Daily Discipline 12.09.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are studying the book of I Timothy, please read Chapters 1-6 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read them online. If the link does not work you can copy and paste this link into your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Timothy%201-6&version=9

Today we are reading about a warning against false doctrine; being thankful for God's mercy; the qualifications of church leaders; instructions about the widows and elderly; and the good fight of faith. Today's message focuses on the importance of being disciplined daily in our reading and praying. The only way to know the truth and live it is to read it for yourself.

The book of I Timothy is the 15th book/10th epistle of the New Testament and contains 6 chapters. The author of the book is Paul and it was written to Timothy, his son through faith. The purpose of the letter was to address some of the problems and needs which existed in the church at Ephesus, which he was ministering to. What we are to learn from the book is that we should live a life example of the ministry to which we have been called.

The Roman Emperor Nero was ruthlessly persecuting Christians and condemning many of them to death at the time Paul wrote this letter to Timothy. However, Paul stressed the importance of praying for those who were in authority over them, regardless of their conduct. "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (I Timothy 2:1-4). As we pray for world leaders, as well as for our local officials, we can be sure our prayers will have an effect upon their actions, whether the men themselves are godly or evil.

As believer's we are urged to discipline ourselves daily to set time aside to be alone with God by praying and reading His Word. Daily study and meditation of God's Word gives us sound doctrine of how God wants us to live and increases our faith in Him. Many Christians have drifted away from the godly principles of the Bible. Paul reminds us, "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." (I Timothy 4:4-8).

Our lives will be occupied either by the Holy Spirit or by self and the standards of the world. There can be no sharing of authority, and there is just one true safeguard against deception, it is knowing all the Word of God.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Help each of us to understand the wiles of the devil and to be steadfast in our determination to resist temptation at each step. We want to be self-controlled and alert, standing firm in the faith as we resist the devil who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking for someone to devour. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit to resist and to overcome. In Jesus' name.......Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed day!
God Bless and Seasons Greetings,
Christina

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