QT 29 Aug 19, 1 Tim 5:17, Good spiritual leaders should be doubly honored

1 Timothy 5:17 (ESV) — Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

NOTE: In this verse, the word "elders" has a qualifier, "who rule well," and "labor in preaching and teaching." In other words, not every elder, but those who do a good job at it. In the middle ages, a religious leader was considered a cozy job with decent pay, little work, and some degree of honor. It is very sad that even today some consider the occupation similarly. Others, the agnostic and atheist, view the job with disdain. My point, is that, the double honor is reserved for those who do it well, and who work hard at preaching and teaching.

What does double honor mean? Well, they certainly should be paid well as the verses which follow suggest. And we should consider their words with great interest and introspection. At least that is how I would view a boss that I greatly honored.

PRAYER: Father, show me how I should honor my spiritual leaders. I don't often do things out of the blue. Maybe I need to send a surprise gift or note. Lead me in a good idea.

QT 28 Aug 19, 1 Tim 5:16, We are required to care for our Parents

1 Timothy 5:16 (ESV) — If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

NOTE: This seems so obvious, that we have are responsibility to take care of our aged parents. And yet, working for a bank, I have witnessed examples of the aged being robbed blind by family members. It is so sad and shows the depravity of our society. Sons and daughters that rob a parent's life savings out of greed, are despicable. I don't understand children who are not willing to care for their parents. I can understand children who are not able to care for their parents because of special needs, physical problems, and even financial difficulties, but this is an area that we need to be sensitive to because it affects our witness among unbelievers. A parent who squanders his or her wealth should have no expectation of an easy life, but at least they ought to be able to have food and shelter. And as children, we must do what we can to help.

PRAYER: Father, help me to see where I am failing in this regard. Help me to be sensitive to the needs of my family. Help me to see where and when I need to intervene. I thank you for their health and their ability to make ends meet.

QT 27 Aug 19, 1 Tim 5:11-12, Pitfalls and traps

1 Timothy 5:11–12 (ESV) — 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith.

NOTE: The phrase "abandoned their former faith" is curious. We know from the totality of scripture, that one cannot lose their salvation. A person can choose to back slide or to abandon the walk of faith. In neither case do you lose your security. Salvation is a gift given by God that places a person in a covenant that God has promised will not end. The covenant cannot be broken.  Now, in this case, the word for "faith," pistis can be translated pledge. In which case, the warning could be related to a commitment to ministry that she then abandons because of a potential relationship. Another possibility is that the desire to marry is so great, that the woman considers an unbeliever. In any case, there is a danger expressed here, not unto salvation, but toward the individual widow. A believer faces irrevocable decisions in life. They can't remove the seal of salvation given to us upon belief, but they can have serious consequences on our life, length of life, and even heavenly reward.

PRAYER: Father, protect me from the dangers of the world. It is always trying to pull me away from devotion to Christ. It is always trying to entrap me in some activity or relationship that can do great harm to my relationship to you. Protect from the evil one's traps. Deliver me from evil.

QT 26 Aug 19, 1 Tim 5:9-10, Widows who seek to minister under the church must show worthy qualifications

1 Timothy 5:9–10 (ESV) — 9 Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

NOTE: There was apparently a list of widows that were supported by the church. Just being a widow did not secure a spot on the list. There were stringent qualifications to be placed on the list. What if a person was a widow without the qualifications? She would depend upon the gifts of others or on continuing to work. This particular list identifies widows that (may or may not minister) but were considered the church's responsibility to provide. One would think any qualified widow could be on the list, but that was not true. Enrollment required good service. The reason is probably related to the fact that these widows mostly continued to minister in the church and were seen as working for the church (to some degree). Widows who did not meet the requirements would be a bad addition to the staff, much like adding false teachers to the body.

PRAYER: Father, I thank you that our government does provide (to an extent) for widows today. Still, as a church, we must remember the widows and take advantage of those who have served well. They are an important part of the body of Christ. Help me to recognize them and to build them up. Thank you for people who show faithful service.

QT 22 Aug 19, 1 Tim 5:1-2, The aged are due respect

1 Timothy 5:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

NOTE: The admonition is essentially to respect age. Once again, this is an area where the world (led by Satan), has lifted up the young and cast down the age, placing them on the same level. Respect for elders is wanton -- deliberately ignored by our culture. I see this especially in the selection of leaders in our communities, both at the business level and at the political level. Power is a very dangerous element and is made especially so when a person does not have the years of experience to wield it. This can lead to very dangerous crashes and the destruction of the individual and his/her relationships. The application is to respect age and to appreciate that age brings many insights to life.

