QT 28 May 2020, 1 Tim 6:6-8, The secret to life

1 Timothy 6:6–8 (ESV) — 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

NOTE: I think the secret to a successful life is found in these words. First, as mentioned before, godliness -- becoming like Christ is attained through the disciplines of a disciple (word, prayer, fellowship, witnessing, and application focused on Jesus). The second key is to enjoy contentment. Enjoy what God has given. Don't wish or fret for what you do not have. Pursue God first. Make him your focus. The other things will take care of themselves.

PRAYER: Father, I pray that we might truly live these words of Paul. I pray we would stop fooling ourselves with our pretended obedience. I pray we would experience the real life of knowing you. O, taste and see that the Lord is good!

QT 27 May 2020, 1 Tim 6:3-5, Sound Teaching that Changes People

1 Timothy 6:3–5 (ESV) — 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

NOTE: This is the third time that Paul has addressed the issue of teaching. He introduced the issue at the beginning of the letter. He addressed it at length in the middle. And now at the end of the letter he repeats it. In the middle he added a discussion of godliness from the perspective of Christian exercises / discipline. Now he brings back that thought. Teaching needs to be sound and should result in godliness -- becoming more like Jesus Christ. Previously, the thought was that time in the word, prayer, fellowship, witnessing, and application of truth is how godliness is produced. Good teaching needs to be sound and result in application -- becoming more like Christ -- looking into the mirror and not forgetting what you see but choosing to change.

PRAYER: Father, I pray my teaching would always be characterized by specific application of the word. May I never teach a lesson without mentioning application. I can't force people to change but I can offer ideas for growth.

QT 26 May 2020, 1 Tim 6:1-2, Employee -- Employer relationships

1 Timothy 6:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved.

Teach and urge these things.

NOTE: Paul takes on the relationships within slavery in quite a few of his letters. His teaching does not support slavery, rather he changes the entire dynamic of slavery. People entered slavery in order to pay off debt. And slavery was for a limited time, and often between countrymen. It was more akin to a long-term contract. Paul expected both slave and master to treat each other with respect. In other respects, Jesus taught that we are all to take on the role of servants to others. What is important is that in every relationship, we need to be solid witnesses for Jesus Christ. We should show respect and honor. As a master (or employer), not mentioned in this passage, we who have individuals working for us, must also live like servants, not ruling over, but caring for those who God has placed in our work control.

PRAYER: Father, I want to pray for those who work for me. I pray that I would be kind and respectful to them. I pray that I would listen and hear their concerns. I pray that they may know the power of your presence in their own lives.

QT 25 May 2020, 1 Tim 5:24-25, Humility--serving God not self

1 Timothy 5:24–25 (ESV) — 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

NOTE: I could also entitle these two verses, "nothing remains hidden." Good works and evil works will be exposed. The one we try to hide and the other we want people to know. But really, we should put off our sins (evil works) and put on (good works). And we should do good works not to be seen. We serve God not people and he will exalt us at the right time. We need to be humble and we need to be a servant to all. We really don't win when we show up another with our accomplishments.  We lose. This is an area of weakness for me, but I do see God changing me and helping me to be quiet and listen to others, and not have to share about myself or my opinion.

PRAYER: Father, help me to grow in this grace of forgotten-ness. I don't need to be seen or acknowledged. I just need to serve you. Forgive me for my failures and my weaknesses. Give me the grace and strength to do the right thing.

QT 22 May 2020, 1 Tim 5: 21-22, Use good discernment before making a judgment

1 Timothy 5:21–22 (ESV) — 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

NOTE: I wish I knew Timothy better. I know he his young. He does not seem to command the respect of more forceful personalities. He is timid. I would be surprised if he showed partiality, but he sounds like a person who can flow with the crowd. He does not have to be in charge, and therefore he is susceptible to manipulation by other's opinions. Without realizing his fault, his instinct to join the crowd or not to cause waves can cause him to be on the wrong side of the issue. Paul seems to be telling him that he needs to stand up on his own and on his own convictions. Think through things before agreeing. Try to determine the principle or underlying factors in the issue. Don't be dogmatic, be willing to listen to arguments, but don't be wishy-washy and easily swayed as well.

PRAYER: Father, we all need to be a little more discriminating in our views. We need to listen carefully and we need to be willing to reevaluate our own views. Give us discernment and kindness toward others. I pray we would not fall into the trap of immediately judging others.

