Devoted to Scripture

https://netbible.org/bible/1+Timothy+1-3/

This is day 344 of our journey.

Today we start Paul's letter to Timothy.  Timothy was a young man that Paul had led to the faith and that was now serving with Paul.  Paul had sent Timothy ahead of him to Ephesus to deal with false teachings and ungodly leadership within the church.  These false leaders were misapplying Jewish practices and incorporating many pagan philosophies of the day.  Paul wrote this letter to remind them of the truth of Scripture and that Salvation comes by faith in Christ alone.  Paul specifically discusses the characteristics of a good leader in the church; this is not the role for someone who is proud and wanting to promote themselves, but rather, for one who wants nothing more than to be a humble servant of God and others.  The life of the believer must become a life of humility.

Join me in 1 Timothy 1-3 and serve with humility!

Key verses:

1 Timothy 1:15

This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them!

1 Timothy 2:8

So I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or dispute.  

1 Timothy 3:13

For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/1-Timothy/

https://netbible.org/bible/2+Thessalonians+1-3/

This is day 343 of our journey.

Shortly after the writing of 1 Thessalonians, Paul wrote this short second letter to correct some false teachings about the day of the Lord.  This day of the Lord, Paul explains, is the time when God will complete his victory and reward his faithful ones.  Unfortunately, some in Thessalonica had been teaching that the day of the Lord had already come despite the fact that the people were still being persecuted.  Paul reassures them that the Lord will bring justice upon those who persecute them, reminds them of the signs that will signal the Lord's return, and reassures the church that the day of the Lord has not yet come.  He closes his letter with instructions to continue to live faithfully and to continue to do what is right.

Join me in 2 Thessalonians 1-3 and rely on the Lord of peace in times of trouble.

Key verses:

2 Thessalonians 1:11

And in this regard we pray for you always, that our God will make you worthy of his calling and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith,  

2 Thessalonians 2:15

Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions that we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.  

2 Thessalonians 3:13

But you, brothers and sisters, do not grow weary in doing what is right.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/2-Thessalonians/

https://netbible.org/bible/1+Thessalonians+1-5/

This is day 342 of our journey.

Paul's first letter to the Church at Thessalonica praises the people for their faithful walk as believers.  They had consistently stood their ground in the face of persecution.  Paul reminds them of the future return of Christ and encourages them to continue to grow in love and to strengthen their commitment to the Gospel.  The people are challenged to live their lives in accordance with Jesus' teachings and to support and encourage one another in every good practice.

Join me in 1 Thessalonians 1-5 and cling to what is good!

Key verses:

1 Thessalonians 1:6

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction.  

1 Thessalonians 2:19

For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you?  

1 Thessalonians 3:12

And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you,  

1 Thessalonians 4:16

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

But examine all things; hold fast to what is good.  22 Stay away from every form of evil.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/1-Thessalonians/

https://netbible.org/bible/Colossians+1-4/

This is day 341 of our journey.

Paul wrote the book of Colossians as an encouragement to the church at Colossae so that they would remain devoted to the exalted Christ.  Christ is the image of God and the firstborn of all creation, in him all things were created!  Despite his glory and power, Jesus chose to humble himself and die so that we might be reconciled to himself.  Because of this great gift, we must be faithful to him in all things, proclaiming Christ to others as we endure all kinds of hardships.  Paul goes on to emphasize the need to live in unity with each other; not only forgiving those who sin against us but also lifting them up in their weaknesses.  His final encouragement is that we must conduct ourselves with wisdom, speaking graciously to all people so that we can spread the gospel to others.

Join me in Colossians 1-4 and revel in the glory of Christ working through us!

Key verses:

Colossians 1:22

but now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him –

Colossians 2:13

And even though you were dead in your transgressions and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he nevertheless made you alive with him, having forgiven all your transgressions.  

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  

Colossians 4:5-6

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunities.  6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Colossians/

https://netbible.org/bible/Philippians+1-4/

This is day 340 of our journey.

Paul wrote the letter we now know as the book of Philippians to believers in Philippi while he was imprisoned in Rome.  The letter is written to encourage the church and to thank them for their prayers and generosity.  Paul also took the letter as another opportunity to proclaim the Gospel message.  Chapter 2 includes a brief poem about the greatness of Christ and the amazing grace he extended on our behalf.  Paul then encourages the people to imitate Christ in all things.  To do this, the believer must be willing to give up their own rights and desires for the service of others.  Paul reminds them that, while he has achieved great success from a human perspective, his accomplishments are nothing compared to the value of knowing Christ and suffering for his name.

Join me in Philippians 1-4 and be strengthened by Christ for every good work.

Key verses:

Philippians 1:6

For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.  

Philippians 2:8

He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death – even death on a cross!  

