Manage Your Mess

Daily Reading: 1 Timothy 3-4

Scripture Focus: If someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? (1 Timothy 3.5)

Devotional Thought: A Christian must not only master the Word of God, he or she must master themselves. I have known many ministers who have torpedoed their effectiveness because they or their families were poorly managed. Minister's families are not perfect - there are many biblical examples of that - but a leader of God's people must manage their own household - even if their family is not Christian. Yes, it often looks a lot like "damage control," but the child of the Lord, must consistently do his/her best.

So, how does one manage his/her household well? The following verses tell us...

· Our relationships must be under the Lordship of Christ. While you cannot choose your family, you can choose your friends. Our friendships - and that of our minor children - have a great impact on our spiritual lives.

· Our finances are to bring glory to God. Do you honor God with your tithe and offerings? Are you generous toward others in need? Are you over-worked in order to get rich? Are you in debt and unable to pay your bills? A man/woman of God must be in control of their finances.

· Stability - as evinced by reputation, maturity, sobriety, self-control and even punctuality - is important. People won't trust you to show them the way to God, if your life is a volatile mess. It's not that things won't go wrong - they will! - but what is important, is how you react when they do.

· Gentleness should mark our attitude toward others. We are not to be violent or quarrelsome. That would dishonor God and turn people away from the true faith.

Have you mastered your life for the sake of the Master?

Prayer: Lord, help me to manage my own life and my own household. I want to bring you glory, and to bring others hope when they see me managing my life, even when things go wrong. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119.97-104

97 Oh how I love your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

for it is ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for your testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the aged,

for I keep your precepts.

101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,

in order to keep your word.

102 I do not turn aside from your rules,

for you have taught me.

103 How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through your precepts I get understanding;

therefore I hate every false way.