1 Timothy 6:18-19

18They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Generousity is not easy, and sharing is even harder. I am constantly amazed by my unwillingness to share with even those I love. I am evil at my very core. . .prone to do selfish things that cause others great harm. I am not generous and I do not like to share.

But if we do go against the human nature here and cultivate a willingness to share and be generous, we are building a foundation for the future. What is the treasure of a good foundation for the future? I believe that this means many things. One would be that as we continue to practice virtues like generousity and sharing, we are training our inner spirit to be more Christ like. The more we practice good, the easier it will come to us in teh future. I would also argue that this refers to our heavenly home where we will be very happy about the good that we did in this lifetime. I belive also that this means that true life is complete communion with God and with others, and if we cultivate generousity and sharing, we will draw people to us and more fully enjoy fellowship with them. And of course the same is true with our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Dearest Lord, help me to do good, to be rich in good works and to be generous and ready to share. In spite of the ups and downs of the day, help me to be kind to others, to love you completely, and to put others happiness in front of my own.

1 Timothy 6:17

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

Although my family and I will never be rich by American standards, by the world standard we are quite wealthy. Yet, I have been struck again and again this week by my own preoccupation with gaining more money and more stuff. I am so tempted to set my hopes on the uncertainty of riches.

The more years I work, I find myself looking over my 401k plan, I watch my savings account daily, and I am always looking for a way to save a penny or make a buck. But this verse says I should set my hope on God. Am I trusting in the money or in God? Am I am trusting more in my 401K or in my savings than God? I must continually check myself and make sure that I am putting my hope in God and not in money. I need to be of the mindset that if everything I own vanished tomorrow, I would still have everything because I have God. If my job disappeared tomorrow, I will still have everything.

The other interesting thing here in this verse is that it says God not only provides us with everything. . .but provides us with everything TO ENJOY. This goes beyond our needs. God will provide all we need to enjoy. . .not all we need. . all we need to enjoy. Perhaps we don’t enjoy what we have because we are more focused on what we are getting than the giver. We are to enjoy all we have and all we are getting from the LORD. This reminds me again that EVERY blessing comes from above and needs to be received with a grateful heart, because God sent it for me to enjoy.

That makes me think of the whole gift getting and giving process. Far too often I am disappointed with my gifts during holidays and birthdays and it strikes me just now that it may be because I am focusing on the gift and not the giver. For example, my daughter just got me an incredibly thoughtful gift for Mother’s Day; a coffee mug (she knows I drink tea and coffee all day long) with a picture of her and her brother. I should have received that gift as I would pure gold because the giver is so important to me. The gifts from God should be no less treasured.

Gracious Lord, thank you for all you have provided. Thank you that I had a hot breakfast this morning, that I woke from a comfortable bed, that I had a car to get me to work and that I had a job to come to. Forgive me for taking all of your provisions for granted. Help me remember to always be thankful for all you have provided. I have never gone hungry for lack of food, I have never gone barefoot for lack of shoes or clothing, I have never wanted for anything, for you have provided everything I have ever needed. Help me to enjoy your provisions and bask in Your love, that you would provide so generously.

1 Timothy 6:11

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things [the love of money]. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

How do we pursue happiness and sleep well at night? We follow Christ, not the world. I know that the world has nothing to offer me, and yet I often get caught up in wanting that next great thing. I am always sure that the next thing (a new outfit, a cuter car, a better bike or a new house) will make me happy and then I can be content.

1 Timothy 6 is a great reminder of what we ought to focus on. In verse 11 here I am reminded that I must pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness. Notice that most of these things are also the opposite traits of those the world would have us cultivate. Doing what is right, no matter the personal cost. Giving control our our desires over to God. Having faith in someone we can’t see instead of having faith in money or our own abilities. Loving others more than myself. Being dependable no matter what the personal cost and being gentle. . .to the point of humilty. I guess I am usually worried that if I don’t look out for me no one will, but this shows little faith in God or His promises.

