Bible League: Living His Word Timothy, God has trusted you with many things. Keep these things safe. Stay away from people who talk about useless things that are not from God and who argue against you with a "knowledge" that is not knowledge at all.— 1 Timothy 6:20 ERV The mentoring relationship between Paul and Timothy stands out like no other in Scripture. In his pastoral letters to his young disciple, the elder Paul never hesitates to refer to Timothy, his youthful brother in Christ, as a "true son to me in the faith we share" (1 Timothy 1:2). Under Paul's guidance, Timothy grew from young assistant, to apprentice, to full partner in the Gospel. In Paul's pastoral letters, he heaped generous servings of theological teaching, direction, and instructions on church-life order onto Timothy's plate. But he was always careful to season those servings with personal advice and fatherly care. Timothy interned with Paul when he was an evangelist in residence in Corinth and Ephesus. He assisted Paul on his missionary journeys to Philippi, Berea, and Athens. Paul poured himself into Timothy. He nurtured him, reminded him, encouraged him, questioned him, warned him, and corrected him. Paul even writes about the comfort of Timothy's presence when he is alone in prison, abandoned by his coworkers. Timothy's church elders in Lystra and his mother and grandmother had also been his intentional disciples. Paul clearly saw how God Himself trusted Timothy's use of spiritual gifts, trustworthy teachings, ethical behavior, and authoritative leadership. Paul trusted him too. He charged Timothy with the difficult tasks of bringing order to church communities plagued by harmful teachings and ungodly behavior. Paul encouraged Timothy to keep the investment of time, heart, and relationship safe that others had poured into him and to pass them on to others without abusing those investments. Perhaps some of the best advice he gave his beloved Timothy was to simply stay away from people engaged in useless talk, who craft clever arguments based on false knowledge. In today's divisive atmosphere that even finds believers pitted against each other, Paul's advice is as useful as ever. Modern day followers of Jesus should stay away from useless arguments and guard the good that wise mentors and the Savior himself have poured into them. By Roger Massey, Bible League International staff, Texas U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading1 Chronicles 1, 2 1 Chronicles 1 -- Genealogy from Adam to Abraham; Abraham's Descendants NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Chronicles 2 -- Genealogy from Jacob to David NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 7:32-53 John 7 -- Jesus Teaches at the Feast of Tabernacles; Diverse Opinions of Him among the People NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.Insight Many people try to be stars in the world of entertainment, only to find their stardom temporary. God tells us how we can be eternal “stars”—by being wise and leading many to God's righteousness. Challenge If we share our Lord with others, we can be true stars—radiantly beautiful in God's sight! Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Psalm 17:7 Marvellous lovingkindness.When we give our hearts with our alms, we give well, but we must often plead to a failure in this respect. Not so our Master and our Lord. His favors are always performed with the love of his heart. He does not send to us the cold meat and the broken pieces from the table of his luxury, but he dips our morsel in his own dish, and seasons our provisions with the spices of his fragrant affections. When he puts the golden tokens of his grace into our palms, he accompanies the gift with such a warm pressure of our hand, that the manner of his giving is as precious as the boon itself. He will come into our houses upon his errands of kindness, and he will not act as some austere visitors do in the poor man's cottage, but he sits by our side, not despising our poverty, nor blaming our weakness. Beloved, with what smiles does he speak! What golden sentences drop from his gracious lips! What embraces of affection does he bestow upon us! If he had but given us farthings, the way of his giving would have gilded them; but as it is, the costly alms are set in a golden basket by his pleasant carriage. It is impossible to doubt the sincerity of his charity, for there is a bleeding heart stamped upon the face of all his benefactions. He giveth liberally and upbraideth not. Not one hint that we are burdensome to him; not one cold look for his poor pensioners; but he rejoices in his mercy, and presses us to his bosom while he is pouring out his life for us. There is a fragrance in his spikenard which nothing but his heart could produce; there is a sweetness in his honey-comb which could not be in it unless the very essence of his soul's affection had been mingled with it. Oh! the rare communion which such singular heartiness effecteth! May we continually taste and know the blessedness of it! Daily Light on the Daily Path 1 Timothy 4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.1 Corinthians 9:25-27 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. • Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; • but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. Ephesians 6:11,12 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. • For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Galatians 5:24,25 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. • If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Romans 8:14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 1 Timothy 4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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