Philippians 3:8

More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things – indeed, I regard them as dung! – that I may gain Christ,  

Philippians 4:13

I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Philippians/

https://netbible.org/bible/Ephesians+4-6/

This is day 339 of our journey.

In Ephesians 4, Paul places a strong emphasis on unity among the believers.  He reminds them that God himself is the one who has appointed different roles for the believers and that each of these roles has the purpose of building one another up in unity.  He calls us to practice the truth in love so that we can grow to be more like Christ.  Paul then narrows down his focus to talk about unity in the home.  He speaks to the roles of husbands and wives.  Husbands must show love for their wives, in the same way that Christ loved the church. Wives must submit to their husbands in a similar way to the way that Christians must submit to the Lord.  This is not a call for patriarchal dominance, but for mutual love and respect, recognizing the distinct gifts and needs of men and women.  Paul closes by reminding us that our battle is not against other people, but rather against the spiritual forces of evil around us.  As such, we can only combat this with spiritual armor.  We must daily put on this armor to strengthen us for the battles we face.

Join me in Ephesians 4-6 and live in unity with one another!

Key verses:

Ephesians 4:25

Therefore,  having laid aside falsehood, each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, because we are members of one another.  

Ephesians 5:33

Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.  

Ephesians 6:13

For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Ephesians+1-3/

This is day 338 of our journey.

The book of Ephesians was written, not only to the church at Ephesus, but to all the churches in the region.  Paul begins the letter by emphasizing the blessings we have through the blood of Christ: redemption and the forgiveness of sins.  He then prays for the believers that they might receive spiritual wisdom and understanding of the greatness and power of God and his workings in our lives.  Paul reminds them that God has given us salvation, not because of anything we had done, but by grace through faith; and that he has prepared good works for us to do in Christ Jesus.  He makes it clear that this truth is a new revelation (not understood by former generations) that has now been revealed by the Holy Spirit.

Join me in Ephesians 1-3 and comprehend the depth of the love of Christ for you!

Key verses:

Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our offenses, according to the riches of his grace  

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God;  9 it is not from works, so that no one can boast.  

Ephesians 3:18

you will be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Ephesians/

https://netbible.org/bible/Galatians+4-6/

This is day 337 of our journey.

Paul continues his argument against trying to earn justification by good works and by observing the Mosaic law.  He reminds the Galatians that we are heirs with Christ and, as such, we are no longer slaves to the law.  Observing the law carries no authority, all that matters is faith in love.  Now, if we have the Spirit living within us, we will no longer bear the fruit of the flesh, but will produce the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  

Join me in Galatians 4-6 for Paul's closing arguments to the Galatians.

Key verses:

Galatians 4:7

So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are a son, then you are also an heir through God.  

Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight – the only thing that matters is faith working through love.  

Galatians 6:7

Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows,  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

https://netbible.org/bible/Galatians+1-3/

This is day 336 of our journey.

Paul's letter to the Galatians is written to combat false teachings that have entered the church.  There are some men that are preaching a false gospel to them, claiming that circumcision and strict observance of the law of Moses are required for Salvation.  Paul gives evidence that Salvation comes by faith alone.  He first explains the origin of the gospel that he preaches, explaining that it was not revealed to him by any man but by the risen Christ himself.  Then he clarifies the gospel that he had previously preached in their presence:  we are justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law.  Following from this, it is clear that all who believe in Jesus Christ are equally righteous before God.  There is no division, we have unity in Christ.

Join me in Galatians 1-3 and rejoice that our hope is not in the law but in Christ!

Key verses:

Galatians 1:10

Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ!  

Galatians 2:16

yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.  

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female – for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.  

All Scriptures are from the NET.

Check out these links for more thoughts on the topic:

https://thebibleproject.com/explore/Galatians/

https://netbible.org/bible/2+Corinthians+10-13/

This is day 335 of our journey.

Paul concludes his letter with a long defense of his position as an apostle and minister to Corinth.  False teachers had come denigrating Paul and questioning his authority and motives.  Paul responds with a reminder of his character and treatment of them.  He has not taken advantage of his position, but rather has provided all his services without payment.  In all of this conflict, Paul rejoices in his weaknesses so that the power of God may be evident in strength.  Paul signs off with a promise to come to them soon, and a hope that he will not need to deal harshly with them when he arrives.

Join me in 2 Corinthians 10-13 for Paul's concluding remarks to Corinth.

Key verses:

2 Corinthians 10:18

For it is not the person who commends himself who is approved, but the person the Lord commends.  

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his treachery, your minds may be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  

2 Corinthians 12:10

Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.  

2 Corinthians 13:10

Because of this I am writing these things while absent, so that when I arrive I may not have to deal harshly with you by using my authority – the Lord gave it to me for building up, not for tearing down!  

All Scriptures are from the NET.