1 Timothy 6; 2 Timothy 1-4

There are times when the meaning of a person’s name matters or even how one received their name. I was reminded the name of Timothy really suits him. His name comes from two words, timan, to honour, and theos, God. This literally means he who honours God.

 Whoever is a slave must make the best of it, giving respect to his master so that outsiders don’t blame God and our teaching for his behavior. – 1 Timothy 6:1 MSG

The name of God is just as important to me and my actions imply the kind of God that He is. Is He a God of social disorder or is He a God not to be dishonoured? My walk with Jesus would indicate that I reflect His character in my patience and meekness and not in rebellion or violence. I am to walk with respect. I cannot be the one who someone would look on and say that followers of Jesus are those who produce discontent and who lead to insurrection.

I honour those who employ me because God has placed them in authority over me regardless how unworthy they may be. I learned this lesson in my very first pastoral role. My pastor did some very unworthy things and I talked about it – far too much. I love that I had someone who loved me enough to teach me what it means to be a follower of Jesus and to honour the one given authority by God and that my role was to honour and let God do His thing in his heart. Just in case word-smithing takes place here as to what honour means, I learned that honour means respect, observance, compliance and obedience.

I’m charging you before the life-giving God and before Christ, who took his stand before Pontius Pilate and didn’t give an inch: Keep this command to the letter, and don’t slack off. Our Master, Jesus Christ, is on his way. He’ll show up right on time, his arrival guaranteed by the Blessed and Undisputed Ruler, High King, High God. He’s the only one death can’t touch, his light so bright no one can get close. He’s never been seen by human eyes—human eyes can’t take him in! Honor to him, and eternal rule! Oh, yes. – 1 Timothy 6 :13-16 MSG

I can do the things God has asked me to do and be, I can endure, because of who I am in light of eternity. I serve a living God, the one who created heaven and earth and all of creation. When I think of God as God the Creator, it is easier to see Him as the one to be honoured and to be accountable to. My response is no longer, “what can You do for me?” but rather how can I declare Your honour and everlasting power?

Father, this feels so unnatural in a world where everyone is fighting for their own rights. I want to be in a place where I am completely Yours, either as an employee, a citizen or even a prisoner. Thank You!

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

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Leviticus 17; Psalms 20,21; Proverbs 31; 1 Timothy 2

³ This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

(I Timothy 2:3-6 ESV)

God wants people to come to Him, to experience salvation. He wants it so much, He died for it.

He gave everything for our salvation, and then it is our turn to respond. When we take a few minutes to dwell on all that God has done and given and secured on our behalf, it should irresistibly stir us to respond.

⁸ I desire then that in every place the men should pray, (I Timothy 2:8 ESV)

We should pray, we should shout the good news from the rooftops, and we should praise Him with every breath.

The crazy thing? It doesn’t end there. He didn’t “just” make a plan from the fall of man that involved great personal cost and pain for Him in order to save us, He also wants to keep blessing us.

As a parent, this doesn’t really surprise me. I don’t need anything from my kids in order for me to want to keep giving to them. I want to do everything in my power to provide for them, love them, protect them, nurture them, grow them, and even spoil them a little bit. I have tasted a little bit of what it feels like to love someone selflessly, and truly expect nothing in return. It doesn’t mean heedlessly indulging their every whim, but it means genuinely wanting the best for them even when it costs me. Even when it is inconvenient.

God saved us, and He wants to keep on giving – a relationship, protection, confidence, security, help, fulfillment, peace, quiet, knowledge, love, holiness. Each of those are represented just in Psalm 20, Psalm 21, and I Timothy 2, to say nothing of the other 1,186 chapters of the Bible.

That is why, while some might trust in horses and chariots, we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Lord God, Your love for me is beyond comprehension. I could never praise enough, respond enough, give enough, or be enough to repay you. And yet, I know that’s okay. You did it out of deep love for me, expecting nothing in return. Asking nothing in return. Wanting nothing in return. Thank you for that example. Thank you for that love. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen.

 

Jeremiah 1-4; 1 Timothy 6

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” The Lord replied, “Don’t say, I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you.  And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you.  I, the Lord, have spoken!” Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth! Today I appoint you to stand against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow.  Others you must build up and plant.” Jeremiah 1:5-10 NLT

Fully known, set apart. How much different would I live if I fully comprehended that? Jeremiah struggled to believe it, even after the Lord spoke it to him. He questioned and doubted his influence because of his young age.  What excuses am I making when God has asked me to do something? “I can’t because…” This is exactly where Satan would want me. To live in defeat. When God has called me to live in faith.

