Tag: 1st Timothy 1:12-14
Christ’s overflowing grace!
Scripture reading for January 4th: 1st Timothy 1
Key Scriptures: 1st Timothy 1:5, 12-14 “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. . . I thank Him Who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service, through formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
Paul’s letter to Timothy, a young pastor who Paul considered his “son” in the faith, was written to encourage Timothy to preach God’s Word and live it out as an example to those he ministered to. Paul testified of his own call and appointment to ministry by Jesus Christ, in spite of his egregious lifestyle of a blasphemer and persecutor of God’s people. Paul had been ignorant and had acted in unbelief and when he repented, Jesus gave him overflowing grace and new faith and a river of His love for the lost. No one is too hardened that God’s grace cannot save and bring needed transformation. Paul had a clear conscience and a pure heart through faith in Jesus Christ!
Psalm 51:1 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank You for calling me to salvation and to preach Your Word. This was in spite of my own sinful and selfish lifestyle. Help me to maintain a clear conscience and pure heart as I learn to fulfill Your calling and raise up others to serve You.
Matthew 4:19-20 “And He said to them, “Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”
Guard the “good deposit”!
Scripture reading for October 2nd: Isaiah 18-21, 2nd Timothy 1
Key Scriptures: 2nd Timothy 1:12-14 “But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.”
Paul encouraged Timothy with a strong statement of faith. He was convinced that the Lord was able to keep him in faith, even though he was facing probable execution in the near future. He encouraged Timothy to stand firm as well. It would be in the power of the Holy Spirit that the good deposit of faith in Christ Jesus would be kept. God would help those who looked to Him.
Isaiah 18:4 “For thus the Lord said to me: “I will quietly look from My dwelling like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your amazing promises and personal encouragement to help us in troubling times, keeping us safe. Fill me with the ‘cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.’ Amen!