Category Archives: Mentoring

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HOW TO HONOR

1 TIMOTHY 5:3

“Honor widows who are widows indeed;” 

Do you know any widows? I am blessed to know a lot of widows. In fact, my widowed mother-in-law lives with my wife and I. I also know a group of widows at the church I serve. They call the group “Women of Grace.” They truly are that. So, when I read this verse, I asked myself if I am honoring them, as God’s Word commands.

First of all, this word “honor” is a command. We are commanded to do this. Secondly, this word means to “assign value (give honor), as it reflects the personal esteem (value, preciousness) attached to it by the beholder.” You will only honor what you value. 

APPLICATION

What or whom do your children honor? What do they place value in? If your child does not honor their elders, they must not place much value on them. But why should we teach them to do this? Well, perhaps because one day that might be you (the widow or widower). Do you want them to value you? Of course, you do.

But also, we teach them this because it is the right thing to do. Widows and widowers have lost their husband or wife and have that gap in the life. As fellow believers we are commanded to come alongside them and make them feel valued and honored for who they are. That is EXACTLY what Christ would do. In fact, He did just that. Even on the cross, He honored His mother by telling John to take care of her.

Is there a widow or widower in your life to whom you need to honor more? Today make an extra effort to do just that. Take them out for a meal. Give them a call. Drop by to say hello and pray with them. Somehow today let them know just how valued they are by you and by their heavenly Father. I promise you will be the one who is blessed by doing this.

Father, show me the widows to whom You want me to honor today. Feel their lives with joy, hope and blessings. Help me to see them as You do.

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TREAT THEM HOLY

1 TIMOTHY 5:2

“the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.”

Treating women special has been around a long time. God has always commanded it. Sin changes that. Look at today’s verse. Paul tells Timothy (and us) to treat women “in all purity.” That word comes from the Greek word for “holy.” Treat them as holy? Really?

Paul isn’t saying we should worship them. He is saying, though, that we should treat them as set apart by God according to His purpose and plan. All women deserve respect. But those who are seeking to follow the Lord in their daily life should also be treated as holy and pure. That’s what God intends for them all.

APPLICATION

As parents we need to instill in our little boys and little girls that girls are different than boys. There is NOTHING belittling about that statement. In fact, it’s meant to be just the opposite. We should let all our daughters, sisters and wives know just how God sees them. They should be treated that way – as special creations in the eyes of our God.

It is up to the husbands, brothers and fathers to do this, however. So, do me a favor. Challenge the men in your life to treat women this way. And dads, YOU have to model this to your sons. They will treat their mom and sisters how you do. They will treat their future wife the way you do. 

So, how are you doing with this? Ladies, do you see yourself as pure? Men, do you see the women in your life as pure? If not, reread today’s verse. This is a command, not a suggestion. If you need to change your view of women, start with God’s view and go no further.

Father, forgive me when I do not see ALL women as you do. Thank You for the godly women you have put in my life. I am blessed because of them.

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RESPECT YOUR ELDERS

1 TIMOTHY 5:1

“Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers,” 

We have ANOTHER one-time used word in today’s verse. The phrase “sharply rebuke” is the Greek word epipléssó, which means to hit or strike in a vunerable place, to speak harshly or rebuke. You get the picture. Paul is telling Timothy that he needs to be careful how he talks to his elders. After all, he was already having trouble because of his youth. He needed to make sure he was respecting those older than him, even if they needed to be corrected.

In America there seems to be less and less respect for the elderly. You hear all the time about senior adults being abused or attacked. In days past that would have been seen as just horrible. But now it hardly makes the news. God’s Word hasn’t changed. So, today’s verse is just as applicable as it was when Paul wrote it.

APPLICATION

Wow! Here’s a no brainer! Our children must be taught to respect their elders. Unless that person is an abuser of some sorts, they should be treated with respect and honor. As parents, we have the responsibility to teach our children this. I have witnessed firsthand too many children who are allowed to disrespect adults. Don’t let your little Johnny do that. It will not help him later in life.

