1Tm5

Widows have a special place in the heart of God and should have a special place in our hearts as well. God's church is to be a place where godly widows feel cared for and loved.

The church is God's family. God's people are to treat and care for each other like family. If our churches are not providing and caring for each other, we are not functioning as God desires. 

Christian living is not just about caring for ourselves and reaching the lost. It is about caring for others in the church and especially those who are placed in vulnerable positions.

1Tm4

"Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; preserver in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers."

What do we pay attention to? What do we work hard at? Is it what we do? Is it what we know and teach? Right behavior comes from a right understanding of truth. Paul encouraged Timothy to know what he believes, to teach the truth and to live the truth. Someone is always looking to us for leadership. Are we providing it?

Paul encouraged Timothy to be an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity! These are great challenges for us all. Set the pace in these areas. Be an example to others who believe.

1Tm3

"Great boldness in the faith" comes from faithful service to the Lord. The longer one serves, the more bold they become in its significance.

In this chapter Paul is talking about the importance of character in church leadership. Qualified leadership, marked primarily by character, is essential to a healthy, fully functioning church. Quality leadership is at the foundation of a healthy church. When leadership lacks character the church suffers.

Serving as a church leader is not easy. In fact, it is difficult. One benefit of serving in this way is "great boldness in the faith". That boldness come through faithfully serving the truth. The more we serve, the more confident we are in "Who" we are serving and the truth of the gospel.

We should all find a place to serve in our local church. It matters. For the church and for us.

1Tm2

Pray for those who don't believe today to come to a believing faith! God's desire is for "everyone to be saved". Yet the bible clearly teaches that most will not be.

Paul lived his life to share the good news with everyone he came in contact with. His desire was that they would be saved! Most of the time he was rejected, but often God did something amazing when he shared. The same is true of us.

Don't let the possibility of rejection keep us from sharing. Especially don't let rejection keep us from praying for others. If we love someone, we should want their salvation more than any other thing.

Let's keep praying for the salvation of others.

1Tm1

The closer we draw to Christ, the more acutely we are aware of our own sinfulness. We never totally escape our desire to sin until we leave this body and world.

Paul, late in his life wrote these final books to his "true son in the faith" Timothy. In this book he describes himself as the "worst of sinners". He didn't say he WAS the worst! He said he IS the worst. Compared to what? He definitely would have not been the worst in comparison to anyone here. We would have likely considered him "the least sinful".

Paul's closeness to Christ only made him more aware of his sin. The closer he got, the more aware he was of how far he was away. Yet his desire was to pursue Christ even harder! He knew it was the best way to live his earthly life.

What is our desire?

2Th3

How important are right friendships in our relationship with Christ? I would say they are vital. We tend to become "like" the people we choose to be with.

In this passage Paul urges believers to "keep away from" and "not associate" with "brothers" who do not follow his teaching. He went on to say, "Don't treat him as an enemy but warn him as a brother." But what is the context? What were these brothers doing?

In the direct context it seems like they were "not working" but free loading on others. They were not doing their part to make the whole better. They were not following Paul's instructions or his example. Possibly they were "all talk and no action" kind of people.

Be the kind of christian other christians don't have to avoid.

2Th2

Salvation comes only through God's Spirit. It is that same Spirit that makes us "holy". 

We cannot save ourselves and we cannot make ourselves righteous before God. Salvation and righteousness are gifts from God through His Spirit. We receive these gifts when we believe.

Jesus is coming back. Paul is clear on that. He is also clear on "who" will be delivered from destruction when that happens...Only those who have believed and put their faith in Jesus.

I am so glad that God has given us such a wonderful gift!