Devotional Thoughts from God's Word

Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-8
Theme: The motivation and method of pleasing prayer.
Key verses: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved…” (v. 1-4a) “I was appointed a herald and an apostle…and a teacher…to the Gentiles. I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing” (v. 7-8)
What God said to me: How should you pray? With requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving. Why should you pray? That you may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Why should you pray like that? Because “this is good and pleases” me. Why should you listen to Paul’s urging? He was speaking with authority and vision, wanting all men to lift up holy hands. That was Paul’s greatest desire–that all men would come to know me in my fullness and eternal life. And Paul’s ultimate vision for these saved men was that they be in fervent, vertical prayer to his God. Prayer mattered to Paul. Prayer matters to me. Why aren’t you doing more praying then, Dwayne?
What I said to God: Holy Father, you are the God who sees and knows all. You know I’ve avoided talking with You the past several hours. Why do I seem set on putting my life on cruise control even for a day or an hour? Sin. Rebellion. Selfishness. Sin. Please forgive me of my sinful actions and thoughts, and for ignoring You and not praying to You. May my vision–and passion for that vision–be as Paul’s: to see all men be saved and then join in the holy act of pleasing prayer. What a peaceful and awesome sight that would be!

Text: 1 Timothy 1:18-20
Theme: Faith in godly instruction and a good conscience are required to avoid shipwrecking our faith.
Key verses: “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction…so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith” (v. 18-19).
What God said to me: Good morning. So glad you would carve out time to meet with me this morning. Remember, there is nothing more important for you to do than what you are doing at this very moment: meditating on my Word and journaling what I show you. This is my desire and plan for you. There are two things you must always hold on to, Dwayne: faith and a good conscience. (Aren’t you glad I keep it simple and short?) Consider faith. Why is that so vitally important in keeping you on tract? Without faith it is impossible to please me. I saw Abraham’s faith and counted it as righteousness. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith will keep you focused and faithful. Even when you can’t see my hand, you can always trust my heart. Faith will turn your eyes above to things unseen, to heaven and hope. Faith, Dwayne. Never lose faith. Build yourself up in your most holy faith. It will be an anchor for your soul in the darkest of nights. And then the second thing you must hold on to is a good conscience. This does not mean trusting your heart (which is deceitful) or following your intuition or common sense. No, this means maintaining at all times the peace which passes all understanding. Stop right now and check your conscience. Is it clear? Is it good? You see, my Holy Spirit will not let you rest and will not let you enjoy peace if there is sin or anything displeasing to me. What a gift I have blessed you with! If in anything you are otherwise minded than following me, I will reveal even that to you. You are my child. Never let go of holy faith and a clear conscience–not even for a minute. They will steer you clear of the rocky reefs hidden just below the water’s surface. They will keep you from shipwrecking in your faith.
What I said to God: Holy Lord, thank You for speaking so clearly to me today. I praise you for showing me these simple qualities that can keep me from becoming another casualty on the sea of good intentions. Now, may I humble myself and listen carefully to you today. Help me keep a check on my faith meter and my conscience. Thank You for loving me enough to show me the moment I begin to go astray and head toward danger. I love You. Help me share Your love with someone else today who needs to know about You.

Text: 1 Timothy 1:12-17
Theme: God loves pouring his favor on the unlikely and undeserving.
Key verses: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service” (v. 12). “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him…” (v. 14-16a).
What God said to me: Dwayne, too often you take my grace for granted. You too are a great sinner. You too need my great mercy–in great amounts. I’ve held back much judgment and wrath from you. I’ve forgiven you for every sin you’ve ever committed or ever will commit. They are all under the blood of my precious Son, whom I watched suffer and die. You weren’t there. You can’t possibly understand the pain and the agony he went through. You can’t fully comprehend the love we have for you and for all mankind. Dwayne, I am calling to you right now. I am reminding you in no uncertain terms that my grace has been poured out on you. I favor you–not first of all because you deserve it, but because you don’t deserve it. Others will look at you and wonder, why you? You should look at you and wonder the same. It’s simply because I love you and have big plans for you. Stay humble. Shun evil. Seek my face. Even more favor is available. Trust and obey.
What I said to God: Father, God of the ages, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End, I worship and adore you right now. I lay my life before you. Please forgive me for my sinful thoughts and actions. I run a close second to Paul, the self-proclaimed cheif of sinners. And I had better be incredibly thankful and humbled by your great love and faith and mercy poured out on me and my family.

