Category Archives: Forgiveness

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PITCHING THE CHANGE UP

1 TIMOTHY 3:15

“but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”

Don’t you love to watch a good pitcher work the plate? He can throw various pitches to strike out the batter or try to force him to hit a grounder. Some have special pitches they are known for, but just about all will throw the “change up.” What is that you ask? A “change up” is an off-speed pitch thrown to look like a fast ball but arriving much slower to the plate. It’s also known as a slow pitch. It surprises the batter, normally getting him to swing and miss.

Why am I talking about baseball? Because the Greek word for “conduct” means to literally change up, behave, to overturn. Just like the batter that will recognize that pitch after it’s thrown, people should notice our behavior is different. There should be a noticeable difference in the way we talk and how we walk. We should live in such a way that our conduct will cause the devil to swing and miss when he tries to score on us.

APPLICATION

One way in which you can tell when your children really “get it” about Christ is a change in their behavior. A lot of kids will pray the sinner’s prayer but never “change up.” Their walk doesn’t change. They don’t show any kind of marked difference in how they respond to correction or direction from you. Now, they don’t have to be perfect, but there should be some change.

Teach your little Johnny what it means to conduct themselves in a manner that will surprise the world. When the world expects him to retaliate, forgive. When the devil puts an obstacle in his path, ask the Lord to remove it. When someone hurts his feelings, don’t respond in kind. Change up! 

Are you willing to “change up”? Is there a marked difference in the way you live your life now as a believer over how you lived as an unbeliever? There should be. Maybe it’s time you learn a new pitch. Surprise the devil! Surprise the world!

Father, I tend to keep throwing the fast ball and expecting the same result. Help me “change up.” I want to live my life in such a way that the world truly is surprised at my conduct.

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THE QUALITIES OF A GODLY WOMAN

1 TIMOTHY 3:11

“Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.”

Okay, I didn’t write this verse. I am just reading the next verse in 1 Thessalonians 3. Paul wrote this to the women in the Thessalonian church, but it applies to all women who profess Christ as Savior. We see four qualities in the verse – dignified, not malicious gossips, temperate and faithful. We don’t have the time or space in this short devotion to go into each in depth, so let’s just look at one. How about not being malicious gossips? After all, men are just as bad about that.

So, what does that mean? It means someone who is a back-biter, who unjustly accuses to bring someone down. Not a very nice person. Do you know anyone like that? There are some people who are JUST like that. They are people to avoid at all costs. You can’t trust them because before you know it, they will spreading rumors about you or lying about you.

APPLICATION

You are going to have to deal with this, for sure. Children can be very cruel to each other. Now, I’m not saying your children are cruel (they may be) but they may be the victim of another child’s cruelty. We naturally want to make ourselves look better than others. Pride and arrogance are part of our fleshly nature. Children, therefore, will go that route if left unchecked.

How do we teach them to not gossip, to not tear down, to not put themselves over others? By showing them the model we have in Christ and by modeling it ourselves. They will never learn how to walk like Jesus unless they see you doing the same. They will watch you and learn how to treat others. They will watch you and learn how to speak only in kindness and truth. 

Will you do that? Will you only speak in kindness and truth? Will you cease gossiping? Will you only build up others? Do you remember the old saying, “What Would Jesus Do?” Then do it.

Help me, Lord, hold my tongue. Help me to say only things that build up. Let me see myself as second to everyone for the sake of seeing some come to Christ.

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NO EVIDENCE

1 TIMOTHY 3:10

“These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.”

I need to say something right from the beginning about this verse. It is not saying a man must be perfect to be a deacon. “Beyond reproach” means there is no evidence that can be found to convict him. It can also be translated as “blameless.” So, a man who desires to be a deacon must keep his nose clean, as the saying goes.

Why is that important? Because we believers should stand out in a lost world as different. The lost should see us as different. They should know there is something different about us. If we have the same junk in our lives as the world, why should they surrender their lives to Christ?

APPLICATION

Are your children beyond reproach? Hardly! Being beyond reproach takes time to prove. The verse says they must be tested. This means to prove what is good. How do you do that with your little Johnny or Susie? You must give them ample opportunities to build their faith and trust the Lord. You must observe them “walking the talk” and hold them accountable.

