1 Timothy

November 28th – 1 Timothy 1:15

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1 Timothy 1:15

I am thankful that God loves a sinner like me 

When it came to Christians, Paul was public enemy number one. No one persecuted God’s people more fanatically than him. Yet even though Paul was intent on destroying God’s church, when he accepted Jesus as his Savior, he received God’s forgiveness and unmerited grace. And so Paul says to all of us, “Look at me. If God is willing to save someone as wretched as myself, He’s willing to save all of those who believe in Him.” Could there be a more amazing truth? No matter who we are or what we’ve done, God wants us!  He wants to be our Father and cover us with His loving grace. We live in a world that fiercely opposes God’s truth. Even so that shouldn’t deter us from sharing the gospel, never giving up, and always fighting the good fight. For God’s Word is true, and “to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Tim 1:17)

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August 25th – 1 Timothy 2:1

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1 Timothy 2:1

When someone we love hurts, our first instinct is to want to jump into action and fix the problem. Because their pain is our pain. And our world won’t be right again until theirs is. But what about those times when we can’t make things better? What do we do then? We do one of the greatest and most powerful things we can, we pray. There is great strength in prayer. For as James tells us, the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16) Petitioning God on behalf of another is faith in action. We’re laying the hurt of our loved ones at His feet, and asking Him to take action. And having full confidence that God will do what we can’t. Although it can be hard to, “let go and let God”, we have to remember that as much as we love the people we pray for, God loves them even more. And getting on our knees, praying that He will work powerfully and mightily in their lives, is how miracles happen!

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Commending A Crook – Luke 16

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Jesus often taught earthly stories with heavenly meanings, called parables. And usually the stories He told were clear in meaning. But the parable of the “Unjust Steward” upon first glance appears to find the Lord commending a crook. For in it we find Jesus seemingly condoning the dishonesty of an unrighteous manger. Yet in truth, Jesus uses the story to teach the importance of caring about our futures. And to warn against the worship of wealth above God.

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July 14th – 1 Timothy 4:7-8

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1 Timothy 4:7-8

Too many times I have been guilty of not practicing due diligence when it comes to my relationship with God. I’ve been lax in giving it the time and nurturing it deserves. Because honestly, discipline is not my strong suit. Yet Paul advises us to diligently practice self control for the goal of walking in righteousness. Why? Because godliness transforms our lives into ones God intends for us to have. Lives of love, peace, joy, and fulfillment. “For it is this we labor and strive, because we fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” (1 Tim. 4:10) Practicing godliness deepens our relationship with the Lord, and provides a wonderful testimony to the lost. Because what better attraction could there be then seeing a follower of Jesus leading a disciplined, godly life to its fullest.

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March 14th – 1 Timothy 2:1-2

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1 Timothy 2:1-2

Right now the world is in crisis. War in Ukraine, soaring fuel costs, and rising inflation, are but a few of the challenges we face. And that’s why now more than ever, we are called to be mighty prayer warriors! Soldiers on our knees filling the heavens with our petitions. Prayers for ourselves, each other, and especially our leaders.

In his letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul tells us that Christians have a duty to pray for all mankind, leaders, and those in authority. And he gives us four types of prayers we’re to use when praying both privately and publicly.  Deēseis, proseuchas, enteuxeis, and eucharistias. Translated into English, these are supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings.

Supplications are those fervent pleas we make to God for immediate response. Prayers refer to all of our general petitions made to the Lord. Intercessions are those prayers from the heart where we lift up before God the needs of others. And thanksgivings are those prayers of praise for all God is, does, and blesses us with each and every day.

Before we  received Jesus as our Savior, we were eternally separated from God. His eyes were blind to our troubles, and His ears deaf to our cries. But now, through the blood of Jesus Christ, we have the privilege and honor of fellowshipping with God. We can approach His throne of grace, and lay our prayers at His feet. Prayers for a hurting world filled with hurting people.

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December 30th – 1 Timothy 2:5

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1 Timothy 2:5

Many celebrate Christmas around the world. Yet not all celebrate the reason for the season. The reason being the birth of the One, True God, who came in the flesh to save the world. This is the foundational belief of Christianity, and known to Israel as “the Shema.” The Shema is Israel’s statement of faith found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Faith that Jesus isn’t just another made up deity. But instead, He is the one and only, God Himself. The Lord came as a humble servant to offer us the gift of salvation and to become our Mediator. A Mediator who established peace between us and God. As our great High Priest, and the only way to our Creator, Christ provides the path of reconciliation between us and our Father in heaven. So not just on Christmas but every day, we too can look to the words of the Shema. And not just acknowledge the Lord as God, but love Him with all of our hearts, souls, and might.

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October 15th – 1 Timothy 4:12

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1 Timothy 4:12

The world today is obsessed with youth. And instead of growing older being seen as a gift, our society fights it tooth and nail. But when it comes to wisdom, the young are usually dismissed for lack of experience. And this was the case for Timothy. As a young church leader, Timothy needed the encouragement he received from Paul to be strong, and influential to all generations by his conduct. And the same goes for us. No matter our age, we are all valuable children in God’s family. Each of us has a specific purpose in the ministry. And like Timothy, we all are to be examples of Christ with our words, actions, love, and faith. So may we seek to display those godly, fruits of the Spirit for all to see. And may we never look down on fellow believers. Because young or old, we are all precious to God, and we are called to present ourselves as godly examples in a fallen world.

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April 30th – 1 Timothy 2:5

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1 Timothy 2:5

Despite what the world tells us, there is only one God. And only one road to the living God, who is holy and righteous. And as such, there is absolutely no way we can stand before Him on our own without a mediator. Because of His amazing love, Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, became that mediator. And as God in the flesh, Christ is the only one who is worthy to stand before the throne of grace. For the Lord Himself paid for our sins with His precious blood. And as our High Priest, Jesus mediates for all who calls Him Lord, declaring us innocent, forgiven, and His.

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November 12th – 1 Timothy 4:4

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1 Timothy 4:4

Awhile back a friend of mine, who knows a bit about the Bible yet practices another faith, asked me about the book of Leviticus. He didn’t understand why I, as a Christian, didn’t follow the book’s rules forbidding certain foods. I explained that once we were under the Law, but now through the victory of Jesus, we are under grace. Through His death, Christ gave us the freedom to enjoy all of God’s blessings, including food and marriage. All He asks is that we receive His gifts with hearts of thanksgiving and gratitude.

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