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Christ’s teachings are paramount…. (devo reflection)

1 Timothy 5:7 Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame.

This chapter brings to mind in full force the fact that Paul and Timothy are helping to build the early church. Jesus tells us to “love one another as I have loved you,” but the apostles are responsible for shaping the roots of the early church, deciding how they will be able to function and provide in their nascent stage.

1 Timothy 5:9 No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband….

I think it’s important to remember and distinguish Jesus’s teachings from Paul’s. Even Paul knows the danger of legalism. Rules are important. The early church couldn’t have gotten off the ground without them, but Christ’s teachings are paramount.

1 Timothy 5:10 …and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

Lord, Thank You for the early apostles who helped to establish the church. Also, help us not to ever lose sight of Your love, Your compassion, Your mercy as we strive to be Your hands and feet in this world. Amen.

1 Timothy 5:11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry.

Have a blessed day.

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The word of God is living and active…. (devo reflection)

1 Timothy 4:3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

A verse that continues to strike me as I read 1 Timothy is Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

1 Timothy 4:4-5 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

As believers, it is imperative that we read and interact with the scriptures. We can’t just take someone else’s word for it (commentary), although reading and hearing the words of others can help us understand what the scriptures mean for us and to us. It is crucial that we experience the scriptures for ourselves in our individual walks of faith to understand what God is telling us.

1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Lord, You want us to follow You. Thank You for the wonderful teachers who help us along that path, but help us to remember that we need to take everything back to You as we apply Your word to our lives. Draw us closer, Lord. Amen.

1 Timothy 4:16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Have a blessed day.

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Called to love…. (devo reflection)

1 Timothy 2:8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

Lord, We get so caught up sometimes debating gender roles and authority issues, but You call us—all of us—to love You and love others. At its heart, it really is that simple. Help us.

1 Timothy 2:9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,

Lord, We get caught up in surface-level squabbles, in what folks are wearing or saying, but You call us to love—fiercely and unconditionally, as You love us—even when we don’t feel like it. Help us.

1 Timothy 2:10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

Lord, Your word is active and alive, but Your central message to love You and love others never changes. It’s so simple, but we often make it so difficult. Help us. Amen.

1 Timothy 2:11 A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.

Have a blessed day.

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Mindful of mercy…. (devo reflection)

1 Timothy 1:2b …Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul talks in this chapter about the mercy that God showed him before he understood the truth of Christ. He urges Timothy to be mindful of that mercy as he tries to correct the erroneous ways of the people.

1 Timothy 1:5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

He wants Timothy to be mindful of mercy so that he can fulfill the goal of the scripture—love. They aren’t perfect. None of us are. But God is loving enough and merciful enough to want us to see the light, to understand and to live it.

1 Timothy 1:6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.

Lord, Thank You for Your love, truth, and mercy. Thank You for pursuing us. Help us to show each other love and mercy. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

Have a blessed day.

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Help me, Lord…. (devo reflection)

2 Thessalonians 3:6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

Lord, I do not want to be idle and disruptive. I do not want to sow discord or stick my nose where it doesn’t belong. I want to shine Your light, glorify Your name, make things better for others. Help me.

2 Thessalonians 3:11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies.

Lord, I do not want to be a busybody, sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong. I want to be helpful, edifying. I want to build others up and point them to You. Help me.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

Lord, You made me to be a helper, an encourager. Help me to comfort and uplift Your people. Help me not to tire of doing good. Help me to stay focused on Your goals. Help me to feel Your peace in my soul. Help me, Lord. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

Have a blessed day.

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Even when I fall short…. (devo reflection)

2 Thessalonians 2:14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Some days I feel Romans 7:15 on a gut level: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” I know I should hold my tongue, get over myself, and yet I say hurtful things that really don’t make me feel any better. Help me, Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

Jesus calls me to better than this. He knows I’m capable of better than this. Yet He still sends His word to encourage my heart and strengthen me, even when I fall short. Thank You, Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope….

Precious Savior, Thank You for Your love and grace even on my worst days, especially then. Help me to give myself grace, help me to give others grace, even when it is undeserved. Especially then. Help me to be more like You. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 2:17 …encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Have a blessed day. I

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Growing in faith…. (devo reflection)

2 Thessalonians 1:2 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, I love You. I believe in Your sovereignty, Your grace, Your compassion. Help me, daily, to seek to glorify Your name and to comfort Your people. Help me to grow in faith and love with every breath.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

Lord, Help me never to underestimate the power of praying for Your people. It sounds like such a simple thing, “I’ll pray for you,” but there is such power in lifting people up to You.

2 Thessalonians 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.

Lord, I want to seek You always. I want to know You more. I want to shout Your praises, whisper Your glory, breathe in Your grace with every single breath. Help me. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 1:12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed day.

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Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks! (devo reflection)

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always,

When I first “claimed” a bible verse, one I could cling to no matter the circumstances, it was Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually,

I remember how excited I was when I first came across today’s scripture because it echoes the same ideas: Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks! How much richer my life would be if I could always put these ideas into practice. But I’ll press on toward the goal….

1 Thessalonians 5:18a give thanks in all circumstances;

Lord, Thank You for the simple truth contained in these verses. Help me to always rejoice in You. Help me to continually pray to You. Help me to give thanks to You in all circumstances. Draw me closer. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:18b for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Have a blessed day.

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An eternal home…. (devo reflection)

1 Thessalonians 4:13 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

Lord, Thank You that because of You, we do not grieve as those who have no hope when a loved one dies. The earthly separation is painful, but we know we will see our loved ones again. Thank You.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Lord, Thank You for the power to encourage each other with this amazing news—You have conquered death. We have an eternal home in You. Earthly death is only a temporary “See you later” until we meet again in eternity. Thank You.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

Lord, Thank You for who You are and who You are to me. Thank You that because of You, I do not grieve as one who has no hope. Help me to encourage others in Your name. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Have a blessed day.

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The power of encouragement…. (devo reflection)

1 Thessalonians 3:11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

Lord, Help us never forget the power of encouragement during trials. You created us for community. You created us to edify each other. Give us wisdom and courage to speak Your love and truth to each other in trials, as a lifeline to You.

1 Thessalonians 3:12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

Lord, I know I get very afraid of saying the wrong thing when someone is hurting and struggling. And I know I’m not the only one. Help us seek You when we are trying to encourage others. Even if we make a mess of the words, help the receiver to see Your love and compassion in our bumbling attempts.

1 Thessalonians 3:13a May he strengthen your hearts….

Lord, Thank You for being our rock and fortress, our salvation, our very present help in times of trouble. Help us to encourage each other and assist each other as we walk each other through the trials of this world. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 3:13b …so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

Have a blessed day.