   Find help when...
[Afraid]
[Anxious]
[Backsliding]
[Bereaved]
[Bitter or Critical]
[Conscious of Sin]
[Defeated]
[Depressed]
[Discouraged]
[Doubting]
[Friends Fail]
[Leaving Home]
[Lonely]
[Need Guidance]
[Overwhelmed]
[Tempted]
[Weary]
 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."[ 1 Timothy 5:8 NIV ] The key word in this verse is “provide”. My desktop dictionary defines it as “to supply something”. It takes effort to supply something. Which is the idea the apostle Paul is conveying to his disciple Timothy, who was pastering the church at Ephesus. After the birth of the church at Jerusalem on Pentecost. Believers began to unite with one purpose and to share all things in common as each one had need.[ Acts 2:44-47 ]Now Jesus foretold that the kingdom of God would spread out like a very large tree. He also foretold that the birds of the air would come to roost in its branches.[ Matthew 13:31 & 32 ] So as the church began to spread throughout the world many came to take advantage of the welfare system. Just like the welfare system of today takes a lot of abuse, the system in place during the first century of the church was also taken advantage of. There began a lot of consumption without production. Which put a lot of strain on a young pastor’s time to develope future disciples for Jesus Christ. So the apostle Paul lays down a few guidelines so that those who are truly in need would be cared for, while at the same time not allowing a playground for satan’s handiwork. Idleness was beginning to take a seat at the dinner table, Paul layed down a rule that if you won’t work, you don’t eat.[ 2 Thessalonians 3:10 ] God expects us to work and set an example for us from the beginning.[ Genesis 2:3 ] After Adam was created, God placed him in a safe environment called Eden, which means “delightful place”. God gave Adam the job caring for the garden instead of sitting around all day eating figs. The one thing that God said was not good about his creation was that Adam was alone.[ Genesis 2:18 ] Let’s recap how God provided for Adam. 1. God provided a safe environment. 2. God provided an activity or task for Adam.[ Genesis 2:15 ] 3. God supplied food for Adam.[ Genesis 2:16 ] 4. God provided a wife for the man. He even performed the first marriage of a man and a woman.[ Genesis 2:22-25 ] 5. God provided fellowship with the man and his wife. 6. When that fellowship was separated by sin, God provided a cure.[ John 1:29 ] Even if you are a single parent, you can provide for your relatives and immediate family by; 1. By bridging the gap between you and God through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And that is done by faith.[ Ephesians 2:8&9 ] 2. Confessing your faith. Or in other words allowing the Son of God to be formed in you through the reading and obedience to His word.[ Romans 10:9,10,17 ; 1 John 5:13 ] 3. Prayer is the communication between you and God and while it may seem like you don't have time to pray. Remember God is the ruler in the kingdom of mankind. That includes time. What ever time you spend with God in prayer, He will give it back to you. Included in prayer is intercession. Which means to stand as a mediator between God and someone else.[ Matthew 6:5-13 ] 4. Fellowship with those of like faith. Seek out fellowship with those that have proven their maturity in the faith. It is here that the Holy Seed that was planted in your heart will grow and you will be encouraged.[Hebrews 10:25 ] 5. All of the above will develope a witness that you belong to someone greater than time and eternity. You will shine like the stars in heaven that show forth His handywork.[ Psalm 19:1-14 ] This page was created to provide access to opportunities for families to strengthen their faith as well as a safe environment for all. If this page has been helpful to you. Be sure to sign my guestbook for a record of your vist. Remember to bookmark this site as I will be adding new features periodically. If you are seeking hope for a new life, it all begins with Jesus. Begin Here!
Find More Online Inspirational Christian Bookstore Gift Shopping Catagories to meet Your Specific Need
[ Apologetics] [ Best Seller List] [ Biography] [ Catalog Quick Shop] [ Christian Fiction] [ Charismatic Interest] [ Christian Classics] [ Collectibles] [ Finances] [ Giant Print] [ Gift Certificates] [ Gift Registry] [ Grief] [ Large Print] [ Missions] [ Music Downloads] [ Online Catalogs] [ Single Living] [ Spanish Interest] [ Spiritual Warfare][ Sports][ Catholic Gifts][ Gifts for First Communion][ Gifts for First Baptism][ Gifts for Infant Baptism][ Gifts for Confirmation] [ Messianic Literature][ Messianic Music][ Messianic Holidays][ New Believers][ Alcohol and Drug Recovery]  [AddMe - Search Engine Optimization]
[
Visit whatsyourprayer.blogspot.com][Business directory online promotion.]
Christian Business Advertising
copyright Wintercreeks 2000-2008
Make Wintercreeks Your Start Page! |
