I Timothy 1:17

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

MONDAY: From my Life Application Study Bible: “This verse is a typical doxology given by Paul as a natural, emotional response to these reflections about the mercy of God. Paul was so moved by God’s love that he was able to praise God spontaneously.” (p. 2188)

TUESDAY: Here is a YouTube link to a Michael W. Smith video based on this verse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA-5rE94bvM

WEDNESDAY: Here is a link to the hymn “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/i/iigowise.htm

THURSDAY: Here is a link to the traditional doxology we use today:
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/p/r/praisegf.htm

Weekend Edition: Friday, Saturday, & Sunday (I Tim. 1:16)

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

FRIDAY-"I was shown mercy...the worst of sinners"
Paul previously stated this comment. He refers to himself as the worst of sinners....the Apostle Paul! Of all people! We too, must remember, that all people sin. Even those who were inspired to record events for the Bible and write letters to churches. Church leaders sin, church members sin...it is just that our calling is a little different. We are all called to take the gospel to the world, but church leaders attempt to make the events of the church co-exist with the events of the world. Some church goers think about the church only when they are in the building. Others think of the church before they think of themselves...We have all (no matter what the calling) have been shown some sort of mercy.

SATURDAY-"Jesus Christ might display His unlimited patience"
My life shows that God has shown unlimited patience, or God would have gotten rid of me a long, long, long time ago. We all can testify about His patience shown in our lives. Sometimes His patience is in a specific trial we face. Do we go at it alone, do we ask for our neighbor's help, and then go to Him as a last resort? He is patient when we fail, when we fall, and when we call.

SUNDAY- "As an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life"
Paul said that Christ shown mercy through him, so that the world would see God's mercy in even the world's worst sinner. The most important thing is that the non-believers would see a difference in Paul and then repent to believe in Christ. Paul's life was an example. Our lives are examples to many people around us. Those we see and those we have no clue are watching everything we say and do. What are you doing to let people see Jesus in you?

(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) I Timothy 1:15

1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

In these verses, Paul is speaking of his own conversion. This verses is somewhat of a confessional statement. (Pohill)

MONDAY: trustworthy saying - If there is one thing I can tell you, a family member, or a stranger and always tell the truth about, it would be that Jesus came into the world to save the lost. Paul knew this from his conversion experience and we know it if we are saved. (John 3:16)

TUESDAY: deserves full acceptance – The Lord of all the universe (God) sent His one and only Son (Jesus) to die on a cross…be bruised, beaten, and killed, to pay the price for the sins we will commit while on this earth; this statement alone deserves full acceptance because we could not do the same. We could not sacrifice one of our children to pay the penalty of someone we did not know. For every person He create, this His sacrifice deserves full acceptance.

WEDNESDAY: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – This is salvation in a nut shell. We are all sinners…He came to save us all. He came as a Baby, grew into the one and only Perfect Man. The Perfect Man paid the price for the sins of the imperfect.

THURSDAY: of whom I am the worst – Paul shared this statement with Timothy and will repeat it in the next verse. Humility must be a strength in every minister’s heart. We are not perfect, and even as church leaders, we will fail and fail often. We sin. We all sin. “…that saved a wretch like me.”

Weekend Edition (I Timothy 1:14)

14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

FRIDAY - The grace of our Lord - God's grace was shown to us when He sent His Son to die on the cross for us. Our Lord is not only our Friend and Creator, He is our Savior who redeemed us from our sins. Our Lord is full of grace to share with us if we are humble in our walk and repent of our sins.

SATURDAY - was poured out on me abundantly - I am so thankful for the grace God gives to me and my family and my church on a daily basis (seen and unseen). I am thankful for the abundance of grace and how He freely gives even when we fail over and over and over…

SUNDAY - the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus - Our Christ is defined by love. (John 3:16) We are to be faithful in His call in our lives and faithful in our love to Him and our neighbor. We should follow His example (though He was perfect and we will never be) in believing through faith and sharing His love "by sharing what the Lord has done for you…by sharing of your faith…and show the world that Jesus Christ is real to you, every moment…every day!" (Share His Love, 1991 The Baptist Hymnal)

1 Timothy 1:13

13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man – Those of us who have accepted Christ as our personal Lord and Savior can relate to this statement. Before we were saved, we were walking in darkness. We once were something or someone we didn’t want/need to be. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God, but before we were saved, we lived with the sin day after day after day.

I was shown mercy – By the grace of God, we are shown mercy. Mercy: “compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also : lenient or compassionate treatment ”. God showed us His compassion when we did not deserve. By faith, we believed in Him and through His grace, He showed us mercy and accepted us into His family.

1 Tim. 1:12

12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.

Paul thanks Christ - All of us, who are called “His”, should give thanks to Christ daily. He gives us strength and provides for us all our needs. God loves us and calls us His own. Christ considers him faithful - For Christ to consider us “faithful” is something I cannot fathom. As children, if our parents tell us we are being good or really listening, it means something more than if a stranger tells us. So, for our Heavenly Father tells us we are faithful is something to boast about.

