Pastor Terry A. Smith Devotional Plan for: Week of July 12 - July 16 Monday - Read I Timothy 1:12-14 I Timothy 1:12-14 NIV: "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."
Where do we start in our journey with Christ?
In our next series at TLCC, we're focusing on how we can follow a path to live the life God dreams for us. All of us aspire to live meaningful, abundant lives, and we believe the only way to live that life is through living out the dreams God has for us. Though all of us are seeking that end goal, how do we get there?
If we pictured out the arch of our lives on a graph, we would all wish it to be on a diagonal line moving up and to the right. The reality, as all of us too painfully know, is that our lives look more like looping lines, full of periods where it turns downwards and backwards and up and... all over the place. This causes us to ask: what is a path forward to God's dreams for my life? How do I move up and to the right? This is the question we'll be asking throughout this series.
First, we must talk about where we start on our journey, the beginning of the path forward. In our devotional this week, we're looking at Paul as he disciples his mentee Timothy. He starts by talking about his own journey with God, which was infamously tumultuous. Paul, an ardent and zealous follower of the God of Israel, didn't get the whole Jesus thing once he came along. In fact, he was murdering Christians because he thought they were perverting the plan of God. But, eventually, God shows himself to Paul, and he realizes he was wrong: Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah, the climax of the plan of God.
Paul, by his own words, was an absolutely wicked man! Murdering God-followers in the name of God. How abhorrent! We must, as our initial reaction naturally leads us, to condemn Paul and those who do things (even today) like him. Christians are still killed all around the world, more than any religious group. We condemn those actions. God is a God of justice, and his righteous anger agitates at such doings. But (and a big but, at that) while we both condemn the absolute evil perpetuated in the world and commit justice against it, we must also realize... we are also broken, evil people. The wickedness (such a yucky word!) of Paul is also in us. It's in me (your author, Christian Smith). We, too, start our journeys rejecting God, and live much of our journeys still yet rejecting God. This unglamorous and nearly unpalatable reality is the start of our "graph" of our path with God.
But (and, yet, a bigger but than the previous one!) is that God is offering us grace in our ignorance. Every single one of us has experienced ignorance and unbelief in the great God, but he still is reaching out to us and calling us towards him. What undeserved favor! All of us, whether we accept him or not, are receiving a call from God that our ears must become attuned to, so we can follow his path.
No matter where you are, no matter how ignorant or unbelieving or broken you may feel (and, in fact, be), are still being called to the magnificent and loving Creator. We must, however, not forget our humble beginnings, like a person who becomes rich and forgets his old friends. All of us come from a place of brokenness, yet favor lies ahead.
Reflection Question(s): What moments in your life reflect your ignorance and unbelief? How has God's grace impacted you and brought you forward in living the life God dreamed for you?
Tuesday - Read I Timothy 1:15-17 1 Timothy 1:15-17 NIV: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 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. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
There are two key principles that Paul is trying to communicate to Timothy in today's passage. First, that Paul does not view himself as worthy of the gift of grace that God has bestowed upon him. And second, Paul is reminding Timothy of who God is. We will spend the next few minutes unpacking the things Paul says to describe God here in verse 17.
Paul describes God is the King Notice the first words used to describe God in this verse: "To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen" God is called a King. The Bible's description of God is that He is King. He is great in every aspect of His being. This King depends on no one. This King isn't lonely and is in no need of anyone or anything. The King is further described by three words: Eternal or immortal, invisible, and the only God. Paul is taking inventory of the excellent character qualities of God. He is reflecting upon God's great character qualities and he explodes into praise to God.
Paul reminds Timothy that the King Doesn't Die God is eternal and is ageless. He doesn't wear a watch. He is a king that is never voted on. His kingship has no term limits. He never has to wonder about a second term. Beyond this, God is "immortal" as He is immune from decay. He is everything's first cause. Before everything else there was God. He is the source of everything. He is the inexhaustible source of all that is, He is an ever-replenishing fountain of all that is. If you were a "fly on the wall" in the courtroom of heaven, you would never hear God ask for a break. God's workplace has no break room. OHSA's standards of safety and work regulations do not extend to the courtroom of heaven. God owns no bed. He doesn't pay attention to the TV ads about Tempur-Pedic or the Sleep Number Bed. One of the most important things the Bible says about God is that there is much about Him that we do not know, and will never be able to know, for God is infinite: and we are not. God "dwells in unapproachable light". His brain is too high for us; His intelligence is so that no one can reach it. God is incomparably great in comparison to everything else.
