This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. Prayer should be biblically informed. As I continue the path of being a deacon in my church, I ask that You give me the words I need to help those who come to me. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. F If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. In a cultural context deprived of Christian commitment, today is the day for deacons to model the change they want to see in the church. 1. You have ordained the service of deacons for your church, in order that the needy members may receive the necessary support. Amen Prayer Before Sunday School Jesus as we gather together to learn about You, may You meet us here. b. 11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. And Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means. We love You for that, Father. Have you had experience with any of these ideas? Is the focus of these qualifications on a mans abilities, or his character? Couples Prayer for Support Dear Jesus, as my wife and I strive to live as pure and honorable Christians in this secular world, stay near us and guide us to be Your righteous and faithful servants. Seeking the Gospel in Malachi, the Last Book of the Old Testament. : Pre-Seminary & Bible, Baptist Bible College (Now Clarks Summit University)M.Div. Updated June 01, 2022. Give [them] a generous spirit when [they are] tired but needed. Psalm 32:8 2. Lift our eyes to seek You first today, and always, surrendering our need to achieve, understand, and be known. It will help develop your language of faith and help you apply Scripture. The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. 6. 4. I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. E The men seek God's mind, heart, and guidance. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. First, theres just no getting around it, somebody has to do some good preparation, and that usually falls to the chair. Recalibrate our intentions and refocus our hearts. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Help us plant seeds of hope and faith in eternal life with You. Couples Voice Prayer Jesus, my Master Potter, I pray that every morning when I wake up, You are there, right next to me and in me, to be the energy in my veins, the beat in my heart, and the voice in my throat. These readings are available for both lectionary cyclesdaily readings and Sunday/Festival readings. The last thing Ill mention here is the ounce of prevention step. Ephesians 6:18 Whether you are headed into a work meeting that needs guidance and wisdom or gathering as a small group or church, these opening prayers will set your focus on God's will. conduct our work with a spirit of joy and enthusiasm. You can find the devotionalsby clicking here. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain. Options to hear God's Word may be: a) Through a Relevant Bible Passage Select a Bible passage that relates to diaconal ministry. Visit the Bible online to search for words if you dont know the specific passage yourre looking for. He and his wife, Kris, were married in 1982 and have two married daughters, a son, and five grandchildren. Steer our intentions to align with Your righteous will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 24 And the Lords bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. The Lord's Servants Read the Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:8-13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. Comfort me when I question myself and my ministry. After almost three decades of deacons . 1 Timothy 3:11 Verse Concepts c. What does this verse contribute to our overall subject? Their family lives prove that they apply the truth of Scripture in all areas of their lives. But this is your time. Keep Me Grounded Prayer Lord Jehovah, Self-Existent One, I ask that You keep me grounded and on the path You have for my life. For example, the Bible is the authority for Baptist faith and practice. This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. D Guide My Footsteps Prayer O God, my Promise-Keeper, be with me as I step out every day into the darkness of this world to bear Your light. 3) HEARING GOD'S WORD It is important for a deacon's meeting to begin with an encouraging Word from God. It's been said that a lot of churches are run by strong willed deacons wives:) According to scripture, churches are to be run by elders, of which the pastor is one . An exceptionally good piece of news is that these devotions are available for free on the DMC website! For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Deacon Bonner called meeting to order and then asked if anyone had a scripture on their heart that they wanted to share. 27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Though our circumstances will be unfair from time to time in this life, You are always our unwavering protector and shield (Psalm 3:3). For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Working with people's problems, hurts, disappointments and needs requires, as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Book of Order puts it, that deacons be "persons of spiritual character.". 5 Short Devotions for Online Meetings By Jordan An April 27, 2020 Meeting togetherin person or more often now onlineis an important way to stay connected. Paul identifies nine qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3:8-12: Dignified (v. 8): This term normally refers to something that is honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy, and is closely related to "respectable," which is given as a qualification for elders (1 Tim. Take Away My Worry Prayer Dear God of All Comfort, thank You for all that You have given me. Deacons' Meetings. each other to excellence. A Bit of Clay Anytime; Pentecost 2. Help me to devote my life to best supporting the elders of the church and the congregation. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them,You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you the whole time, 19 serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; 20 how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, 21 solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Use your departure as a time to thank God and ask for His protection and blessings. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. c. What warnings do we find here, both for pastors and church members? Read Steve Viars Journey to Faith for the full account of how the Lord led Pastor Viars to Faith Church. They are to teach what is good. We need You. H For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faiththat you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, Who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. In every situation we ponder in our daily lives, let the Holy Spirit translate Your commands. What are the implications to us? A church meeting agenda is an outlined plan for a church administrative meeting. In verse 13, Paul says, "For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and a great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus." Paul is saying that those who serve in the often quiet, behind the scenes work of deacons, will be rewarded with high standing. Focus our work on the good things that can only come from You. Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 3. As I continue the path of being a deacon in my church, I ask that You give me the words I need to help those who come to me. Scripture: 2 Samuel 23:8-18. . Deacons bring stability for people. They are to be blameless, the husband of one wife, a good household . Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. Let us examine a final passage of Scripture regarding deacons. Lord Jesus Christ, Servant of all, Send your Spirit upon [our deacons and their wives] as [they] serve your Church. Blanket us with Your peace today, Father. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Thank You for every seat that has been filled here, today. The expectations for elders differ from those of deacons in a one critical way. for choosing to use ordinary, average people like us to impact the world. Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. As we gather together, we praise You for this day and Your purpose for it. These short, but insightful and inspiring pieces, are all based around the theme of "Live As Examples of Christ Jesus". Why was the office of deacon instituted? What does the Bible say about Deacons? Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well. 2. A chair who signals to her group that she really values them and respects them, is on the way to a good meeting. decisions through this meeting." Then close the prayer. So what else? 33 I have coveted no ones silver or gold or clothes. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 2.2 Short Devotions for Advent and Christmas. In Christ, Kendall. Focus our eyes on consoling those who hurt and bringing Your light into the darkness. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. A Diaconate that PRAYS Together, Stays Together! Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. "I will still be the same when you are old and gray, and I will take care of you." Isaiah 46:4 As we grow older, our bodies begin to change. Help me to persevere in all I do in Your mighty name. I am Yours. 29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.