“Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13).

The “I” here is Paul, but it could just as well be Jesus because this is a good thing for all of us to do at all times and in all places.  Personally too.  Read Scripture, be a diligent learner, and seek understanding.  These things are so simple and yet so many neglect them.  Do not be someone who neglects the spiritual food that you need.  Be guided by the truth of the Lord and grow into the life He offers.

Lord, You know where I have my weaknesses.  Guide me Lord in order that I may grow in the heavenly wisdom You grant through grace.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that in You is all hope and the eternal future You promise.  Help me to see these things and to value them.  Guide me in Your goodness Lord to pursue what is needed and to be willing to openly receive as You give.

Lord Jesus, You gave Your life so that all who believe might not be left living in the darkness of sinfulness.  Let me not stand on the brink but walk on in Your strength and to where You will lead me.  You know what I need.  Thank You for providing it this day.  In all that is good, help me learn and grow into the life You have set before me.  Take me where I need to go so that every day I would become more like You.  Amen. 

“Prescribe and teach these things.  Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:11-12).

No matter the time in history, arrogance is such that the older think the younger have nothing to contribute.  If the Lord is leading, it doesn’t matter if even a donkey does the speaking.  Do not let your assurance be of what people think, whether they be young or old, but look to the Lord, who is Lord of all.  Be guided by His purpose and power and let the words of your mouth be His words.

Lord, I do worry about what others think without looking to You.  Guide me, Lord, so that I am led by You in the way of everlasting life.  My hope is set upon You, so help me to hold fast to the truth You have revealed once for all in order that I may grow in the likeness of Christ.  Guide me, Lord, in the way You know I need to go.  Help me to so express myself such that others know that I am Your follower.

Lord Jesus, You are the perfect example of how to conduct oneself.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of good conduct.  Teach me how to be an example by living out what is good, right and salutary.  Show me how to do this so that I do not have to stop to think about it, but just do it.  Lead me to see that in You I can do these things as You grow me into Your likeness.  Let me look to You and to those who believe for any affirmation You may deem appropriate.  Amen.

“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.  For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers” (1 Timothy 4:9-10).

Upon what or whom have you fixed your hope?  It is beyond pathetic if your hope is upon you.  You know how limited you are.  Fix your hope upon the living God who created you.  He is the Creator and the Savior of all.  In Him is life and apart from Him there can be no life.  So live in faith, hope, and love knowing that your hope cannot be based on what you imagine, but what God promises.

Lord, this world is filled with wishful thinking.  You have given solid promises of new life now and later, life everlasting.  Help me to understand these things and fix my hope only upon what You have said.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of the life You have created and keep me from turning inward.  Instead, guide me to always look to You and remember the provision and promise that You have given.

Lord Jesus, there are many things I do not yet understand, nor do I need to, but You have given me all that I need.  It is You, God in the flesh, who is my Savior.  You have come so that all who believe and follow You will have true and everlasting life.  Lead me in this life in order that each day I would awaken and hope in You.  Guide me to walk in this hope and live reflecting the light of faith, hope and love in all I say and do.  Amen.

“But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

How much of what is called theology is only wishful thinking?  There are many things we do not know.  Do we need to know them all?  No, no we do not.  Listen to what the Lord has said.  That is enough.  Do not get wrapped up in special knowledge, super powers, or old wives tales.  The Lord has come and in Him You have life.  That is more than enough.  Work on what He has given you without wishing for more.

Lord, You have given the words of eternal life.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of the life You have given me.  Help me to understand that this is more than enough and that I do not need to invent more, nor listen to those who do.  You have revealed Your grace and truth and I cannot even handle this.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of true life and help me to be content with what You have given me.

Lord Jesus, You said that You only did what the Father told You to do.  Help me to follow Your example and listen only to what You have said.  Keep me from the devilishness which is not satisfied with Your Word.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth so that I would now and forever be led by You in truth.  Help me to see that in You is all hope and the only good future for anyone.  Amen.

“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.