2 Timothy 1:7For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. We’ve always told our kids not to accept gifts from strangers. Same thing applies here. If anybody but your Father in Heaven gives you something, you don’t need to receive it. And fear is at the top of the list. Just simply decline and say, “I don’t accept gifts from strangers.” But for some reaso...  Read More

1 Timothy 6:6Godliness with contentment is great gain. Discontentment says, “In order to be happy, I need more!” However, Paul says, “Those who have enough, do have more.” It’s an attitude thing. If you don’t appreciate the little that you’ve got, you won’t appreciate it when it grows. Because you take your attitude with you. Contentment allows you to say, “I have enough.” And you can’t say that u...  Read More

1 Timothy 5:14Give the adversary no occasion for slander. Paul encourages us, as representatives of the gospel, to consider living your life in such a way that doesn’t invite slander. You might choose to do something based on your preference or freedom, but Paul constantly reminds us to be thoughtful of what appearances may bring. As Christians, you will have your critics in life. They will take a...  Read More

1 Timothy 4:16Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching.This verse is a critical call to self-care. When you’re in the ministry you love taking care of others. But if that’s all you’re doing you won’t be doing it for long. You’re liable of burning out, or, God-forbid, suffering a moral failure. To the extent that you watch your ministry, make sure to watch yourself. If you hold others acc...  Read More

1 Timothy 3:1The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Have you ever felt guilty for having a noble aspiration? Oh, I shouldn’t think of myself in such terms. I’m probably just being vain. So, to get in touch with our humility again, we suppress our “lofty thinking.”   That is why I find it refreshing that Paul encourages noble aspirations. If...  Read More

1 Timothy 2:3This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. God has desire. Think of that. He craves, He longs, He thirsts. He wants people to be saved. He wants people to know who He is. And that extends to every soul on the planet. And sometimes desire can lead to pain, especially if it goes unmet. Th...  Read More

1 Timothy 1:15The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the foremost. If you know you’re a failure—good news, Jesus came for you! However, if you’ve got it all put together and abide perfectly by the rules—Jesus passes you by. Cause you don’t need any help. So, what will it be? Are you going to be self-sufficient ...  Read More

2 Thessalonians 3:1Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored. I love the high regard Paul has for the Word. He asks for prayer, not for the purpose of provision, not for the desire for safety, not for the hope of direction, but that the Word of the Lord would have free course. That was central to his ambition. Is it central to yours? May the Word be s...  Read More

2 Thessalonians 2:3Let no one deceive you in any way. Scripture says that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, so it is no surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness (2 Cor. 11:14-15). The New Testament constantly calls us to be on alert for spiritual deception. The enemy is at work. And you should know that his methods are not by frontal assault, but b...  Read More

2 Thessalonians 1:6God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you. What a relief! God is keeping track of things, which means I don’t have to. Sometimes when our family plays pinochle it’s kind of nice when someone else manages the points. That way I can just play the game. I don’t need to worry about keeping score. Someone else is doing that for me. This verse gives me simil...  Read More

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. If you want to be in the will of God for your life do not miss verses 16 through 18. God’s plan may be different for each one, but in this regard, it is the same for all. RejoicePrayGive Thanks Practice it today – over and over – and see if you don’t l...  Read More

1 Thessalonians 4:10-11We urge you… to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you. These verses run counter to our modern-day preoccupation with social media. It can be hard to turn off our feeds because we would rather indulge our vanity and gratify our curiosity than accept the humdrum pace of everyday life. Have you ever felt like...  Read More