QT 21 May 2020, 1 Tim 5:19-20, The burdens of the spiritual role

1 Timothy 5:19–20 (ESV) — 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.

NOTE: Leaders face a two-edged sword. On the positive side, they are to be protected from spurious accusations. A single charge without 2-3 witnesses and evidence is to be rejected. On the negative side (to the individual), a certified charge where the individual refuses to repent is to be rebuked in front of the entire congregation. I don't know how that fits with our legal system, but leaders in the church have responsibilities and requirements that are placed higher than the normal believer. I like to say that a Pastor is spiritually no different than any other member of the body of Christ, but in this case, they are held to a higher standard. And not just Pastors, but any spiritual leader (to include teachers) in the church.

PRAYER: Father, protect our Pastors from spurious accusations and the Devil's trap. Put your hedge around them. Give them grace and mercy. Honor them for their service to the body and the gospel. I also pray that we would understand that we are the ones who are supposed to take the gospel to the world -- their job is to prepare us.

QT 20 May 2020, 1 Tim 5:17-18, Honoring our leaders

1 Timothy 5:17–18 (ESV) — 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

NOTE: This is also a business principle that works well. People who do a good job should be rewarded for their effort. In terms of "church order," it recognizes good effort. For men, maybe more so than women, it is good to be acknowledged for effort. Now, certainly, elders (pastors and non-full time elders) do not minister for financial gain or even to be showered with praise. Those things can be quite dangerous. But, they are also good things when done well. The Greek word for honor, time, actually refers to a price paid. I think it is entirely appropriate to pay a good salary and provide gifts or bonuses for "ruling well."

PRAYER: Father, give me ideas how we can serve our elders in a manner that is pleasing to you.

QT 19 May 2020, 1 Tim 5:14-16, Is the church failing?

1 Timothy 5:14–16 (ESV) — 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 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: "… some had already strayed after Satan." What does this mean? James 4:4 says that friendship with the world is hatred toward God. And 1 John 2:15 says, "… if anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them."  Jesus, in the parable of the seeds, says that two-thirds of the seed that germinated did not produce because of suffering or because of the world's riches pushed out God. The reason young people leave the church is that the church is a terrible witness for Jesus Christ. Yes, the church is the bride, but I think the reason it is raptured at the beginning of the tribulation, is that it will take seven years to beautify. The church drives people away from Jesus because we do not change, we do not take God's word seriously. We substitute programs for application. We substitute knowledge for the wisdom of doing. We deceive ourselves. Satan uses the world to draw us away from a sincere faith. And, it breaks my heart to say it, we don't care. Oh, what wretched sinners we are. We could do so much good if we would only repent and do the things God commands.

PRAYER: Father, I too am guilty. Sometimes, I just don't care. I know the right thing, but I fail to do it. How I pray that your spirit would convict us of our sin in regards to being doers of the word. We are just hearers. We don't change. We don't want to memorize the word. We don't want to be inconvenienced by our faith. Oh, forgive us Lord.

QT 18 May 2020, 1 Tim 5:11-13, The proper roles for widows

1 Timothy 5:11–13 (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. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.

NOTE: Paul's admonition to younger widows seems harsh. Verse 13 provides some of his reasoning, but the enrolling of a younger widow and even a stipend (if that was the case) provides status to individuals. And status, when enjoyed young, can have destructive effects upon the person. He worried for the church and it's witness, but he also worried for the individual. Wisdom is learned, but it is also experienced. Younger widows are not ready for the responsibilities of a ministry as a widow. Too much in life can still change.

Constable suggests that Paul may have understood widowhood (until death) to be a calling (in a sense), and that there are too many unknows for a woman to accept the calling for life and then to renounce that calling to marry. Also, many women are subject to Satan's trap, and remarry to an unbeliever, thereby causing even greater problems for the church and for her ministry.

PRAYER: God give the church wisdom to know when to call widows to service, and when to encourage them in other avenues. It would be great to use widows in special ministry service. I don't know if any churches really do that. But I pray for the body that I am a part of to take care of our widows and to use them properly.

QT 15 May 2020, 1 Tim 5:9-10, Widows who ministered were worthy of special care

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: So, the church enrolled some widows but not others. The age description makes sense, but one wonders why there was a requirement for good works. It could be that the church honored widows who had served well by providing for them a sort of pension. But others, of the same age, who had not, could not be on the list. Certainly, the church would support them as they would the poor and those widows would require their family to support them, but they couldn't receive this special compensation from the church--which really amounts to a pension of sorts for ministry. It seems harsh at first, but upon further reading, it is more of a special honor for service.

PRAYER: Father, these are dark days. The enemy is attacking people on all sides. Widows were honored for service and we too need to be serving. We need to stay away from sin. We need to keep our faith. We need to trust a good God. Forgive us for our many failures. Help us to love and serve others during these dark days.

