Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Samuel 23-25; 1 Timothy 1
Devotional Thought:
The Lord makes it very clear that the truths of God’s word represent the character of His Son, and therefore, are extremely important for the child of God to protect, promote, and practice. There is a special qualifier that God teaches us in this chapter. “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned [not hypocritical].” (vs. 5) We have a responsibility to have our stand motivated out of genuine love for God, people, and truth. Our unwavering stand upon truth should never be mean spirited, self-serving, or self-promoting. Our stand for the purity of the truth and propagation of doctrine must be done with a disposition of love. We need doctrine to help us have a right opinion of God and a right opinion of ourselves. “The law was not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners…” (vs. 9) It is God who calls the shots for the believer and it is God who determines truth. Therefore, we must submit ourselves to what He has declared in His word, and has commanded for His children. Paul declares that there is something specific worth mentioning, and that is that Christ came to save sinners! He charges Timothy to war a good warfare as he stands upon truth and defends the doctrines of Christ. We are charged to do the same. May we be found faithful.
Personal Requests:
• Lord, please help me to never pollute, water down, or misrepresent your doctrine. May I faithfully stand upon the truth of your person and promote the accuracy of your character.
• Lord, thank you for loving me and for giving to me a manual of truth. May I never substitute it for another authority, and may I always allow it to change my life into an accurate reflection of your character.