Category Archives: Christianity

Affection, Bible, Caregiver, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Comfort, Commands, Encouragement, Evangelism, Family, God's Will, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Qualifications, Scripture, Suffering, Trust

CAREGIVER

1 TIMOTHY 3:5

“(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?),”

Paul continues his qualifications for an elder in today’s verse with an explanation of the previous verse. This verse tells us why it is important for a man to manage his household properly. If he can’t, he sure can’t “take care” of the church. Now, just wait until you hear about the Greek word for “take care.” It is so cool.

This Greek word is only used three times in the New Testament. It is used here and two times in Luke 10:34-35. Here is the cool part – that is the story of the good Samaritan. Do you remember that story? He took care of the Jewish man beaten by robbers and left for dead. He even paid the inn keeper to take care of him once he left. That is how an elder is supposed to take care of the church, and he can’t do that if his own house is not in order.

APPLICATION

Okay, you know where I am going with this, don’t you? You have to jump back to the Good Samaritan story to explain this word and verse to little Elrod and Gertrude. They will get that. You can even act out the story with you. You can show them how to “take care” of someone. They will love it.

Then, once they have a good picture of this, take them back to today’s verse and explain how a good leader in the church does the same thing for those in the church. He helps bind their spiritual wounds and enlists others to help.

Are you a caregiver? Do you even care how your church family is doing? So many of us just go to church and go home. We don’t get involved in each other’s lives. But we need to. We need to care for those who hurting. We need to care for those who are going through some kind of trial. Will you care today?

You are the greatest caregiver, Lord. Help me see what You are doing and just get involved in it. I want to please You in all I do.

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Advice, Busyness, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Comfort, Commands, Direction, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, Family, Holy Spirit, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Scripture

HOUSEHOLD

1 TIMOTHY 3:4

“He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity”

I bet when you read this verse you picture a man who keeps his children in line. He runs a tight ship. He doesn’t put up with backtalk and misbehavior. Well, the Greek word “manages” actually puts the responsibility on the man, not the children.  

This word “manages” has the idea of “influencing people byhaving a respected reputation. This happens by setting the example of excellence by living in faith.” In other words, he manages his household by setting the example, not by demanding obedience. His family WANTS to follow him.

APPLICATION

How do you get your children to mind you? Do you set a bunch of rules and demand they be followed? Well, that’s one way. But it is probably not the best one. When you set the example for your little Susie or Johnny, they will learn by watching you. Your behavior is much more influential than your words.

If you want your kids to clean their rooms, clean yours. If you want them pick up after themselves, do the same. If you want them to talk in a respectful manner, try it yourself. “Managing” is more about leading than pushing. Kids will follow you anywhere if they know they can trust you.

Are you a manager or a pusher? Ask the Lord to give you the ability to lead well. Your children’s future depends on you leading them in the areas that will affect them for life. They need to see you modeling what you expect from them. In other’s word, quoting “Do as I say, not as I do” just won’t cut it.

O Lord, help me lead well. Help me show others how to walk the walk. I want to be an example for others to follow.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Commands, Encouragement, Fighting, Friends, Holy Spirit, Love, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Qualifications, Sanctification

PUGNACIOUS, WHAT A GREAT WORD

1 TIMOTHY 3:3

“not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money.”

Pugnacious is not a word you use every day, at least I don’t. So, when I see it, I have to stop and ask myself what it means.  I bet you did too.  Well, the Greek word translated as pugnacious means “a bruiser, someone ready with a blow; a contentious, quarrelsome person.” In other words, they are hard to get along with. They are always looking for a fight.

That is not someone you want in a leadership position in your church, is it? In fact, it’s not someone you want leading anywhere. But Paul is giving these qualifications for an elder because he knows the importance of laying aside all your personal beefs with others.

APPLICATION

I hope your child isn’t pugnacious. The word even sounds bad, doesn’t it? We are to teach our children to get along with others, not pick fights with them. Being pugnacious WILL always lead you into trouble. There is no escaping that fact. Being the one to always start fights will give you a reputation that is not exactly flattering.

