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First of all, then, I ask that requests, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving be made for all people. Pray for kings and everyone who is in authority so that we can live a quiet and peaceful life in complete godliness and dignity. This is right and it pleases God our savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4

In this portion of his letter to Timothy, Paul is advising that Timothy’s prayer and outreach efforts be broadly cast. Rather than a truth that is directed to just one set of people, God’s live and the offer of Jesus Christ is meant for all to hear and believe.

When we pray for others, we are placing our faith in God that he will intervene in his way. The Bible tells us that God is pleased with our acts of faith, and is pleased that we are acting to share his love with others.

Spend some extra time in prayer today. Pray for others — those you know personally as well as those you don’t. Ask God to intervene in his way, and have faith that he will act.

Be God’s — every day.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
1 Timothy 6:17

As described in this verse, those who have been blessed must realize the source of their blessings. What we have is a gift from God. We cannot put our trust in the things we achieve, because we simply didn’t earn them without help.

Recognizing, then, that what we have is a gift, we should also recognize the responsibility that comes with that. You may recall the parable of the faithful servant… When Jesus closes with the line “to whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48 — check it out for the context of the parable). When we have gifts, we are called to use them as best we can.

This weekend I stumbled upon a video that gave me hope. We often hear of celebrities and athletes failing to recognize the responsibility that comes with their blessing. In this video, I saw the exact opposite.

(if the link doesn’t work, search YouTube for “Kirk Cousins Big Ten” and you should find it)

I appreciate how he steps up to the responsibility. I wish we all could respond as wisely as Kirk Cousins appears to. We have all been blessed by God, and we have the responsibility to use those blessings to the fullest.

Be God’s — every day.

If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
1 Timothy 5:8

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
1 Timothy 6:7-8

Bonus… Two verses today!

I know I’m taking each of these two verses a little out of context (the first is in a section about caring for widows, and the second is about avoiding the temptation that the pursuit of wealth can bring). However, they were my random verse two consecutive days and fit nicely with my post from yesterday.

I struggle with what “provide” means here…

I love my wife, and take great joy in seeing her happy. She’s not a greedy or extravagant person at all — I’ve commented since we met that she’s a “cheap date.” But I’d feel like I wasn’t providing appropriately if she only had the bare minimum. I definitely feel the pressure at times of being the primary income in the family, and that pressure has definitely kept me risk averse in making career moves.

But where is the line between providing for family and having enough?

I’m pretty sure Kim and I have crossed that line — our Starbucks tab alone could probably feed a family in need. So this isn’t about “how much” per se as it as about “how secure” life can be.

I don’t have an answer (again)… Just questions.

My eyes have really been opened the last few days as I’ve seriously pondered these types of questions. I hope that by being open about it that someone else feeling challenged in the same ways might be encouraged.

Be God’s — every day.

P.S. Thank you to those who have reached out or lent an ear as I wade through these questions and start to make some decisions. I greatly appreciate your advice, encouragement, and prayer.

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
1 Timothy 6:7

I am fully aware that this verse is speaking of material possessions, based on the verses surrounding. And given that, it’s broader them is that we should not focus on things that have no lasting meaning. When we leave this world, it’s just us and our faith. We leave everything else behind.

I’d like to focus on what we leave behind.

Yesterday I attended the memorial for my colleague Dave. The service occurred in the newly built sacred hall of a Jewish temple in the northern suburbs. There were probably a thousand people there, packed to the point that I was seated in practically the front row on a side, no more than 50 feet from Dave’s parents, wife, and three children. Of course, I and everyone else there was saddened for the family he left behind.

Then I started to see that while Dave would no longer be with them, he had left his imprint and would always be with them. As his 18 year old son Benji sat hand in hand with Dave’s now widow, I could see character built through years of fathering. When Benji stood and eulogized his father, two thousand wet eyes knew that Dave had built a family of character. I learned after the service that the day after he passed, his son Adam still participated in his confirmation, saying that his dad taught him how important it was to become a member of the faith community. His daughter Jessie, shortly after Adam’s confirmation, still walked across the stage at her 8th grade graduation, because she knew her dad valued education and this was a sign of that.

