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Titus 2:2-5 – Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (NIV)
Sophie is one of my mature dogs. She is a great help to me, especially on winter's icy paths in the corral, when I steady myself by holding on to her collar. There are times, however, when I don't want her in the corral with me and I command her to stay outside the fence. Most of the time, she obeys, but some days, she comes up over the fence to join me. When this happens, she receives a sharp rebuke and is ordered back out. It is important for her to obey, not only for her own sake, but for the sake of the younger dogs that are avid watchers and shadows. If they see Sophie getting away with disobedience, they are quick to follow suit. As the mature one in the pack, Sophie is the one that I count on to set a good example for the younger canines.
Likewise, God counts on mature Christians to set a good and godly example of Christlike behaviour for the less mature within His kingdom, which means that no matter how old we are, we are never without a job.
The pups watch Sophie closely. Young Christians and those who do not yet know Christ also watch older Christians closely. Just as Sophie receives a sharp rebuke from me when she is not living up to her maturity, so we, as Christians, can expect a sharp rebuke from our Lord when we tarnish His reputation by our immature behaviour.
Retirement is a common word and occupation in the world. But with God's people, retirement is not an option, for though we are in this world, we are not to be of this world. So, let us not grow lazy or indifferent to the task that God has given to all of us mature ones, for there are many watchers to whom we have the privilege of presenting Christ through godly words and actions.
Prayer: Father God, whether we have known You for many a year or only a year or two, help each and every one of us to take seriously the responsibility that You give us to set a godly example in all that we say and do. May we always be aware that we have watchers both within and outside of Your church: those who long to see and know that our beliefs are genuine and a true reflection of You and Your love for mankind. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.
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Excellent Lynne! Thank you.
Thank you, Lynn, for this timely reminder.
Thank you, Lynne, for an important reminder, appreciated!
Thank you, Lynne, for sharing this object lesson with us. Yes, let’s walk our Christian talk. Blessings.
Amen Lynne. May we always set a good example to those around us and be imitators of Jesus in all that we say and do.
Good morning Lynne,
Thank you for another of your inspiring devotionals. Right on! Our Lord deserves our best behaviour at all times and important that others see our true reverence to Him.
Blessings to you.
(B.C.)
Thank you Lynne,
I much enjoyed your sharing about Sophie and how she has to learn and set an example is a very good reminder of the example we are to set for our fellow Christians and those who are on the periphery. This helps me refocus as I recuperate from an illness.
Blessings to you now and always.
Hi Lynne…. I enjoyed a ‘God-Moment’ today as I opened my daily devotions online.
What analogies! Not only are there many ‘watchers’ but they are reading my life in the way I am living it. Good lessons today as reminders that actions speak louder than words, and actions are also remembered longer than any words that I may speak.
Thank you for your lesson today!
(ON)
Hello Lynne
Thank you. That was a good one and a great comparison also. We used to have dogs also but now just one. They were all so cute but yes, they needed mom guidance for sure. I find constant routine, same thing over and over so they learn, like us too. We cannot be in and out of a relationship with Jesus or just pick situations to be involved and then do something else.
Thanks again and have a blessed weekend.
Hi Lynne,
Wish we lived closer together as I would enjoy knowing you better. We are about to get an additional dog. After our Lab died, our kids decided to get us another. She will join our English Setter.
We have donkeys, innumerable cattle, deer, etc., all the things that live in the wild around here. I was always a city girl but when we retired, my husband commenced living his dream of being a rancher and here we are.
Thank you for your “watchful” devotional. You certainly have a gift to put the thoughts of many into words.
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for your devotional.
You are right, for us old(er) Christians – retirement is not an option, I don’t think.
There is no retirement for us as long as God gives us the strength to carry on.
Blessings.
I saved this to read a few days in a row, because it’s so good – and so true.
Thanks, Lynne.
Hi Sister Lynne,
I always love your writings.
In your Devotion The Watchers, I love how God teaches us great life lessons in so many ways.
(Through People, even through dogs.)
It is a good reminder that, even when I am alone, God is with me and always watching and listening!