Lord, help me to trust you completely today. Help me to trust you enough to follow these 6 pursuits in 1 Timothy 6:11. Help me to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness with all I have. Help me to focus so completely on these that I am unable to pursue my own unhealthy desires.

1 Timothy 6:8

But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

I admit it, I have been discontented lately. I have been way too worried that others may have more than me and getting away from the focus of loving God and loving others. It sure is hard to be content these days though, isn’t it?

My family and I went driving by some really big expensive homes this weekend on our way to an event, and I felt the anger and bitterness building up in me. Why shouldn’t I have a home like that? What can I do to make more money so I can have one of those houses? I am ashamed of my reaction, but that is what I felt.

We live in a culture that is all about getting more, more, more. So how in the world do we teach our hearts and our kids that contentment is the key to happiness? Based on my reading of the past few weeks, I believe God is pointing to himself and others. I believe that the Lord knows me, he knows my heart, and he knows what I am going to struggle with before I do. And I believe He has been preparing me for weeks now to understand that if I am focused on loving Him and loving others, I won’t have time to worry about what I have or don’t have.

Lord, you have blessed me with so much more than food and clothing, and yet I struggle with being conent. Forgive me for my greed and for liking money more than I should. Help me Father to be content with what you have given me. Help me Father to find new ways to love you and others today, and help me to focus less and less on me.

1 Timothy 4:11-16

11Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

While Paul is talking specifically to Timothy in this passaage about his calling as a leader of the early church, there is much here that can help all Christians grow and prosper in their faith and their ministry.

First, I believe we are called to live lives that are a good example. Verse 12 gives us some very clear guidelines; we must speak carefully, conduct ourselves with grace and mercy, love others more than ourselves, show our faith in everything and be pure of heart and mind. These virtues are consistant throughout scripture. If we live this way, not only do we avoid lots of trouble but we glorify God with our lives.

Next, it is important that we read scripture and not hide the fact that the living words of God are our guiding light. Verse 13 also indicates that we ought to share and teach what we learn by our reading of the Word. This I think is important, for it is through teaching others what we learn that we solidify for ourselves what we know. I grow the most when I read with the specific goal of teaching others what I find.

Also, we must use the gifts and talents we have been given. God has made each one of us unique and we all have gifts that we need to share. Whether you are called to preach, teach, or encourage, you have something to offer the body of Christ and the world. How are you using your talents?

Finally, we are called in verse 15 to immerse ourselves and to persist in being an example, reading and teaching scripture, and in using our gifts. This means these things should be constantly on our minds and consistantly used. Just think of all the garbage we could weed out of our lives if we really did focus on these things.

Lord, help me to immerse myself today in your word and in living as you have called us to live. Help me to watch my speech and my conduct. Guide me in loving others as you have loved me. Grant me great faith so that I don’t turn from you or question your will or your ways, and keep me pure Father. May I glorify you with my life today.

1 Timothy 4:10

For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

In doing my devotions today, I used my Bible instead of reading the different versions online, and as I opened this old friend of mine, I was overwhelmed by the joy of it. I was thinking how nice it was to have a Bible to open and that there is an excitement I get when I actually hold God’s Word in my hand. It is no wonder, in that frame of thankful mind, that I was near tears as I read verse 10 above. We have our hope set on THE LIVING GOD. Please take a moment and let that sink in.

Money, is dead. Careers come and go. Fame is fleeting. Friends will always disappoint. Family will all die. But God, He is alive. In fact, He always has been and He always will be. All the things and people and places of this world will pass away, and all idols are dead. But the Great I Am is alive and he is as real as you and I are.

If you have been a Christian for more than a day, you will have many moments when your heart just soars because we follow a living God. When you look upon the simple beauty of a fresh summer day, or when ou first see the great expanse of the ocean, or look up into a sky full of stars some clear spring night, these all point to a living God who is imeasurably creative and loving.