PRAYER: Father, I am partially in this group, the aged, yet I don't always feel like it. Still, there are also others much older than me that I should respect. Father, help me to be sensitive to the aged and to treat them with the respect that they deserve.

QT 21 Aug 19, 1 Tim 4:15-16, Discipline is a protection

1 Timothy 4:15–16 (ESV) — 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

NOTE: These verses and the verses around them emphasize the importance of discipline in the Christian life. Others may criticize the Intentional Discipleship Groups (IDG) for the amount of effort, discipline, and requirements imposed on the attendees -- Paul does no less for his son in the faith. Paul's emphasis is not just to practice them, but to immerse yourself in them. Discipline is a way of life, not a temporary activity. And there is protection in discipline as the following verse 16 suggests. In this verse, "save" is not eternal salvation but the spiritual and physical protection that comes in this life by teaching and doing the right things. Again, this is not to infer a health and wealth gospel, but a protection from the consequences of worldly fruit by a right living philosophy. Jesus did not promise an easy life, but he did promise to be there with us, and he also promised to bring good out of every circumstance (Rom 12:28).

PRAYER: Father, protect me from the wiles of the evil one. Give me strength and power as I exercise discipline so that my life may be godly and pleasing to you.

QT 20 Aug 19, 1 Tim 4:8, We need to be doers if we are ever to realize the value of godliness

1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV) — 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.

NOTE: If godliness is of such value, we need to define it concretely. The word godliness in English seem to come from the words, God and like and ness -- God-like-ness. "Ness," the ending is the state of the original adjective. Therefore, godliness would mean the state of being like God. We can immediately eliminate those attributes that only apply to God, such as omniscient, omnipresent, all powerful, creator, and sovereign. But there are others, un-achievable in the extreme, and yet goals that we should strive: holy, a servant, loving, just, perfect, long-suffering, compassionate, joyful, patient, and so on. The best example of those god-like-ness adjectives is found in the life of Jesus on earth. We can't be God, but we can strive to be like Jesus in our desire to display godliness.

The New Bible Dictionary translates the word differently, "(God) requires an active obedience to his revealed will and a personal devotion that surpasses lip-service, mere trepidation, or bare admiration." And in the Greek, the word seems to emphasize the behavior of the individual.

I think my definition, living like Jesus, and the NBD definition of active obedience and personal devotion are saying the same thing. We need to have a real, devout, and personal relationship with God that involves changed lives.

PRAYER: Father, I pray that as the IDGs start up, that people will be committed to the idea of application, and to the idea of accountability. Unless we are sold out on these concepts, we will never reach the goal of godliness and never understand its great value.

QT 19 Aug 19, 1 Tim 4:1-5, Be very careful in consideration of OT dietary laws

1 Timothy 4:1–5 (ESV) — 1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

NOTE: This is a very important verse because it addresses a movement that is overtaking many Christians these days, and it is the return to a diet dictated by the OT law. God calls this a departure from the faith. Verse 3 clearly says that abstinence from food is one sign. And verse 4 and 5 clarify the type of food by saying "For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer." It is okay to choose not to eat pork or shellfish, but if we believe such diet makes us holier or pleases God in some way, we are deceived. And if we teach it, we are deceiving others. We need to be very careful in what we teach to others. We are no longer under the law. Christ has set us free from all the dictates of the law. If we return to the law in any spiritual endeavor, we are putting ourselves under the law. It is a very dangerous thing to lead astray the children of God.

PRAYER: Father, give me insight and sensitivity to these issues. Help me to see where I am using conjecture and not solid bible study in my teaching of the word of God. Open my eyes to the wondrous truths of your law.

QT 15 Aug 19, 1 Tim 3:11, The role of Deaconess

1 Timothy 3:11 (NASB95) — Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

NOTE: I'm going to choose the NASB for this verse. The Greek word, gyne, can be translated as wives or women. Given other references regarding women in ministry roles in Acts and the letters, I believe there probably was a role of deaconess. It would seem strange that deacons would have an added restriction to their service in comparison with elders. Nor does it seem fair that the wife could disqualify the husband for a position. Although I have seen the situation quite often, where the women wears her husband's rank. Additionally, others imposes it upon her -- whether that is correct or not. In any case, there is an expectation of women deacons to display dignity, avoidance of gossip, temperate (not extravagant), and faithfulness in all things. It is not enough to agree to something, a person (in this case the deaconess) must follow through in her actions. If our church ever institutes deaconesses, this verse will require much more study.