“Get up and prepare for action.  Go out and tell them everything I tell you to say.  Do not be afraid of them, or I will make you look foolish in front of them.  For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall.  You will stand against the whole land- the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah.  They will fight you, but they will fail.  For I am with you, and I will take care of you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” Jeremiah 1:17-19 NLT

It’s hard to get ready if I don’t see a storm coming. My family is going through a storm right now that seemed to hit us out of nowhere. When I find myself being battle weary, I can rest that God knew it was coming. He was preparing me in ways that I didn’t even know.  He provides every step of the way, I just need to look to him.

“Fight the good fight for the true faith.  Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12 NLT

Dear Father, thank you for your faithfulness.  For your goodness. Thank you that you go before me.  And that nothing I go through will ever be wasted. That you will use it for your glory. Amen.

Amy(amyctanner)

Nahum 1-3; 1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV
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 life 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.

Timothy has an interesting challenge for us when it comes to godly living: rather than doing what the pagans do (and if we’re honest, what comes naturally), he urges us to offer thanksgiving and prayers for those in our lives – particularly the authorities in our lives.

The result, he says, pleases God.

How does it please God?

Because when we pray for and give thanks for our authorities, it causes us to live at peace with those people in our lives, and to set an example of holiness and godliness. An example that points to Jesus as the Lord of our lives.

This example stands in stark contrast to what we see in the culture around us, where people frequently and openly disrespect and disparage those in authority, whether it’s their boss, a cop, or even the president.

God doesn’t want me to blend in with the culture around me. He doesn’t want me to join in with negativity. He wants to me offer thanks for the authority, whether good or bad. He wants me to pray for my authority, whether easy or hard. He wants me to choose peace with my authority, to choose love with my authority, and to choose holiness in my interactions with my authority.

When I put God in control of my relationships, it pleases Him because it allows Him to work behind the scenes in a person’s life, for the purpose of the gospel.

God wants everyone to come to a saving knowledge of the truth. Shouldn’t I want the same? And if I do want the same, how do my interactions with others reflect this? How do my prayers reflect it? How does my attitude reflect it?

Our primary purpose in life is to know God and make Him known. When I seek peace and pursue it by praying for and being thankful for the people God has placed in my life, I’m able to make God known in the most vibrant and significant way possible.

But when I gossip, when I complain, when I become negative and resentful about the people in my life who annoy me, frustrate me, or inconvenience me,  I make myself known. And that’s not a good thing. That means God has to deal with me before He can deal with them.

When I choose a humble and godly attitude, I show my trust in God to provide for, encourage, protect, and lead me, even as He uses the people in my life to do so.

Father, thank you for your patience with me. Forgive me for choosing negativity and selfishness over gratitude and humility. Help me to see people as you see them, and help me to make my priority making Your name great and making You known. By Your grace, I will choose gratitude. By Your grace, I will pray for those you’ve placed in my life. By Your grace, I will choose peace. Help me to be set apart in my behavior towards others. Help me to point to You in all that I say and do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.  

 

Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalms 45,2 ; 1Timothy 1

“Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.” Ecclesiastes 1:8 NLT

“You can live with pain easier than you can live with purposelessness.” (Beth Moore)

I think about how true this has been in my own life. When I am focused on how God is going to use my pain, I am less likely to fall into self-pity over it.  It gives me a sense of purpose. How might I help someone else? What work does God have for me to do?

“What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:9 NLT

When I make my work about me, I get anxious, worried.  I wonder if I am enough.  But when I remember there is an eternal perspective to it, I can hand it over to God.  I can trust that he’ll  help me in my weakness. Than I know that I can’t take the credit, but give him the glory for the gifts he’s given me.

“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 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.” 1 Timothy 1:12-14 NLT

My 10 year old son was was telling me that he prayed on the pitcher’s mound during his championship baseball game.  He was feeling the pressure of the bases being loaded and everyone depending on him.  In that moment, he realized that he didn’t have the strength on his own.  This mom’s heart swelled with this life lesson.  My son knew who to turn to.  I imagine Jesus cheering him on for his faith.  Maybe that’s how Paul felt about Timothy.

“Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based in 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. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.” 1 Timothy 1:18-19 NLT

Thank you Father for your faithfulness.  Help me to run to you.  I give you the glory. Amen.

Amy(amyctanner)