change the Good News that I preach. (It doesn’t matter to me if they were “important” or not. To God all men are the same.)

The Gospel is the same no matter whom it is presented to. It takes the same amount of grace and mercy to be forgiven by Jesus no matter how much we make, what car we drive or where our kids go to school. Just because we are given status by the world’s standards does not mean we have special status in God’s eyes.

Maybe middle and high school are decades behind you. Maybe you're scared to talk to your neighbor about Jesus because you're not a pastor. Maybe you're afraid to speak up about changes at work because you're "just a shift worker."

In God’s economy, there is no such thing as “just a ...” God doesn't rate us according to our status; He looks at the attitude of our hearts. If God is prompting you to have a tough conversation, do it and remember that the person sitting across from you is also just a sinner in need of a Savior.

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“After this, Jesus knew that everything had been completed. So that the Scripture would come true, he said, ‘I am thirsty.’ There was a jar full of vinegar there, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a branch of a hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ mouth.” -John 19:28-29 (NCV)

“Jesus gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became a servant. And when he was living as a man, he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death on a cross.” -Philippians 2:7-8 (NCV)

“I say this because many deceivers have gone out into the world. They deny that Jesus Christ came in a real body. Such a person is a deceiver and an antichrist.” 2 John 7(NLT)

“So that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’” - John 19:28 (NIV)

“When I was thirsty they offered me vinegar.” -Psalm 69:21b (TEV)

“Take a branch of the hyssop plant, dip it into the bowl filled with blood, and then wipe the blood on the sides and tops of the doorframes.” -Exodus 12:22
“Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life. 15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” -John 4:13-15(NLT)

“Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” -John 6:35 (NLT)

“On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)” -John 7:37-39(NLT)

“O God, you are my God, and I long for you. My whole being desires you like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for you.” -Psalm 63:1 (TEV)

“As a deer pants for flowing streams,

so pants my soul for you, O God.” -Psalm 42:1(ESV)

“For my people have committed two evils:

they have forsaken me,

the fountain of living waters,

and hewed out cisterns for themselves,

broken cisterns that can hold no water.” -Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV)

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Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT)

23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Colossians 4:5-6 (NLT)

5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

God created work, and He cares about your work. Whether you work in your home, in an office, or by going to school, there’s a plan and purpose behind your work.

The people you sit next to or work alongside, the teachers you’re assigned, the customers who walk through your doors — each will learn something about God from you because God’s Spirit lives in you.

Our faith is meant to affect every part of every day. As it does, we experience a change in our attitude toward our coworkers and the work itself. We’re no longer working for the weekend or trying to get ahead. Instead, every day becomes an opportunity to serve God and see His kingdom come.

Praise

When the last time you thanked God for the ability to go to work or school?

What is God showing you about yourself and about Him through this opportunity or season?

How have you seen God show up for you this year in your workplace or classroom?

Repentance

Does your job or degree program hold an appropriate amount of value in your life? Do you find more of your identity in what you do or who God says you are?

How’s your attitude at work/school? Would you say you’re working wholeheartedly? Would others say the same?

Think about your interactions at work or school this week. How are you doing when it comes to speaking graciously and doing “all that you can to live in peace with everyone”?

Ask

Is there anything you’re stressed about or anyone you’re at odds with? Ask God to equip you for any difficulties awaiting you when you get to work or school.

What do you want to see God do in your school or workplace? Talk to Him about it.

Yield

You may have dreams and desires for your work, but remember, God has dreams and desires for you. Take a few moments and let God speak to you about who He has called you to be in your workplace or school.

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