1 Timothy 3:8-16; Psalm 109

1 Timothy 3:8-16
The word "deacon" means "servant." As you can see the qualifications for deacon are high and are similar to those of pastor. Deacons are church leaders along with the pastor.

• They must be well respected.
• They must have integrity.
• They must not abuse alcohol.
• They must be honest with money
• They must be committed to Christ and have faith in Him.
• They must have a clear conscience.
• They should be carefully chosen.
• Their wives must be worthy of respect in the church.
• Their wives must be gossipers. 
• Their wives must exercise self control and be faithful to the Lord.
• A deacon, like a pastor, must be faithful to his wife (be a "one-woman" man).
• He must manage his children and household well.

And so we can see that it is no light matter to be called to be a leader in the church. But as I said yesterday, these are qualities that would be good for all of us to try to have in our lives. May it never be said that we would not be spiritually qualified to serve the Lord.

The last few verses bear this message out. Paul said he wanted Timothy and the church at Ephesus to know how the believers were to conduct themselves in case he might be delayed in coming to them and bringing the message in person. The church is of vital importance to the Lord, and we should always take it seriously. "This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth." v. 15 This truth is about Jesus Christ. "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." v. 16

Psalm 109
One of the most difficult trials to deal with is being slandered and lied about and falsely accused. These attacks make us feel helpless, and they make us angry. David knew these feelings all too well. Always remember that we can tell God our true feelings. After all, He already knows them.

vv. 6-20 are part of what scholars call "imprecatory psalms." These are psalms in which the psalmist calls on God to bring down judgment on his own and God's enemies. In these verses, David's requests to the Lord are quite specific and very harsh. In reality, they depict the eventual judgment that God will indeed bring down on His enemies.

v. 21 and following brings us back to David actually praying for himself. He asks God to deal well with him and rescue him because He is a good and faithful God.  David readily admits that he is poor and needy and weak and hurting. He desperately needs God's help, and he asks for it. We should do the same! He acknowledges his faith in the Lord and gives Him repeated thanks and praise. "For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them." v. 31

Let's remember that no difficulty or tight spot or calamity is too great for the Lord. We must seek His help and then thank and praise Him for His faithful love and goodness to us.