QT 14 May 2020, 1 Tim 5:8, We need to provide for our family (much more so than the government)

1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV) — 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

NOTE: As believers, we have a spiritual and financial responsibility, individually, to care for our family. In context, this would refer to our parents. Paul uses extremely strong language to emphasize the importance of taking care of our family members. In today's day and age, the role of government has hidden the importance of this command. Yes, the government does provide, but we still have a responsibility to them as well. I think women understand this verse better than most men. I can't prove it from this verse, but this is another area where I believe men have a God-given role to provide for the wife and family. Certainly, the woman can do it, but the man must do it. It is not a choice.

PRAYER: Father, protect us (men) from being lazy or shirking our responsibilities as spiritual leaders and providers of the household. We need to set the example in all things spiritual for our family. Forgive us for our failures.

QT 13 May 2020, 1 Tim 5:1-2, Recognizing age biblically

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: Do not rebuke an older man, why? It certainly hurts when a younger brother rebukes you. I think there is a sense that you need to have been a better example. There is some struggle with embarrassment. It is a struggle at every level. Whereas, remembering the age relationship, and speaking truth gently feels a lot better. I do think the approach works at any age, but I can see how it could be more hurtful when the rebuke comes from a younger person.

PRAYER: Father, help me to esteem the aged. Help me to share rebukes in a way that comes along side and does not appear that I am putting myself over the person. Help me to be sensitive to the person and to your Holy Spirit's leading.

QT 12 May 2020, 1 Tim 4:16, Teaching is serious responsibility

1 Timothy 4:16 (ESV) — 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: Being a teacher has tremendous responsibility, not only in what we teach for we are held accountable, but how we live, since our teaching can protect both our self and those whom we teach. Failure to follow our own teaching or following faulty teaching can cause great harm. How can good teaching harm a hearer? Because our life models and sets the example of our teaching. If we teach one thing and model another, then our hearers will get mixed messages and probably follow the wrong message. Teaching is a heavy responsibility that can hurt people as much as it can help people.

PRAYER: Father, I do need to apply what you teach to me, so that when I teach others, the message will be consistent. I don't want to hurt others, I want to help them be the beauty that God has designed for them to be.

QT 11 May 2020, 1 Tim 4:15, It is better to be like Christ than to have knowledge about Christ

1 Timothy 4:15 (ESV) — 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

NOTE: The phrase "immerse yourself" is the Greek word, isthi, and means "to be (quality)." While "to be" occurs many times, the second person imperative present occurs only 5 times. Paul is telling Timothy, and other leaders to be the person they preach or teach. I think we confuse this command. We try to be the "knowledge" but not the "character quality." Our focus should be to: " … set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (4:12)" It is not enough to know the scriptural teaching in these areas, we need to be these things. Most of us are much better criticizing another than being the person we are criticizing the other to be. I think it is also a trap of knowledge. The more we know without application, the worse we become. We would be better off spending more time applying a truth than learning another truth.

PRAYER: Father, as a teacher, this hits home for me. I strive for knowledge and I love learning, but who am I? I want to be an example of godliness, kindness, empathy, service, and self-sacrifice. I don't just want to teach it. Thank you for how you have changed me. Help me not to be so critical of others. I need to be critical of myself and pray for others.

QT 8 May 2020, 1 Tim 4:13-16, We need to be transformed

1 Timothy 4:13–16 (ESV) — 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 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: I like the way Paul organizes this verse. Timothy had other responsibilities besides correcting / commanding certain persons, and selecting leadership. One responsibility is the public reading of scripture which is also a carryover from the Jewish synagogues. Accompanying this reading, is the exhortation of the reading to the believers (preaching). But besides preaching, there needs to be teaching. I think the main point of teaching is "how does it apply?" Otherwise, we end up back in chapter one of 1 Timothy with "vain" or useless teaching. It doesn't do the reader any good. People need to apply the word of God or they are fooling themselves on so many levels. They think they are wise, but they are not. They think they are good witnesses, but they are not. They think they understand God and have a deep abiding relationship with him, but they do not. We must be hearers and doers of God's word.

PRAYER: Father, I pray that I would never teach for the sake of knowledge. I pray that my teaching would always challenge myself and others to change. What do we need to do differently as a result of hearing the word of God? Transform us by obedience to your word.

QT 7 May 2020, 1 Tim 4:11-12, Setting the example

1 Timothy 4:11–12 (ESV) — 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

NOTE: Wow, this is a strong statement --  "command and teach these things," but what things? The most recent verses warn against asceticism, aspects of Judaism, and possibly gnostic teaching. Paul urges training in the words of the faith and good doctrine. We are to pursue the spiritual over the physical (although not exclusively). If you expand "these things," then we would as also command: the roles of men (men are given the divine role to lead spiritually in the home and church) and women (women are to assist men spiritually) in the church, and the qualifications for men to serve in leadership and ministry. They need to exhibit certain character qualities and patterns before being accepted into leadership in the church. Timothy, while young, is to set a pattern of behavior that should be an example to the young and old believers (and by implication to the leaders).

