«Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men» (l Timothy 2: l).
I N 1 TIMOTHY 2, Paul challenges us to four actions.
Pray for the authorities, that they may legislate correctly and fairly (w. 2, 3).
Practice a life of genuine prayer, whether private or public, in an atmosphere of love and forgiveness (v. 8).
Have good taste, balance, and discretion, as they are essential elements in a life that is led by biblical principles, including the way we dress (vv. 9—14).
Faithfully fulfill the legacy to strengthen the home(v. 15). God has granted women great honor through the gift of motherhood. She will not only be considered blessed by her husband and children but will also receive the Lord’s approval. On this earth and in eternity, God rewards mothers who defer or postpone their economic or professional development to raise their children.
Petrolina is a municipality in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. It is the most productive region for grapes in the country. One day, Pastor Josanan visited Brother Marcos’s vineyards and was given some grapes. A few weeks later Brother Marcos gave him grapes again, but this time they were for his father.
When he tried them, he noticed they were different: the first ones had been rather sour, while the second ones were very sweet. Why? The answer was quite simple: they had spent more time on the vine.
Life and the dictionary define «sour» as something bitter, vinegary, lemony, rough, tasteless, scathing, and ironic. While they define «sweet» as a pleasant taste, something smooth to the palate, such as honey or sugar. What makes the difference?
Spending more time at the foot of the Vine.
Spending more time listening to God through His Word.
Spending more time talking to God in prayer.
Spending more time producing good fruit.
Whether in private life, in the family, in the church, or in the community, the secret to having a sweet life is to spend more time at the feet of Jesus. Ellen G. White shows us the way to stop being sour like lemons and become as sweet as honey:
“The words of Christ are spirit and life. Receiving them, you receive the life of the Vine . . . The life of Christ in you produces the same fruits as in Him. Living in Christ, adhering to Christ, supported by Christ, drawing nourishment from Christ, you bear fruit after the similitude of Christ» (The Desire of Ages, p. 677).