Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1 – 2:14

BE BOLD. BE STRONG.

In Paul’s last letter, he seems to be passing on the mantle to Timothy and to the other young leaders in the Church. He knew he would die soon for the sake of the gospel and he wanted to encourage those who would still be around to continue the work — not in fear of persecution and death, but with strength and power.

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. – 2 Timothy 1:6-7

FAN THE FLAME.

Paul used fire as an illustration of power. We have all watched on the news as fire engulfed a car or a house or an entire community. Some fires are unquenchable and uncontainable. But if a fire runs out of what is fueling it, it will die out. The passion God places inside of us through His Holy Spirit is strong like a fire, but it also needs to be fueled or it will burn out. We have to purposefully keep the fire within us burning strongly.

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time – to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. – 2 Timothy 1:8-10

LIVE BOLDLY.

Paul gave Timothy the illustration of fire and the example of Christ Jesus. He contrasted shame and strength, showing that God has called us to live boldly – not defeated by sin but overcoming sin by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Christ died for us, which shows STRENGTH! Christ conquered death, which shows POWER! The strength Jesus displayed through His death and resurrection shines a light on the path before us that leads to life — eternal life through accepting the Good News of what Christ did for us on the cross.

That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return. Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me – a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you. – 2 Timothy 1:12-14

THE FIRE OF THE SPIRIT
+
THE POWER OF THE CROSS
=
TRUST IN GOD and
A LIFE SHAPED BY OUR FAITH AND LOVE IN JESUS.

This kind of BOLD LIVING is required in order to guard the truth that has been entrusted to us — meant not to hold on to secretly but to share for the sake of multiplication.

Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. – 2 Timothy 2:1-2

ENDURE SUFFERING.

Paul doesn’t promise Timothy that this life will come without troubles but he directs Timothy to the authority of the One he is following and the reward that comes to those who are willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation to others and eternal glory in Christ Jesus.

Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor…

Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. – 1 Timothy 2:3-6,8-10

God, we ask for a refueling this morning of your Spirit in our lives. Fan the flame and fill us with the confidence we receive in knowing that Christ died for us and conquered death so that we might live. May we be soldiers, enlisted by you for the cause of Christ. May we be athletes who throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and may we run this race with perseverance. As hardworking farmers, help us to sow seeds for you so that others will grow and come to know of the salvation they can find in You. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Titus 3

If Paul’s letter to Titus had an overall theme, it would probably be a message to the Church telling us to do what is good. The culture on the island of Crete was known for being lazy, gluttonous, dishonest and downright evil. Sometimes the culture of society makes its way into the Church, and flavors the relationships and attitudes of believers. BUT WHEN GOD comes in and washes away our sins, He makes us into a new person who can live a new kind of life through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to DO WHAT IS GOOD. They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. BUT –

When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial to everyone. – Titus 3:1-8

Aren’t you thankful for the work of the Trinity in our lives? We see all three at work in these verses and present in the redemptive process in our lives.

GOD
Because He is kind and He is loving, God saved us. He washed away our sins, giving us new birth into a new life, not because we deserved salvation but because of His mercy. And because of God’s grace, He declared us righteous so that we can have eternal life.

JESUS
Redemption was made possible when Jesus Christ, God’s Son, willingly gave His life on the cross for us – for the sinful, undeserving, unrighteous world.

He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. – Titus 2:14

HOLY SPIRIT
God generously poured His Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of this presence in our lives, we are continually renewed and strengthened to live a godly life – to do what is good.

So we were saved not only for our own benefit, for our own eternal prize. We were saved for the sake of spreading God’s message of grace and mercy to others. We were saved to serve God by serving the needs of others – within the church and within the community and around the world.

Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others, then they will not be unproductive. – Titus 3:14

We used to live selfish, unproductive lives. BUT WHEN GOD in His mercy chose to forgive us of our sins, we were reborn and called to a productive life. We were created for a purpose and it is time to live up to that purpose – to do what is good. But we cannot fall into the false thinking that we are saved because of our good works, or that God’s love for us grows when we do good deeds.

Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. – Titus 3:9

Does this sound familiar? Paul gave the same warning to the Church in Ephesus, in his letter to Timothy, and also in his letter to the Philippians. When we get caught up in who is more spiritual, or with whom God is more pleased, we are not helping anyone. These kinds of meaningless conversations do not help anyone live a life of faith in God (1 Timothy 1:4). It is not about building a spiritual resume to try and impress others or God.

What helps us is to remember that we were lost sinners in need of a Savior, BUT WHEN GOD gave His Son to die for our sins out of His great mercy and love, we were given the chance at a new life – a life filled with the Holy Spirit so that good deeds can become a natural outflow of our existence.