Your little Johnny or Susie will not understand that word. That’s okay. They don’t have to spell or give the definition. Just make sure they don’t act like it. We should be teaching them to act exactly opposite. They need to be gentle and peaceable. They need to learn to appreciate people’s differences and work with them, not against them.

Are you pugnacious? Are you a bruiser, always looking for a fight? Give it up. Allow the Holy Spirit to live through you. Don’t give in to the flesh which is always pugnacious. If you can’t spell it, you don’t want to be it (lol).

Lord, help me to be a peacemaker, not a warmonger. I do not want to be known as bruiser. I want to be like You.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Commands, Creation, Deception, Direction, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Evangelism, Evil, Family, Fatherhood, Forgiveness, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Lies, Mentoring, Ministry, Motherhood, Obedience, Parenting, Satan, Scripture, Service, Trust, Wisdom

DECEPTION

1 TIMOTHY 2:14

“And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.”  

In this sixth verse of Paul’s instructions to women in 1 Timothy he returns to the Garden of Eden again. Timothy had heard this story, I am sure, from his Jewish mother. If you read this verse without the fuller context of Paul’s other letters, you could get the impression that Paul is blaming Eve for all of man’s problems. Paul is simply pointing out the order of the events in the garden.

The issue is not who was deceived first as much as it is the deception itself. Adam and Eve were both deceived by the evil one. He is still deceiving people today. I have been at events where it was obvious he was at work deceiving people. This Greek word has the idea of a baited hook. The hook is there, but the bait is just too good to pass up.

APPLICATION

Now, here is a perfect verse to teach your children the deception of the devil. Take them fishing and use some live bait. As you are baiting their hook talk about how the fish just can’t resist that bait. They see it and ignore the hook. The enticement of the bait is just too much. So, they are deceived into thinking they have a free meal. Once they bite, it’s too late.

Explain to your children that they are susceptible to the same deception from the devil. He will bait the hook for them with something he knows they want. They may even see the hook, but just can’t resist the bait. But Satan keeps his hooks sharp. They will cause pain. They will cause grief. The lure of sin is great, but with the Holy Spirit as their guide, they can avoid these deceptions.

Have you bitten the bait? Have you been deceived? It’s not too late. You may have a scar from that hook, but Jesus can cut that line that is holding you back. We all fall sometimes. Falling isn’t the end. Get back up. Let Jesus remove that hook and begin the healing in your life.  He wants you back in the kingdom work, not sidelined by sin.

Lord, point out to me those hidden hooks of sin that so easily entice me. Give me Your wisdom and discretion to recognize the bait when I see it. I want to serve You.

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Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Commands, Direction, Encouragement, Family, God's Will, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture

GOD HAS HIS REASONS

1 TIMOTHY 2:12

“But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.”

These last three verses are used by some to show that Christian men want to keep women “in their place.” They read these verses, especially today’s verse, and rebel. “How dare we tell women they can’t teach or have authority? How dare we treat women less than women?” But they just don’t understand the full context.

If God’s intention was to keep women in their place, why did He use women so prominently through Scripture (Mary, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, etc.). God is not saying to keep women down. He has established roles to PROTECT women. Men should be defending their wives. Men should take the responsibility for their roles in the family and in society instead of acquiescing that to women. 

APPLICATION

I am NOT saying we should teach our little girls to sit around in little dresses with lace gloves and sip tea all day. We should encourage our daughters to go after their passions. But they should also recognize that God has set up certain roles for men and women to protect them, not hold them back.

And we should teach our little boys to honor and respect women. They should see their mothers and sisters as worthy of protecting. They should see all women as God does – the perfect completion of His creation. That’s not chauvinist. It’s chivalrous. 

Now, I am sure there will be many who will disagree with this devotional. But hear my heart. God set these roles so men can value women, not devalue them. God set these roles to protect women, not tear them down. God set these roles so men will step up and lead instead of laying back and “letting the women folk take care of the religious stuff.” Trust God’s design. It is perfect, and it works.

