6 If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
REFLECTION:
Many people go to the gym to work out in order to develop themselves physically. Christians are to “work out” to develop spiritually. A weight lifter develops his skill by lifting weights. A Christian develops his ability to live a godly life by making godly choices. To grow spiritually, you need to concentrate on those acts that show your love for God and for others.
On a scale of one to ten—one being spiritual flabbiness and ten being spiritually fit—how would you rate your spiritual fitness? Why? How could you make your life a better example for others “in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (v12)?
Write these five words on an index card: speech, conduct, love, faith, purity. Ask for God’s help to live out these areas throughout the day.
PRAYER:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.
1The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.
REFLECTION:
This passage lists the qualifications for elders/pastors who are charged with spiritual oversight of a local congregation. Read this passage a few times slowly and carefully noticing the moral expectations presented in this passage. Let each instruction direct your thoughts to areas in your life that are to be examined by the Holy Spirit. In which areas does your life look different from the model Paul presented? (You don’t need to work through the whole passage.)
Ask God to help you make small changes so that the transformation may begin in you and that you may display qualities of genuine spiritual life.
Pray for the leaders of your church: pastors, ministry committee members, cell leaders, etc. Pray that their lives may continue to be transformed by God.
PRAYER:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.
1First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.
REFLECTION:
God “desires all people to be saved” (v4). This is an important verse if you have prayed for unsaved loved ones and been discouraged by their lack of response. We know from Scripture that not everyone will be saved; but we also know that God desires all to come to know Christ. This means that when you pray for any individual’s salvation, you can be confident that what you are praying for is definitely in harmony with God’s wishes and desires.
The most effective evangelism is supported by the evidence of “a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (v2). It is not appropriate to use sudden calamities as a means of frightening people into accepting the gospel. Instead, unbelievers should gradually develop a longing and admiration from seeing the peace and goodness manifested in the daily lives of ordinary believers. That is the proper and dependable gateway to the gospel.
Sit quietly before God and wait. If you will, lift up hands and pray earnestly for those people and needs that the Holy Spirit brings to mind.
PRAYER:
Stay with God for a little longer. Continue to converse with God and listen to what He wants to tell you. Then write down any thought and/or prayer in your spiritual journal.