PRAYER: Father, I lift up the leadership of our church. I don't know if this is a necessary thing (deaconesses) or not, but I pray that you would lead and guide us. Independent of any decision, I pray that women leading ministries would develop the qualities outlined here. Challenge us all that we live in a spiritual world as well as a physical, and it is very important that we do things spiritually correct.

QT 14 Aug 19, 1 Tim 3:9, We must choose our leaders better

1 Timothy 3:9 (ESV) — They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

NOTE: I've met deacons who weren't sure the bible was completely true. They doubted some of the stories. They doubted some of the teachings. Doubt is not unusual, but these were beyond normal, these were people who plain-old disagreed with scripture. Whether it was the teaching on divorce, homosexuality, eternal security, God's sovereignty, the virgin birth, the infallibity of scripture, or some other teaching. I won't say what church I have experienced these deacons. I've attended many churches over my years as a believer: protestant services at the chapel, CMAs, E-Free Churches, and Baptist. I hope that churches challenge deacons to accept without question of conscience the major tenets of their doctrine. A person who cannot accept the tenants fully, should not be a deacon.

PRAYER: Father, sometimes we let external reasons cloud our selections of deacons. These men, while not the spiritual leaders of the church represent the heartbeat of ministry. They represent the church to the church and to the world around them. I pray that you would convict those whose conscience is not clear as to the teaching of the church. I pray they would self-identify. I pray they would step down until they have resolved their intellectual difficulties and can accept with clear conscience the truth of your word.

QT 13 Aug 19, 1 Time 3:4, Measuring Elders

1 Timothy 3:4 (ESV) — 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,

NOTE: One thing I had not really notice before is that the command is not that his children have to be submissive, but rather "he must manage his own household well, with all dignity …" The emphasis appears to be on how he does it versus the results. Certainly, uncontrolled children can be an indicator of faults in the home, but not when the person shows the skills necessary and does it in a dignified manner, as opposed to exasperation. Dignity suggests a plan and a peace within, that the person is doing what God commands. We cannot force obedience onto our children, certainly God was never able to do that as exemplified in Adam, Eve, the two sisters (Israel and Judah), the prodigal son, and the prodigal son's brother. In six cases, we have children (or the metaphor of children) who rebelled against their Father. People will choose their own road in life. We can't measure an elder by his children, but we can measure him by his approach and trust in God in dealing with his family.

PRAYER:  Father, I thank you for my children I wish that they did not go through years of rebellion. I thank you for your work in bringing them back to the faith. I thank you for their insight. I pray they would continue to love Jesus above all. Have mercy on them. Shower them with your blessings.

QT 12 Aug 19, 1 Time 2:11-12, Women as spiritual authorities in the church will destroy families

1 Timothy 2:11–12 (ESV) — 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.

NOTE: I really believe this verse has some powerful implications for family. I also believe it is written for the good of the family, the good of men, and the good of women. God has given the role of spiritual leadership in the home to the man. But to be honest, most men are very poor in this regard. In fact, women would appear to me much better, more attune spiritually, and better spiritual leaders. But, God has given this role to men. Why? Why do children look up to a father more than a mother, even though the mother has been more attentive through the years? I don't know the answer. When a women is a church pastor or a Sunday School teacher of adults, the natural tendency of a sinful man is to say, "well, women can do this job better than me, so why do I need to do it -- plus, I really don't feel like doing it." The result is men shrink back from being spiritual leaders in the family. But, when men see only men in the positions of spiritual authority and teaching in the church, men are convicted in their heart, that this is their responsibility. So, women, in their misunderstood desire for equality (as opposed to their equal importance in their role), take on spiritual teaching jobs that essentially destroy families. And all because we refuse to do things God's way (the women in her role, and the man overcoming his laziness to lead spiritually).

PRAYER: Father, this seems so clear and yet so many people would argue with me about its' truth. I think we are blinded to this basic truth -- our roles are for our good. Forgive us, heal us, open our eyes to your understanding of how you made us for maximum enjoyment and fulfillment in life.

QT 9 Aug 19, I Tim 2:8, We need to start with prayer

1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV) — I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

NOTE: The three verses (8-10) are very specific to each gender. I will focus on the men because that is where God speaks to me this morning. Although, our culture have confused men and women by suggesting that genders are not important or that they are defined by the individual. How deceptive and cruel! For men, Paul says we need to start with prayer, and not to get angry or quarrel. Yesterday, I dealt with two issues, one that made me angry initially, and the other where I had to have a very serious (almost quarreling) discussion with another. Did I pray? No, in my self-sufficiency, I started to attack the problem like most men do. I need to remind myself to pray first, then act.

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for not remembering to bring you into my daily life and struggles. Help me to remember to start everything with prayer.

