Daily Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:8 For although physical exercise does have some value, godliness is valuable for everything, since it holds promise both for the present life and for the life to come. 9 Here is a statement you can trust, one that fully deserves to be accepted 10 (indeed, it is for this that we toil and strive): we have our hope set on a living God who is the deliverer of all humanity, especially of those who trust.
11 Command these things and teach them. 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because of your youth; on the contrary, set the believers an example in your speech, behavior, love, trust and purity. 13 Until I come, pay attention to the public reading of the Scriptures. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which you were given through a prophecy when the body of elders gave you s’mikhah. 15 Be diligent about this work, throw yourself into it, so that your progress may be clear to everyone. 16 Pay attention to yourself and to the teaching, continue in it, for by so doing you will deliver both yourself and those who hear you.
Reflection Questions:
The students in McFarland ran a lot—but still needed to train. The apostle Paul used Olympic language to urge Timothy to become spiritually strong by practicing. He knew the Christian life isn’t easy, and urged his young friend to “train,” “work,” “struggle,” “practice,” and “focus.” He compared physical training (what Olympic athletes did) with spiritual “training.” Spiritual strength doesn’t “just happen” any more than physical stamina—we build it by intentional practices.
- Paul didn’t discount the value of physical training. He himself lived a taxing life, journeying long distances on foot and recovering from accidents or (sometimes) beatings. But he said spiritual training was even more valuable, because it “has promise for this life now and the life to come.” How much effort and time are you putting into your spiritual training?
- Timothy was dealing with false teachings in his church (cf. 1 Timothy 4:1-5). Instead of telling Timothy to focus on what was wrong, Paul urged him to build his spiritual strength in positive ways. How can building a stronger connection with God equip you to stay on course as a Christian, even when you face error or opposition?
Today’s Prayer:
Lord God, help me stay focused on you day by day. Fill me with your loving spirit to meet the challenges life in this world brings my way. Amen.
Insights from Angela LaVallie
Lord God, help me stay focused on you day by day. Fill me with your loving spirit to meet the challenges life in this world brings my way. Amen.
Insights from Angela LaVallie
Angela LaVallie is the Worship Logistics Program Director at Resurrection. She oversees preparing the Sanctuary for worship, supports Vibe worship and volunteers in the Student Center, provides oversight for Holy Communion at the Leawood campus, and assists with worship logistics at conferences.
Verse 12 of today’s passage of scripture has been one of my favorites since I had to memorize it at church camp when I was in high school (Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity). I was a student leader in my youth group, and I really felt encouraged that there were instructions in the Bible about how to be a good Christian – as a young person. As I grew older, I began to look at the verse in a different way, by replacing the adjective young with whatever words I felt were limiting me and my calling at the time – a woman, not seminary-educated, etc.
In verses 13 and 14, the apostle Paul goes on to explain to young Timothy how he should train to use his specific gift. For us, this is twofold. First, there is basic training that all of us Christians should participate in to improve our walk with God: prayer, scripture reading and study, worship. Secondly, we should find out what our gifts are and then practice doing those things that incorporate our gifts. We can discover our gifts by paying attention to the things we enjoy doing and are pretty good at that also glorify God and help others in various ways; if you don’t think you have any gifts or aren’t sure what they are, we offer classes here at the church from time to time to help you discover what your gifts might be (www.cor.org/spiritualgifts).
In the movie McFarland, USA which this past weekend’s sermon focused on, the students on the cross country team at McFarland High School had a natural ability to run long distances fairly quickly. However, they were the children of poor, working-class immigrants whose futures didn’t look too bright. With regular training and the support of a coach and town who believed in them, they thrived and succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations.
Likewise, despite being the Son of God, Jesus’s future didn’t seem very promising by human standards. All his earthly circumstances should have set him up for failure. But with his earthly training, the trials he endured while being tempted in the desert, and the support of the disciples whom he trained to do good works (and of course, with God’s blessing and guidance!), Jesus became more than anyone expected or could even fully comprehend.
For me, today’s passage not only reminds me that with proper training and support I can succeed, it reminds me that others can succeed. I have to remember that I need to look for the potential in all people that God sees.
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Verse 12 of today’s passage of scripture has been one of my favorites since I had to memorize it at church camp when I was in high school (Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity). I was a student leader in my youth group, and I really felt encouraged that there were instructions in the Bible about how to be a good Christian – as a young person. As I grew older, I began to look at the verse in a different way, by replacing the adjective young with whatever words I felt were limiting me and my calling at the time – a woman, not seminary-educated, etc.
In verses 13 and 14, the apostle Paul goes on to explain to young Timothy how he should train to use his specific gift. For us, this is twofold. First, there is basic training that all of us Christians should participate in to improve our walk with God: prayer, scripture reading and study, worship. Secondly, we should find out what our gifts are and then practice doing those things that incorporate our gifts. We can discover our gifts by paying attention to the things we enjoy doing and are pretty good at that also glorify God and help others in various ways; if you don’t think you have any gifts or aren’t sure what they are, we offer classes here at the church from time to time to help you discover what your gifts might be (www.cor.org/spiritualgifts).
In the movie McFarland, USA which this past weekend’s sermon focused on, the students on the cross country team at McFarland High School had a natural ability to run long distances fairly quickly. However, they were the children of poor, working-class immigrants whose futures didn’t look too bright. With regular training and the support of a coach and town who believed in them, they thrived and succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations.
Likewise, despite being the Son of God, Jesus’s future didn’t seem very promising by human standards. All his earthly circumstances should have set him up for failure. But with his earthly training, the trials he endured while being tempted in the desert, and the support of the disciples whom he trained to do good works (and of course, with God’s blessing and guidance!), Jesus became more than anyone expected or could even fully comprehend.
For me, today’s passage not only reminds me that with proper training and support I can succeed, it reminds me that others can succeed. I have to remember that I need to look for the potential in all people that God sees.
Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224 United States
913.897.0120
____________________________
____________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment