Follower

Reading for Today - Romans 1:16-32 - I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation

Follower — Mon, 25 May 2026 15:23:58 GMT

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Many of the world have chosen not to have God in their knowledge, as those whom Paul writes about in the first chapter of Romans. Let us not be confused about the nature of God. Many times it is hard for the world to understand how a loving God could punish his creation, man. Many times, those who call themselves Christians cannot reconcile the grace of God and his abundant forgiveness with the fact that God will one day punish those who have not sought him diligently. While we could do nothing to earn our salvation, because it is the gift of God provided through Christ, God, in his very nature, requires that we seek to live a life that is acceptable to him. God has prescribed a way that we must follow to access the free gift he offers. If we choose to follow after the world and if we choose to seek worldly ways, living as the world, we are cutting ourselves off from God. May we seek to not have strife, deceit, maliciousness, envy, and covetousness in our lives. May we seek the moral high ground and flee from that which is evil. If we are not seeking to live a life that is pure, how can we expect to be able to be in the presence of God for eternity. This doesn’t mean we will live a perfect life. We are human and we will make mistakes. We should be focused on seeking truth and seeking to live after the example of Christ. This also does not mean that we cut ourselves off from the world, but it does mean that we show the example of Christ to all those we meet.
We should not be those who “take advantage of grace” and think we can live as the world does because the grace of God will forgive. That would be willful sin against God. It is one thing to be seeking God and to err off the path versus intentionally going off the path expecting God to accept this because He gave his Son for us. The Hebrew writer says that those who come to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.
The question for us today is – are we seeking God?
Have we died to self? Who are we living for? Are we living for self or for God? Are we following the example of Christ? Christ came not to be served, to be a servant. Are we seeking to build up the church and our brethren? What is our first desire? Do we desire the things of the world or heaven? Are we more concerned about how our actions might affect others or about getting our way? Is our life and desires aligned with the word and will of God?
These are serious questions. Questions that we need to be truthful with ourselves about answering. God knows our heart. We need to be honest with ourselves. The love of God for us is too great. The precious promises he has given us are too great. As Christians, we are God’s Children. Let us wear the name proudly, seek to die to self, serve others, and seek to live a life that honors God above everything. May we truly seek God in all we do.

Reading for Today - Romans 1:1-15 - I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world

Follower — Sun, 24 May 2026 12:28:32 GMT

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Paul looked forward to being with the Christians in Rome. Paul wanted to encourage them, but he too wanted to encouraged by being with them. Can you imagine the great challenges that face those who choose to be Christians in Rome? Many in the Roman government and in Rome thought of Christians as trouble makers because they did not know the truth about Christianity. When something bad would happen the Roman citizens would blame the Christians because they would not worship the local gods and this made the Romans feel that the gods were punishing them because the Christians would not appease them. Yet in the capital of Rome, under persecution, the church grew. Paul prayed for the brethren at Rome and was thankful for the example of their faith. Paul noted that their faith was "proclaimed in all the world".
Our example can be a great encouragement to others. We don't suffer the persecution that Christians suffered, but we are looked down upon by many because we will voice moral wrongs and stand up for truth. The book of Romans addresses how we can be in the world, but not of the World. There are many things for us to think about, such as our example and Christian life in this world, as we study Romans. We should be thankful that we know Christ. We should be thankful that we can be counted as Christians. We should be thankful for the examples of others and the encouragement they provide in our life and we should seek to be an encouragement to others as they seek to follow after Christ.
Let us Pray that we may encourage others and that we will have strong Christians in our lives, that will encourage us.
Let us Pray that our faith will be seen and that it will lead others to Christ.
Let us Pray that we will let God use us in the harvest. May we seek lost souls. May we preach and teach the word by our example and action.

Reading for Today - II Timothy 4:6-22 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness

Follower — Wed, 20 May 2026 22:30:21 GMT

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Let each us live our life so that we can say we have fought the good fight and that we have kept the faith. What more would you want to be able to say about your walk in the race of life. How great is our God that he has laid up for us the crown of righteousness.

Reading for Today - II Timothy 4:1-5 - preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching

Follower — Tue, 19 May 2026 22:54:27 GMT

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

We should teach the word of God whether it is in season or not. The word of God does not change. All men need to hear and know the word. We need to study the word of God so that we are ready to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching. Many don't want to hear the word of God, they would rather hear something that suits what they want to believe. Paul warned Timothy of this when he said that the time would come when people would not endure sound teaching. We need to make sure that we are not seeking to only hear what we want to hear. We need to make sure we are going to the word of God with an open heart, seeking to learn and understand from the word.

