In a large house there are articles … of gold and silver … for noble purposes.–2 Timothy 2:20

People usually respond in relation to expectations. If my family knows that I expect them to sit down together for dinner, we will do that, at least most of the time.  At a San Francisco school the principal selected the top three teachers and gave them the best students to teach. After a year those students learned 30 percent more material than the others. Then the principal confessed, “I told you these were the best students in the school, but in reality, they were all picked randomly.”    The teachers began to applaud themselves. “I guess we really are the best three instructors in the school, aren’t we?” The principal then made a second confession: “We didn’t pick you because you were the best three teachers; we picked your names out of a hat.”
Both the students and faculty performed well because it was expected they would do the best.
In speaking of the church, Paul explained that some people are like vessels of gold and silver while others are like vessels of wood or clay. I’m convinced that he firmly believed Timothy was like a golden vessel. In turn, Paul trusted Timothy to flee from the passions of youth. And when Paul said, “The Lord’s servant must not quarrel,” he knew that Timothy would not be quarrelsome. If we tend to live up to people’s expectations, how much more will we live up to God’s expectations!

REFLECTION

When might we place the expectations of man before the expectations of God? Are you prepared and equipped to strive to raise your level of commitment and expectation to align them with God’s? What God is doing in your life right now is preparing you to be stretched to a higher level.

Prayer

Lord, we are your children, new creations in Christ, your friends, citizens of heaven. May the way you picture us inspire us to live up to your expectations. Amen!

PRAYERS REQUESTS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 13TH, 2011

FOR THE WORK OF THE CHURCH

Next Sunday, 11/20, our congregation is meeting for a regularly scheduled Congregational Meeting. The primary item on the agenda is the election of officers. Please pray that the God’s will be done as meet.

May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth. May the peoples praise you, God; may all the peoples praise you. – Psalm 67:3-5

All For Jesus
Paul Nickel
Director of Christian Education
Our Savior Lutheran Church