Why is it important for children to learn this early? Because respect for elders will help them also respect their bosses, their spouses and even themselves. Respect is something that has to be taught and lived out. They must be held accountable when they don’t show it. Anything less only leads to poor choices.

Do you respect your elders? Do you treat them with courtesy and honor? It’s hard sometimes, especially when they turn on you and make your life difficult. Regardless, we are commanded to treat them as He would. Today, show an elder in your life the respect they deserve. God will be honored.

Forgive me, Lord, for not showing proper respect for my elders at times. Remind me daily to honor them as You do. Help me come alongside them to aid them in their walk with Christ.

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SAVE YOURSELF

1 TIMOTHY 4:16

“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.”

I know what you are thinking.  “Save yourself? What are you saying, Carl?” Before you call the heresy police, let me explain. Paul is instructing Timothy to be careful to continue to teach true doctrine and follow it himself. By doing this he will show to others that he is a true follower of Christ and a faithful minister of the Gospel. His first concern should be his personal spiritual growth and then secondly, the salvation and growth of others.

There was a problem already arising in the early church of false teachers and preachers. They saw an opportunity to deceive others by preying on their desire to know God. So, these false teachers would teach false doctrines pointed at benefitting themselves. Paul was warning Timothy about appearing as one of them.

APPLICATION

We, as parents, should similarly instruct our children to have as their first priority to grow spiritually. Through Bible Study, prayer, worship and fellowship with other believers, they can continue their growth as a disciple of Christ. And then they will be prepared to reach out to the lost around them. But you can’t fully disciple others until you are grounded yourself.

I have seen far too many new converts get sidetracked trying to go back into the world to reach their lost friends. The lures of their past are strong. It is so easy to get sucked back into them. So, we need to help strengthen their resolve before unleashing them to pursue others. I am not saying they shouldn’t witness to others. I am saying they should be prepared to do so.

This does not give you an excuse to keep your faith to yourself. We are commanded to go witness to the world. But the Lord wants us to guard ourselves against the wiles of the devil. He knows our weaknesses and will throw everything he can at us to distract us or bring us down. Prepare yourself and be faithful to share.

Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank You, Lord, for making me whole. Thank You, Lord, for giving to me life more abundant.

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PONDERING

1 TIMOTHY 4:15

“Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.” 

Now, that’s a word you don’t use every day – pondering! That’s another translation for the verb “take pains.” The word means to be diligent about something. It’s only used one other time in the NT (Acts 4:25) when Peter and John quote Psalm 2:1-2. In that instance it is a negative use, but here in 1 Timothy it’s a good thing. Ponder, be diligent about using your spiritual gift.

If someone gave you an incredible gift, would you squirrel it away and never show anyone? If you learned how to cure cancer for everyone, would you keep that to yourself? Of course not! And your spiritual gift is greater than both of those things. Your spiritual gift being exercised could lead someone to a decision to accept Christ, thus altering their eternity!

APPLICATION

The best way to teach your children this verse is by living it yourself. If you have the gift of service, serve! And take your children along with you when you do so they know why you are doing what you are doing. If you have the gift of discernment, make sure your kids know when you use that gift and how. When they see you using your gifts to glorify God and build up the Body, they will be inspired to do the same.

There are many gifts. There are many lists of gifts in the New Testament. Let me encourage you to help your child learn which gift God has given them. It may not be the same gift as yours, which will require you to learn more about how they need to use their gift. None of us have arrived. We are all still progressing towards perfection in and through Christ.

How will you use your spiritual gift today? It isn’t just for Sundays. It isn’t just for your church. Use it wherever and whenever the Lord leads you. By being obedient in that and pondering on it, you will please the Father.

I am so grateful for the gifts you have given to us, Father. You give these gifts to be used and managed well. Help me use my gifts today to honor Your name.

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READ IT LOUD

1 TIMOTHY 4:13

“Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.” 

