datethewordtest

Tag: 1 Timothy

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 18 (6/18) is 1 Timothy 6:18

    “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, 
    ready to give, willing to share,” – 1 Timothy 6:18
    Action items for the RICH

    The Apostle Paul has several very pointed and direct words for the RICH. His very direct instructions come in the context of his teaching on true contentment. Knowing there is a restlessness to always be getting more as we are prone to believe money brings satisfaction and status, even security, Paul confronts this thinking by telling several ESSENTIAL MESSAGES to the rich and those who want to be rich.

    He tells the RICH to not be in love with money as it is the root of all kinds of evil.  (1 Tim. 6:10)

    He tells the RICH to stay humble.  (1 Timothy 6:17a)

    He tells the RICH to forget about TRUSTING in money as it is very unstable.  (1 Timothy 6:17b

    As he continues to instruct, he now tells the rich TO DO GOOD and to have a mindset of GIVING to others and SHARING with others at a moment’s notice.  (Ready to give) As one acquires the means to take care of oneself they also look to see how to help others on their journey.

    You make a living by what you get.  You make a life by what you give.  Winston Churchill 
     
    Do you have a good grip on your money or does money have a grip, maybe a strong, tight grip on you?  Are you more prone to generosity or to being greedy?  Are you prone to be stingy (holding tight for yourself) or to be a sower of your money (sharing with others as an investment)? 

    In the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), we have those who were TAKERS, KEEPERS, and then a GIVER. The hero of the story is the one who said what is mine is mine but I am going to share it. 

    So, getting really personal, are you using your money for good? Are you looking for opportunities to invest in others?  Are you READY to SHARE?  Do you LIVE TO GIVE?

    Verse to DATE of June 18 (6/18) is 1 Timothy 6:18.  It says, “Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,”

    Continue Strong blessing others as you have been blessed,
    And remember to DATE the Word

    Bonus – from Pastor Johnny Hunt – “I have never missed anything that I gave away!”

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 11 (6/11) is 1 Timothy 6:11

    “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness,
    godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” – 1 Timothy 6:11
    RUNNING AWAY FROM THE WRONG THINGS and RUNNING AFTER THE RIGHT THINGS

    As we live out our new life in Christ, living as a Christian should live, there are things to RUN AWAY FROM (FLEE these things) and things to RUN AFTER (PURSUE these things).  Unfortunately, we often find ourselves RUNNING AFTER what we should be fleeing or running away from and we RUN FROM what we should be pursuing or running after.  From our verse to consider let us make sure we are RUNNING AWAY FROM THE WRONG THINGS and RUNNING AFTER THE RIGHT THINGS. 

    Here is 1 Timothy 6:11 the Apostle Paul tells Timothy to “FLEE these things.” A great way to understand the word “FLEE” is to think of being a FUGITIVE.  “These things” that he is to be fleeing are greed and the love of money (See v 10).

    Rather than living to GET ALL ONE CAN GET, the believer is to be PURSUING becoming ALL THEY CAN BE.

    The Apostle Paul liked to call believers to live out key character traits. (See the bonus section) He wants to see the believer living RIGHTEOUSLY or living right. Can someone say you are RIGHTEOUS in your actions and activities? He wants the believer to be GODLY. Are you a godly person? He wants the believer to be living by FAITH.  Do you walk by sight or walk by faith? Is your daily trust in God evident to others? He wants the believer to be a person who LOVES, loving others. Do you love others?  He wants the believer to be a person of PATIENCE or ENDURANCE. In other words, you stay in the game no matter how hard it is.  There is no quit in you.  And he wants the believer to be a person of GENTLENESS or meekness. This means you handle people with care.  These are the things to be RUNNING AFTER!

    This list of things to pursue is not new for Paul or for Timothy.  Earlier in this first letter to Timothy Paul wrote for him to be an example. I Timothy 4:12 says, “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.”  For Timothy to be the example he will need to determine what he will run away from and what he will run after.

    What are you running away from? What are you seeking to avoid?  What are you staying clear of?

    What are you running after? What are you pursuing?

    The answer to these two questions in so many ways will determine your future destiny. Choose wisely!!

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 11 (6/11) is 1 Timothy 6:11.  It says, “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” 

    Continue Strong running after the right things and running away from the wrong things,
    And remember to DATE the Word

    Bonus 
    Here are a few other LISTS to consider regarding what to RUN AWAY FROM and to RUN AFTER
    2 Timothy 2:22  Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

    2 Timothy 3:10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11  persecutions, afflictions,

    Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentlenesses, self-control. Against such, there is no law.

    2 Peter 1:5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6  to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7  to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8  For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Other verses to consider on June 11 (6/11)
    Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
    Daniel 6:11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
    Matthew 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.
    Romans 6:11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
     

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 10 (6/10) is 1 Timothy 6:10

    “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have 
    strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves 
    through with many sorrows.” – 1 Timothy 6:10
    In GOD, not gold, we Love and Trust

    Knowing that the human heart is tempted to be greedy and so greedy to the level one will be in love with money, the Apostle Paul here in 1 Timothy 6 addresses the topic of money and in 1 Timothy 6:10 issues one of the strongest warnings regarding the LOVE OF MONEY. He tells us that the love of money creates (is the root of) the start of all kinds of evil as one is prone to compromise one’s integrity for gain.  He tells just how DANGEROUS this DESIRE of money is as one will even compromise one’s FAITH as greediness takes such a stronghold on a person.  Work takes priority over worship. 

    The greediness for gold slowly but surely will bring about the exclusion of God.

    The mission of making money can cause one to miss the mission of the Master.

    The apostle then tells how it gets even worse as the priority for profit brings untold pain.  The pain starts coming as one finds they are NEVER SATISFIED. There is no THIS IS ENOUGH.   The priority to pursue more money pushes aside the pursuit of godliness.  One’s health can be compromised as one goes for more wealth.  Family and friendships take a back seat to the next acquisition.   

    While gaining valuables one can lose what is most valuable. 

    Let us be clear that money itself is not evil – but the LOVE of money can turn one to doing sinful practices. As you MAKE money from working, from investments, from inheritances received you are to MANAGE your money faithfully, correctly, and wisely.  Above managing your money though is MASTERING money.  You are to be the MASTER of your money and not the other way around.  Think of it like fire. A fire in a fire pit or a fireplace is nice.  It is even needed on cold days. But a fire outside its boundaries can be so disastrous, even deadly.  Money mishandled and unmastered is disastrous!   
     
    If you need a little help (maybe a lot of help) in breaking the grip of money I suggest two things:
    1st, be clearly reminded of Jesus’ teaching on money from Luke 12:15 as Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses?”  
    **How are you doing with this teaching?  It definitely challenges conventional and popular thinking!

    2nd, look at your money.  It has a sermon on it. It says IN GOD WE TRUST.   It does not say IN THIS god WE TRUST!!!

    Verse for the date of June 10 (6/10) is I Timothy 6:10. It says, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

    Continue Strong loving and trusting God, not gold,
    And remember to DATE the Word
    PS – every now and then it is good to read 1 Timothy 6:6-11 to prioritize our pursuits