The Daily Dose

Contentment?

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.”  1 Timothy 6:6

What would it take for you to be content?  A new house?  A new job?  A new car?  What about a new life?  The truth is contentment doesn’t come from things.  It is not something that you attain in the natural world that makes you feel satisfied.  Contentment is a spiritual posture.  Real contentment is when you are fulfilling your purpose, knowing that you are accomplishing what you were created to do.  The apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in regard of need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” It is clear from this passage that Paul found contentment in what he was doing not in what he was getting. We know that his life was not about acquiring stuff or being comfortable.  He was totally committed to the “call” on his life.  So, he learned that no matter where he was that God would supply his needs and get him where he needed to be.  He found that contentment was totally trusting in God and depending on him for everything down to the next breath he took.  He learned that giving himself away was where to find peace and contentment.  “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”  Matthew 16:25

For me, my thoughts of contentment are being alone and having quiet time with no interruption from the outside world, or spending time with my family and those closest to me.  However, when I really feel the most satisfaction in life is when I am reaching out to others.  Although it is often outside of my “comfort zone”, afterward I take great joy in knowing I was able to help someone else less fortunate or stood with someone as they were going through one of life’s struggles.  I discovered that the “me time” desire is a selfish one and only increases my desire for more “me time”. Then when others come along, I often get irritated because I just want my alone time.  As a result, I am never truly satisfied in that I tend to withdraw and become most interested in making myself comfortable instead of helping those who really have needs. I’m not saying there is never a time to withdraw and recharge.  It is important to take care of yourself too.  It is more about balance. “Me time” should not be the majority of time and “me time” should not be what I am always dreaming about.

Today I want to encourage you to get outside of your comfort zone and reach out to others who may be hurting or struggling in life.  If you don’t know of anyone in that position, then just reach out by giving someone a word of encouragement.  If you don’t know who to reach out to, ask God to bring someone across your path today that you can help and encourage.  You will feel real joy and contentment that only comes by touching other lives.  That kind of contentment counts for all eternity.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Timothy 6:1-8

Well compensated

For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 1 Timothy 5:18

Have you every heard someone complaining about how much a pastor or church leader is paid?  Maybe you are someone who believes that ministers and church staff choose to serve and that they should be willing to do it for next to nothing.  The idea is absurd and quite frankly I find it very offensive when a church expects their pastor to work for little or no pay.  I understand when a church is small and can only support a leader for part time work, but the reality is, the pastor and leaders are working for God.  It is not only the greatest honor, but it is probably the hardest work out there.  It is 24/7 loving and caring for people and let’s face it, some of the people are pretty unlovable.

Paul talks about this problem in today’s scripture.  He says you shouldn’t muzzle an ox while it is working.  Sounds a little insulting, but it is actually a quote from the old testament.  It implies that the ox is free to graze because it need its strength for the work.  He goes on to say that the laborer is worthy of his wages.  Actually, the verse before that Paul tells Timothy to make sure that he honors the leaders in his church by compensating them well.  It is not about riches or wealth, it is about being worthy of the wages.  If you work hard at a job in the world, you are paid accordingly.  Why should it be any different in the church?  If the leadership feels it is too much, they can give back into the church or missions.

My point is, that God wants His laborer to be well cared for and the people of the church should be willing to honor their leaders and make sure all their provisions are met.  God is not stingy and doesn’t expect His minsters to work for nothing and we as believers should not be offended if the Pastor is well paid. He represents God to the people of the world, shouldn’t he look good doing it?

Today I want to encourage you to love and bless your pastor, leaders and teachers in your church.  If there is anything you can do to make sure they are being well compensated do it.  If not, find some way to bless them on your own.  Let them know how much you appreciate their life of serving others and pray for them to be bless in whatever they do.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Timothy 5:17-25

God’s family

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity. 1 Timothy 5:1 & 2

How do you talk to people?  Is it the same way no matter who it is or does it depend on who you are talking to?  Today’s scripture addresses talking with older and younger people.  It says we shouldn’t be harsh or impatient but to talk to them as you would your own parents. Likewise, younger in the same way you would your brother or sister.

Many times we judge a person by their age.  Either they are young and inexperienced or old and out of touch.  The truth is, that doesn’t matter on either side.  To conduct yourself toward others as God would have you is to be honorable and respectful no matter what age.  Paul and Timothy’s relationship is a clear example of this type of behavior.  Paul speaks to Timothy in these letters as his coach and even though Timothy is much younger than Paul, you can hear the love as he instructs Timothy.  Paul is the elder, but Timothy is learning from him with reverence and respect.