Saved BY grace, saved FROM sin, and saved FOR good deeds – all for the glory of God and for the purpose of attracting others to their Savior, Jesus Christ!

What will flow from our lives today?

Today’s Reading: Titus 1-2

I am convinced after studying Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus that he was kind of a mix of evangelist, church planter and leader. He went from region to region sharing the message of Jesus Christ to which he had been called (evangelist). At times, revival would spread across that community and a new Church would begin (church planter). Paul would appoint leadership within the new body of believers and give them specific instructions on how the Church should conduct itself as the household of God (leader).

For the Church on the island of Crete, Paul had appointed Titus to a place of leadership. He gave him the responsibility of finishing the work Paul had begun, while appointing leadership (elders) in each town over every body of believers. He gave Titus specific instructions on what to expect from these appointed elders.

An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. An elder is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.

Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong. – Titus 1:6-9

Paul insisted that the leaders in the Church must do more than claim to know God and know about God, they must show proof of this relationship in the way they live out their lives (1:16) — in their character and in their good deeds. But this kind of holy living is not just for pastors and leaders, it is for all who belong to the FAMILY of GOD — young and old.

Paul told Titus to promote a lifestyle that reflects what the scriptures teach. We are to set an example by living a life that is consistent with what we are teaching. Paul had specific instructions for various leaders within the church.

OLDER MEN — exercise self-control, be worthy of the respect of others, and live wisely. Your faith must be sound, and you must be filled with love and patience.

OLDER WOMEN — honor God by the way you live. Do not slander others or drink heavily, but instead teach others what is good. Coach and mentor the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live a life that can be described as both wise and pure, to work in their home, do good, and submit to their husband. By doing these things, they bring honor to the word of God rather than ridicule.

YOUNG MEN — Set an example for others by living wisely and doing a variety of good works. May your actions reflect integrity so that others can see how seriously you take biblical teaching. Don’t waver from the truth in your teaching, so that you can stand on the foundation of scripture when others oppose you.

SLAVES — Obey your master, doing your best to please them. Do not talk back or steal, but show yourself to be trustworthy and good.

THE WAY WE LIVE IMPACTS HOW ATTRACTIVE THE TEACHING ABOUT GOD OUR SAVIOR IS TO OTHERS.

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. – Titus 2:11-14

The way we live our lives should help attract people to Jesus. We must turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. He died to free us from EVERY kind of sin, to wash us of ALL unrighteousness and to make us His own! His plan is for us to be TOTALLY COMMITTED to doing good deeds. And consistent with all of Paul’s letters, he again touched on the fact that we are saved by grace and not by works, but we are saved to do good works and live a holy life.

WE ARE NOT SAVED BY DOING GOOD, BUT WE DO GOOD BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN SAVED.

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. – Titus 3:4-7

Saved BY grace, saved FROM sin, and saved FOR good deeds – all for the glory of God and for the purpose of attracting others to their Savior, Jesus Christ! This is the calling God has placed on all of our lives. How will you respond?

Today’s Reading: 1 Timothy 5 & 6

I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. – 1 Timothy 3:14-15

Church conduct is a major theme in Paul’s first letter to Timothy. We are the Church of the living God and it matters how we behave, how we react, and how we worship. We are God’s household, God’s family — a great thing to remember as we prepare our hearts for worship, as we bow on our knees to pray, and as we build relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

PRAY FOR ALL PEOPLE

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and GIVE THANKS for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase our freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave the world at just the right time. – 1 Timothy 2:1-6

The reconciliation of God and humanity through the one man, Jesus Christ. What a powerful message God has given us to relay to everyone – a message about faith and truth. This message is for ALL people, for God wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth of the gospel. All people, even our political leaders. God is calling the church to pray for all people to hear this message of salvation, including our leaders and elected officials.

WORSHIP FREELY

In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. – 1 Timothy 2:8

We go to church each week to worship God, but our hearts should be pure as we come before God so we can truly lift our praise to Him. But how often do we spend more time preparing our appearance for Sunday morning than we do preparing our hearts? How often do we harbor anger or stir up controversy instead of praying in intercession for each other, giving thanks for each other?

And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. – 1 Timothy 2:9-10

WORSHIP UNDISTRACTED

We want the focus of our worship to be God and not others. In the same way, we want to be careful that we are not a distraction to others as they come to worship God — not in our appearance or in our words. It is important that we dress in such a way as to make it easier for others to concentrate on what God has to say to them instead of distracting them and allowing the enemy to use our bodies to take their minds to a different place than worship.

