Tag: Devotional

Training for godliness

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HIGHLIGHT

1 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV): 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

EXPLAIN

1 Timothy is a very personal letter from Paul to his son in the faith in which Paul encourages Timothy in his calling as a minister of the gospel and duties as a pastor.

One specific issue Paul challenged Timothy repeatedly about in this letter were some in the church who were focused on trivial issues – myths, genealogies, unbiblical rules such as forbidding marriage and abstinence, etc. – thinking that these led to spirituality.

Paul instead urged Timothy to devote himself to studying and proclaiming God’s Word. While physical exercise is good, training ourselves for godliness is much more valuable.

APPLY

A danger the believer can fall into is thinking that because they have read the Bible all the way – or even 10 times through, because they have attended Sunday School for so many years – or even taught Sunday School, because they have gone through this or that class, or went to the altar so many times… they have “arrived” spiritually.

They know it all. They’ve seen it all. If you can persuade them, they might be willing to teach what they know. Otherwise, they are not interested in learning or teaching, but only want to “experience” God.

They want to be entertained.

The secret to continuing spiritual victory and vitality is ongoing training in godliness.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to be disciplined and faithful in “godliness” training, building up my strength, stamina, and wisdom in how to be more like Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The worship God accepts

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HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 50:22–23 (ESV): 22 “Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! 23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”

EXPLAIN

Psalm 50 pictures God as the Mighty One who comes in flaming fire. God is a righteous judge and he gathers his people to testify against them. God is not happy with his people merely offering sacrifices. God wants sacrifices of thanksgiving that come from pure hearts and hands.

Psalm 50 is followed by the famous psalm of King David’s repentance of his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah. Again, Psalm 51 contends that God is not pleased in mere sacrifices. Rather, God wants sacrifices of a broken and contrite heart.

APPLY

God knows when we are playing at “religion” and he is not happy when our worship is false. God expects us to worship him in sincerity and truth. Our worship must be worship of him. And, our worship must include confession of any sin and a reliance upon his grace.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, may I worship you in sincerity and truth. I come to worship you, and you alone. And I recognize my continuing need of your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The traditions you must follow

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HIGHLIGHT

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (ESV): 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

EXPLAIN

A purpose of both Paul’s letters to the church in Thessalonica was to address misunderstandings of the people concerning Christ’s return.

Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 2 to assure the believers that Christ had not yet already returned. Paul gave some details about the man of lawlessness who would be revealed before Christ’s second coming.

Paul then transitioned, giving thanks to God for these believers, expressing his confidence of God’s salvation and calling. Therefore, Paul urged them to stand firm and hold to the traditions the missionaries had taught them.

To our modern ears, “traditions” often has a negative and legalistic tone. This should not confuse us about Paul’s meaning. Rather, in addition to the doctrine Paul taught believers, he also taught them practices of living and worship: traditions they should follow, “religion.”

“Religion” also includes negative connotations for many today, but that is unfortunate also. We understand: religion does not and cannot ever save us from sinfulness before God.

But our practice of living a holy life is a “religion”. My practice of reading God’s Word and praying every day is part of my religion, for example. Or, my practice of attending church regularly is also a religious tradition.

APPLY

In the midst of a corrupt world in which it seems like Christ’s coming is imminent, now more than ever, we must stand firm and continue the basic “traditions” of our faith.

Some might be tempted to put aside such basic religious practices, believing that “the hour” called for breathless waiting of the unveiling of Christ. But that was the error of some in Thessalonica Church: becoming busybodies, refusing to work because Christ’s coming was near.

Another temptation might be to compromise with a hostile world, slacking on various religious practices in order to get along with people who are unsympathetic to our faith in Christ and in order to keep up with a world changing rapidly.

We should recognize that best way to live for Christ is counter-culturally, standing firm for God instead of running from fad to fad.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, please help me to stand firm in a hurried world that is often hostile to you. May I live faithfully, anticipating your return. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Worthy of His calling

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HIGHLIGHT

2 Thessalonians 1:11 (ESV): 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,

EXPLAIN

Paul greeted the church of Thessalonica, speaking of how he regularly boasted of their faithfulness in persecution and difficulty.

He went on to say that their suffering was evidence of God’s righteous judgment by demonstrating that they were worthy of God’s kingdom. God would repay with affliction those who afflicted them. Indeed, those who did not know God and refused the gospel would suffer eternal punishment, but these believers would marvel at Christ’s appearance.

Therefore, Paul prayed that God would make them worthy of his calling.

APPLY

We should always remember that God uses the difficulties we face, especially those caused by people who reject the gospel, to prepare us, making us worthy of his kingdom. Therefore, our prayer should be that God will help us to be faithful and to accomplish all that he has set before us.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, make me worthy of your calling. Strengthen me to serve you faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Your boss is Jesus

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HIGHLIGHT

Colossians 3:23–24 (ESV): 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

EXPLAIN

This scripture was written in the context of Paul’s exhortation and explanation for how the believer is to put on the new self, the new life that Christ provides for us.

The new life changes how we relate in our family and in our workplace, as well as in the church. In these verses, Paul tells workers – and in that day slaves or bond servants – to work hard at their jobs, not to please men, but as if their boss truly were Jesus.