Of course this is the same example we are to follow today.  The reason is because we are a family.  God’s family.  We are brothers and sisters in the Lord.  The elders are like spiritual parents to us and younger are our spiritual siblings. We learn from our parents and we encourage our siblings. This is one of the reasons it is difficult for the body of believers to come into agreement, because we do not recognize that we are a family.  Yes, we say we are a child of God, but we are not the only child of God.  It’s time to wake up to the realization that we are no longer the child of God, we are the family of God and begin to love and cooperate the way a family does.  Think what it would be like if God’s family came together in agreement on His plans and each person took their place and did their part in the family.  What a different church we would be.

Today I want to encourage you to love those who are older and younger than you. Give them the love and honor you would have others give to you.  Then begin to encourage those around you to recognize that we are the family of God.  We are one unit in Christ Jesus.  When we became born again, we were born into God’s family.  Now that we have grown up in His family, our job is to bring others in, to love and encourage our brothers and sisters, and learn from our mothers and fathers.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Timothy 5:1-16

Hey everyone! I want to announce that I had two new books release this week. They are the beginning of a series of journals that I am currently working on. Each book has a daily read with pages for journaling. I am very excited about this series and ask that you will all keep it in prayer as you think of it. You can order the journals at amazon.com. Just type my name in the search field and that will take you right there. Thank you again for all your prayer and support and as always, I pray you are blessed in all you do.

What age are you?

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. 1 Timothy 4:12

Timothy was a young pastor and obviously, he was feeling uncomfortable with it a little.  I’m sure it was hard to encourage and inspire those who had more hurts and life experiences than he did.  I can relate to these feelings on a smaller level.  Having spent many years in management beginning in my 20’s, it was uncomfortable when most of my crew was older than me.  Many times I felt intimidated because I didn’t have the “time” into the job that others did.  However, the majority of the people were responsive to me because I didn’t approach them with a superior attitude.  I tried to always maintain a “servant leadership” relationship.

In contrast, now I am on the other side of the spectrum.  Because of the time I wasted being far from God’s plan, I sometimes feel that maybe it’s to late.  Maybe its to late to have an effective ministry?  Maybe it’s to late to impact the world around me or maybe it’s too late to complete the plan and call on my life?  However, it just isn’t true.  God is working and God is reaching others through my life and through my gifts.  Here’s the thing, it really isn’t about me or my age at all, only about my yielded spirit to His.

In today’s verse, Paul tells Timothy how to be effective at whatever age you may be right now.  He says to: be an example in your words, behavior, love, spirit, faith and purity.  Paul also tells him to continue to operate in the gift that is in him.  He finishes this chapter by encouraging him to meditate on these things and fully surrender to these words.  Then progress will be seen and in that progress he can be motivated to keep doing it consistently.

Today I want to encourage you to be an example to those around you of the love and goodness of God.  No matter if you are younger or older, you can be an effective vessel where ever you are.  Line your words and life up with God’s love, Spirit, faith and purity and continue in that daily.  When you have your “down” time, think about it (meditate) and fully surrender to the Spirit’s prompts.  In doing these things, you will save both yourself and those who hear.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Timothy 4:12-16

Start training

Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.  1 Timothy 4:8

Have you ever been in training?  Maybe for a marathon, or sporting event of some kind?  Maybe you took a class to train for a career choice or profession or maybe you went through military training.  The fact is we all go through different types of training throughout our life.  Whether in school or at work, training is inevitable and necessary for growth.

Today’s verse speaks about physical training.  Some people actually pay professional trainers to help them get in shape physically.  Paul says it is a good thing to give attention to your physical body, but there is a training that is much more profitable and that is training for godliness.  Training to live a godly and set apart life promises benefits in this life and throughout eternity.

So how do we go about training for godliness?  Well, it isn’t hard.  We have opportunities everyday to practice a godly attitude, the trick is to recognize and be aware that you are constantly in training and the tests are in our daily routine.  Training for godliness starts in your thoughts and extends to all your words and actions.  Becoming aware that life is one big test is the first place to start.  Every situation and person that you encounter each day offers you the chance to ask yourself, “is this a test?”  Instead of going with your natural instinct and reactions, take a minute to consider the best responses and decisions.  Especially when making a choice when you think ”Nope, that’s not for me”.  All aspects of our day are ultimately a test and good training ground for godliness.

Now when the real crisis comes along, you are an expert and spot it instantly. You have been training every minute of every day preparing for the big tests that are coming.

