1 Timothy

godly training

/ The Pastor

1 Timothy 4:7-8
“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

I am a runner and an emerging triathlete so I understand the value of physical training.  If I don’t do the proper training then I am not going to be ready for the event I am participating in.  If I am training for a marathon then I need to make sure I get some long runs in otherwise I am going to struggle during the actual race.  When I am training for a triathlon, I need to get bike and pool workouts in as well as my running.  I also need to do back-to-back bike and run workouts to get my legs used to doing those events.  Training is vitally important.

Paul goes on to tell young Timothy that physical training is fine but remember your godly training.  That training will benefit you in this life and the next life.  But what does godly training look like?
–Scripture reading
–Praying
–Bible study
–Service
–Fasting
–Patience (and practicing the other Fruits of the Spirit)
–Worship
–Meditation
–Journaling
Just to name a few.  All of these are great ways to train for godliness.

They will bring you closer to God and to others.  They will strengthen your faith so others may see your good works and give glory to God.  This training will strengthen you resistance to Satan’s flaming arrows.  This training will feed your soul with God’s grace and forgiveness.  This training will keep us on the right track as we serve as Jesus’ disciples for the sake of the world.

Training is never easy but the more you do it the easier it becomes.  Also…the more you do it the easier it is to face the real thing.  So don’t forget your godly training.  Keep that as part of your daily routine but not so much a “routine” that your training becomes rote.  Train your soul to learn more about this awesome God of ours.  Train your soul so others may experience this awesome God of ours.  Train your soul so the burdens of this world do not become overwhelming.

Happy training all; praising God always and forever!  Amen!

-edh-

No tomorrow?

/ The Pastor / 3 Comments

The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

I read this passage this morning and it really caught my attention.  Therefore it got highlighted in my Bible.  Paul wrote this passage for Timothy as he was encouraging Timothy in his ministry.  And through that encouragement I also find encouragement.  Paul was the chief persecutor of the church; killing those that professed to believe and follow Jesus.  But God had other plans and called Paul to be a promoter and preacher of Christ.  Since then, Paul became the greatest missionary this Church has ever seen.

God, though Jesus Christ, came to save sinners which, in the words of Paul, he was the foremost.  God, through Jesus Christ, came to save sinners which I feel I am the foremost.  God, through Jesus Christ, came to save sinners which YOU are the foremost.  But for that very reason I/we received mercy, so that in me/us, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me/us an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life.

We are all the worst of sinners…but God’s mercy and forgiveness and love is so much greater.  This is our urgent message.  We can’t take this for granted.  Who, in your little world, needs to hear a message of hope?  Let our ministry be one that assumes no tomorrow.  If that is indeed the case…what are we waiting for?

-edh-