1 Timothy 4:12

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Personal Challenge

I have always enjoyed using Paul’s writings to Timothy to encourage the youth that I worked with. This verse, even though directed at the youth, can apply to all of us. It is our example that speaks loudest. Our words can quickly be nullified if our actions do not follow them. If we desire to be a godly example, an example that others want to follow, then we must be examples in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Love, have mercy!

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

Jesus taught, and Paul reinforces, that if we try to live our lives for Christ, following in His footsteps, and loving as He loved, then we will be hated and persecuted. That hatred and per­secution will come from the world who has rejected Christ and sometimes it will come from those who proclaim Christ but have gone off course. But no matter what, we are still called to labor for Christ and to suffer that reproach. We do this because we trust in the living God who is our Savior. We do this because He will someday say to us, “Well done, my good and faithful child.” Glory be to God!

1 Timothy 4:7-8

But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

Personal Challenge

There is so much in our modern day that can interfere with our pursuit of godli­ness. We need to reject those teachings and practices that are actually profane and old wives tales, and spend time exercising our spiritual body. Even things like pursuing physical exercise can get in our way. if it supersedes spiritual growth. Through the pursuit of godliness we will be able to do what God calls us to do as well as be better prepared to follow and obey Him. Glory be to God!

1 Timothy 2:1-4

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Personal Challenge

One action that has become so prevalent in today’s culture is the blatant disrespect for our elected leaders when they belong to a different party than those who are being disrespectful. That is an unchristian behavior. We are told throughout the scriptures to pray for those who are in authority over us, whether we like their actions or affiliations or not. We are told elsewhere by Paul, and earlier by Jesus, that we are no longer citizens of this world. Our allegiance should be to the kingdom of God. With this in mind then we should be praying for those whom He has allowed to be in positions of authority over us. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

1 Timothy 1:5

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

2 Thessalonians 3:3

But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.

Encouraging Words

God has not called us to be His children just to abandon us and leave us to the wolves of this world. We are the sheep of His flock and He will protect us from the evil one and any harm that he would attempt to do to us. And if like the one lost sheep, we walk away from our Lord, He will pursue us until we are safely with the flock again. Lord, have mercy! Love, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Personal Challenge

People who choose to follow Christ will often get to a place where they desire to know what God’s will is for them. I have been there. Here is a passage that helps us to know that a little better, even though it may not be the guidance that we are looking for. His will for all of us is that we live our lives always rejoicing in Him, no matter what the circumstances are. He wants us to give thanks in everything, no matter how good or bad it appears to be. He wants us to pray without ceasing so that we can stay connected to Him, our lifeline. Glory be to God!

Joshua 22:5

But be very careful to do the commandments and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you to do, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to adhere to Him, and to serve Him with all your mind and with all your soul.

Personal Challenge

We have been blessed to have been born into the new covenant of our Lord. A covenant that is based upon the work of Jesus Christ, which fulfilled the law of the old covenant and destroyed the hold that death had on us. We can still learn and be blessed by the teachings in the time of the old covenant. Here, Joshua is blessing the 2 1/2 tribes of Israel as they head back to their homes on the other side of the Jordan river. They, just as we, are charged to obey and do the commandments of our God to love the Lord our God, to walk in His ways, to adhere to Him, and to serve Him will all our mind and soul. This still applies to us today. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!