Dear Lord, I thank You for setting up Your perfect design for men and women. Help me live it as You intended and not let the world influence it. Show me how to value all the women in my life.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Commands, Direction, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Family, Fatherhood, God's Will, Mentoring, Ministry, Modeling, Motherhood, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture, Surrender

BE QUIET, WOMAN

1 TIMOTHY 2:11

“A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.” 

I bet the title today caught your attention. Before you get up in arms and write me a seething letter, let me explain. The word “quietly” here does NOT mean speechless. That’s a totally different Greek word. This word means a “God-produced calm which includes an inner tranquility that supports appropriate action.” 

And why should she stay calm? So she can be discipled. That’s what “receive instruction” means. In fact, that word is the word from which we get “disciple.” She can only be discipled if she is willing to be submissive to the one who is discipling her. You cannot teach or disciple anyone who is not willing to be discipled. 

APPLICATION

I truly believe this verse applies to all of us, not just women. Our children cannot be discipled unless they are willing to submit to their parents. Fathers cannot be discipled unless they submit to the one who wants to invest in their lives. You see, it’s not just about women.

So, Mom and Dad, model submissiveness. This teaches your children to do the same. Show that calm spirit that you want them to have. Allow others to disciple you. There is no higher calling than to disciple your children to follow Christ. But you have to model this yourself first.

Do you demand your rights? Do you refuse to follow anyone’s direction? By doing that you are showing an example to others of the exact opposite Christ desires in you. What do you think Christ wants you to do – be rebellious and stubborn or submissive and teachable? Do what you know He desires.

O Lord God, teach me to be calm in spirit and learn from others. Help me come up under their leadership and portray to others a teachable manner. I want to please You.

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HOLY HANDS

1 TIMOTHY 2:8

“Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.”    

I know you’ve seen it. People raising their hands in church during Praise and Worship. You may feel intimidated to raise yours, even though you don’t really want to. You may think hand raising is a sign of holiness. It is not! You may have been led to believe that those who raise their hands are somehow more spiritual. They are not.

Hand raising should be Spirit-led and should be done as a sign of supplication to our holy God. You are saying to God, “I lift my hands to You, O Lord, in confession. I present myself to You with a broken heart. I want to know you more completely.” It is never done in pride. It is always done in humility. 

APPLICATION

Your children will undoubtedly ask what people are doing in church when they raise their hands. We teach our children to raise their hands when they want to ask a question. We don’t normally do that during a worship service, lol. So, when they see hands going up during a service, they may be confused.

Take this opportunity to tell them, “Johnny, remind me when we get home to tell you about. I really can’t explain it now, but I will.” Then tell them what it means when you get home. Turn to this verse and explain what Paul meant by “lifting up holy hands.” Take your time. Answer their questions. This is important. You want them to understand this and feel free to do as the Lord leads them in the future.

Are you a “hand raiser”? Let me ask you why. Why do you lift your hands? Is it because everyone else is doing it? Is it because you want to be seen as “into it” during Worship? If those are your reasons, put your hands down. Ask the Lord to show you when and if you are to raise your hands. He will. 

I raise my hands to You, O Lord. I lift them in reverence to Your holiness and majesty. I bow my heart as I lift my hands.

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Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Direction, Encouragement, Family, Forgiveness, Mercy, Obedience, Parenting, Ransom, Scripture

RANSOM

1 TIMOTHY 2:6

“who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time.” 

How many movies have you seen that involved someone paying a ransom for the release of someone else? Normally, it is someone close to them or someone of great importance. Kidnappings happen all the time for ransom, especially in some of the third world countries. Someone pays the full price to secure the freedom of another.

This word “ransom” is only used right here in the New Testament. It appears nowhere else. Interestingly enough, verse 6 follows verse 5 (lol), which talked about Christ being the mediator. So, our mediator pays the ransom. Better yet, Christ BECOMES the purchase price. He gave His life to secure our freedom from sin and the grave.

APPLICATION

Have you ever taken away one of your child’s toys to discipline them? I had to take away my son’s Nintendo system once. He had abused the privilege of playing it, so he lost it for a whole month. You would have thought I had removed a kidney, lol. But we gave him a way to gain it back. He had to “pay a price” to ransom his game system. Believe me, he would have paid any price to get it back.