Our children need to know they are going to mess up. But they need to know there is forgiveness. And anything He has forgiven cannot be held against them. Christ died to forgive them of their sins, and He is interceding right now for us against the great accuser, the devil. They can be beyond reproach only though Christ.

How would you test out? Would you be found guilty right now of all your sins? Or are you beyond reproach because you are a child of the King? Live victoriously. Live with purpose. Live blameless because of Him.

Lord God, I give You all the praise for the forgiveness I have received and will receive through You. Thank You for seeing me as clean and beyond reproach. That is only possible through Your Son, Jesus Christ.

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TWO TONGUES?

1 TIMOTHY 3:8

“Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,”

What in the world does the term “double-tongued” mean? This word is only used here in 1 Timothy 3:8. It literally means to say one thing but mean another. It could be translated as “double speaking.” You may have heard it this way – “talking out of both sides of his mouth.”

You get the picture. A double-tongued person cannot be trusted. That’s why Paul is saying this. A deacon must be trustworthy. He must be someone you can confide in. He must tell you the truth. He must mean what he says and say what he means. Any hedging on that disqualifies him from serving as a deacon.

APPLICATION

We teach our children not to lie, as we should. But we should also teach them this principle. Saying anything with the intention to mislead someone is sin. Siblings will do that, won’t they? What they tell their little brother may be true, but it may not be THE truth. Follow? You see, you can carefully choose your words so they are technically true and at the same time lead someone in the wrong direction.

The Lord wants us to be completely truthful at all times. That’s hard. We can’t do it on our own. Your children will find that out. But with the surrender of their will to His will, He will give them the correct words to say every time. We teach our children to speak as if speaking to the Lord. That way they will always say exactly what they mean.

Have you ever been accused of being double-tongued? Do you have the tendency to mislead people? Confess that as sin today. Ask the Lord to direct your tongue. Seek to follow Him no matter the cost. He will reward those who diligently seek Him.

Father God, keep my tongue focused on speaking Your truths to all people. Forgive me when I fall into the bad habits of misleading others. I want to please You in all I do.

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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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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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OUR GO BETWEEN

1 TIMOTHY 2:5

“For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” 

Just what exactly is a “Go Between”? Well, that’s what a mediator is. It is someone who intervenes to restore the peace between two people or groups. You see it a lot in the legal field. In fact, you can get certified as an official mediator and make a very good living at it. Unfortunately, people are always fighting about something, so we need mediators.

And we have the perfect mediator, Jesus Christ, who mediates between God and us. He paid the price for our sins and continues to intervene on our behalf before His Father in heaven. He has mediated a new covenant, according to Hebrews 8:6; 9:15 and 12:24.  Aren’t you thankful for His mediation on your behalf?

APPLICATION

The next time you have to “mediate” between your children, remember this verse. I am sure if you have more than one child, there will an occasion shortly when you can apply this verse. You may have to come in and stop a fight or an argument. You will have to be the mediator.

After you have calmed the storm and returned the peace (at least for a while) share this verse with them. Explain that Jesus, not only mediated for us way back then, but He is still mediating for us now. Part of the mediator’s job is to guarantee “the performance of all the terms stipulated in a covenant (agreement).” In other words, He makes sure both people stick to the agreement. Sounds like parenting, huh?  

Christ Jesus is mediating for you this very moment. When Satan accuses you of your sins, He is right there at the Father to speak up for you. His blood has been used to mediate peace between you and our holy God. He is the ONLY ONE who can serve as this mediator. No one else is qualified. Give Him thanks today!

O Jesus, my mediator, I give You praise for interceding on my behalf. I thank You for continuing to mediate for me. I would be lost without You.

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GOD’S DESIRE

1 TIMOTHY 2:4

“who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 

Our holy and righteous God desires everyone to be saved. He is ready to act, to deliver them. But…God want force salvation on anyone. This verse reads “desires” for a reason. God wishes for their salvation. It is, in fact, His will that all men be saved. We have to decide to receive it.

And this verse goes on to say, “come to the knowledge of the truth.” You see, that is what convinces us. The truth of God’s Word convinces us that salvation is real and is for us. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. So, perhaps the Lord wants to use you to share His good news with someone He is desiring to be saved (which is everyone).