LIVE GENEROUSLY

Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters. Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. – 1 Timothy 5:1-3

Not only are we to take care of the widows, we are also instructed to take care of our pastors.

Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” – 1 Timothy 5:17-18

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. – 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Lord, purify our hearts and be pleased with our worship. Help us to always have our focus on YOU and your splendor instead of on others, instead of on ourselves. May we accept your call today and pursue righteousness, fighting the good fight with faith in YOU. Thank you for the spiritual gifts you have bestowed on us. May we never forget that these are gifts from YOU and not about what we are capable of doing for You. We love you and we lift up holy hands to worship You today! Amen.

Today’s Reading: 1 Timothy 3 & 4

Paul has some great warnings for Timothy and for those in leadership in the church, not just in Ephesus but for the Church today.

1. Don’t get sidetracked from the mission and calling.

Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed the whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussion. – 1 Timothy 1:4-6

2. Know in your heart that you are right with God.

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. – 1 Timothy 1:19

3. Live a life of integrity.

So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him…In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity…Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus. – 1 Timothy 3:2-13

4. Live a godly life.

Train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. – 1 Timothy 4:7b-10

5. Beware of the love of money.

To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy. Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. – 1 Timothy 6:5b-10

6. Run from evil and pursue righteousness.

But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. – 1 Timothy 6:11-12

What great advice for us today. There are so many things this world would love to use to trip us up, so many ways in which the enemy would love to get our focus off of God and onto ourselves. He feeds us with all kinds of lies and temptations but we have a faith that fights for the truth! We aren’t weakly trying to defend ourselves from the enemy. We are strongly pursuing God and His righteousness and the holy life to which He calls us!

Lord, we enter into your presence with thanksgiving for the many ways in which you have blessed us. We pray for you to put a hedge of protection around those in leadership within the church, in our communities and in our nation. We pray you will strengthen each leader and give them wisdom when faced with temptations. Help them to discern the truth in the midst of lies and give them a desire to strongly pursue you! May we never pridefully focus on our own righteous leadership, but daily look to YOU as the source of ALL righteousness and as the only way to live the holy life to which You have called us! Amen.

I pray God blesses you and your family richly. May your hearts be filled with gratitude for ALL He has done and ALL He plans to do for you, in you and through you. I pray for His hand of protection over you and your family during this next season of life. God bless you!

Today’s Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12 – 2:15

As a woman called by God into leadership, I can take offense at some of what Paul says in his letter to Timothy. I choose instead to consider what God has called each of us to do according to the spiritual gifts He has given us — male or female, young or old. My prayer is that God will give us a word this morning as a church, but also as individuals ready to learn from Him this morning.

Women, should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, holiness, and modesty. – 1 Timothy 2:11-15

We do not know what was going on in the Church in Ephesus at this time, but it is possible that Paul’s words were meant to correct a specific situation going on in the church. If we take these verses in context to Paul’s other letters, we are reminded that we are all ONE in Christ Jesus, no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female (Galatians 3:28).

DO NOT LET ANYONE THINK LESS OF YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR GENDER.

Instead of feeling defensive, I find peace in knowing that God’s love for women is not matched by Paul’s directives to the Church in Ephesus, which speak to the culture of those days as well as to the life that still exists for women today in the Middle East. In fact, being reminded of my call this morning and being humbled by the incredible opportunities God has given me (me, who deserves none of these blessings), I find myself relating to Paul instead of arguing with him.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. – 1 Timothy 1:12-17

What a great opportunity to stop and consider what God has called us to do — what He has uniquely equipped each of us to do according to the spiritual gifts He has given us, male and female. Timothy was a young man called by God and Paul urged him to follow His calling in spite of the meaningless opinions of others around him. As a servant listens to his Master, so we should listen closely to our God and live as HE calls us to live – doing what HE tells us to do and saying what HE tells us to say.

Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. – 1 Timothy 1:18-19a

DO NOT LET ANYONE THINK LESS OF YOU BECAUSE OF YOUR AGE.

Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. – 1 Timothy 4:12-13

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. – 1 Timothy 4:14-16

But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed before many witnesses. – 1 Timothy 6:11-12

Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness. May God’s grace be with you all. – 1 Timothy 6:20-21

Listen closely. What is God saying to you this morning? What does He have for you to do today, regardless of your age or gender? What words is He calling you to speak today? Hold tight to God, PURSUE HIS PLANS for your life and cling to your faith in Christ.