That’s a very loose analogy but hear me out. Christ redeemed what was legally already His. We are created by Him in His image, but sin has robbed us from that relationship. The only way to return to our rightful owner is to pay the price of judgment, something we could never do. The price is too high. But Jesus could. He had the correct currency – perfection. His righteousness for our sin – that was the ransom.

Are you even aware of the price He paid for you? Do you care? His sacrifice on our behalf can never be repeated. It doesn’t have to. His one-time payment covers all sin. We just have to be willing to receive it. Will you?

Ransom paying is beyond my realm of thinking. I cannot begin to imagine the weight You suffered with the sins of the whole world on Your shoulders. Thank You for being the ultimate sacrifice to pay the ransom for me.

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INTO SATAN’S HANDS

1 TIMOTHY 1:20

“Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.”

How awful! How terrible! Handed over to Satan! What a way to have your name remembered! Hymenaeus was teaching false doctrine according to 2 Timothy 2:17-18. And Alexander may have been the same Alexander who was called the coppersmith who did great harm to the apostles and may have believed in the same false doctrines as Hymenaeus. 

Irregardless of their exact beliefs, they undoubtedly had blasphemed against our holy God. This was something which Paul could not tolerate. So, he had obviously withdrawn fellowship from them and was praying God to allow Satan to discipline. But even in this action, Satan is given an exact task which he couldn’t supersede.

APPLICATION

Children have to learn that choices have consequences. They may not experience the consequence immediately, but it will come. That is a truth you must teach your children. Some consequences are hard, like the one mentioned in today’s verse. Some may not seem so harsh. The bottom line is there will be consequences.

Direct disobedience can bring the harshest of consequences from God. Now, I am not telling you to teach your kids to watch out for God’s zaps from heaven. No, teach them to obey because they love the Lord, not because they fear His wrath. But obey they must.

Are you a Hymenaeus or Alexander? Are you thumbing your nose at God, not believing He is aware of your actions? Beware! He is. He knows all and sees all. He will hold you accountable. He has to because He is holy and just. Why not obey Him in all things? By doing that, you are pleasing the One who loves you dearly and longs to see you in His service.

Father, forgive me of failing You. I want to obey You willingly and joyfully. Thank You for holding me accountable.

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SHIPWRECKED

1 TIMOTHY 1:19

“keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” 

What a strange way to describe someone who has turned from faith. Don’t forget Paul knew about shipwrecks. He had lived through one. He knew the danger of a ship crashing onto the rocks and breaking apart. He had seen firsthand the fear in the eyes of the ship’s crew. So, when Paul describes a lost faith as a shipwreck, he did that on purpose.

The Greek word for “suffered shipwreck” literally means to break a ship. What does that? Rocks or obstacles in the water. A boat is safe on land, but it is useless. It is meant to be in the water. But by being in the water it is exposed to the risk of hitting something. A good captain knows the water and navigates accordingly. We have to do the same with our faith. We navigate according to God’s Word, which keeps us safe.

APPLICATION

I bet you can find a good video of a shipwreck to show your kids. Visuals are much better than just trying to describe it. If your children have never been on a boat or a ship, they may have a hard time understanding without seeing. So, find a good video of a ship crashing onto the rocks and explain to them how that happens.

Now apply that to their lives in Christ. Your little Susie or Elrod has to live in this world with all its dangers. They can’t live “in the marina” forever. Let them know that part of your job as mom or dad is to prepare them for the “open sea.” Knowing the waters and staying in deep waters keeps them safe. As they go deeper into God’s Word, they learn to navigate safely. They recognize the obstacles. They are more alert to dangers.

Have you hit something lately? Were your eyes off course? We can get so busy with life that we lose track of our trajectory. That is dangerous. Now, we can’t lose our salvation, but we can sure damage the hull. And when the hull is damaged it affects the smoothness of the journey. It affects the speed of the journey. It might even require some “dry dock” time for repairs.

You are the Captain of my ship, Lord. I rely on You to navigate for me. I will always trust Your bearings.

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