Reflector

A reflector is an object or device that reflects radio waves, seismic vibrations, sound, or other
waves. But think about it, can we be reflectors?

As a student of my Sunday school teachers, I am assured of the message in Matthew 18:14
saying In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should
perish. As a teacher I am challenge by this same message telling me that I am and will be
responsible for my students or my little brothers and sisters as I treat them.

But Psalm 32:8 gives me an assurance that God will guide me in this challenge I will
instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye
on you.

Let us pray. May You be the player, and me the instrument, use my lips, my words, my life for
your purpose. Amen.

Our theme for today Education for Righteousness seems simple enough that we might take it
for granted, and in all honesty, I feel guilty. Our scripture todays will educate us of what to do
and why we should do it. 1 Timothy 2:1-7 teaches us a simple instruction and reasons why we
should do this instruction.

Our text for today urges us to pray. 1 Timothy 2:1 mentions the words First of all When
someone says, First of all it is safe to think that what they say after that part is probably
something important: First of all, eat a good breakfast. Or First of all, do you homework before
you play. I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be
made. Prayer is one of the most fundamental of lessons in our Christian lives. I would
remember how Mama would us the importance of prayer. It is easy to pray, but our verse tells
us to for all people which tells what we should pray for, pray for all people.
Prayer taps the power of God on behalf of others. We could try to help others, even without
praying for them. We often think our prayer would do little good. But the little good that we
could do by our little power is not worthy to be compared with the great good God can do for
people we pray for. So if we want the best for people, if we really love them, of first importance
will be our prayers on their behalf. The first thing you do for a person, if you love them, is to ask
to pray for them. Of course, God's answer to your prayer will almost always include your work
of love, but it will also include much more than you alone could accomplish.
The next is to pray for our leaders. The first part of verse 2 says for kings and all those in
authority. Should this mean praying for our President, our leaders? The current scandals in our
country, PDAF in particular would be a good reason for us to condemn these people we look up
to as leaders. When we pray for others, it is a fact that we pray with our own agendas in mind,
more often than not we say we pray that you give them wisdom, strength, discernment,
blessing, etc. These are all great things to pray for. But they do carry with them our agenda
that the ones we are praying for will think like we do. What if we simply prayed for everyone
where our only agenda was love? What if when we prayed for everyone we sought Gods
blessing for everyone? What if when we pray for everyone? Pray that they are blessed. Pray
that they feel love. Pray that their dreams will come true. Truly wish them the best and let God
set the agenda. It is the same thing with our leaders. Romans 13:1 (NRSV) tells us Let every
person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and
those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. This is crystal clear that God intended
them to be there, instead of praying that they be stripped of their positions or pray that they
made abolish the PDAF, why dont we pray that Gods plans for us would cross over through
the leadership of these people who were intended to be in their positions.

The third, pray that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. If we are
to take this as it is, it would be oh simple praying for peace and tranquillity. Can tranquillity and
a quiet life be still present with all the turmoil? Verse 3 of our scripture says This is good, and
pleases God our Savior,

who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the
truth. How can we be saved? Ephesians 2:8 tells how For it is by grace you have been
saved, through faithand this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. What is the truth? If
there is such a thing as truth, then we should be able to find it. If truth cannot be known, then
it probably doesn't exist. But, it does exist. We have been introduced to this ultimate truth. He
is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and the Saviour of the World. Tranquillity can only be achieved
through the truth found in God alone. Will you take the next step now? Will you trust Him? Let
us put out lives into His hands now. Let us relax in Him and receive His love. He has a special gift
that He wants to give us-- eternal life.
Verse 2 also talks of peace; but, can peace be still achieved in our time in the midst of all the
violence and crime happening all around the world? Can we achieve peace in our lives despite
all the sadness and depression the world can throw at us? Is there such a thing as real and
lasting peace? Paul talks of a different kind of peace. Real peace in our lives can only be
achieved through a life lived in righteousness and salvation given by God. How do we live a
righteous life, we have a role model; Christ Jesus who walked among us. Philippians 4:8-9 says
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or praiseworthythink
about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me
put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. How about salvation? Romans 5:1-
11 talks of this. Verse 1 tells us Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Take note that it was a declaration of what was
happening in the early Church even in the midst of the turmoil oppression and challenges which
it faced. We have an assurance of the peace of God, here and now. Why do we have it? Not
because of anything we have done. On our own we could never manage to restore ourselves to
righteousness. Fortunately we do not have any need to do so. The price of our sin and
disobedience was paid, once and for all, on the Cross at Calvary; and if we accept Gods
forgiveness won for us through that sacrifice, we truly have peace. But it is not supposed to be
the easy peace which sits back in self-satisfaction. No, on the contrary it is the peace which is
intended to act as a bedrock and a springboard for the Churchs action in the world. Not the
easy peace of sitting back and taking it all, but the peace which will help us to live out our
mission as Gods people in the world.

1 Peter 2:24 says He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to
sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. And 2 Corinthians 5:21
also tells us God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become
the righteousness of God. Both verses tell us to live and become the righteousness of God;
both in accordance to our scripture for today which instructs us to live a life in prayer.

Apostle Paul is a great teacher. Verse 7 of our scripture says And for this purpose I was
appointed a herald and an apostleI am telling the truth, I am not lyingand a true and
faithful teacher of the Gentiles. Paul was chosen by God to educate people on how we are to
achieve what the Lord really wants in our lives. We were given instructions; we were given
reasons so concrete we have no excuse not to do so.

Having said all this I ask myself, how can I best teach my students of Gods truth? It is by being a
reflector of His love and His grace through my life. Kuya Volts and Kuya Shad once told us in a
Bible Study during our retreat that the best way is Gods way, that we should be the reflection
of God in our service to Him and to His people. We should let our lives be a testimony of Gods
works and providence. We are now educated of what we are do? The question is, are we going
to? In closing let me ask you, can you be reflectors? Will you be a reflection of Gods love and
works?