Today I want to encourage you to view everything you say and do through the lens of training.  Prepare each morning and make a plan of how you are going to exercise your faith muscle and trust God for the right responses to the situations you face throughout the day.  Let the Holy Spirit’s wisdom guide you around traps and obstacles that the enemy has set for you in the words you hear around you. Strengthen your inner spirit by spending time with God getting the game plan.  You are facing these decisions and tests everyday, go ahead and pass them on purpose.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Timothy 4:6-11

Don’t turn away

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.  1 Timothy 4:1

In this passage, Paul says that right now the Holy Spirit is clearly telling us that in the last days, some will turn away from the faith.  If they are turning away, that indicates that once they were living by faith in the blood of Jesus to save them and cleanse them from all unrighteousness.  How does this happen and how can we prevent it from happening to us.  I have often thought of this passage and considered, how can I be sure not to be part of the “some”?

Below I have listed the ways Paul describes that some will turn away.  I have also listed the opposite behavior so we can identify where we stand in our faith walk today.

“Some” Christians will depart from the faith – some will grow closer in their faith walk

“some” Christians will give heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons – some will shut out the voice of the enemy by shutting out the voices of the world.

“some” Christians will speak lies in hypocrisy – some will speak the truth of God’s Word in love

“some” Christians will have their own conscience seared with a hot iron – some will follow a good conscience of what is right in God’s eyes

“some” Christians will forbid to marry – some will honor the covenant of marriage that God ordained from the beginning of time.

Don’t be the one that thinks you have it all together and that you would never be one of the “some” that turn away.  Be one of those who are watching and on guard for the enemies attacks no matter how subtle.  Start by making quiet time with God a priority of your day.  Decide that it is important to stay as close to God as possible and commit all your ways to Him.  In that way, He will direct your path.

Today I want to encourage you to stand watch because this age is drawing to a close.  We are on the verge of His return and in our last days here on the earth.  Determine not to slip away from Him, but press in like you never have before.  Make a plan and set a goal to take a step closer to Him each day.  Maybe by a couple extra minutes in your quiet time, a few extra minutes in your prayer time.  Even a few more minutes in your personal praise and worship time.  These are not things you do to check off a list or be more religious minded, these are activities that strengthen your relationship and communication with your Father.  You are the one who decides how close you are going to be to Him.  Take a step closer to Him each day and He will step closer to you. (James 4:8)

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Timothy 4:1-5

The greatest Love

Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated (justified) by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

In yesterday’s reading, Paul talked about leaders holding to the great mystery of our faith.  In today’s verse, he gives us the clear definition of the mystery.  It starts out with Christ was revealed in a human body.  As I read that my first thought is to change the word Christ to Jesus, because that is His name.  However, the word Christ is not His name, it is His anointing.  Christ actually means anointed one or anointing.  As I began to read this passage, I was reminded that the word Christ is used here on purpose to say the anointed one/anointing became flesh.  This is God’s anointing.  Now I am faced with considering what does anoint mean? I always have equated it with oil or a substance that is used in the anointing process, but the actual meaning of the word is to smear or rub on.  That is really thought provoking!  God smeared and rubbed Himself on a human body, Jesus) to become a human being.  What a great mystery?  Jesus was not anointed with oil, He was anointed with God’s Spirit!

The next part of the mystery is that Jesus was vindicated by the Holy Spirit.  He was declared sinless, without spot or blame in this world by God’s Spirit.  Like the high priest of the old testament had to examine the sacrificial lamb before it could be sacrificed, Jesus was examined and found to be perfect – the perfect sacrifice.  He was seen by angels.  Certainly, we know that angels ministered to Him after He fasted in the wilderness when He began His earthly ministry.  Angels were there when He ascended into Heaven.  Angels rolled away the stone at the tomb when He was resurrected and spoke to the women that came to anoint His body at the tomb.  We know that fallen angels saw Him when He called them out of people and commanded them to go.  Jesus mentioned angels on His way to the cross and said He could call them if that was part of the plan.

Then, He was announced to the nations and believed throughout the world.  Jesus was preached to the nations on the day of Pentecost and many were saved and took the message with them.  The last part of the mystery is He was taken to heaven in glory.  We know these things, but because they happened so long ago, I don’t think we fully grasp the significance of them in today’s world.

Today I want to encourage you to take a fresh look at the mystery of faith revealed to us now.  This is not a history lesson or just an event that happened long ago.  This is the gospel and has just as much power and energy in it today as it did 2000 years ago.  Meditate on these truths and make a big deal in your heart about what Jesus did for them and that it still reaches us today. The greatest mystery is why He did it and we know the answer is because He loved us with the greatest love ever!  Thank your Heavenly Father for this great mystery and ask Him to stir it up in your heart and life today.  This is not common and should not be made little.  We have a great God and Father and He has done this great and mighty work in Jesus.  Let’s get excited and share the good news just as they did on the day of Pentecost so many years ago. 

