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1 Timothy 3:1-6:10<\/strong><\/span> Paul\u2019s teachings in 1 Timothy 3 gives some great rules and regulations for leaders in a church. It all makes a lot of sense. I would encourage anyone who has interest in leading in your church \u2013 or if you are currently leading in your church \u2013 to prayerfully read through these. How are you doing on these? Are there some areas in your life discussed here that need redeeming?\u00a0 \u00a0One of my favorite verses in all of these is verse 5 \u2013 \u201cFor if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God\u2019s church?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 How very true is that?\u00a0 How are you doing in managing your own household?<\/span><\/p>\n Verse 16 today beautifully demonstrates Jesus\u2019 divinity and his humanity!<\/span> Today in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 we will read: \u201cTrain yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.\u201d<\/em> How are you doing on training yourself to be godly? Do you believe this is something you can be trained in? Are you practicing spiritual disciplines on a regular basis? Spiritual disciplines might include: prayer, journaling, quiet time, fasting, retreats, Sabbaths, reading the Bible :), to name a few.<\/span><\/p>\n First Timothy 5:8 is a powerful teaching from Paul today: \u201cBut those who won\u2019t care for their own relatives, especially those living in the same household, have denied what we believe. Such people are worse than unbelievers.\u201d<\/em> This is such a great reminder to care for our parents as they get older! I have seen some family members and friends do this for their parents \u2013 and uncles and other relatives \u2013 and it is such a blessing to see in action. This reminds me of the commandment of \u201cHonor your father & mother.\u201d What a blessed way to honor your father and mother by caring for them when they are older!<\/span><\/p>\n First Timothy 5:24 is so important: \u201cRemember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 There is so much I could say about this verse.\u00a0 First and foremost, I think each of us needs to consider this verse in our own lives.\u00a0 Are there sins in our life that no one else knows about?\u00a0 Do you think that God knows about these secret sins?\u00a0 Do you think those secret sins will indeed eventually be revealed?\u00a0 I recently heard Dennis Prager (radio talk show host) talking about secrets.\u00a0 And basically he made the point that none of us should have secrets in our life because if we do those secrets will not \u201ckeep\u201d \u2013 they\u2019ll spoil us inside and, worst case, someday they could explode in horrendous ways.\u00a0 Prager made the comment that someone in our life needs to know absolutely everything in our life.\u00a0 (not that everyone in our life needs to know everything \u2013 but at least one person does)\u00a0 He ranked this in order of who he thought should know everything about us: 1. your spouse 2. a good trusted friend. 3. a clergy or professional counselor.\u00a0 It was interesting that Prager did make the point that he didn\u2019t think that your child(ren) need to know absolutely everything \u2013 but someone does\u2026\u00a0 Obviously, we all know that God knows everything about us.\u00a0 But, I think there is so much truth in that one of the key ways to rid ourselves of a secret sin is to bring it out of the dark and into the Light by sharing that secret with someone else.\u00a0 And if it\u2019s a continuing sin, ask that person for help and accountability.\u00a0 Let us not wait until we meet the Lord face to face for us to rid ourselves of the rotten burden of secrets!\u00a0 Let us shine a Light on the secrets now for healing & peace!<\/span><\/p>\n First Timothy chapter 6 today is full of great wisdom. Verse 7: \u201cYet true religion with contentment is great wealth.\u201d<\/em> Are you seeking true religion? What is true religion? I think Paul gives some great hints to us in verses 11-14: \u201cRun from all these evil things, and follow what is right and good. Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. And I command you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey his commands with all purity.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Are you holding tightly to the eternal life that God has given you?\u00a0 Hold tight!<\/span><\/p>\n Verse 10 is powerful today \u2013 \u201cFor the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.\u201d<\/em> It is important to note that the \u201clove of money\u201d is the root of all kinds of evil. Not money in and of itself \u2013 that\u2019s not the root of evil. But the love of money<\/em>\u2026 this is a great distinction and a great truth. Do you love money? If so, should you be worried about this? If we love money, might we wander from the faith and pierce ourselves with many sorrows?<\/span><\/p>\n Worship God<\/strong> \u2013 Today\u2019s readings in First Timothy reminded me of the Chris and Conrad song \u201cYou\u2019re the One:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout question, this is the great mystery of our faith:
Christ appeared in the flesh
and was shown to be righteous by the Spirit.
He was seen by angels
and was announced to the nations.
He was believed on in the world
and was taken up into heaven.\u201d<\/em>
Do you believe in everything written above?\u00a0 When is the last time you meditated upon the fact that Jesus ascended into heaven?\u00a0 I heard a Pastor recently say that he thinks the Ascension is one of the most overlooked facts of Jesus\u2019 life in the church today.\u00a0 Jesus ascended into heaven and sits at the Father\u2019s right hand!\u00a0 This is very good news for us indeed!\u00a0 Below is a painting by the Italian artist Garofalo from the year 1510 titled \u201cThe Ascension of Christ\u201d:<\/span><\/p>\n