Today’s Reading: 1 Timothy 1:1-11

This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope. I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith. May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy and peace. – 1 Timothy 1:1-2

Paul wrote this letter to his coworker, Timothy, who was serving the church in Ephesus. Paul obviously held Timothy in high regard. He assigned him to the Ephesian church to help the believers grow in their faith and stay focused on the truth of the gospel during a time when false teaching was rampant. Paul expressed affection for Timothy, showing us he not only trusted him with this great responsibility but he also cared deeply for him. Let’s look back in Acts to see how Timothy and Paul met and how God used them in partnership for the sake of the gospel.

Paul went first to Derbe and then to Lystra, where there was a young disciple named Timothy. His mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. Timothy was well thought of by the believers in Lystra and Iconium, so Paul wanted him to join them on their journey. In deference to the Jews of the area, he arranged for Timothy to be circumcised before they left, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek. Then they went from town to town, instructing the believers to follow the decisions made by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew larger every day. – Acts 16:1-5

From the start, Timothy’s calling was to the Church — to help strengthen them in their faith so they could grow, individually and as the body of Christ. Paul saw the potential in this timid young man and placed him in leadership. Timothy was highly respected by the church and deeply loved by Paul, who was now in prison and wishing he could give these words of advice in person instead of in a letter.

Notice Paul adds to his normal greeting. Instead of wishing Timothy grace and peace, Paul wishes him grace, mercy and peace.

GRACE – May God give you unmerited favor, acceptance regardless of your guilt and sin — not favor earned but favor received out of God’s great love for us.

PEACE – May God give you rest and tranquility in knowing you are His and that He has you in His care.

MERCY – May God have compassion on you in your time of need.

Timothy was facing trouble in the Church because of the false teaching that was popping up and distracting the believers from living a life of faith. Paul urged Timothy to stay right where he had been assigned and stop those who are teaching what is contrary to the truth (1:3-4). He had a new target for them to focus on in order to avoid the distractions – he told them to make LOVE their target.

MAKE LOVE YOUR TARGET

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with LOVE that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions…

We know the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father and mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good news entrusted to me by our blessed God. – 1 Timothy 1:5-11

So what was their distraction? What were their meaningless discussions about? It seems from these verses that the believers in the Church were trying to make righteousness about following the law or a set of rules. So instead of loving each other, they were judging each other’s behavior and comparing their own good deeds to the deeds of others. But Christ died for a different kind of salvation — for believers to experience genuine faith in God and not in their own ability to live a good life; for believers to have a clear conscience because of God’s grace and not because of their own good behavior.

Lord, help us as a Church to make LOVE our target instead of our own self-righteousness. Help us to keep our focus on the good news of grace, mercy and peace instead of falling back into a mindset of legalism and rules. Remind us of what you have called each of us to do and help us to live a life of faith in YOU and not in ourselves. Reveal to us today what is distracting us from your purpose in our life. Identify every meaningless conversation we are participating in and help us to refocus on YOU. Lord, fill us with your love – the kind of love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience and genuine faith. We love you, Lord! Amen.

Today’s Reading: Philippians 4:15-23; Psalm 88 & 131

God is so faithful to encourage us when we are going through a difficult time. It gives us peace to know that He is always in control and bigger than anything we may face in this life. It is so easy to fall into worry and panic as we struggle through the unknown, but we can look back and see how God has continued to be our Provider through it all!

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:19

These words can wash over us this morning, giving us confidence that God will be with us through anything we might face today. I can experience contentment because I know that God is orchestrating my day; I can experience confidence trusting that Jesus will give me strength for what is ahead. I can find joy in any and every situation knowing that God will meet my needs.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus…

…I have learned how to BE CONTENT with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do all things through Christ, who gives me STRENGTH…

At the moment, I have all I need – and more! I am generously supplied… And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen. – Philippians 4:4-7, 10-13, 18-20

Rejoice…do not be anxious…praise…pray…be content…trust…give God glory. It seems to me that there is a lot of wasted energy focusing on things that I cannot change instead of giving time and attention to the things that, by His grace, I can change. I need to learn how to be content in any situation — to find true serenity.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” – Reinhold Niebuhr

The key is to live TODAY — not getting worked up about what may or may not happen TOMORROW, and not anchoring my emotions with regrets regarding what happened YESTERDAY, last week, last year or ten years ago.

Here are a few things we cannot change, so they are not worth fretting over or worrying about:
– The weather.
– The past. Mistakes, sin and stupidity are just that…the past. With His help we can repent, ask for forgiveness and move on, leaving the past behind and focusing on the HOPE God has for our future.
– Other people’s attitudes and actions. I can only choose mine.
– Time. We are never going to get more time, so let’s stop wishing for more. We have all the time we need to do what God is asking us to do. Time is never the issue, priorities and values are.
– Hurtful words spoken to us. Let go and move on. Use the past as a guidepost, not a hitching post.
– Family of origin. Use family as an explanation, not an excuse. Jesus can transform us into who He wants us to be no matter the influence of our childhood.

