“In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following” (1 Timothy 4:6).

Listen to the grace of this.  Point them out.  That is what the preacher does, he points them out.  Can you not do the same (if you are not a preacher)?  Of course, you can.  Point to the Word and let the Word do its work.  If they listen, you have discovered a sister or brother.  If they do not, you’ve done what you were asked.  We simply give a witness to the Lord and His grace and mercy.

Come into the presence of the Lord and live according to all that He commands.  Did He not give the Great Commission to us all?  We all are a part of the process of salvation for others.  This “religious specialization” our culture insists as necessary is not from the Lord.  Yes, we each have our spiritual gifts and tasks, but all of us can do what is needed for the Lord.  Live in this truth and learn faithfulness.

Lord Jesus, You demonstrated humbleness.  You, who are the One through whom all things have their being, walked with and met all kinds of people and You treated them the same.  You loved us all enough to die for us.  Yes, I have perpetual questions, but what are these to the truth that You are who You say You are.  Lead me, Lord, in the everlasting way of truth so that I may follow You always.  Amen.

For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4-5).

Everything God created is good.  We are not to reject things just because someone says it is no longer good.  Food is for the eating, so eat.  The functions of the body were created for what they were created for.  The real principle is natural law, not to change God’s creation for man’s idea.  In all things, give thanks to the Lord for what He has created and enjoy the creation as He made it.  Live with thanksgiving always.

Lord, this almost seems too simple, yet it is right.  I see all kinds of examples where liars play with this and say we must accept this or that.  Most recently, the culture says that we can choose our own identity.  No, You created us male or female.  Let the simplicity of all that You have said come fully into me so that the nonsense of this world might more easily be seen for what it is.

Lord Jesus, You came to set the captives free.  There are too many who are willing to put us back into bondage where we once again live in slavery to whatever the latest worldly craze might be.  Lead me through the games of this world to understand that all things are in Your hands and that what You have created is good.  Keep me away from the perversions of what has been created and in the goodness of Your creation always.  Amen.

“[B]y means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth” (1 Timothy 4:2-3).

I want it to be true and therefore, it is true for me.  This seems to be a repeating pattern of sinners who will not listen to the Word God has revealed.  Liars hear in their mind what they want to believe.  Whether it is religious liars, or the God-haters in this world, it is the same.  They will not believe the truth.  Christ has set you free to become what He is making of you.  Come then into the Father’s plan for your salvation and live as you were made to live.

You know where I fall into the trap of wishful thinking, Lord.  You know where I am enticed and want what I want.  Take from me these things so that I may be grateful for all that You have given me.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of truth in order that I may now and always humbly abide in Your presence, truth, direction and word.  Lead me in the way of life and away from seeking to do things by my own will. Thy will be done!

Lord Jesus, there are those who are eunuchs, but that is what You make of them.  Let me not listen to the liars who tell me I must do this or that.  Help me listen to You so that I may do what is right.  Guide me in the freedom You give to live according to Your purpose as You lead me in the way of salvation.  Guide me Lord in order that I may follow and persevere on  the path You have set before me.  Amen.

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1)

To whom do you listen?  Do you test the spirits?  Take this admonition to heart and you will do well.  The wicked one hates you and wants you to go astray.  The Lord has died for you so that You may walk with Him.  Be on the alert and be aware that the is the battle which rages around and in you.  Hold fast to what is true and do not fall away as some have but live in the truth of, and response to, the Spirit Who has been given to you.

Lord, I have all I need except perhaps one thing, and that is the diligence to continue paying attention to these things. Help me, I pray, to have a clear mind, seeing the world around me, both the good and bad.  Help me to hold fast to the Gospel delivered once for all.  In and through all things, guide me in Your goodness to be faithful and not to fall for the deceit of the devil.  Keep me faithful.

Lord, You died in order that I might live into the eternal life You give by grace.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may not fall for the temptations of the wicked one or believe his lies.  You are the truth Lord and You have come for me.  Guide me in the way of true faith and help me to hold fast lest I fall for the schemes of the wicked one.  Lord, You know what I need.  Thank You for providing for my every need.  Amen.

“By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16).

Great is the mystery.  This does not mean you cannot walk in it; it simply means that it is so profound that you can only begin to understand it even though you witness it happening to you.  The Word made flesh is all these things and He, through whom we have our being, has called us unto Himself.  So we hear the command to believe and obey.  All other things pale beside this: following Jesus.

Lord, there is a gap between what I say and what I do.  You are first, but I do not live as though this were true.  Guide me, Lord, to live into the true reality of You and live with You first in my life.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of truth so that I may now and always live truthfully and not care so much what the world says about these things.  Help me to live into the new life You give.

Lord Jesus, in the revelation of the Great Mystery which is You in the world, help me to see simply the truth that You have called me into You to gain a new life.  As that life unfolds, help me rejoice in what is happening even if I do not fully understand it.  You said faith is seeing without seeing and going because You said to go.   Save me by Your grace through this faith You have given me.  Amen.

