Author: David Short

1 Timothy 4:10

For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

Personal Challenge…
Are we being reproached and criticized because of our trust in the living God? If not, then maybe we are not living our lives in a way that those around us know that He is our Lord and Savior. Jesus told us that the world will hate us because it hated Him. Sobering thoughts on just how much I do, or do not proclaim my trust in Jesus. Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Proverbs 17:14 (17:15 LXX)

The foundation of righteousness gives authority to words,
But discord and quarreling precede poverty.

Personal Challenge…

Our words and how we use them have so much more power than we will ever know. If we speak from a place of righteousness, which does not just happen, but comes from a life of humility and rigor in following the Lord, then our words can carry authority and healing with them. If we speak from our worldly perspective, which is typically filled with discord and quarreling, then we bring poverty into the situation and steal life from those around us. The challenge is to spend more time in silent humility, seeking the heart of God, and refraining from speaking until He gives us both His permission and His words. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Psalm 34:1 (33:2 LXX)

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Personal Challenge…

This is not an option. It is not something that I decide to do based on the conditions of the day or how I am feeling. This is a choice. A positive, even aggressive choice, to focus on blessing the Lord at all times for all that He does regardless of whether I want to to or not. Glory be to God!

1 Peter 2:12

having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Personal Challenge…

We live in a world that is filled with Gentiles, those who do not know the full truth of our Lord God Almighty. It is our responsibility, our calling, to live our lives in such a way that it glorifies our God and points to the lost to them…even when the very people that we are trying to love speak out against us. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

2 Timothy 2:14-17a

Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer.

Personal Challenge…

Paul gives Timothy a stern warning to be very careful how he speaks the word of God. It becomes so easy to slip into a state where we think we know so much and start interpreting God’s word the way that we want to. This leads to idle babbling and ultimately heresy. This is why we must observe the scriptures in context of our community, the church, and her traditions and teachings. The farther away her we wander the farther away from the truth we are. May God guide each one of us who proclaim Him as Lord to be diligent in how we present ourselves to Him and those around us and to be workers who are not ashamed of His truth and equipped to rightly divide it.

Ephesians 6:5-8

Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Personal Challenge…

Once again the timing of a verse for the day is impeccable. What is our role as an employee? To do all that we do for the glory of God regardless of our position in employment. Whether we are in a position of leadership or a subordinate to another we are where we are because that is where God wants us. So we are to submit to those in authority and serve with joy and thanksgiving. Glory be to God!

Tobit 13:3-4

Give thanks to Him before the nations,
O children of Israel,
For He scattered us among them.
Make known His greatness there;
Exalt Him in the presence of all the living,
For He is our Lord and God;
He is our Father unto all the ages.

Personal Challenge…

Just as God scattered His nation of Israel throughout the world to share His truth with the Gentiles, so are we as Christians to spread throughout our world today. We are in exile from our true home. We are ambassadors, representatives of God, our King. God has done this so that His truth and light can be shown into every corner of the world. How are we doing at being His truth and light? How am I doing at being His truth and light? Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!

Tobit 12:6-7

Then Raphael secretly called the two of them, and said to them, “Bless God and give Him thanks. Ascribe greatness to Him and give thanks in the presence of all the living for what He has done for you. It is good to bless God and to exalt His name. Make known the words of God’s works honorably and do not delay to give thanks to Him. It is noble to keep hidden the secret of a king, but glorious to unveil the works of God. Do good, and evil will not find you.”

Personal Challenge…

Has life dealt you another rotten hand? Give thanks to God! Have you been passed up for that promotion or recognition? Give thanks to God! Are times difficult due to bad health, hard times, or other tragedy? Give thanks to God! Is everything going just perfect right now in your life? Give thanks to God! Did you just get that promotion that you have been waiting for, or that new house you have worked so hard for, or so many other wonderful things that happen in our lives? Give thanks to God! This is our calling. This is our duty. This is our opportunity. To give thanks to God for everything that happens in our lives. What better way to proclaim our God to a dark, cold, and lost world is there than giving thanks unto God? Glory be to God!

Romans 10:8-13

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Encouraging Words…

Our God wants all of His creation to be saved from the grip of death. This is why He gave up His only Son as the ultimate sacrifice. We must receive this offering of love not only believing in our heart that we receive life through Christ, but confessing who He is and who we are without Him. This starts us on our journey of putting our entire trust in Christ. Glory be to God!