Today's full reading: 1 Timothy 6:1-21
"People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith." (1 Timothy 6:9-12 NIV)
Money is not evil; nor does it in and of itself lead us to commit evil. In fact, when used in a God honoring way money is a very good thing. It is the love of money, the ungodly focus or priority we give to money, that leads us away from trusting in God alone. Money is simply a tool that we are to manage faithfully to accomplish the will of God in our lives in our generation.
I pray that you and I will heed the warning given here about those who have wandered from the faith because of there ungodly desire for money. May we always desire God above the things of this world, money included.
Today, as an act of worship, thank God for the financial resources he has blessed you with. Confess any known sin in your life in regard to managing those resources. Today "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith." (1 Timothy 6:11-12)
Showing posts with label 1 Timothy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 Timothy. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Set An Example
Today's full reading: 1 Timothy 4:1-16
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV)
This is a great verse to challenge us today. Paul was instructing Timothy to be an example for the Church in Ephesus.
...set an example for the believers...
Each of us should follow Christ with such a passion and perseverance that when others follow us they inherently are following Christ.
...in speech...
This means carefully choosing our words and making our words count for the gospel. Never underestimate the power of the spoken word.
...in life...
This means do not forget about your everyday, normal, going and coming routine; make it count for the kingdom.
...in love...
This means the way we show love toward others must always be the way Christ loves us.
...in faith...
This means the dept of our faith should be evident in the sincerity of our daily worship. We must live by faith and not by sight.
...and in purity.
This means we should live abstaining not only from immorality, but even the hint of immorality.
Today, as an act of worship, praise the Lord for his life sustaining word. Seek to honor the Lord by living out this verse of scripture. I encourage you to meditate on this word today by committing it to memory and recalling throughout the day as you seek to apply it to your life.
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV)
This is a great verse to challenge us today. Paul was instructing Timothy to be an example for the Church in Ephesus.
...set an example for the believers...
Each of us should follow Christ with such a passion and perseverance that when others follow us they inherently are following Christ.
...in speech...
This means carefully choosing our words and making our words count for the gospel. Never underestimate the power of the spoken word.
...in life...
This means do not forget about your everyday, normal, going and coming routine; make it count for the kingdom.
...in love...
This means the way we show love toward others must always be the way Christ loves us.
...in faith...
This means the dept of our faith should be evident in the sincerity of our daily worship. We must live by faith and not by sight.
...and in purity.
This means we should live abstaining not only from immorality, but even the hint of immorality.
Today, as an act of worship, praise the Lord for his life sustaining word. Seek to honor the Lord by living out this verse of scripture. I encourage you to meditate on this word today by committing it to memory and recalling throughout the day as you seek to apply it to your life.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Ministry and Divorce: It All Starts With the Family
Today's full reading: 1 Timothy 3:1-16
"If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?" (1 Timothy 3:5 NIV)
There is a growing concern among many church leaders in our day about the families in our congregations. With the staggering number of divorces and broken homes across the globe and specifically in the United States, church leaders often ask one another, "What can we do?".
Most statistics on divorce rates offer only a sad commentary on the the realities of family ministry in 2008. However, the Church's only hope for being able to offer a solution to the world is found in Christ and his ability to mend relationships. The healthy family is God's plan. Restoration must take place in the home.
Consider this: The Church's ability to magnify Christ is drastically diminished when we fail to let him rule in our hearts, marriages, and families.
Today, as an act of worship, thank God for your family. Pray for each of them specifically. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom to lead them to walk with Christ each and every day and heal relationships that are wounded.
"If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?" (1 Timothy 3:5 NIV)
There is a growing concern among many church leaders in our day about the families in our congregations. With the staggering number of divorces and broken homes across the globe and specifically in the United States, church leaders often ask one another, "What can we do?".
Most statistics on divorce rates offer only a sad commentary on the the realities of family ministry in 2008. However, the Church's only hope for being able to offer a solution to the world is found in Christ and his ability to mend relationships. The healthy family is God's plan. Restoration must take place in the home.