“I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:14-15).

We may thank the Lord that Paul was delayed so that these generic instructions would be ours.  In this sense, learn and apply them.  You may not be the leader of the congregation, but you are called to lead.  You may not have the responsibility at the top, but you have responsibility in the Lord’s kingdom.  These are good principles and they fit well for all who are a part of Christ’s body.

Lord, I too easily dismiss things as not my own when You intend that I become like Christ.  Help me to apply all the lessons You give in order that I may grow in maturity and wisdom.  You know what is needed.  You know who I am to become.  Lead me to have an open mind and not be closed off from those things which will grow in me in the way You intend.  Lead me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go.

Lord Jesus, You said that You spoke only what the Father gave You.  Teach me to be that reliant and willing to say and do what the Father tells me to say and do.  You have walked this path in order that we may walk the path You set before us.  Lead me in this narrow way so that I may now and always abide fully in You, learning how to become obedient in all things.  You know what is needed, Lord; thank You for providing all that is needed. Amen.

“For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 3:13).

Seek to be an example, not with pride, but with diligence as the goal of your faith.  All should seek to be a leader.  That is, that maturity which comes in living faith as one lives according to wisdom as an example for others to follow.  This is how mentors come and live out their vocation for and in the church.  Be one who is willing to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He calls you.

Lord, You are growing in me that which You have intended all along.  Help me to be a willing participant so that I would be guided by Your goodness and mercy to mature in faith and become wise and discerning.  Lead me in those ways that You know I need to go to accomplish this.  Help me to not stop nor be lazy, but steadfast in all things until the day comes when You call me to be with You forever.

Come Holy Spirit and minister to me from the inside out.  You know where I play games with myself and others.  You know where there are hidden gifts that need to come out.  You know me better than I know myself.  Lead me, O Lord, so that I may be guided by Your goodness to become all that You intend.  Let me not cease to learn from You, but boldly go into each day seeking Your guidance.  Amen.

“Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households” (1 Timothy 3:12).

Good management is a sign of balance.  Good and not tyrannical.  Good and not perfect.  The Lord says over and over again that we are to be balanced.  We are to be prudent, just and practice fortitude with temperance.  These are the cardinal virtues the Lord grows in us so that we may hold fast in a world that is constantly changing and unable to stand firm.  Seek then to do these things for your own sake and for others.

Lord, You teach all good things to those who are willing to learn.  Through Your Word and with the help of those whom You send, guide me in the right way to do things.  You know all that is needed and only in You is there true help and guidance.  Lead me, Lord, so that I would hold fast to all that is right and true.  In You there is all hope and with You I can do all things.  You know what is missing; please fill in the gaps.

Lord Jesus, we are Your family.  You are raising us up in compassion and with great patience.  Lead me, Lord, this day to seek the balance I need alongside all the good gifts that You give.  Help me to see through the craziness of this world to live with the better and greater portion as my portion.  Guide me to understand things as they come and to be temperate, prudent, diligent, and whatever else You see that I need.  Amen.

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

Not malicious gossips, but temperate and dignified, is what it says.  This is important not just for women, but for all.  The world and yes, the church, is filled with just the opposite.  Come then and live according to the word and not the world.  Live knowing that God understands what it takes to fulfil His law.  Begin this day living with these admonitions as the direction for you.

This is a difficult place and hard enough to begin with, yet it is where we ought to begin.  Our behavior does matter.  How we conduct ourselves is important.  Come then and live into the life which is yours in Christ, doing what is right in the Father’s sight.  Be led into good conduct and right behavior.  Be dignified, but not aloof.  Be balanced and respectful.  Become like Christ.

Lord Jesus, You know how hard it is in this world to behave properly.  Teach me proper obedience.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life.  Show me how to behave in all situations.  Guard the words of my mouth and the meditations in my mind that I may truly be conformed to Your image.  Through all that comes, help me to hold my head up high and live into the new life You have given me by grace. Amen.

“These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach” (1 Timothy 3:10).

We all need testing.  This is not something negative, but something necessary.  We do this in the world and think nothing of it.  Grace is for our sins, not for our qualification.  What the Lord has given us to be used is for our qualification.  If we are cautious with worldly things, ought we not be more so with eternal things?  See the reasoning the Lord gives so that we may have understanding.

Lord, I apply these principles all the time in my life. Why do I question things when Your word says them?  Help me to be willing to test all things in order that I may know the truth and cling to what is right.  Through all things, be the one that leads me through these things to come to the place where I live according to Your word of truth.  Show me the way Lord and help me to follow You always.

Lord Jesus, You love everyone, but you did test Your disciples each step of the way.  Guide me,  Lord, in the way of truth so that I would always follow Your lead knowing that You know all things.  Lead me, Lord, today and every day.  When I am tested, help me to willingly take the test and apply all of the things which You have taught me.  Show me, Lord Jesus,  the way of truth now and forever.  Amen.