I also learned that Dave was an organ donor, and his legacy will live on in someone else whom he never met, but will endlessly appreciate his gift.

I can only hope that I will leave a legacy like Dave. Someday as a father, I would hope that I could instill such character in my family.

While on earth, we can store up treasures and leave them behind. Or we can focus on the love around us, and leave a legacy among our family and community that change the world forever. To that end, each day should be about building the memory you hope to leave, showing God’s love to one another.

Be God’s — every day.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6

I’m sitting in an airport restaurant, quite hungry. I’ve ordered my favorite breakfast: french toast with a side of bacon. What a great way to start the day!

Except when the meal comes, the bacon is clearly the quick serve microwavable kind. The french toast seems suspiciously nuked as well. I eat it, but leave the restaurant feeling like it was as great a start to the day as I had hoped. (though the Starbucks in my hand now is saving it)

My breakfast didn’t give me quite the edge I hoped for, because I wasn’t satisfied with it. It was exactly what I ordered, and it fundamentally tasted like it was supposed to. But I wasn’t content, and thus it isn’t giving me the kick I hoped for to get through a long day of travel and meetings.

While I normally wouldn’t compare our faith in God with microwave bacon, in this case I am. We can choose to be content with what our faith has yielded and what God provides, and if we do so it will give us much. Whereas if we don’t feel like godliness gives us enough, we won’t get the full benefit from what we have.

Recognize the value in what God provides and the power he can give. Be pleased with what you have, and that will pay extra dividends.

And hope that my Starbucks overcomes the weak bacon…

Be God’s — every day.

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:8

From my post yesterday… I ended up not meeting up with Dennis. His father, Jerry, passed peacefully about an hour before we had planned to meet up. Jerry’s death is the end of a battle with cancer.

Jerry’s life, as I have minimally observed via Dennis, is a testament to this verse. Jerry’s godliness has clearly made an impact on those around him. There are so few truly “good guys” in my part of the business world, and Dennis is certainly one of them. His father helped create a man of God, and Dennis is equipped to pass that to his sons.

The entire family knows Jerry is in a better place. His decision to follow God and accept the reign of Christ Jesus provides him with an everlasting life.

Think about those around you, and the impact that Christian living has had in them. Know that the Christian life brings value today, and gives you access to a better life forever.

Be God’s — every day.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
1 Timothy 1:15

Jesus didn’t come to be a part of an elite circle of perfect people. In fact, quite the opposite. Jesus spent his time hanging out with the “lows” of his society: lepers, tax collectors, and prostitutes. He brought a message that we are ALL sinners, and as such no one is lesser.

Today’s church should remember this. To follow Christ’s example would suggest that the church be not only about those who are in it, but also ensure those who are outside of it are cared for and included. My local congregation is a mission-driven church, and we invest a lot of time and resources into those beyond our church community. Even then, I am sure we can do more.

That being said — let’s not for a second think that Jesus came to save “them”. The point is that we are all sinners, and Jesus wants all of us. As the “churched” we are no greater and have no greater claim to God’s love. Jesus came to earth to show how God loves everyone, even as we sin.

Be God’s — every day.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
1 Timothy 1:15-16

Christians can get a reputation for being “holier than thou.” There is research evidence that non-Christians, particularly younger ones, are turned off by Christians because of this image they project. We are often known more for what we are against than what God wants us to do and become.

We forget, though, that we are saved because we are sinners. There is no room for holier than thou mindsets. Our sins are no less damning than the sins of others in the world. We are saved in spite of our shortcomings, and all others in the world can be saved just the same.

We are all sinners, none less so than another. We are all saved through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Be God’s — every day.

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
1 Timothy 1:5-7

False teachings were a problem for the early Christians, just as it can be today. There are plenty of loud-speaking, persuasive leaders who preach of “truth” that does not conform with God’s command to love one another.

Spotting a false teacher can be difficult, particularly because they speak so confidently and often with great evidence to support. Certainly, I’m not qualified to go toe-to-toe with or even be the source of all truth either. But the letter to Timothy gives us a lens: does this teaching violate the greatest commands, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and to love your neighbor as your self?

These commands are the source of all truth in Christ.

Be God’s — every day.