QT 8 Aug 19, 1 Tim 2:1, First of all, PRAY

1 Timothy 2:1 (ESV) — First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

NOTE: The phrase "first of all" emphasizes the importance of what immediately follows -- prayer. Additionally, Paul "urges" the practice of prayer using multiple words. This is the key to ministry effectiveness. This is what causes change. This is our real power. It is not found in work or good exegesis but in prayer which activates the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of people. And Paul's prayer list is quite large. He says "all people," but then he specifically mentions people in leadership over us. Rather than complaining, we need to be praying for our leaders. The world is in turmoil and in a degree of false narratives. People are misled down false paths. We are slowing destroying ourselves because our real need is you. We need to pray first and foremost.

PRAYER: Father, my heart yearns for my nation. I'm in agony over the false agendas and misled people. We have elevated emotion over logic. We have elevated ourselves over you. Oh, forgive us. Open our eyes to our foolishness. Help us to see our grievous sin and to repent of our evil hearts. Have mercy, if still possible, have mercy.

QT 7 Aug 19, 1 Tim 1:18, The enemy is trying to take us out, or makes us ineffective

1 Timothy 1:18 (ESV) — This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,

NOTE: Paul uses a military metaphor 6 times in scripture, 4 in letters to Timothy and twice in his letters to the Corinthians. I suppose these set of letters were his most emotional. The Corinthian letters may even be missing one because of the emotion, but the other two are a deep pleading for the church to not go astray. I guess Galatians is also very emotional but also very early in his ministry. Corinthians and the letters to Timothy are late letters. But in Timothy, he uses the military metaphor a lot. Timothy was his spiritual son. He was deeply concerned for his spiritual son who was also in ministry. So, he uses military metaphors. Why? It is a struggle. People get knocked off. You don't have a lot of time to help the wounded before you have to get back in the battle and fight. Our enemy is fierce with a wide array of destructive weapons. Sometimes, you do not even see it happening before you are caught. He wounds us, he tries to discourage our morale, he wants to knock us out of the battle, either by our quitting or our failure that so completely destroys our witness as to be combat ineffective. We need to train and we need to be a part of a strong combat unit, a squad of men.

PRAYER: Father, I am in a battle. I don't want to forget it. The enemy is targeting me and many others like me. He has a wide array of weapons, tactics, and strategies. They are designed to defeat me, and to render me "combat"-ineffective. I pray that your Holy Spirit would protect me and strengthen me so that I would not fail in the day of battle.

QT 5 Aug 19, 1 Tim 1:10,13, Sin is defined by God, not man

1 Timothy 1:10 (ESV) — 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,

1 Timothy 1:13 (ESV) — 13 though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,

NOTE: These verses are interesting, the first thought is that Paul places the practice of homosexuality with those who enslave (slavery). Paul is very clear in his opposition to these, despite the fact that they were common practice in Rome at the time. The true church fought against the practice of slavery. The religious fought for it because of the need for cheap labor. The religious used passages in the bible to defend their position, even though in context, those passages describe a practice but do not in any way teach slavery. Here, Paul makes his opposition to slavery very clear.

But there is one other thing that we must remember with anyone who lives immorally -- Paul lived immorally and God was merciful to him because of his ignorance. So today, we must be gentle with the ignorant. Sin remains sin, but the individual is made in the image of God and is worth of respect and dignity.

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes to sin as you define it. We have watered down what we don't like to call sin. We have shamelessly and "proudly" paraded what we think is not sin. And we have create separate categories for sin that we absolutely detest. While the latter is not wrong, we would do well to remember that all sin is sin in your eyes. And any one sin separates us from you for eternity. Only faith in Jesus can save us from our predicament.

QT 1 Aug 19, 1 Tim 1:3-4, Guard your doctrine

1 Timothy 1:3–4 (ESV) —

3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.

NOTE: I'm not really sure what the doctrine or issues were. It does sound that individuals were attempting to tie bible information to outside information to discern some new doctrine or truth. Ultimately, good bible teaching supports the core tenets of a living faith. In my mind, those include a deeper relationship with God, obedience to God's revealed word, trust in God's working, holiness, servanthood, mercy, and a love for people. I'm sure there are many other tenets of actionable faith that one would wish to add and they are probably right, but these seven seem indisputable to me.

PRAYER: Father, I know I use speculation to draw out a story into a richer context. It is also a good meditation exercise as well. But I don't want to speculate in such a way that draws me or listeners away from the clear doctrinal teaching of scripture. Protect me from error. Continue to open my eyes to your truth, not my assumed truth.