October 18
Excellent Service

1 Timothy 3

New International Version (NIV)

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full^[a] respect. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) ⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

⁸ In the same way, deacons^[b] are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
¹¹ In the same way, the women^[c] are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. ¹³ Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,
    was vindicated by the Spirit,^[d]
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.
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vs 1 Where do you set you heart? How would Jesus have you live a life that gives Him glory regardless of your status in this life? 

vs 13 Are you serving with excellence? 

 vs 15 In what areas of your life might you need to improve your conduct? 

Footnotes:

1. 1 Timothy 3:4 Or him with proper
2. 1 Timothy 3:8 The word deacons refers here to Christians designated to serve with the overseers/elders of the church in a variety of ways; similarly in verse 12; and in Romans 16:1 and Phil. 1:1.
3. 1 Timothy 3:11 Possibly deacons’ wives or women who are deacons
4. 1 Timothy 3:16 Or vindicated in spirit

October 17

Worship 101:

1 Timothy 2

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. ² Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. ⁵ For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. ⁶ He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. ⁷ And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.

⁸ In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

⁹ And I want women to be modest in their appearance.^[a] They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. ¹⁰ For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.

¹¹ Women should learn quietly and submissively. ¹² I do not let women teach men or have authority over them.^[b] Let them listen quietly. ¹³ For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. ¹⁴ And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result. ¹⁵ But women will be saved through childbearing,^[c] assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.

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vs2 : Do you have an "attitude of gratitude" for your government leaders? It is very difficult to do that sometimes, but no matter what we feel like, our job as followers of Christ, is to pray for them.

 

 

vs 9-15 : These are sometimes hard verses for women to bear. However we must remember that they do not stand alone. These scriptures, as all others, must be read as part of the entire purpose of the Word of God. It is clear that we are to be careful in how we present ourselves.

 

Study these passages to evaluate your self.... pray, and be blessed!

 

Footnotes:

1. 2:9 Or to pray in modest apparel.
2. 2:12 Or teach men or usurp their authority.
3. 2:15 Or will be saved by accepting their role as mothers, or will be saved by the birth of the Child.

October 16

1 Timothy 1:1-20

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.

² I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.

Warnings against False Teachings

³ When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. ⁴ Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations,^[a] which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.^[b]

⁵ The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. ⁶ But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. ⁷ They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
⁸ We know that the law is good when used correctly. ⁹ For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. ¹⁰ The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders,^[c] liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching ¹¹ that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.

Paul’s Gratitude for God’s Mercy

¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, ¹³ even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. ¹⁶ But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

Timothy’s Responsibility

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. ¹⁹ Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. ²⁰ Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.

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vs 12 Paul is speaking here of having been appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ to serve him. Paul had been an enemy of the Cross, persecuting the early believers. And yet.... the Lord rescued him and set him free!

Have you realized your appointment from the Lord? What do you believe he has called you to do? Are you doing it?

If you are struggling to find your place or to find time to serve the Lord, what do you see as hindrances to you?

Try to identify those things that keep you from fulfilling your "appointment".

Pray and ask the Lord to reveal them to you.

Then pray over that list and seek ways to overcome!

BeBlessed

Footnotes:

1. 1:4a Greek in myths and endless genealogies, which cause speculation.
2. 1:4b Greek a stewardship of God in faith.
3. 1:10 Or kidnappers.

October 15

2 Thessalonians 3

New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul’s Request for Prayer

3 Finally, dear brothers and sisters,^[a] we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. ² Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. ³ But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.^{[b] 4} And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. ⁵ May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

An Exhortation to Proper Living

⁶ And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers^[c] who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received^[d] from us. ⁷ For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. ⁸ We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. ¹⁰ Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”

¹¹ Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. ¹² We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. ¹³ As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
¹⁴ Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. ¹⁵ Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.^[e]

Paul’s Final Greetings

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

¹⁷ Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul. I do this in all my letters to prove they are from me.
¹⁸ May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
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vs.5  Are you doing all you can to grow in your love for the Lord?
vs 9  Are you following the examples that are given to us in scripture, to care for your responsibilities, to work diligently, to avoid idleness, and to pursue what is right?
vs 15 Are you mindful of the influence that your friends and acquaintances have in your life?
Do you chose carefully whom you will spend your time with and whom you will take advise from ?

