Beth, Sorry to be late. Hope these will work for you. Change what you need to, and thank you for letting me participate in this ministry. God bless, Jim...

2015.01.20 - 1 Timothy Lesson 10

Monday

Who's responsible?

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, (‭I Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭1-2‬ NKJV)

Growing up, I felt that everyone else was telling me things and trying to make me do things their way.  The list of those people was long.  They included parents, a big brother, neighbors, and even my grandmother at home.  At school, it was the principals, teachers and coaches, then college professors and administrators.   Church wasn't any better; the preacher, the music leader, the Sunday school teachers, the youth directors, deacons, and friends' parents.  Now I also have a wife, children, more neighbors, bosses, employees, doctors, and customers who all seem so certain of what's right.  Add in political leaders, news casters, denominational leaders, and the list gets so large, that it's a wonder I can decide what to wear every day.  

But the fact is, that while these people all provide me direction and influence what I do, I make the decisions.  Our scripture today truly states that some will depart from the faith.   I don't think this is referring to losing salvation, but to choosing not to follow as closely as you may have in the past, and not nearly as closely as God wants you to.  And I've done it.  No, I'm not abandoning my faith.  I'm not giving up on my relationship with Christ and I haven't lost the awe that God would sacrifice His son Jesus for me.  But Even today, I'm choosing not to be active in a local church.  I'm not regularly spending quality time in His word.  I'm not leading my family as a sprirtual leader should.  And this passage convicts me.  I'm not a bad man.  I'm not immoral or unethical.  I'm not stealing from work, worshipping idols, or plotting to overthrow the government.   I am merely a sinful man, again reminded of the rich blessings God has for me, that I am failing to accept.  And I realize that a more Godly lifestyle awaits, but I have to seek it.  

Lord, forgive me.   

There are so many ways I fail to be the best I can, and we both know that even my best is unworthy of your love, mercy, and grace.   I ask that you will be with me today.  Help me choose to not depart from your ways, but to seek you. Give me the desire to know you better.  Give me the hunger to seek a more Godly life, and to learn this week with those reading along with me to seek, to want, and to accept the training that will lead me closer to you.   

Tuesday

Prayer

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJV)

The sixth chapter of Matthew seems so practical.  If I want to train myself for Godliness, I should seek His Kingdom, and in just a few verses it covers several things I need to do please God.  It lays out some of the basics, including prayer (the Lord's Prayer is in Matthew 6:9-13).

When I think of prayer, I see so many aspects.  I believe prayer is talking with God. To God.  Listening for God.   It something I can do anywhere.  Anytime.  Alone in my quiet time.  At church among other believers.  In a restaurant with a bible study group.  Mentally, verbally, or in writing.  I can intervene for the sick, those who are lost, and those who have just lost their way.  I can spend hours, or merely a fleeting moment.  I can voice my deepest fears, and my greatest doubts without a fear of rejection.  I can share my human anger when things don't seem to go my way, without fear of destruction.  I can ask for guidance and direction in things large and small.  

So today, I want to train myself in Godliness using the discipline of prayer.  I want to daily spend time with God, and I'm praying especially today for those reading these words.  Join me seeking to grow closer to God, by investing time regularly in prayer with Him.  

Wednesday

Study

Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ AMP)

... you will be a worthy steward and a good minister of Christ Jesus, ever nourishing your own self on the truths of the faith and of the good [Christian] instruction which you have closely followed. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬ AMP)

I've been blessed to learn many things.  In school, I was able to make pretty good grades without too much study.  In life, not so much.   I've learned many lessons the hard way with many (confessed and forgiven) sins and scars to show for it.  I have also learned that anything worth having comes at a cost.  

As I have thought on the topic of Godliness the last few days, I am feeling a renewed desire to grow.  To be more like Him.  Our verse today, speaks to nourishing ourselves (our souls) on the truths of the faith and of the good doctrine.  I can only come to know God better by learning about Him.  His plans.  His love.  His mercy and grace.  The history of His people.  The best place to find that is in His word, and regular time spent there is an investment with an infinite return.  