Do you like reading out loud or hearing someone else read out loud? Isn’t it interesting that Paul told Timothy to give attention to doing that? I wonder why. Well, I think it was clearer in the original Greek that Paul wrote in to Timothy. That phrase “public reading of Scripture” is only used three times in Scripture. All three involve Paul either at the scene or the one writing the phrase.

The phrase is from anaginoskowhich means “enables others to re-live (re-appreciate) what was conveyed (experienced) by the originalauthor.” When you read it out loud, people can hear the inflections in your voice. You can make the story come alive for them. 

APPLICATION

I am sure you have read to your children. Do you think it’s just about the story you are reading? It is important to them also because they hear your voice. They are spending time with you as you read. It takes time to read out loud. And you have to be close enough to hear it, unless you are using a microphone (which I doubt you are using in your child’s bedroom at night, lol). 

So, take the time to read the Word out loud today. Do it at the dinner table. Or do it at bedtime when they are snuggled in their bed. I remember vividly my mama reading to me and my little sister in the rocking chair. Tell them the stories of Jesus out loud and watch them “get it.”

Do you ever read the Bible out loud to yourself? I enjoy listening the audio Bible as I drive. Hearing the Word spoken lets your mind work to create pictures to go along with the verses. Challenge your mind today to listen to the Word. 

I want to hear Your voice, O God. But until I can hear it personally, I will settle for hearing Your written Word. Thank You for giving it to us to inspire and teach us.

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BE AN EXAMPLE

1 TIMOTHY 4:12

“Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” 

I love that Paul encouraged Timothy to be strong and bold in his youth. Now, Timothy wasn’t a teenager here. He was probably in his mid to late thirties by now, but to Paul he was still a young whipper-snapper, lol.  I feel the same way sometimes about some people. They just look too young to be doing what they are doing.

Back to the point of this verse. Paul is not focused on Timothy’s youth. He is more concerned about the example he is living. The word “example” has the word picture of a die stamp that is used to put a mark on something. It would be placed on an object and then struck with a hammer to leave an impression on the object. That’s what we should be doing. Leaving the impression of Christ on others.

APPLICATION

This will be a fun verse to act out with your kids. Get a die stamp, maybe of the letter of your last name. Maybe you can find one that says “Jesus.” That would be cool. Then get a hammer and a piece of wood and a piece of metal. Place the die stamp on the wood and hit it with the hammer. Let your son or daughter see the impression it made on the wood. Now let them try it. They probably won’t hit it hard enough the first time, so let them hit it again.

Then use the piece of metal. Now it’s going to take a much harder blow to make an impression. It’s the same in our lives. Some people are easily influenced by our Christian testimony. Others are harder to reach. We have to make a stronger effort. Make sure your kids understand that it is NOT our image we are leaving on them. It is the image of Christ.

Are you leaving an impression on others? Are you being an example? You are probably doing that more than you know. So, the question is whose impression are your leaving? If it’s yours, stop. If it’s Christ’s, keep pounding away.

It is only Your image which I choose to leave on others. Help me show them just how strong an impression You have on me. Let them only see You in me.

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THE RIGHT PRESCRIPTION

1 TIMOTHY 4:11

“Prescribe and teach these things.”

Have you ever gone to the pharmacy to get your prescription only to get home and realize it’s the wrong medication? Most pharmacies have a policy that once you leave the store you can’t return the prescription. That can be very frustrating and dangerous, if you don’t know what you are taking.

The word “prescribe” is actually a military term which implies that an order has gone through all the proper channels and has the authority of the one who issued it. Paul is reminding Timothy that he has the authority because he is delivering God’s commands, not his own. In the same way the pharmacist is carrying out the orders of the doctors to deliver us the right medication. He can’t prescribe medication for patients. He just delivers the correct orders.

