1 Timothy 4 - 5.22.23
Scripture
I Timothy 4:7-8
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Observation
Am I spending time on things of SOME value at the expense of what has ALL value?
Application
There are so many good things in this life – things that deserve our time and attention - our family, relationships, physical health, financial health. God tells us to be good stewards of the things He has entrusted to us. And that requires work, training, discipline, and time. This is not wasted time - these are GOOD things. But we always have to remember that God, and our relationship with Him, is the GREATEST thing. Are we training to be godly above all else?
On Sunday, Pastor Levi spoke about the armor of God. I loved the analogy of having a gas card that gives you unlimited access to all the gas you could want, but you still have to go to the gas station to get the gas. Likewise, we have access to the POWER OF GOD, but we still have to go to the power station. If we want to be godly, we have to spend time with God.
Prayer
God, thank you for your blessings in my life. But help me to remember where the blessings come from. Forgive me for all the times I put the blessings ahead of the one who blesses. Help me to remember that growing in godliness requires training in godliness.
- Debbie Dunn
Psalm 67 - 5.22.23
Scripture
Psalms 67:2-3 NLT
“May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God. Yes, may all the nations praise you.”
Observation
In this psalm, the psalmist is praying and asking for God’s favor and blessings to be upon them. The psalmist yearns for people everywhere to come to know God’s saving grace and awesome power. This way, all the nations can be as one, receiving salvation through God, giving Him their praise, and their lands being blessed.
Application
Find someone today to share the Good News about God’s love for them.
“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” - Romans 10:14
I think we all could agree on one thing…the world needs Jesus. Imagine a world where everyone loved God wholeheartedly, and loved one another the way we love ourselves? 🤔I imagine it would be a world like the psalmist in this passage is praying for. A world where all nations come together and give God their praise. A world where we would love God and each other wholeheartedly. A world that would be blessed by God. But, how can people know about Jesus and His love for them unless someone tells them? It starts with me and you. We may not have the power to change people’s hearts for Jesus, (only God does), but we all can do our part by planting that seed and praying for people to come to know Him.
Prayer
Father God, I pray for the courage and strength to go out in the world today and to find someone to share the Good News with. Help me to be bold. May Your Holy Spirit highlight someone for me to share with. Help me to be obedient to Your prompting. May You give me the words to speak into their lives. May this world come to know just how much You love them. May we give You all our praise. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 🙏🏽
-Moses Gaddi
Psalm 66 - 5.19.23
Scripture
Psalm 66:6c
…come, let us rejoice in him.
Observation
In light of all God has done in the earth, for mankind and me personally, throughout history up to the present, I should rejoice in him! The temptation of course is to turn to other pleasures and look for joy in other places, being deceived into thinking that there is less joy to be found in God.
What is the chief end of man? What is the purpose of our existence? According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, “To glorify God and enjoy him forever.” This is God’s desire for us! He wants to be enjoyed. And the more we enjoy him, the more we glorify him. The more we rejoice in him, the more we find ourselves talking with great love about him. As John Piper has said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.”
Application
Enjoy God and rejoice in him today!
Not only will I set aside time to worship and thank him for what he’s done, but as I go throughout the ordinary moments of my day I will seek to fill my heart with praise to him.
Prayer
God, thank you for being so amazing! Thank you for all your works throughout history, your great love, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ! Thank you for revealing yourself to me and changing my life, filling me with life and hope and joy and peace. May I not turn to empty things for joy, but to you my God; my joy and my delight. Amen.
-Levi Thompson