Here are a few things we can and should change — by His grace and with His help:
– My prayer life. I can choose my priorities and spend more time in prayer – praising God, confessing, praying for others and yielding control to Him.
– My attitude, my perspective, my response to other people’s actions and, most of all, my words!
– My habits – getting rid of the bad habits and building new good habits.
– My current priorities and values. What is important and what is not?
– My weekly commitments. Am I overloaded and overwhelmed? What do I need to stop doing or do less frequently?

God, please give me the strength I need to be content in any and every situation. Fill my heart with the joy and strength needed to rejoice in you ALWAYS. Thank you for this letter to the Philippians and how it speaks into my life today.

Today’s Reading: Philippians 4:10-14

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. – Philippians 2:5-8

As we wind down to the end of Paul’s prison letter to the Church in Philippi, let’s review what it means to be a servant as Jesus was – to have the same attitude that he had.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE THE SAME ATTITUDE AS CHRIST?

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. — Philippians 2:14-15

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for ALL he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:4-9

THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE!

Perhaps right now you are thinking that Paul’s letter is too hard – that it is too difficult to put everything we learn in the Scripture into practice. This verse holds the answer:

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. — Philippians 4:13

Remember what we learned in chapter 3 – God isn’t asking us to use our own strength to build a résumé of good works to impress Him. I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST who gives me strength. I can survive my day without complaining; I can live in relationship with others without arguing. My behavior can reflect my relationship with Christ, which can become a shining light in this dark world.

Philippians 3:1-11 (The Message)
And that’s about it, friends. Be glad in God! I don’t mind repeating what I have written in earlier letters, and I hope you don’t mind hearing it again. Better safe than sorry—so here goes.

Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it. We couldn’t carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God’s law; a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting the church; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God’s law Book.

The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.

I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it. – Philippians 3:1-11 (The Message)

NOT BY MY OWN EFFORTS; NOT IN MY OWN STRENGTH.

Why? Because I cannot do it. So I fall on my knees before the Holy God and ask Him to fill me with His Spirit. Jesus, I pray for you to do great things this week in YOUR strength and through my willing and obedient heart. Transform my attitude and help me to trust in you and in your righteousness rather than trying to live by my own efforts and weakness. Give me the strength to be content and willing to do what you ask me to do today. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Philippians 3:15 – 4:9

Paul is calling the Church to live like Jesus did, but not of human effort. He is not calling us to build a list of good things we have done FOR God; he is calling us to get to know Christ and let the Spirit do a work in us that produces fruit. It’s not about our attempts at living right but about God’s righteousness living through us.

Paul does not claim to be perfect, but he does encourage Christians to look at the example of his life and be encouraged to press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed us. He says to forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead — to focus on the end of the race and the heavenly prize waiting there for us.

FIX YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.

So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.

Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthly bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him. – Philippians 3:12-21 (The Message)

STAY TRUE TO THE LORD

Oh what a beautiful day that will be when Jesus Christ will come for us and transform our imperfect earthly bodies into GLORIOUS bodies like His! He will make us beautiful and whole! So, knowing ALL of this, Paul calls his readers to stay true to the Lord (4:1). Remember God has begun a good work in you and will continue His work until that day when He will return (1:6).

Not only will God transform us someday, He is already transforming us now. The result of His work in our lives is evident as we submit to our Creator. As we grow and mature, our lives begin to look more and more like these words of encouragement to the Philippians – one of my favorite passages of Scripture and exactly what I need to soak in this morning:

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember the Lord is coming soon.

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all HE HAS DONE. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:4-9

…God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. – Philippians 4:9b (The Message)

FIX YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE TRUTH

The enemy would love to steal our joy today but let’s be reminded to be full of joy in the Lord — to rejoice in every situation. The enemy would love for us to worry but let’s turn our thoughts to God and pray. Tell God what you need and enter into a season of thanksgiving. God will give us a peace that exceeds our understanding, a peace that protects our hearts and our minds.

There is so much more to life than these earthly troubles, so let’s fix our eyes on the prize and press forward, staying true to the Lord. When the enemy tries to distract us with lies, let’s fix our thoughts on what is true, what is honorable, what is right. Let’s focus on all that is pure, lovely and admirable. Let’s enjoy the harmonies of God as He makes EVERYTHING work together for good.