Love God Greatly - Made for CommunitySample

Paul teaches Timothy as a young pastor how to treat the people in the church. Older men and women are to be treated as parents with respect and honor, not to rebuked, but encouraged. Younger women were to be treated as sisters and younger men as brothers. Paul encourages Timothy to help elderly widows who are truly in need. In those days, the widows who were to receive financial support from the church were those who had no family, served the church faithfully, and lived godly lives. Paul was advocating that the church take care of widows; however, he made it very clear that the church is not supposed to take on this responsibility to relieve family members of their personal duty. The responsibility of providing for the widows rests with family members.

Paul emphasizes the responsibility and accountability of men to support the household. Husbands and fathers play an irreplaceable role in a family. When the man is not there, the wife and children suffer in many ways. The Bible tells us that God Himself steps in to fill the role of protecting and caring for those wives and children that lose the man of the house. When a Christian man or Christian family members willfully refuse to support and provide for their family, God sees and is greatly displeased.

Three of the divinely inspired institutions established by God are marriage, family, and His church. Each of His institutions were created to model the active, living, breathing, loving relationship that He desires with those He considers His children. All three institutions are meant to reflect His glory, His character, and His standards for commitment and communion. The members of church in that day were considered as family. There is great importance for continuing this practice of cementing the church family. In a world that is growing more and more against Christ, the fellowship of believers becomes more important and necessary. The church family studies the Word of God together, worships and prays together, provides accountability, bears one another’s burdens, supports and uplifts each other during crises, and reflects the service and love of Christ towards unbelievers. These godly relationships are strengthened when they exemplify Jesus’ humility, love, and forgiveness.

Do you feel a loss because you did not grow up in a Christian home? Do you still struggle with the pain of growing up fatherless or motherless? Have you lost your husband and are facing the uncertainty of a future without the love of your life? Remember that Jesus Christ is Emmanuel, “God with us”. He defied death to be with you in your greatest need. He is Father to the fatherless and defender of all widows. He hears your cry and will fulfill the role you need because He loves you dearly. For those who have are fatherless, remember that when all others forsake you, including your mother and father, the LORD will receive you.

PRAYER: Father God, You are the God who lovingly sustains and has made special provisions for widows and orphans. Lord, You know the pain and sorrow of death. Lord, You know the pain and sorrow of abandonment. Lord, comfort those women whose hearts break over the loss of their loves. Destroy all strongholds of loneliness, bitterness, unforgiveness, desertion, and depression. Comfort them and bring an end to their tears. Soothe them through quiet days, lonely nights, and quickly bring an end to their sorrow. Lord, renew each one with the joy of life and the love of godly service to You. Overflow their hearts with hope. Let each widow’s heart and mind be filled with many beautiful memories of laughter and joy be spent with their loved one. Continue to bless them and supply their daily needs. In Jesus’ name. Amen.