September 28, 2026 - Living Above Reproach
“Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ”
1 Timothy 3:2-3 NIV
I must admit that I have been lacking is self-control lately. I have been over eating and I would not say that I am "given to drunkenness" but I have had recent times of a lack of self-control in how much I drink in social settings. As an elder in the church, I would think that would be the same as an "overseer". I would say that I am not able to live "above reproach". Not to make an excuse because I want to recognize my failings, confess them and repent, but I don't think any human can live perfectly above reproach. But when we do fail, we must realize that not only do we need to be accountable in our personal lives but that how we live in our personal lives should be an example of Christ. So, when we fail, we are not representing Christ in a way that would honor or glorify Him. This makes me realize that I don't think about how my life and choices affect my witness and service to Christ and the church as an elder. I pray that this will become the place that I start when making decisions instead of this kind of afterthought. That will make the biggest difference in being able to live above reproach.
“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 NIV
Lord my hope is in you. Please renew my strength that I might be able to serve you and soar on wings like eagles and run the race you have set me on without getting weary. And that I might walk a walk above reproach and be faint.
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