Footnotes:

1. 3:1 Greek brothers; also in 3:6, 13.
2. 3:3 Or from evil.
3. 3:6a Greek from every brother.
4. 3:6b Some manuscripts read you received.
5. 3:15 Greek as a brother.

October 14
Counterfeit

2 Thessalonians 2

New Living Translation (NLT)

2 Now, dear brothers and sisters,^[a] let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. ² Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. ³ Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness^[b] is revealed—the one who brings destruction.^{[c] 4} He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.

⁵ Don’t you remember that I told you about all this when I was with you? ⁶ And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. ⁷ For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. ⁸ Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.
⁹ This man will come to do the work of Satan with counterfeit power and signs and miracles. ¹⁰ He will use every kind of evil deception to fool those on their way to destruction, because they refuse to love and accept the truth that would save them. ¹¹ So God will cause them to be greatly deceived, and they will believe these lies. ¹² Then they will be condemned for enjoying evil rather than believing the truth.

Believers Should Stand Firm

¹³ As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first^[d] to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹⁵ With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.
¹⁶ Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, ¹⁷ comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
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Oh, Lord, keep our minds sharp and our hearts firmly set upon you so that we will see these counterfeits when they come our way! help us to be bold in our witness and testimonies so that the truth will always be revealed over the lie.
questions to ponder:
What person or what circumstance could cause you to become unsettled in the truth? How can you protect yourself?
Check your heart. Do you find any hint of wickedness or unholy distraction that you take pleasure in and keep hidden there?
Take steps everyday to make sure you stand firm in the truth and are ready to speak the Word to all who need to hear it.

Footnotes:

1. 2:1 Greek brothers; also in 2:13, 15.
2. 2:3a Some manuscripts read the man of sin.
3. 2:3b Greek the son of destruction.
4. 2:13 Some manuscripts read chose you from the very beginning.

October 13

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, Silas^[a] and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters,^[b] and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. ⁴ Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
⁵ All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. ⁶ God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you ⁷ and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. ⁸ He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might ¹⁰ on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
¹¹ With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. ¹² We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.^[c]

Footnotes:

1. 2 Thessalonians 1:1 Greek Silvanus, a variant of Silas
2. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 2:1, 13, 15; 3:1, 6, 13.
3. 2 Thessalonians 1:12 Or God and Lord, Jesus Christ

Cross references:

1. 2 Thessalonians 1:1 : S Ac 15:22
2. 2 Thessalonians 1:1 : S Ac 16:1; 1Th 1:1
3. 2 Thessalonians 1:1 : S Ac 17:1
4. 2 Thessalonians 1:2 : S Ro 1:7
5. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 : S Ro 1:8; Eph 5:20
6. 2 Thessalonians 1:3 : S 1Th 3:12
7. 2 Thessalonians 1:4 : 2Co 7:14
8. 2 Thessalonians 1:4 : 1Th 1:3
9. 2 Thessalonians 1:4 : 1Th 1:6; 2:14; S 3:3
10. 2 Thessalonians 1:5 : Php 1:28
11. 2 Thessalonians 1:5 : Lk 20:35
12. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 : Lk 18:7, 8
13. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 : Ro 12:19; Col 3:25; S Rev 6:10
14. 2 Thessalonians 1:7 : S Lk 17:30
15. 2 Thessalonians 1:7 : Heb 10:27; S 12:29; 2Pe 3:7; S Rev 1:14
16. 2 Thessalonians 1:7 : Jude 14
17. 2 Thessalonians 1:8 : Ps 79:6; Isa 66:15; Jer 10:25
18. 2 Thessalonians 1:8 : S Gal 4:8
19. 2 Thessalonians 1:8 : Ro 2:8; S 2Co 2:12
20. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 : Php 3:19; 1Th 5:3; 2Pe 3:7
21. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 : 2Ki 17:18
22. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 : Isa 2:10, 19; 2Th 2:8
23. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 : 1Co 3:13
24. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 : Jn 17:10
25. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 : 1Co 1:6
26. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 : S Ro 1:10
27. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 : ver 5
28. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 : S Ro 8:28
29. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 : Ro 15:14
30. 2 Thessalonians 1:11 : 1Th 1:3
31. 2 Thessalonians 1:12 : Isa 24:15; Php 2:9-11