If you aren’t yet a Christian, you need to know that there is a God. He lives and He breathes and He loves and cares for you. He is hoping you will call to Him, He is listening. He indeed is the savior of all people and He wants so much to bring life and joy and peace to you, abiding joy and peace. He wants to live in your heart and soul and comfort you like no other living soul can. He does not disappoint, He does not fail.

Oh Father, thank you for who you are. Thank you for filling me with your presence. Thank you that you are a living God who is always there. I love you for who you are. I praise you for who you are. I worship and adore you dear Father. Thank you. .

1 Timothy 4:8

for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

I am reminded by this verse today that I really do need to take a look at where I spend my time and energies and make some modifications. I have been really careful the past few weeks about what I eat and have also been working out regularly as I have a 5k race coming up. There was a time a few weeks ago when I was easily spending more than 3 hours a day either working out or planning my workouts. This may sound healthy, until I put it up against my spiritual workouts and compare the two. You see, on a good day I will spend about 15-20 minutes reading my Bible, about 10-15 writing about it, and then maybe throughout the day I will pray for 20 minutes. This inequity really does cause lots of problems for me, my mouth begins to take on a life of its own, as does my thought life. No wonder I can’t keep my mouth or thoughts in line, they are starved, and therefore feeding on the leftover junk instead of being fed a decent diet of The Word.

This verse in 1 Timothy is a good reminder that while it is good to be health conscious, it is absolutely not more important than my spiritual life. So what is a working person with limited free time to do? I suggest cutting out the things that just don’t matter, like that TV show you won’t remember next month, or the book that can wait another day or two. Another thought that I think has merit is that I could use my workout time to multi-task. I do treadmill running for the most part and the occasional free weight training, and while I am doing either of these I could put on Praise and Worship music and use this time to worship my Maker. I could also put on some quiet jazz or classical music and use this time to work through my prayer requests.

How about it, what do you need to give up or modify so that you can spend more time focusing your heart and mind on God?

Father, show me ways today how I can include you more in my daily life. Also, help me be careful not to make my body image (real or imagined goal weight) an idol that in anyway hinders my relationship with you. Help me to be thankful for the nourishment you provide. Show me ways to focus more on you and others than I do myself.

1 Timothy 4:1 (nasb)

But the spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,

It seems once again the Lord is trying to pound an idea into my head via repetition. (He is so smart, for he knows me well enough to know it is only through repetition that I get some things through my thick skull.) I only got to the first verse here in 1 Timothy 4 before I had to stop and pray and begin thinking about what I have read throughout 1 Timothy.

I believe that once again God is showing me, and teaching me how important it is to stay focused on His Word. It is so easy to be swayed or led away from Him if I am not constantly in His word. It is also easy to get into foolish discussion or debate about what the Bible may or may not say. I am also always tempted to seek the wisdom of others instead of sticking with just the Bible and the Holy Spirit. But I must stay focused. I must fix my eyes on the Gospel alone. I must pour over God’s Word and hide it in my heart until I know it forward and backward and can rattle it off in my sleep.

This is not a new revelation, God is so consistant throughout His Word to remind us to remain in it. In fact, there are several reminders of this in the beginning of 1 Timothy, for example, in 1 Timothy 1:4 (ESV) it says:

[people should not] devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.

and 1 Timothy 1:5-6 (ESV) says:

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion,

We are to be about the purposes of God; loving others and taking care of His kingdom here on Earth, out of our great love for Him. We should be busy about the work of God, too busy to fill our minds with useless garbage from the world around us. If we are putting our faith to action, loving others and studying His Word, we will have little time or tolerance for the silly and unmeaningful.

Father, help me today to take my study of Your Holy Word seriously. Help me to remember to put you first above all things. Please help me to love others, and to hide Your Word in my heart so that I may not sin against you. Also, Lord help me to remember those things I learn in your word and ponder them in my heart. Mary knew to do this when she experienced your great miracle, help me also to ponder Christ and let the miracle fill my heart so that all I do and say is an overflow of my great thankfullness for what You have done.