There are different ways to dive into the bible.  I've tried many of them and found each to fill a separate but significant place in my journey to Godliness.   I have a group of Christian men from different denominations I've met with pretty much weekly for nearly 8 years who take a passage a week, read it and share what it means to us or how we understand it.  There's more  formal bible studies like Sunday school where a diverse group trust a leader to help them grasp bible truths.  I've even led some of these, and found it true that the teacher learns more than the student.   Christian book stores have good literature broken out by topic or bible book for individual or group studies.  There are good pastors like Phil who are blessed to be able to share so clearly the word of God.  There are even podcasts now with ministers who break the bread of God into nite sized pieces that even I can understand.  There are even free aps that will read the bible to you as you drive!  

And if I want to grow in Godliness, I need to commit to regularly feeding my head and my heart with the word of God.  Join me in promising God to seek His word regularly.  

Thursday

Discipline 

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭24-26‬ NIV)

Twice in my life I have been consistent in a work out program, and I really enjoyed the rewards.  The first time was in college, and it was a weight lifting (it's not polite to laugh) when some of my best friends and I decided to work out together.  After the initial stages, I looked forward to the sweat.  The fellowship.  The way I felt afterwards, and even the way I looked (again, it's not polite to laugh).  The second time was shortly after college when I was a regular racquetball player and met two to three times a week to play.   It was the most fun I ever had exercising.  I was in the best cardio shape of my life.  I could play three hours of singles and had a 32" waist.  Today, I own balls and gloves and bats and rackets and bicycles and golf clubs and...  I'm 30+ pounds overweight.   I can get winded climbing a flight or two of stairs.  I sit too much and move too little.  TV and computers were bad enough, but now with an iPad and a DVR?  Who needs to move?

What changed?   I did.  I have not been committed to my health - to the diet and exercise discipline necessary to achieve the optimum health God has planned for me.  And every time I try for a few days to make good choices, I let the aching muscles, the growling tummy, the business travel, and a dozen other things get in the way, and I fail, because I do not choose daily to do the little things needed to correct my course.  

And I realize, as I seek Godliness, it applies to all areas of my life.  Yes, the prayer and bible study are essential components of a successful Christian life.  And I know I'll likely never again run the 50 yard dash or a try a half marathon.  But if I want to truly be the best disciple I can be, I must consider my body.  I want to be here on earth, healthy and productive, for as long as God allows.  So along with the spiritual disciplines, I need to care for vessel God provided me.  

Join me today in choosing just one aspect of physical health and commit to someone else to do something different for a month that makes us healthier (and more able to develop a Godly lifestyle). 

No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭27‬ NIV)

Friday

Teach

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.  Command and teach these things.  1 Timothy 4:11-12

Ok class, let's review.  So far, we've learned that in training ourselves for living the Christian life, we start with a conscious decision.  A responsible choice to seek Godliness.  And some of the ways we proceed in that process involves the rather obvious.  Prayer and study.  Talking with God and seeking to know Him better through the bible and learning from others.  Then we add in the respecting the body God gave us for this earthly journey by exercising and eating right, leading to physical and spiritual health.   

But it's Friday, and we have another day and we need one more devotion.   What could be left?   

Think back to when you started your Spiritual journey.  If your story is like mine, someone else was involved.  A speaker shared a story.  A minister preached a sermon. You met someone who was different.  And you wanted more.  Today, I know I have a chance to be THAT someone else.  I'm not a preacher, but I have taught a class or two.  I have stories of things God has done for me that I can share.  I can Try to live a life that makes others want to know the a God I have.  And the student becomes a teacher.  And the circle is complete.  

Join me today in committing to be aware of the opportunities you have to use the knowledge and talents you have to teach His ways to others.  

The Lord said to him, "?.. Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (‭Exodus‬ ‭4‬:‭11-12‬ NIV)