APPLICATION

I pray you are teaching your little Susie and little Johnny to share the good news. Once they come to Christ and discover this truth for themselves, we need to prepare them to share it. Teach them the ABC’s of faith sharing. “A” is for Admit. Everyone must admit they are a sinner in need of a Savior. “B” is for Believe. They have to believe that Jesus was God’s Son who was sent to earth to die for those sins and satisfy God’s judgment. He was crucified, buried and rose again. “C” is for confess. Each person has to confess that belief with their own mouths and ask the Lord to save them and come into their lives.

I promise your kids, even the youngest, can remember those three things. I never cease to be amazed at how quickly children can memorize things. So, I am confident your children can learn to share the good news with their friends and family.

Do you know the knowledge of the truth? Have you acknowledged Jesus as your Savior and Lord? That’s exactly what God wants and wills for you. But don’t keep that to yourself. Shout it from the highest mountain top. Whisper it to your grandchildren or children. Tell total strangers about it. Just tell it.

I am the possessor of the greatest story ever told. Help me to share that with others all around me. Let me tell it with joy and excitement so they will see just what You have done for me.

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IN GOD’S EYE

1 TIMOTHY 2:3

“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,”

When I travel to my other two home countries of Uganda and Kenya I am normally greeted by “You are most welcome.” That is to say my friends there are very glad to see me. I am very welcomed in their homes. I just love that. I know I can rest and enjoy my time there because I am welcomed just like I am part of the family.

The word “acceptable” comes from the verb form of the word which means just that. You see when we pray as Paul instructed in verses 1 and 2, we are welcomed into the very sight of God. In His eyes we are doing good, which inspires others. He is pleased. He is blessed by our prayer life. Did you read that right? Yes, God is blessed by our obedience to pray.

APPLICATION

How have your children blessed you? Have they done something you have instructed them to do lately without being reminded? That always blesses our hearts, doesn’t it? I will never forget the time my son mowed and trimmed our yard in Florida while I was away on a trip. When I returned home to see it done (and done well), I was blessed.

Explain to your little Elrod that God is blessed when He sees him doing what is expected. Willful obedience is so much better than forced obedience. Doing what we are asked or commanded to do in His Word is expected. We have clear instructions to follow. Teach your child to do as the Lord asks. They will see God’s response. He will be blessed and will also bless. 

Do you struggle to obey? Do you obey kicking and screaming? I have to admit that there are times when I do. I feel just like Paul in Romans 7 when he says he does what he doesn’t want to do and doesn’t do what he wants to do. I may eventually yield to the Spirit, but I am worn out in the process. Don’t do that. Surrender your will to His today. Do what is good and acceptable in His sight.

I want to be pleasing in Your sight today, O Father. I want to know that all I do is good and acceptable to You. Forgive me when I fail to obey.

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AN EXAMPLE

1 TIMOTHY 1:16

“Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life.” 

Could the Lord use you as an example? Paul was used that way. The Lord saved him from certain destruction and set him up as an example of His mercy and grace. God showed Paul patience as only God could do. 

Paul saw God’s actions as purposeful, not just for himself, but for others, as well. Paul’s salvation and life in Christ were an example God was using to draw others to Himself. Can God do that with you? Is your life one that the Lord can hold up to show others what He can do in someone who is surrendered to Him? 

APPLICATION

Sometimes we parents will tell one of our children, “Why can’t you be more like your sister (or brother)?” We compare their behaviors. That is NOT what I am talking about here. We should never compare our children. God has created each of them unique. They each have their strengths and weaknesses. Instead, we should always point them to Christ. Let Him be their example.

You also have to be an example to them. Your life should be a reflection of Christ to them, so they can see what a true believer looks like. That doesn’t mean you have to be perfect. No one is. But we are the ones the Lord has entrusted with this little life. He gave them to us to give back to Him. Do all you can to ensure you are doing that.

Okay, so how are you doing? If a total stranger met you for the first time, would they know within a few minutes that you are a child of the King? Better yet, do your close friends and family see Christ lived out in your life every day? Can the Lord say you are an example of His perfect patience?

Thank You, Father, for extending Your grace to me. I am grateful for Your perfect patience in my life. Without it I would be doomed for eternity.

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