APPLICATION

You, as Mom and Dad, are commanded by God to carry out His orders in regard to raising your children. You are to also “prescribe and teach these things.” You have the responsibility to use God’s Word to prepare your children to walk with Jesus. The Lord has given you all you need in His Word. But you must be the one to deliver the command.

Now, children will buck you. None of us like following orders. But we are commanded to deliver. The words “prescribe” and “teach” are both imperatives, which mean you are commanded to do this. You have a choice – obey or be disobedient. What will you do?

If you are like me, you want to do things your way. I don’t mind following orders, as long as I agree with them. But the second I have to do something that I disagree with, I bow up. That’s flesh! That’s sin! I have to obey whether I like it or not. And by doing that, I am an example to others.

Lord, You know my heart. I truly do want to please You. Help me be submissive to those in authority over me, not to please them, but to please You.

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ARE YOU TRUSTWORTHY?

1 TIMOTHY 4:9

“It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.”

This phrase is used twice by Paul in writing to Timothy in this letter. He doesn’t use the phrase anywhere else. I wonder why. Why is Paul saying what he is saying is trustworthy? Did someone accuse him of lying? Was Timothy hearing other reports from Paul’s enemies? We don’t know, but we do know the Holy Spirit told him to put these words down.

So, how do they apply to us? Let me ask you a question. Can you say this about all your statements? Are all your words worthy? The word “deserving” can also be translated as “worthy of.” The word means to be weighed in God’s scale of truth. That’s a higher level of trustworthiness, isn’t it?

APPLICATION

This is a simple truth to teach your children. We need to model this first, though. Can our children trust our words? Do we say what we mean and mean what we say? Can they rely on us to follow through with what we say? They learn this truth by watching and listening to us. Are we trustworthy in our words to our children?

Too many parents lie to their kids. Yes, I said lie. They tell them something, knowing it will never happen. They make promises they know they cannot keep. If you are one of those parents, stop! Make sure your yes means yes and your no means no. Stop confusing your children with wishy washy parenting. Remember, you are not raising children. You are raising child raisers. What you model and teach will be repeated.

Are you trustworthy in your statements? Can people trust what you say? One of the worst reputations you can have is to be known as a liar. I have known people whom you could say if their lips were moving, they were lying. Not good! Don’t be that person. If you are a believer in Christ, you have THE truth in you.

Forgive me Lord, when I tell untruths. Convict me of this sin. Let me never be guilty of leading others astray by my statements. I want my words to line up with Your Word.

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IS BODILY EXERCISE WORTH IT?

1 TIMOTHY 4:8

“for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

It seems 1 Timothy is full of one-time used words. We have another one today. The Greek word for “discipline” is gumnasia. Does that look familiar? We get the word “gymnasium” from that. This verse is my proof that we only have so many good heart beats, and we shouldn’t waste them exercising, lol. 

Paul is NOT saying we shouldn’t exercise. But too many people spend hours and hours at the gym and neglect their spiritual bodies. Having a buff and trim physical body will NOT make you more godly. Only exercising your spirit will do that. And that is done through spiritual pushups in the Word, prayer and worship. 

APPLICATION

I bet your little Johnny or Susie does some kind of physical exercise. The next time you are with them when they are doing that, bring up this verse. Perhaps you are riding bikes. Compare the exercise their legs are getting with their spiritual walk with Christ. Maybe they are playing soccer. Compare that to controlling their feet as they maneuver to score a goal for God through righteous living.

You can find hundreds of ways to compare physical exercise and sports to the Christian life. There are literally thousands of books out there. The point is to make sure your children know that exercising their spiritual body is more important than exercising their physical body. This physical body will not see heaven, only the spiritual one will.

Are you obsessed with your physique? Are you so enamored with Cross Fit, yoga or P90x that you spend all your spare time in that? Try this for a week. Spend the same amount of time studying God’s Word as you do exercising. I promise you that you feel the difference spiritually.

Lord, I am guilty of not exercising enough physically. I know this body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. But Father, I want to exercise my spiritual body just as much. Help me keep in shape spiritually.

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