The King Isn't Seen God is invisible as no one has seen Him; it is Jesus Christ who makes God known. John wrote that those who have seen Jesus have seen the Father. So while God is invisible to the physical eye, He is visible to the eye of faith, and through the lives of Spirit-filled believers whose lives are reflecting the character and love of Jesus.
The King Isn't Threatened God is unique; He has no competitors. He has no rivals. God is described as "a consuming fire". God doesn't line up at the starting gate to compete against other gods. God is alone and He has no rivals. He is in a class all by Himself. God is infinitely greater than all our efforts to describe Him.
Belief Isn't Enough – You Honor Him Paul is moved by the reminder of God's profound grace toward him. Our mind's acknowledgment of God is insufficient; we should honor Him. Worship is more than emotions as it also talks about our submission to Him. So in kneeling and singing, you can see the deep impact God makes upon the person. Again, simply acknowledging God exists is insufficient for even the demons to do this. Instead, we worship Him. We can have an emotional experience but if it doesn't change the fundamental makeup of who we are, then we haven't worshipped. Worship changes your life patterns.
Reflection Question(s): Do you think of God as king or father more often? (He is both) Does thinking of God as king change the way you picture God? How so?
Wednesday - Read I Timothy 1:18-20 I Timothy 1:18-20 NIV: "Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme."
It is likely you have met people who are always looking for a fight. They never met an argument they did not want to join. They love correcting people and pointing out to others the wrong they have done. There are other people who will avoid a fight at all costs. These are peacemakers. They abhor conflict.
Today we look at three verses in 1 Timothy that give advice about how we should fight in this spiritual war we are in as believers.
Paul is a master at metaphors. Metaphors are figures of speech that use a figure that is different from what is being discussed to bring out some of the important realities of the point at hand. Here he wants Timothy to know (what he already knew) that the Christian life and ministry is not a "cake walk" but it is a real battle and war. In essence, Paul is calling Timothy to take arms and be prepared for war. Paul then gives two important action points in reference to fighting a good fight.
Action Point #1: Hold On to Faith Paul says that the battle will be fought for the faith. What is at stake is faith. It is not merely fight to keep our honor or to protect our land or loved ones. It is a battle for the eternal faith. It is a war of faith.
Now what does that mean? The word "faith" can also be translated as "trust" and "belief." In our current English vocabulary, faith is seen as an abstract, internal force that is very hard to define. In the Bible, "faith" is always defined in its object. The object of faith in the Bible is always God as revealed in his Son, Jesus. The faith is the trust and belief in God who sends Jesus into this world to give us life and not to reject him or his great works. There is no greater need than the need to hold on to faith, realizing that the battle will rage to give up and reject the faith.
Action Point #2: Hold a Good Conscience This good conscience is an interesting concept. Paul is not just calling Timothy as a soldier to defend the faith as an intellectual affirmation of a confession of faith. This conscience issue is going to the heart of the matter. He is saying that Timothy must stand up for the faith and then live the reality of the faith. The conscience is the "seat of moral decisions". The battle is not just for the claims of faith - it is for the living out of those claims. So, the question becomes this: do you believe in Jesus? Do you live like you believe in Jesus? Do you reject the claims of Jesus? Do you sear your conscience and live any way you want?
What then is the consequence for not holding on to our faith?
Paul mentions the result of rejecting the faith and the term he uses is "shipwreck." The point is a disaster. Does that mean these people lose their salvation? I honestly do not think Paul was thinking of that question. I think he was just using a word to describe the fact that when one claims to be in the faith and jumps out: it is a shipwreck of faith.
Reflection Question(s): How can we cultivate a strong faith and healthy conscience daily?
Thursday - Read 2 Timothy 1:6-7 2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV: "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."
In the United States, we have been accustomed to many things that many parts of the world don't have. For example, one of those things is hot running water to shower. Seems so basic, right? Well, growing up in Portugal (Joao), in order to heat our running water, we would have to make a fire in the fireplace. The water tank would sit right behind the fireplace. Every night would be a journey just to take a shower. We would have to chop wood, gather the wood, bring it inside, and wait by the fireplace before the water would be nice and toasty to shower. If you are familiar with fire places, you understand that eventually the wood turns to small embers. These embers are the glowing fragments and remains of fire. The wood that was once burning brightly has now become mini fragments ready to cool off. Fire burns whatever is in its way, but it can also fade away unless the right elements are put in place. There are moments that we need to "fan the flame".
