“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 HCSB).

October 23, 2021

THE LIFE ON LIFE DISCIPLESHIP STRATEGY Just as Jesus discipled twelve and sent them out to make disciples, so Paul discipled Timothy to do the same. This is the powerful, world-changing strategy of life on life discipleship that Paul taught Timothy.   Some have described this strategy of life on life discipleship as following five

“So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8a HCSB).

October 22, 2021

ARE YOU ASHAMED TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS? What causes us to feel shame to speak of Jesus? There are at least three reasons:   1) Lack of spiritual zeal. We don’t feel worthy to talk about Jesus because we are not living as we should.   2) Believing the enemy’s lies. These lies tells

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains” (1 Timothy 6:10 HCSB).

October 21, 2021

LOVE GOD. USE MONEY. Money is a means of exchange, a morally neutral thing that is useful when rightly used. Yet, the love of money is idolatry. It puts money in the place of God. Rather than saying “in God we trust,” it puts its trust in money. The one who loves money sees serving

“The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17 HCSB).

October 20, 2021

HONORING THOSE WHO PREACH AND TEACH THE WORD Elders are to lead and feed the flock. Or as Paul taught, they are to be “good leaders” and “work hard at preaching and teaching.” In return, the members of the flock are to count them “worthy of an ample honorarium.” The Greek word translated “honorarium” has

“Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching” (1 Timothy 4:13 HCSB).

October 19, 2021

FOCUSING ON THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD Paul told the young pastor Timothy to avoid focusing on silly distractions and people who might despise his leadership. Instead, he was to give his attention to the ministry of the Word–– its public reading, its “exhortation” (“preaching”) and its teaching.   The pastor in today’s church faces

“Singing songs to a troubled heart is like taking off clothing on a cold day or like pouring vinegar on soda.” (Proverbs 25:20 HCSB).

October 18, 2021

HOW NOT TO ENCOURAGE A TROUBLED HEART There are those who have never experienced loss that think the way to cheer up the one who has is by distraction. However, this response is not only inappropriate, but inconsiderate. The one who would encourage, would first seek to understand the feelings of the hurting, and then

“This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4 HCSB).

October 17, 2021

WHAT GOD WANTS God desires that all humanity would be saved. Yet, we know from the Scriptures that only those who believe will receive God’s salvation. The tension between what God “wants” and what we choose is difficult to ease. We tend to overstate one side or the other, either making too little or too

“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 HCSB).

October 16, 2021

DO YOUR PRAYERS FIND THEIR WAY TO THE LORD? The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter of hope to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. He gave them this message from the Lord, assuring them that the Lord had not forsaken them, nor had He stopped hearing their prayers. If only they would seek Him with all

“If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.” (Proverbs 25:16 HCSB)

October 15, 2021

CAN YOU HAVE TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING? Solomon pondered the question, “Can you ever have too much of a good thing?” In short, his answer was in the affirmative. He advised that you should practice moderation, eating “only what you need,” so that you won’t make yourself sick.   But we have a

“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” (2 Thessalonians 2:15 NLT).

October 14, 2021

GET A GRIP ON GOD’S WORD Paul told the Thessalonian believers to “stand firm” and to keep a “strong grip” on the Word of God that he had taught them. Standing firm on God’s Word we build our life on its gospel truth and instruction. Keeping a strong grip on the Word, we cling to