Today's Reading:1 Timothy 3:1-6:10
As the year is quickly drawing to close I am realigning some priorities. I have put my writing for this blog on the back burner most of the year, which means as my day progresses I never get around to it. While I have kept up with my daily reading of God’s Word I have not spent time intentionally meditating on what I am reading. The first thing I do upon waking is to read my Bible, but then I jump into the day without spending time in prayer with God really listening to what His words have to say to me that day. I may make mental note, but there is just something that happens when I take time to write out my thoughts. So, I am adding this time of writing back near the top of my daily to-do list. This time where I sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His word, not just read it and move on, but really listen to what He is saying to me today.
So, I come to this passage out of my reading this morning where Paul is telling Timothy:
If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, 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 4:6-10 (NLT)
As I think about what I have just read here it strikes me that what Paul describes to Timothy as being a worthy or good servant of Christ applies equally to us. A follower of Jesus is one who is nourished (or trained as the ESV puts it) by the words of God, by the teachings of Christ. A follower of Jesus should not engage in arguing over godless ideas-oh and isn’t that a huge temptation these days. How much of our time is taken up with conversations and arguments over the pandemic? Would this fit into the next part of this passage about the physical versus the godly? (Just thinking out loud here) Instead we should be training ourselves to be godly because the benefits are not limited to this life but carry over into eternal life.
As I thought about those verses I came to the conclusion that I had let my priorities get a little out of whack. (Well, maybe a lot out of whack.) I am doing a reset today. Seeking first the kingdom before I get lost in email and Facebook and whatever else steals away my attention. Seeking first the kingdom of God before I sit down with my planner and work out what I need to accomplish for my business, my family, my home, my ministry, and my friends today. Seeking first the kingdom because God has promised all these things will be added unto me. I will accomplish what God has given me for this day if I put Him first in my life. If my goal is to look towards Jesus above all else I will have my priorities in proper order.
So, I come to this passage out of my reading this morning where Paul is telling Timothy:
If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, 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 4:6-10 (NLT)
As I think about what I have just read here it strikes me that what Paul describes to Timothy as being a worthy or good servant of Christ applies equally to us. A follower of Jesus is one who is nourished (or trained as the ESV puts it) by the words of God, by the teachings of Christ. A follower of Jesus should not engage in arguing over godless ideas-oh and isn’t that a huge temptation these days. How much of our time is taken up with conversations and arguments over the pandemic? Would this fit into the next part of this passage about the physical versus the godly? (Just thinking out loud here) Instead we should be training ourselves to be godly because the benefits are not limited to this life but carry over into eternal life.
As I thought about those verses I came to the conclusion that I had let my priorities get a little out of whack. (Well, maybe a lot out of whack.) I am doing a reset today. Seeking first the kingdom before I get lost in email and Facebook and whatever else steals away my attention. Seeking first the kingdom of God before I sit down with my planner and work out what I need to accomplish for my business, my family, my home, my ministry, and my friends today. Seeking first the kingdom because God has promised all these things will be added unto me. I will accomplish what God has given me for this day if I put Him first in my life. If my goal is to look towards Jesus above all else I will have my priorities in proper order.
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