Today our text is 2 Timothy 1:6&7. Paul is writing to his young, gifted mentee in ministry called Timothy. Timothy had a "sincere faith" that Paul celebrated earlier in this letter. Our text today has two elements: Paul tells Timothy to fan the flame of his gifting and that God has not given Timothy a spirit of fear.
First, what does it mean to fan the flame of his gifting? The Greek word used here is anazopureo means either 'to kindle afresh' or 'to keep in full flame'. Timothy had lost his early fire and needed an incentive to keep going. This reminds us that God does not work His gifts through us as if we were robots. Even when He gives a man or a woman gift, He leaves an element that needs the cooperation of their will, of their desire and drive, to fulfill the purpose of His gifts. Some are waiting passively for God to use them; but God is waiting for them to stir up the gifts that are within them. Some are waiting for some dramatic new anointing from God, and God is waiting for them to stir up what He has already given.
Second, what does it mean that God has not given us a spirit of fear? Well, one thing about Timothy was that while he was an awesome leader, he was also known to be timid. Paul, his mentor, was the opposite. Paul was far from timid. So, it is interesting how Paul tells him not to have fear. It seems fitting, therefore, why Timothy had to be reminded to fan his flame. Paul was trying to spark something up in Timothy. We all face situations where we feel timid and afraid. For some, speaking in front of others makes them fear; others are afraid of confrontation, others of being made to look foolish, others are afraid of rejection. We all deal with fear.
The first step in dealing with such fears is to understand that they aren't from God. It is a significant step to say, "This isn't God making me feel like this; God hasn't given me this." Perhaps it is from personality, perhaps a weakness of the flesh, maybe a demonic attack – but it isn't from God.
If there is one conviction of mine (Joao) for my personal life, it's this: I want to live with a full fire for the rest of my days here on earth. There are moments where my fire turns to small embers, but just like I am reminded of my fireplace in Portugal, my life as a Christian urges me to be "watching my fire" daily.
Reflection Question(s): What measures have you set up in your life to make sure that the fire does not fade away? Would love to hear from you! You can text me at 732 677 9056
Friday - Read 2 Timothy 1:13-18 2 Timothy 1:13-18 NIV: "What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus."
Today's passage contains two imperatives ("hold fast" in vs. 13; and "keep" in vs. 14) that Paul has for Timothy. Paul's goal is to remind Timothy of 2 things that he possesses. In describing each possession, Paul issues Tim an imperative describing what to DO with that possession. Next, Paul emphasizes how to DO it. Finally, Paul gives 2 illustrations: one who failed the first charge; and one who passed the second.
In his first charge, Paul encouraged Timothy to HOLD ON to the pattern of sound words.
We live in a time that believes that it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you believe it strongly enough. But God's Word is clear— what you believe matters! Timothy was instructed to hold fast to the pattern of sound words. The language Paul uses for this charge is similar to how one could describe an architect's blueprint for a building. Paul gave Tim a blueprint to follow. Paul does not describe or coach Timothy as to specific issues or topics he might be leading through but instead leads him on a grander scale. Let wisdom and sound thinking guide his conversations and communications as he pastors his people.
And then Paul gave Timothy the instructions on HOW to hold to the pattern. Timothy is to hold fast "n faith and love which are in Christ. Living by faith creates the evidence that we believe in Christ and the love we bestow is how we live out that belief.
Paul's second imperative was to GUARD (literally, "the good deposit"). In other words, KEEP safe that which has been entrusted to you. Paul uses two situations to describe how to follow the two instructions he just issued: one in the negative and one in the positive. The first references people who have left the faith. These are people who did not hold fast to sound instruction. The Greek word Paul uses actually means deserters.
The second synopsis is about Onesiphorus. Onesiphorus is Paul's example of who did hold fast the sound instruction. Using language one would use to describe a cool breeze, Paul says that Onesiphorus consistently refreshed him, that he pursued him, and that he helped him. Do you have friends like that? People, who you really enjoy being around because they consistently lift up your spirit? Are you that person to anyone else? What do you need to do to become a person known for that?
Paul wrote 2 Timothy towards the end of his life. As he was thinking about what his final instructions to Timothy should be, he wants to remind Timothy to be committed and to take steps to ensure that commitment endures. His directions to Timothy serve as a great blueprint for us today too. Hold firm to the truth of God's work and be wise in how we steward the gifts that God has given us so that we can continually be honoring God with our lives.
Reflection Question(s): What are some practical steps you have taken or can take to ensure you are holding fast to your faith and are guarding gifts God has given you?