1Timothy 3-4; Psalms 20

1Timothy 3

Leaders in the Church

3This is a trustworthy saying: "If someone aspires to be an elder

, he desires an honorable position."G4103G3056G1536G3713G1984G1937G2570G20412So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife

. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.G1985G3767G1163G1511G423G435G3391G1135G3524G4998G2887G5382G13173He must not be a heavy drinker

or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.G3361G3943G3361G4131G3361G146G235G1933G269G8664He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.G4291G2573G2398G3624G2192G5043G1722G5292G3326G3956G45875For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church?G1161G1536G1492G3756G1492G4291G2398G3624G4459G1959G1577G23166An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall

.G3361G3504G3363G5187G1706G1519G2917G12287Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil's trap.G1161G2532G846G1163G2192G2570G3141G575G1855G3363G1706G1519G3680G2532G3803G12288In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.G5615G1249G4586G3361G1351G3361G4337G4183G3631G3361G1469They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.G2192G3466G4102G1722G2513G489310Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.G1161G1381G3778G2532G4412G1381G1534G1247G5607G41011In the same way, their wives

must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.G5615G1135G4586G3361G1228G3524G4103G1722G395612A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.G2077G1249G2077G435G3391G1135G4291G5043G2532G2398G3624G257313Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.G1063G1247G2573G4046G1438G2570G898G2532G4183G3954G1722G4102G3588G1722G5547G2424

The Truths of Our Faith

14I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon,G5023G1125G4671G1679G2064G4314G4571G503215so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.G1161G1437G1019G2443G1492G4459G1163G390G1722G3624G2316G3748G2076G1577G2198G2316G4769G2532G1477G22516Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith

: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.G2532G3672G3173G2076G3466G2150G2316G5319G1722G4561G1344G1722G4151G3700G32G2784G1722G1484G4100G1722G2889G353G1722G1391

1Timothy 4

Warnings against False Teachers

4Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.G1161G4151G3004G4490G3754G1722G5306G2540G5100G868G4102G4337G4108G4151G2532G1319G11402These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead

.G5573G1722G5272G2743G2398G4893G27433They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth.G2967G1060G567G1033G3739G2316G2936G1519G3336G3326G2169G4103G2532G1921G2254Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.G3754G3956G2938G2316G2570G2532G3762G579G2983G3326G21695For we know it is made acceptable

by the word of God and prayer.G1063G37G1223G3056G2316G2532G1783

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

6If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters

, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed.G5294G80G5294G5023G2071G2570G1249G2424G5547G1789G3056G4102G2532G2570G1319G3739G38777Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.G1161G3868G952G2532G1126G3454G1161G1128G4572G4314G21508"Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come."G1063G4984G1129G2076G5624G4314G3641G1161G2150G2076G5624G4314G3956G2192G1860G2222G3568G2532G31959This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.G4103G3056G2532G514G3956G59410This is why we work hard and continue to struggle

, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.G1063G1519G5124G2872G2532G2872G2532G3679G3754G1679G1909G2198G2316G3739G2076G4990G3956G444G3122G410311Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.G5023G3853G2532G132112Don'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.G2706G3367G2706G4675G3503G235G1096G5179G4103G1722G3056G1722G391G1722G26G1722G4151G1722G4102G1722G4713Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.G2193G2064G4337G320G3874G131914Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you.G272G3361G5486G1722G4671G3739G1325G4671G1223G4394G3326G1936G5495G424415Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress.G3191G5023G2468G1722G5125G2443G4675G4297G5600G5318G1722G395616Keep 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.G1907G4572G2532G1319G1961G846G1063G4160G5124G4982G2532G4982G4572G2532G191G4675

Psalms 20

20[For the choir director: A psalm of David.] In times of trouble, may the LORD answer your cry. May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.H5329H4210H1732H3068H6030H3117H6869H8034H430H3290H76822May he send you help from his sanctuary and strengthen you from Jerusalem

.H7971H5828H6944H5582H67263May he remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings. InterludeH2142H4503H1878H5930H55424May he grant your heart's desires and make all your plans succeed.H5414H3824H4390H60985May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the LORD answer all your prayers.H7442H3444H8034H430H1713H3068H4390H48626Now I know that the LORD rescues his anointed king. He will answer him from his holy heaven and rescue him by his great power.H3045H3068H3467H4899H6030H6944H8064H3468H1369H32257Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the LORD our God.H7393H5483H2142H8034H3068H4308Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm.H3766H5307H6965H57499Give victory to our king, O LORD! Answer our cry for help.H3467H3068H4428H6030H3117H7121