APPLY

Whatever God puts before us to do, whether it be the noblest career or the most menial job, we should work at it with our whole heart, not to receive a paycheck or the kudos of our employer, but to please Jesus Christ. For Jesus is pleased with our faithful service and will reward us one day.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us work to do. Help us to work faithfully, with our whole heart, not excusing lack of passion for the type of job we may do or the employers, fellow employees, or customers we may have to deal with. Instead, help us to serve you faithfully by our diligent work. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

How to get ready for the day

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HIGHLIGHT

Colossians 3:12 (ESV): 12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

EXPLAIN

Paul wrote Colossae Church, concerned that they were being taught that the way to spirituality was observing Jewish feasts, asceticism, worship of angels, etc.

Paul told them that in Christ we have died to this world and were raised to new life in him. Therefore, we are to put on the new life of righteousness and put to death any vestiges of the old life of sin.

Therefore, Paul began a list of things to put on as God’s people. This list does not end with this verse. Furthermore, the application of the new life is seen later in this chapter in how various family members related to each other, as well as how those in the workplace were to behave.

APPLY

When we get ready for the morning, what items are on our checklist? At the very basic… clothes, belt, shoes, watch, phone, computer/iPad and other tools of whatever trade we are in.

We probably also arm ourselves with a steely resolve to fight through traffic and get through the day with others, competitiveness to get ahead in our career, etc.

Paul wrote that as God’s people we should put on compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness and love.

Paul was not writing that we should be pushovers in life. Rather, these virtues are the basic characteristics of what it means to be a Christ follower. Our calling as Christians is to be like Christ… in all moments.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, equip me today with these virtues of the Christian. May I live throughout the day with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Singly Focused

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HIGHLIGHT

Philippians 3:17 (ESV): 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.

EXPLAIN

Paul wrote this letter from prison, and in the context of opposition from some in the Church. Despite his circumstances, he was filled with joy for the grace of God in him and in those to whole he was writing.

He did warn his readers of those who corrupted the gospel, saying they were more spiritual or at least more confident of their salvation because of their heritage, good works, etc.

Paul noted that in that regard he had many credentials, but he gave them all up for the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ in the power of his resurrection, sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that he might attain the resurrection of the dead.

Paul had not attained all this. He was not perfect. But his aim was set. So he invited his readers to join him and others who had this passion for knowing Jesus fully.

APPLY

Despite our circumstances and what is going on around us, Christ calls us to follow him and to join with those who follow him.

We must not be distracted by the world or discouraged by opposition. Rather, our devotion must be to Jesus.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to walk according to the example Jesus left behind, as well as those of other followers of Christ. May I be singly focused on following you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For incredible asks

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HIGHLIGHT

Ephesians 3:20–21 (ESV): 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

EXPLAIN

Paul began Ephesians 3 talking about the awesome stewardship he had been given by God to make known the mystery of the gospel, that Gentiles were fellow heirs along with Jews.

Paul explained that this was the purpose of God for him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles and asked his readers not to be discouraged due to the suffering he had experienced.

Instead, Paul bowed his knees to pray for his readers to be strengthened with power through the Spirit in their inner being, that Christ might dwell in their hearts by faith and that they might know all the love of Christ.

This was an incredible ask, but Paul prayed this to Him who can do far more than we can ask or think.

APPLY

Sometimes we may feel like our prayers are incredibly audacious. We might think that there is no way God would answer our prayers. We know he could, but we feel intimidated to be so bold in asking. But our scripture says God can do much more that we can ask or think.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, when I feel overwhelmed by life and am afraid to believe that you could or would answer my prayers, help me to remember that you do more than we ask or think… and you delight in it! In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Acceptable thoughts and speech

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HIGHLIGHT

Psalm 19:14 (ESV): 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

EXPLAIN

This psalm begins with a beautiful description of nature giving glory to God. David then transitions to talking about how God’s law is perfect and closes with a prayer that he might live blameless without intentional sin.

APPLY

David’s prayer in this final verse of Psalm 19 is quite breathtaking.

As James notes in the New Testament, it is incredibly difficult to control our tongue. We may speak 20,000 beautiful words throughout the day, and then at home speak a few hundred harsh words to our family.

And the devil loves to insert thoughts that should not be considered into our mind. It takes great discipline to reject them immediately, giving no lasting consideration to them.

This prayer is incredibly applicable then: Lord, may I be blameless in all that I say and think!

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, I desire to honor you with all of my life: what I do, what I say, and what I think. Give me grace and strength to choose what is right. Guard my steps; guard my lips and mind. Amen.

Christ in me

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HIGHLIGHT

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

EXPLAIN

Paul began this letter by explaining how his conversion to Christ led him to abandon his previous efforts to gain salvation by good works.

Paul meticulously explained how his gospel was not in contradiction with the rest of the church, but rather supported by the other apostles.

Indeed, the validity of Paul’s gospel was obvious when Peter began to act hypocritically in one occasion, and Paul called him out. After mentioning that event, Paul transitioned into teaching about being justified by faith.

In order to be justified by faith, it was necessary for Paul to die to the law, so that he might live to God. Therefore, Paul was crucified with Christ, and it was Christ who gave him life.

APPLY

In Galatians 1:13 Paul spoke of his “former life in Judaism.” Paul was still a Jew, yet his life of trying to please God by following Jewish laws and regulations was long gone.

Each one who would follow Christ must also crucify their past life so that they might now live in and by Christ.

My life is not my own; I belong to Christ. I do not live by my own strength, wisdom or will; I live only through Christ.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you that in my life there was a BC and an AD. May I continue to live today, not by my power, but by you. May Christ live in me and animate me for your glory. Amen.