Consider this: The Church's ability to magnify Christ is drastically diminished when we fail to let him rule in our hearts, marriages, and families.
Today, as an act of worship, thank God for your family. Pray for each of them specifically. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom to lead them to walk with Christ each and every day and heal relationships that are wounded.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Requests, Prayers, Intercession, and Thanksgiving
Today's full reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-15
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV)
Today, as an act of worship, take a considerable amount of time to live out these verses by praying for every individual person that comes to your mind as you read them again.
"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV)
Today, as an act of worship, take a considerable amount of time to live out these verses by praying for every individual person that comes to your mind as you read them again.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Your Story and The Worst of Sinners
Today's full reading: 1 Timothy 1:1-20
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV)
As we dive into Paul's first letter to Timothy it is important to carefully consider what exactly we are reading so as to ask the appropriate questions of the text. Timothy was appointed by Paul to be his representative at ground level for the Ephesian church. He was instructed to carry on the teachings Paul began. This particular letter was written to help Timothy address public worship, appointing overseers and deacons, and guarding against false teachings and teachers.
The passage above highlights Paul's incredible testimony. When I read it I can only imagine how shell shocked people must have been to hear that the man who once persecuted Christians now preaches the good news of salvation through Christ. It just goes to show you that if Paul can be saved anybody can be saved.
Today, as an act of worship, thank God for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Share your story with someone today. You may want to write out your story and post it somewhere or email to as many friends as you can think of. No matter what you choose to do with your story be sure to thank God for giving you the ability to share your story of coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
Here's a few thoughts about sharing your story: Every year on your spiritual birthday make it a point tell your story in a fresh way to remind you, your friends, and the world of what Christ has done in your life.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8 NIV)
"Proclaim among the nations what he has done." (Psalm 9:11 NIV)
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen" (1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV)
As we dive into Paul's first letter to Timothy it is important to carefully consider what exactly we are reading so as to ask the appropriate questions of the text. Timothy was appointed by Paul to be his representative at ground level for the Ephesian church. He was instructed to carry on the teachings Paul began. This particular letter was written to help Timothy address public worship, appointing overseers and deacons, and guarding against false teachings and teachers.
The passage above highlights Paul's incredible testimony. When I read it I can only imagine how shell shocked people must have been to hear that the man who once persecuted Christians now preaches the good news of salvation through Christ. It just goes to show you that if Paul can be saved anybody can be saved.
Today, as an act of worship, thank God for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Share your story with someone today. You may want to write out your story and post it somewhere or email to as many friends as you can think of. No matter what you choose to do with your story be sure to thank God for giving you the ability to share your story of coming to faith in Jesus Christ.
Here's a few thoughts about sharing your story: Every year on your spiritual birthday make it a point tell your story in a fresh way to remind you, your friends, and the world of what Christ has done in your life.
- Tell your story.
- Write your story.
- Offer to read it to your church.
- Run your story in the paper.
- Post your story on the internet.
- Write a screen play of your story.
- Perform a reenactment.
- Make a mini movie of your story.
- Load it on YouTube or GodTube.
- Share your story.
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8 NIV)
"Proclaim among the nations what he has done." (Psalm 9:11 NIV)
Monday, October 13, 2008
Reading Trek Update
Our New Testament readings have been covering some major ground for the last few weeks and this week is no different. Today we begin a quick glide through Paul's second letter to the church of the Thessalonians. On Thursday we will begin Paul's first pastoral letter to young Timothy, pastor of the church at Ephesus. Here's the reading trek we will follow.
Monday, October 13
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Tuesday, October 14
2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
Wednesday, October 15
2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
Thursday, October 16
1 Timothy 1:1-20
Friday, October 17
1 Timothy 2:1-15
Saturday, October 18
1 Timothy 3:1-16
Sunday, October 19
1 Timothy 4:1-16
Monday, October 13
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Tuesday, October 14
2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
Wednesday, October 15
2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
Thursday, October 16
1 Timothy 1:1-20
Friday, October 17
1 Timothy 2:1-15
Saturday, October 18
1 Timothy 3:1-16
Sunday, October 19
1 Timothy 4:1-16
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