Text: 1 Timothy 1:8-11
Theme: The Law is good; lawbreakers and false teachers are not.
Key verses: “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinners, the unholy and irreligious…” (v. 8-9a) “and whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine, that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me” (v. 10b-11)
What God said to me: “Using it properly” is the key phrase in this passage. I expect my people–especially those who teach my Word–to study it carefully and handle it with fear and trembling. Teachers will be held to a much higher standard of scrutiny at judgment. Dwayne, never, ever assume your ideas and impressions and experiences are sufficient to teach others about my Word. Study to show yourself approved–a workman that does not need to be ashamed, righly dividing & discerning the Word of God. And beware of arrogance and self-righteousness. The men to whom Paul was refering had no clue they were condemning themselves with the very law they proported to know. They were living evidence of the need of the law! They were the very sinners who needed to heed what the law condemned. Yet, they only approached it with their self-righteous mind, rather than a humble, self-searching heart. Be careful that you don’t do the same. You have before–and you are capable of doing it again.
What I said to God: Precious and holy Lord, I bow my heart before You right now. I am desparate for You–to hear You speak, to know Your presence, to heed Your Word and believe Your promises. Help me embrace and teach the whole counsel of God–not just those parts that I like or that I think only pertain to others. May I see in Your Word my own sin and my total depravity apart from You.

Text: 1 Timothy 1:3-7
Theme: Sometimes our main purpose in ministry is to confront and correct.
Key Verses: “…stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to reach false doctrines any longer nor devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies…” (v. 3-4a) “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (v. 5). “They want to be teachers of the law, but they don’t know what they are talking about…” (v. 7a)
What God said to me: First of all Dwayne, repent. Do you seriously think I will speak to you with sin in your heart? I know your secret thoughts and deeds–even if you hide them from everyone else. Confess and forsake them now. Then we will talk… Now, Paul told Timothy to “stay” in Ephesus. And the one and only reason Paul immediately gave was so he could “command” false teachers not to teach. Timothy’s main purpose and mission to remain in Ephesus was to confront strong-willed, highly opinionated and influencial people. Do you see the difficulty of this assignment? Can you imagine the struggle it must have been for Timothy to have to stay and do such uncomfortable and potentially explosive ministry tasks rather than going to be with Paul, his father in the ministry? Dwayne, sometimes we are called on to do inconvenient things in the name of ministry. “Church-work” is not always fun and fruitful. At times, you must get in the trenches on the front lines of battle and confront what is evil and false. A shepherd must protect his flock at all cost to himself. Timothy no doubt would rather have taken himself out of that volatile situation. But he had no choice but stay and be faithful to his calling–the calling of a true minister to my people.
What I said to God: Holy Lord, thank You for convicting and cleansing me first of all. And then thank You for still speaking to me in such a simple but profound way. May I be faithful not to run away from confrontation but to deal with falsehood and deception and confusion head on. May I not seek my own comforts and conveniences but instead seek what is best for Your people and for Your glory.

Text: 1 Timothy 1:1-2
Theme: The first thing to know is who we are and who God is.
Key verses: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
What God said to me: Dwayne, notice how Paul began this letter of 1 Timothy. He started it with his name. It wasn’t because he thought so highly of his own name, but because that was the standard way to begin a letter to someone. But what I want you to see is how Paul so confidently expressed who he was. He knew beyond any doubts that he was my apostle by my command. And he knew his relationship with Timothy. He didn’t waver on his responsibility that comes with having a “true son in the faith.” What’s most important is how Paul so clearly knew me and my role in his life and relationships and ministry. He set the tone right up front that I am God, Savior, Christ Jesus, hope, Father and Lord. This was much more than some common, mindless greeting. Paul carefully set the standard for all he would share with Timothy. Know your place, Dwayne. Know your mentorees and clearly state your role and theirs when you teach them. But always, always state for the record and never forget that I am your God, your Savior, your Lord, and your hope. Know your place. I have called you and love you dearly. Now go and make disciples.
What I said to God: Heavenly Lord and Father, I praise You for speaking to me. I adore You for your majesty and glory and for the Word You have given to us. Your written Word guides me and confronts my weak areas. I know my place–it’s at the foot of Your cross and in the hollow of Your hand. Help me embrace my calling and fulfill it with all my might in 2012. By Your grace and power and wisdom, help me mentor those You are leading to us. Bless this study through Timothy. Please help me stay faithful to journaling each day.