Reading for Today - II Timothy 3:10-17 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be co

Follower — Mon, 18 May 2026 21:46:07 GMT

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Paul provides several very important points for us to remember in these verses.

1) All those who live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

2) The knowledge that comes from studying God’s word is able to make us wise for salvation

3) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for

A) Teaching

B) Reproof

C) Correction

D) Training in Righteousness

4) Studying the scripture will help us to be complete and equipped for every good work.

Reading for Today - II Timothy 3:1-9 - Avoid such people

Follower — Sun, 17 May 2026 11:19:32 GMT

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

We need to make sure we are not like those that Paul warned Timothy about who are “lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.” Additionally, we need to avoid those who are not lovers of God who have the appearance of godliness, but deny its power. May we not be led astray by those who give the appearance to follow Christ, but are seeking their own.

Reading for Today - II Timothy 2:20-26 - pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace

Follower — Sat, 16 May 2026 18:20:39 GMT

Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

May we seek to be vessels of honor by . . .

Let us pursue

1) Righteousness

2) Faith

3) Love

4) Peace

Let us avoid

1) Youth passions

2) Foolishness

3) Ignorant controversies

4) Being quarrelsome

Let us

1) Be Kind

2) Able to teach

3) Patiently enduring evil

4) Correcting opponents with gentleness

Reading for Today - II Timothy 2:14-19 - avoid irreverent babble

Follower — Fri, 15 May 2026 22:45:07 GMT

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

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We need to be those who study the word and seek to know the truth. When we study with others, we should not seek to quarrel with words. We need to make sure we rightly handle the truth. We need to seek to teach the truth in love. We need to stand firm for the truth and teach it.

We must be careful that we do not teach things that God has not taught us in his word. Many can get caught up in topics such as angels or the afterlife and cause a quarrel over things that we do not have all the details revealed in scripture. May we be those who speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent.

Reading for Today - 2 Timothy 2:1-13 - If we have died with him, we will also live with him

Follower — Thu, 14 May 2026 21:44:08 GMT

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

Thoughts from this passage:

1) Our aim should be to serve God.

2) Let us seek to follow the word of God

3) Let us work hard in the Kingdom of God

4) If we have died with Christ we will live with him

5) If we endure, we will reign with him

6) If we deny him he will deny us

7) If we remain faithful, he remains faithful to us

Are we seeking to grow in Christ?

Follower — Tue, 12 May 2026 22:30:05 GMT

2 Peter 1:3–15 (ESV)

³His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, ⁴by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. ⁵For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, ⁶and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. ⁸For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. ¹⁰Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. ¹¹For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

¹²Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. ¹³I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, ¹⁴since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. ¹⁵And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

In verse five Peter mentions making every effort to supplement your faith with virtue and to supplement virtue with knowledge. These core items are critical for us to begin our walk in seeking to be pleasing to God. It starts with us hearing the gospel message and in faith believing and obeying the gospel message.

Romans 10:17 (ESV)

¹⁷So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

As we begin our walk of faith it is important for us to make the choice that we are going to seek a life of virtue. We decide that we are going to do what is good, righteous, just, and pleasing to God. It is then important that we seek knowledge of God’s word so that we know what is pleasing to him. In addition to God’s work helping us to understand how we can be pleasing to him, it also helps us in understanding how great God’s love is for us and how great the hope is that we can have in him.

When we understand the love that God has for us and the hope He has given us it will help us to have the self-control we need to be pleasing him as noted in second Peter. To self-control we are to add patience and to patience, godliness. Then we are to add brotherly kindness and love. If we are to have the love that God wants us to have for others we will need these qualities.

1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (ESV)

⁴Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ⁶it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

⁸Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Galatians 5:13–14 (ESV)

¹³For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

If we manifest these qualities and continue to regularly feed on God’s word and seek Him in prayer it will help us in developing a life that is full of the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Colossians 3:12–17 (ESV)

¹²Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, ¹³bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

¹⁰For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Philippians 2:3–5 (ESV)

³Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

Let us never forget how great God’s love is for us.

Romans 8:28–39 (ESV)

²⁸And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

³¹What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ³³Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ³⁶As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 3:1 (ESV)

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

May we never forget how great our hope is.

1 Peter 1:3–5 (ESV)

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Reading for Today - II Timothy 1:8-14 - 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

Follower — Fri, 08 May 2026 21:02:29 GMT

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. 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.