If you have never received the great gift of Salvation, invite Jesus into you heart today.  Pray this prayer and Jesus will come in and transform you into a carrier of the good news to change the world around you:

God in heaven, I know I’m a sinner and I need a Savior.  I want to turn away from my sinful life to the life You have planned for me.  Please forgive me for my sins, cleanse me from my past, and make me Your new creation.  I know your Son, Jesus died for me.  I believe in my heart that You raised Him form the dead.  At this very moment, I accept, confess, and proclaim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior . . . to be Lord of my life from this day forward.  I now have a right relationship with God my Father. I also ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide me and to empower me to do the things that You have planned for my life in Jesus name, Amen

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Timothy 3:14-16

Mystery of the faith

They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.  1 Timothy 3:9

The mystery of faith now revealed.  As we continue to read in 1 Timothy 3, Paul goes on with the requirements for deacons and church leaders.  In today’s passage he talks about being committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed.  Living by faith in the work that Jesus did on the cross and after the cross, was what Paul’s ministry was all about.  I have to keep in mind that up until Jesus died and paid the penalty for sin, all ministry was done through the high priest and the sacrifices made by them. Paul doesn’t call it the mystery of faith because it was a secret that no one could know about, but that it was beyond our way of thinking how God had reach each individual through His only Son, Jesus.  This mystery extended to all people, which was also foreign to the people of Israel.  It was the mystery of a love so great that it was beyond any earthly understanding.  Paul actually says this mystery is now revealed, so it is no longer a mystery, but faith is required to not only believe it, but also to understand it.

This mystery of faith is what our relationship with God is founded on still today.  Although we learn this from the beginning of our conversion into God’s family, we still need to continuously renew our mind to it because it is such a big deal.  If we do not purposefully decide to walk by faith and fill up with the knowledge of that, it can become ineffective and commonplace. It is a big deal and in fact, the biggest, most important thing in your life here in this world.  It should be evident in all you do, not just as a deacon or leader of the church, but as a child of God, you need continuous revelation of that mystery in your heart.

The second part of the verse says to live with a clear conscience.  God has supernaturally planted His love into your heart when you received it through Jesus.  This is where our conscience comes from.  You can look at it this way, that when you received Jesus into your heart and life, you received conscientiousness or became alive.  Although it is not always automatic, if you follow your conscience to do what is right (according to God’s Word), you will make wise decisions.  Especially in those times when no one is looking.

Today I want to encourage you to hold on to the mystery of faith in the love and sacrifice of God.  Make a purposeful effort each day to renew your mind to that love and offer of salvation that is so important in your life. Then follow your conscience to keep it clear of speaking or doing anything that is against God and serve others wherever you are.  Remember, you are in ministry everyday, even if it isn’t in the church building.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Timothy 3:8-13

An honorable position

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be a church leader(ministry), he desires an honorable position. 1 Timothy 3:1

I hope you will forgive me for inserting the word ministry, but I see this passage as applying to anyone who desires to be in ministry, not just as pastor.  Paul says here in this passage that a desire to be in ministry is an honorable position.  Other translations say a good work.  It is a good work to be in the ministry, and whether you are the church pastor, worship leader or small group leader, your standard of living should be different than the rest of the world.  As I go through this list that Paul gave to Timothy, it seems like it is reasonable for all believers to live by.  The list below is the list that Paul gives in today’s text with the contrasting attitude for you to evaluate which side of the list you identify with.

1. Be faithful to your spouse – adulterous
2. Exercise self-control – no restraint
3. Live wisely – live foolishly
4. Have a good reputation – have a bad reputation
5. Hospitable – be a recluse
6. Able to teach –  misguiding
7. Not a drinker – drunkard
8. Not violent – violent/short temper
9. Not greedy for money – greedy/selfish
10. Gentle – harsh
11. Not quarrelsome – contentious
12. Not covetous – lustful
13. Rules his own home – ignores family
14. Not prideful – full of pride/arrogant
15. Have a good testimony in the world – bad report in the world

Whether in ministry or not, as a Christian and child of God, the attributes that Paul discusses here should not be far from who you are.  If you identified an area where you were on the opposite side of the list, consider how your life would be better if an adjustment was made.

Today I want to encourage you to live the life of a believer, set apart for ministry.  By walking in your purpose each day, you are walking out the plan of God for your life.  Being in ministry doesn’t mean you have to be perfect, but using this list as a guideline will empower you to strengthen these areas in your life.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you each day to keep these principles as part of your daily walk and focus your attention on how you can better love others with God’s love.  Walking in God’s love will make walking in His way more attainable.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Timothy 1:1-7