Let all things be done for building up. 2023 Christian Reformed Church in North America. Deacon Campbell opened the meeting in prayer promptly at 8:15am. 24 But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, in order that I may finish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. Open our eyes to see what you are doing in our lives. Forgive us for striving beyond our means, worrying, and forcing results. Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him. Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Dr. Steve Viars has served at Faith Church in Lafayette, IN since 1987. Give us your grace to relieve needs by means of material gifts and to instill the comfort of your holy Word into the hearts of the afflicted, that they may put their trust in you alone. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. God let this meeting be productive and, as should be the case in all areas of our lives, help us to keep You at the forefront of our minds as we do the work set before us. Amen. We love your comments! Ready us to make every moment count. N 10 And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach. Father, Or am I trying to please man? October 2022 - Sacrifice for God and Others. Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband. The deacon chair has an opportunity to initiate honor by asking his pastor for input in front of the other deacons. Even in failed attempts, You blow us away with Your faithfulness to provide what we need. C For Hard Times For Financial Prosperity For Physical Health For Emotional Health For Protection For a Marriage For Babies and Pregnancy For Family For Spiritual Warfare For Spiritual Health For a Death For the Workplace For Bedtime, Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, 18 Strong Prayers for a New Place to Live, Righteousness Exalts a Nation Meaning and Meditation, 50 Biblically Accurate Facts About Angels in the Bible, 50 Most Profitable Youth Group Fundraising Ideas for Your Church, 250 Ice Breaker Questions for Teen Youth Groups, 25 Important Examples of Pride in the Bible, Why Jesus Wept and 11 Lessons from His Tears, 25 Different Ways to Worship God and Praise the Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. F Help us plant seeds of hope and faith in eternal life with You. Give me patience, dependability, and a continued, trustworthy reputation. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Let me put my fears of public speaking and meeting new people behind me and allow me to be all that I can for You. . b. Give [them] a discerning mind to know your truth. Contact me: openbibleinfo (at) gmail.com. Give [them] a generous spirit when [they are] tired but needed. Not double-tongued (v. 8): Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something . read more. b. Help all of the teachers to be able And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. Bible scholars are generally agreed that the "office" of deacon finds its roots in Acts 6:1-7, where the early church selected seven men to assist the apostles in caring for the needs of the widows in the early church. 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. b. Take my words from my mouth and replace them with Yours completely. View Pastor Viars' Salvation Testimony Video, 5526 State Road 26 EastLafayette, IN 47905. Please share your ideas for improved meetings. For each mind and heart that fills the presence of this room, we thank You. Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless. Meetings of the first church have more to do with keeping in line with . What then is Apollos? However, only You can see in perfect detail the end of every beginning. Nothing is ever in vain, for even mistakes and missteps are used for good. Like deacons, elders live sincere, generous, faithful, self-controlled lives. 2.7 Short Funny Devotionals for Essential Oils Users. An exceptionally good piece of news is that these devotions are available for free on the DMC website! 34 You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my own needs and to the men who were with me. It is necessary to begin your staff meeting with these collections of 6 Powerful Prayers for Staff Meetings with scriptures on this post. 6. 3:2). Why was the office of deacon instituted? 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. I don't believe deacons "run" the church. Do you have feedback? Every deacon Your will for our lives does not always reflect our plans. Let us examine a final passage of Scripture regarding deacons. Updated June 01, 2022. The New American Standard Bible. I J 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved. And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. 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. These. V 9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. Only You truly know what we are setting out to accomplish today. Make my heart like yours so I may love your people. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 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. Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 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. : Pre-Seminary & Bible, Baptist Bible College (Now Clarks Summit University)M.Div. 14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. 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. I am Your servant and desire to further Your kingdom and guide Your sheep to green pastures and eternal life with You. In the way the words are often used in Acts and the epistles, a believer in any form of ministry could be called the servant, or deacon, of Christ. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. Read Chapter All Versions 1 Timothy 3:8-13 8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. Connect to The Network and add your own question, blog, resource, or job. So, if you want the real Jell-O, do not be deceived by the Snack Pack. 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. We know that when we gather together, You always have a divine agenda. Verse 7)? Help me to devote my life to best supporting the elders of the church and the congregation. Dashes January; to memorialize someone 6. As we gather today around your name, we pray that you would fill our hearts, our minds and our souls. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. The responsibilities of a deacon are not clearly listed or outlined; they are assumed to be everything that does not include the duties of an elder or pastor, which is to preach, teach, and exhort. It can be so vast and open ended that it's difficult to know what to focus on. Tell Him your troubles. Give [them] a humble heart when [their] work goes unnoticed. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. Having a time of devotions and prayer at your deacon's meetings is meant to facilitate a sharing of the living Word. He and his wife, Kris, were married in 1982 and have two married daughters, a son, and five grandchildren. Help me to persevere in all I do in Your mighty name. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that it is not me speaking, but You through me. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. The world is pulling at us from all sides, but as long as You are near, we will be able to stand firm in You. decisions through this meeting." Then close the prayer. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. The agenda will show WHAT is coming up, AND, even more important, WHAT the group is being asked to do about it. Deacons need to be able to look it over a couple of days in advance so it can percolate; we all need time to clarify our own thinking and decide what we want to say in the meeting. 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.". Make me a witness for You, Lord. Make the agenda so it can be distributed ahead of time. 1. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? Ephesians 2:8 tells us, " For by grace are ye saved through faith.". But you have to get there one step at a time. Make me fertile ground for your inspiration and love. OpenBible.info A Deacon's Relationship to the Church Membership at Large The deacons are to be active in ministry to the church family, promoting peace, harmony and a spirit of cooperation among the membership. "For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that this in Christ Jesus (1Tim.3:13)." Tonight the leadership (pastor and deacons) of Pleasant Hill Baptist church will meet with a purpose. Remind me daily that it is an honor to be Your hands and feet. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. The agenda will show WHAT is coming up, AND, even more important, WHAT the group is being asked to do about it. Benediction End of school/church/calendar year 5. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you. It lists the order of business and topics of discussion that address the overall goals of the meeting. Giving My Best to God Prayer Dear Christ in Heaven, please give me the strength, energy, and endurance to be a tireless servant in Your Church who spreads Your love. As an apostle, Paul described himself as a "servant of the Lord" (Rom 1:1; Col 1:25). But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. E So now we are ready to invest a bit of effort and time, because we are MOTIVATED to improve those meetings! How do you start your deacon meetings? As we gather together, we praise You for this day and Your purpose for it. Amen. You have ordained the service of deacons for your church, in order that the needy members may receive the necessary support. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Pour your heart before Him. Forgive us for our pride. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. I will cross raging waters and walk through burning flames and not be afraid because You are with me through it all. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. A Taste of Life Time of trouble in congregation/community 3. Labs I am so blessed to have Your mercy, grace, and love. b. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Give me health of body so I may serve with strength. Deacon Bonner called meeting to order and then asked if anyone had a scripture on their heart that they wanted to share. You are God's field, God's building. If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. What Does It Really Mean That Your Body Is a Temple? Scripture: 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your . Keep my breathing deep and peaceful, let anxieties roll off my back, and help me to stay focused on supporting the elders in my church.