Our hope is great. How great our God’s promises to us. No matter what we suffer in this life, we have great hope in the life to come. How great is God’s plan and God’s purpose. May we never doubt that God desires what is best for us, God loves us, and God has prepared great and wonderful things for those who love and serve him.

May we as Paul told Timothy - “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

Reading for Today - II Timothy 1:1-7 - I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day

Follower — Wed, 06 May 2026 22:36:42 GMT

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

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What a moving greeting from Paul to Timothy. Grace, mercy and peace. Could any of us hope for more in our lives! How great is God’s grace and mercy to us that He gave His son to die for us. Can anything surpass the peace we have in Christ! Paul remembered Timothy in his prayers night and day. Wouldn’t you have wanted to be in the prayers of Paul. We each need the prayers of others and should remember others daily as well.

What a great example of faith that Timothy had from his mother and grandmother. We too should seek to be an example to our children in faith and should desire for our children to have a strong faith. May are daily lives be an encouragement to those around us and may our example encourage and build faith in our children.

Reading for Today - I Timothy 6:3-20 godliness with contentment is great gain

Follower — Tue, 05 May 2026 23:49:05 GMT

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

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We are just passing through this world. In fact, we are spiritual beings having a human experience. It is important to think about the fact that our goal is Heaven. This world is temporary and our Heavenly home is permanent. This thought helps us to put life into perspective. Let us:

1) Pursue righteousness

2) Pursue godliness

3) Pursue faith

4) Pursue love

5) Pursue steadfastness and gentleness

6) Not seek controversy and quarrels

7) Not be haughty

8) Not put hope on uncertain riches

9) Put hope in God

Reading for Today - I Timothy 4:6-16 - for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way

Follower — Mon, 04 May 2026 21:58:56 GMT

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. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 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. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 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. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 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.

Let us never forget that studying God’s word “holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come”. May we follow the words of Paul to Timothy and

1) Set our hop on the living God

2) Be an example in Speech

3) Be an example in Conduct

4) Be an example in Love

5) Be an example in Faith

6) Be an example in Purity

Reading for Today - I Timothy 4:1-5 - the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith

Follower — Sat, 02 May 2026 20:05:13 GMT

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

We need to be sure we are following the word of God. There are those in the world that will seek to teach false doctrine. There are those who conscience is seared and they do not teach or practice the truth and seek to draw us away from God. May we study God’s word diligently and may our hearts be open to be touched by and filled with the word.

Reading for Today - I Timothy 3:14-16 - you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God

Follower — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:24:26 GMT

I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

How great is the gospel message! Paul wrote to Timothy that he was writing so that “you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God.” That should be our desire that we would know how we “ought to behave in the household of God.” May we seek daily to learn from the Bible that we may know God’s word and God’s will for our lives.

Reading for Today - I Timonthy 3:1-13 - If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task

Follower — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:21:18 GMT

The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
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In the New Testament we read of elders and deacons in the congregations of the church. In Paul’s letter to Timothy he mentions traits that those who serve in these roles should have. Elders have great responsibility for the flock and deserve respect and honor. Elders seek to lead the flock and must do this through both example and action. Paul mentions, in addition to many personal traits, that elders should manage their own household well and should be well thought of by outsiders. It is important for elders to be living a life that glorifies God and directs others toward Christ.
Deacons, are those who serve. When a congregation looks to add deacons they should seek those who are already serving. Deacons also, must manage their households well.

In the church the elders and deacons should not be the only ones serving. We should all seek to serve God and others. Throughout our lives we should be seeking to follow the example of Christ who came to serve and not to be served. If anyone was more deserving of being served while they were on the earth it was Christ, yet Christ came to serve and to seek and to save the lost. May we all seek to follow the example of Christ in our lives, serving others and seeking to put others ahead of ourselves.

Reading for Today - Philippians 1:12-18 - What has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel

Follower — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 21:36:06 GMT

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

Reading for today - I Timonthy 2:1-8 - This 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

Follower — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:46:35 GMT

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This 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. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 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.

Do you pray for peace? Do you pray for those who are in high positions? We should be those who seek to live in peace with others and who seek to live a godly life. It should be our prayer that conditions in our country will allow us to live as Christians. As we seek to live the peaceful Christian life, our focus should be on sharing the saving message of Christ. Our God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”. That should be our desire as well. May we seek to be light and salt in this world directing the world to Christ and living a life that glorifies God.

Reading for Today - I Timothy 1:12-20 - Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

Follower — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:54:47 GMT

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though 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. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were 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. This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

How great is the grace of God. How great is the power of our God. How great is the love of our God! How amazing that God sent his Son, Christ Jesus, into the world to save us from sin!