Appointing me to His service - Jesus Christ appoints us all to His service. The definition of service is different for each person. Some serve Him as ordained ministers, others as Sunday School teachers, and others who just share what God is doing in their life with their friends each day.

New Scripture Reading

Read this and I will post a thought daily concerning these verses...

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The Lord's Grace to Paul

12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

18Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, 19holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Final Observation on I Timothy 1:1-11

“...which he entrusted to me.”

Paul was entrusted by the Lord our God to spread the gospel. We are all commanded by the Great Commission to go out and tell, making disciples. Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

One thing to remember is, we all fall short of the glory of God. Our Pastor spoke last night about how we all sin. He said he would not trust his best fifteen minutes on this earth to earn his way into heaven. We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works or deeds.

I sin. And, I repent...early and often. How about you? Even though we sin and fall short of the glory of God, we are still commended to share the most inspiring, life-changing, and most holy Word of God. Our Heavenly Father has entrusted to us the Word of Life. Let's not hold on to it and be selfish. Let's share it.

How different would your life be if the person who first shared Christ to you...had never shared it. Thank God for His blessings, His Word, and His forgiveness by the death on Calvary.

Weekend Edition (Fri-Sun)

Continued observations from I Timothy 1:1-11

FRIDAY: The keys to love. Paul commands Timothy to serve in love. Paul gives three keys to love: a) a pure heart, b) good conscience, and c) a sincere faith

SATURDAY: Devotional time is important when you are a Christian. But, just as important when you are a leader of a group of Christians who rely on your anointing from Christ. If you wander from Christ, how can you lead your people closer to Him? “Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.”

SUNDAY: Law. Paul notes that the law is good. He remarks that the law is meant for the rebels and lawbreakers. In the world, we should obey the local law. Jesus reminded us to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. As Christians, we should obey the law, which is His Holy Word. “…glorious gospel of the blessed God…”

I Timothy observation cont...

God’s work is by faith. “God’s work – which is by faith.” False teachers were (and still are) trying to interpret many ideas by themselves instead of being led by the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. Watching TBN last night, I saw a speaker tell the crowd God had just told him that 33 people needed to call and give $10,000. Really?! Wow! I do not discount that God is able to do that. But is just so happens that I was watching the “Praise – A- Thon” where the raise funds for their broadcasting and this particular speaker is on each week saying about the same thing…

2nd thought on I Timothy 1:1-11

False teachers were abundant in Ephesus. Paul wanted to re-affirm the topic with Timothy. He had spoken with him once about it already. Paul deemed it important enough, to speak of again. “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia…”
It is important to stay in God's Word so you can not be led astray by false teachers of the Word.

"Paul seemed less concerned about the exact teachings of their system than about their promotion of controversy and schism in the fellowship." (Polhill, 408)

Note that Paul really didn't bother himself with what they were attempting to teach. He was worried about the division they were creating with the Gospel message he was trying to secure in the hearts of the people.

Division happens in families, relationships, and even churches. When the leadership of a church is more concerned about personal agendas, instead of knowing the hearts of their people and attempting to enhance their relationship in the Word and with Christ, division takes place. A pastor's job is not just to preach once a week and be a psychiatrist in the office through the week. His job is to Shepherd the people, know the people, and teach the people.

I heard this at a conference once: A pastor of a large church was asked why he wore a suit and tie every Sunday to church. He replied that he did so because it made him feel good, it was his best, and he was able to concentrate more on his teachings instead of worrying about his attire. The reporter asked him, how can you relate to young people in shorts and a t-shirt while you are in a suit and tie? The pastor replied...it is not my job to relate to the young people. It is my job to relate the Word of God to them.

False teachers are still abundant today. Know your pastors, ask them about their relationship with Christ, and pray for them.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."

First Thought on I Timothy I:1-11 "Family of Faith"

Paul had a great family of faith. I am thankful for the fourteen Pauline Epistles. They have inspired my faith and encouraged my walk with Christ reading after reading. Paul wrote to many churches and individuals. He called Timothy, “my true son in the faith.”

We have all had those people who have influenced our lives in a great way. Great church leaders, fellow Christians, family, friends...mentors. I am thankful for my family of faith. Who has influenced your Christian walk? Give thanks for them in prayer. Are you influencing someone? You may not even know it, but I would bet that you are. You are a living, walking, example of Christ. Everything that you say and do is being absorbed by someone you would least expect. Probably, outside of the church walls.

Paul thought it was important to send Timothy not one letter, but two. He was affectionate, calling him son, and not only a son, but a true son.

I & II Timothy and Titus are referred to as the Pastoral Epistles. "They were addressed to individuals rather than churches, although they were concerned with issues that involved the entire congregation. The Pastorals are church letters, addressed to Timothy and Titus in their role as congregational leaders." from John Pohill's book, "Paul and His Letters."

More thoughts to come each day this week from this scripture.

Observations from I Timothy 1:1-11

Read this passage today...observations come tomorrow:

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

To Timothy my true son in the faith:
Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Warning Against False Teachers of the Law

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.