1 Timothy 2:8-15

I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

I am very reluctant to write about this passage, but I can’t just skip over it when I think the Lord is working on me. This set of verses, about a women’s role in the churches Paul established, has been debated for a long time. I honestly believe that some misguided folks have even used this verse for a whole lot of purposes that God never intended.

If I have learned anything in my 20-something years of studying the Bible, it is that it is almost never beneficial to take a verse out of its context and try to apply it to a particular situation. Rather, we need to study God’s Word, all of it, seeking only to know Him better. Then, as we read through sections it is best to pray that His Holy Spirit guide and direct us through the deeper meanings.

I will not pretend to have an answer for what a woman’s role in the church should be. I can only say that I am quite sure that God wants us to love Him first, then he wants us to love others. That is it. If I am doing that, in the ways he makes available to me, it should be obvious to me where I should be serving. I will also note here that it seems clear to me, from a complete reading of 1 Timothy and especially the preceeding verses in chapter 2, that Paul is making it clear how HE teaches in the churches and what he PREFERS. In every version I have studied, it seems clear to me that Paul has taken great care to point out that he is teaching us how he does things in that time and place.

A breakdown of what women have been told to do here may help us all see that we are all called to properly attire ourselves, quietly receive instruction, be submissive, be quiet, and not be deceived. On clothing, it is mentioned about 225 times in the Bible, indicating to me that how we clothe ourselves is indeed important to God. We simply all must consider how we clothe ourselves outwardly and inwardly, for we have all been called to “clothe [ourselves] with the Lord Jesus Christ” in Romans 13:14. All through Proverbs, and many other books, we are encouraged to accept instruction with humility. As for submission, we are called throughout scripture to submit to the Will of our Father. Submission to the good of others is a pinnacle on which our faith is built. . .we need only to look to Christ to see the cost, and the reward of submission. It is in James that we have a most memorable call to “be quick to listen, slow to speak” and most of the New Testament writers warn us all about being careful lest we be decieved.

Right now, I feel called to blog my daily devotions. I have no intentions to lead men or women with this blog, only to share what I am learning and pray that it helps or blesses others. I am trying to love others through sharing. And most importantly, I am trying to draw near to the heart of God through constant time in His Word. The more I read, the more consistant His message becomes. There is nothing new or offensive in this passage of 1 Timothy, how it has been applied by some, that is a question for another time and place.

1 Timothy 1:5 (ESV)

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

I was talking to my daughter last night, and I was saying that I want to be like a certain famous person who always seems upbeat, excentric and just plain fun to be around. She said I should work on it. . .and I reminded her that I am naturally pessemistic, a conformist and and introvert. Her response was to pray about that to be more Christ-like! Can I tell you how much it warmed my heart to hear her tell me to pray about something?

As I read 1 Timothy 1 this morning, I am again reminded of that conversation last night and feel that God has just given me my first instructions for becoming more like the person I want to be. How can I change who I am if I know I am not the person that God has called me to be? I have to love others. . .all others more than myself. This has been a major theme of this year so far in my walk with Christ. Like an embarassing moment that you keep coming back to, I am constantly being reminded through my daily devotions that our chief commandment from Christ is to love others.

As we love others, we should be asking ourselves, what are my motives here? Is it that I want the best for this person? Further, are we convicted that we should not do something for someone? If not, we should probably move forward and put love in action. Finally, and I would argue, most importantly, does our love stem from a sincere faith? Do we love God and want to see Him glorified in our actions? Are we rooted in his word firmly, are we praying regularly, fellowshipping with others, in communion with Him? If we are, we should put our love to action.

Heavenly Father, I hear you calling me to love others, please show me today ways that I can do that. Help me to put my love for you and for others to action as your Holy Spirit prompts me. Help me to respond before I can even think about not obeying you. Grant me a pure heart, a good concsience and a sincere faith, o Lord I pray.