PRAYER: Father, where do I fail to set a proper example to other believers? Where do I fail in my speech or my conduct or my love or my faith or my purity? Give me insight into my failures. Help me to be different.

QT 6 May 2020, 1 Tim 4:10, Believing in the one hope of all people

1 Timothy 4:10 (ESV) — For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

NOTE: I like Constable's take on this verse:

"God is the Savior of all in the sense that He has provided a salvation that is available to all. He is the Savior of believers in a special sense since they are those who have accepted His provision of salvation. Salvation is sufficient for all but efficient only for those who believe." (2003)

This fits with my own view of Jesus' death. He paid for the sins of the whole world on the cross, but men are still guilty because they refuse to believe in Him. I am convinced that we have free will to choose or deny the Savior. I believe God knows all who will choose (elect) him as their savior. And I believe that I can't understand the depth, wisdom, and knowledge of God. He is far above me and to think I can understand him is an arrogance and foolishness that ruins our witness.

PRAYER: Father, protect me from pride of knowledge. I know so little. Others know much too. Give me a spirit to listen and learn. Protect me from my own pride.

QT 5 May 2020, 1 Tim 4:7-8, Emphasizing the right things

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.

NOTE: The context surrounding verse 7 suggests that people were trying to attain something (acceptance by God, favor by God, greater love?) via asceticism or Judaistic practices. A believer in Jesus Christ cannot increase God's love for them. Jesus died for the person, there is no greater degree of love available than that.

There is nothing wrong with bodily training and some people commit a lot of time to it. Bodily training does have some value. But, in relationship to godliness, the long term value is found in godliness. Maybe, we can live a little longer with bodily training, but we can have much greater eternal impact by godliness.

What is godliness? The term, eusebeia, concerns practices and appropriate beliefs in God. People are looking for secret knowledge, also called gnosticism. But Paul is emphasizing that the basics and sound doctrine are where we need to place our energy.

PRAYER: Father, help me to strike a right balance. I want to dig deep into your word, but I don't want to violate long-held doctrines just because something sounds interesting. Lord, I want to rightly handle the word of God.

QT 4 May 2020, 1 Tim 4:6, Some issue require gentle instruction

1 Timothy 4:6 (ESV) — 6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.

NOTE: The phraseology here is not forceful and in fact somewhat mild. The Greek word, hypotithemi, means to present and sounds a little like a hypothesis. The subject is God's good gifts and being thankful. The error was asceticism and Judaism, and maybe some Gnostic teaching as well. In a certain sense, the believer's hearts were good, but their doctrine was false. And yet, it was not a fall-on-the-sword issue. All issues when they are contrary to the Word of God seem like they should be. And there is the argument that if we don't stand up "strongly" we are compromising or on a path to compromise. But again, Paul's instruction to Timothy here is different from that, and certainly different than his letter to the Galatians where Judaizers were teaching a different gospel. Here, the issue is not the gospel but how one lives life. I think this is an important distinction.

PRAYER: Father, I want to be gentle like Jesus. And, I don't want to compromise the truth. Give me wisdom to know when an issue requires a mild presentation and when an issue requires a more severe charge. Protect us from the charlatans.

QT 1 May 2020, 1 Tim 4:1-5, Performance versus a relationship

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: One of my concerns with the movement toward OT law by certain churches, is that it ignores one of the most central thoughts of the NT -- the law is dead, it has been crucified, it has no power. Now this referenced teaching could be asceticism or some gnostic teaching, but it also connects with OT law, where certain foods were (still are) not approved (not kosher). There may be physical reasons for not eating certain foods, but there are no spiritual reasons (Constable, 2003). There is a natural tendency in man to perform and to be perceived as performing, and for that matter performing well. We seem to struggle with this performance idea in our relationship with God. I believe we even fall into patterns of tradition because they relate to our idea of performance. God wants our heart not our empty actions. God does want action, but for the right reason. Performing sacrifices, attending church, even doing good deeds are not the central aspect of a relationship with God. Jesus tells a story of people who come to him telling him of all the things they did in his name, and he tells them to depart and that he never knew them. Religiosity is the great disease of our time -- no real life-changing relationship, just a bunch of rules.

PRAYER: Father, help me to see where I live by rules and not in an abiding and deep relationship with the savior. I want to be like David, a man with a heart after you.