Thursday Devotional - Faithful God versus Foolish Solomon 10/6/22

By God’s gift, Solomon was one of the wisest people to ever live! Yet, in his later years, he wasted the wisdom God gave him and foolishly turned to other influences.

I Kings 11:9-13        ⁹ The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. ¹⁰ Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command. ¹¹ So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. ¹² Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. ¹³ Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”

Although Solomon wasted his wisdom, God was still faithful to His promises to David and to Solomon. God gave Solomon an opportunity to repent, too. It isn’t recorded that Solomon ever repented and turned back to God. If he had, God would have faithfully forgiven him and helped him use wisdom again.

When have you and I foolishly wasted something God gave to us? Money, education, family relationships, time? How might our Faithful God help you and me to wisely use His gifts going forward?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Faithful God versus Lustful Solomon 9/29/22

When kids don’t have enough to do, what do they do? Get in trouble!!! Apparently one of my sons didn’t have enough to do the other day, so he decided to use half the bottle of hand soap and splash it on the mirror! I was furious, especially since I had just cleaned up a glass jar of salsa that my other son dropped.

After Solomon built the magnificent temple for the Lord and then built a spectacular palace for himself, he didn’t seem to have enough to do either. He got in trouble with women.

I Kings 11:1a, 4, 9-12        King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter… ⁴ As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 

⁹ The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. ¹⁰ Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command. ¹¹ So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. ¹² Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

It seems Solomon’s idleness led to lust which turned him away from God. God was faithful to His promises, though, and even gave Solomon an opportunity to repent.

Instead of filling our spare time with things that are dishonoring to God and destructive to ourselves, how can you and I spend it in a way that is honoring to God?  We can ask our Faithful God to help us!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God of Grace – To the Content 9/22/2022

What do you and I think would be the greatest “gain” in this life? What does our culture say is the greatest earthly reward? Wealth, fame, position?

Paul told Timothy that the most beneficial earthly position is godliness with contentment!

I Timothy 6:2b-10     These are the things you are to teach and insist on. ³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The God of Grace is calling us to rejoice in our undeserved position as His child! Our pursuit of being Christ-like is rewarding for this life and the life to come, with or without earthly financial reward. Think how much peace we would have if we were truly content with what we have in Christ! 

Thursday Devotional - God of Grace – To those in Need 9/15/2022

Have you ever wondered which person or group to help? Sometimes it can be overwhelming when we know of so many people and organizations in need. 

Timothy may have been similarly overwhelmed, so Paul gave him certain criteria for determining which widows from within the church to help.

I Timothy 5:3-10       ³ Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. ⁵ The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. ⁶ But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. ⁷ Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. ⁸ Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

⁹ No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, ¹⁰ and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

Timothy was to determine:

1. The widows who truly needed support
2. Those who had no other means of help from family
3. Those who had lived pure and purposeful lives

I often feel badly not supporting ALL the wonderful organizations that need financial support. However, after prayer, I was led to contribute to certain organizations doing God’s work. Then, I was able to guiltlessly recycle all the other requests for support that came in the mail.

Just as God, through Paul, helped Timothy know where he was to help the needy, God can help you and me know! Will you ask God who you are to help? Then we can listen for when and how to help.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God of Grace – To the Young and Inexperienced 9/8/2022

Have you ever felt too young or too inexperienced to do a job or responsibility you were asked to do? I have certainly felt both too young and too inexperienced numerous times, whether it was on a non-profit board, a leadership position at church, or leading a Bible study for women much older than me.

Paul must have known Timothy was feeling young and inexperienced when he wrote to him.

I Timothy 4:11-13     ¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² 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. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

Timothy could effectively “lead up” as he relied on God’s grace and help to faithfully saturating himself in God’s truths. As you and I allow God’s truths to saturate our lives, then we too can be an example to others, even if they are more mature and experienced.

From the verses above, in which area would you like to mature? The God of Grace is ready to help you and me in that area!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God of Grace – To the Physically Fit 9/1/2022

 Exercise is definitely a priority in my daily routine! I don’t always like the exercise, but the discipline and importance of exercise has been instilled in me since I was young. The importance of daily spiritual training was also modeled, practiced and supported from early on. I want to always make time for God, even if I don’t always get a physical workout for the day.

I Timothy 4:7-10       Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ 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. ⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Being physically fit can be honoring to God. Being spiritually fit is always honoring to God. It means we are putting our full focus on Him, trusting the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe!

Are you and I putting more emphasis on our physical fitness or our spiritual fitness? The God of Grace wants to help us with our training in godliness, as He knows it has value for all eternity! 

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God of Grace – To His Household 8/25/2022

Part of God’s grace to us is giving us instructions for life! Paul passed on important instructions to Timothy to pass on to the church. Paul called the church God’s household.

I Timothy 3:14-16     Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,
    was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory. 

Not only did God give us instructions through his prophets and apostles, but He sent Jesus as the perfect example of how to live a life of godliness.

How valuable are God’s instructions to you and me? What keeps you and me from interacting with fellow believers in a Christ-like manner (whether it’s extending God’s grace to them as He’s extended to us or encouraging them in their pursuit of godliness)?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God of Grace – To Servants 8/18/2022

Do you and I earn grace by serving?  

We don’t earn grace, but God gives it to us freely. Our perseverance in service helps us be more confident in the grace God has already given to us.

In Paul’s day, deacons were the “servants” in the church. They did some of the menial jobs caring for physical needs of church members. They weren’t the preachers, yet they had similar requirements to the spiritual leaders in the church.  

I Timothy 3:8-13       In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

¹¹ In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. ¹³ Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

That last sentence could be confusing. Faithful servants don’t gain faith, but gain assurance of the faith they already have. From experience, the more I’m in God’s word, praying and serving, the greater my confidence in God. It doesn’t change who He is or what He has already accomplished for me. It affects my perspective and assurance of who He is and what He’s done. 

How’s your assurance in God’s Grace to you? 

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God of Grace – To Preachers? 8/11/2022

Do you and I have higher expectations for preachers than for the rest of society?

If they make a mistake, are they beyond God’s grace? No, but the consequences may have a farther reach.  

Paul highlighted to Timothy excellent high standards for pastors, church leaders and elders.

I Timothy 3:1-5        Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. ² Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. ⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

These standards are excellent for all people! However, they are impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. We need God’s grace when we fail and His help to progress in holiness. How are you and I motivated to pray for our pastors and ourselves in light of these characteristics?

Alice

Thursday Devotional - God of Grace – To Politicians? 8/4/2022

Do you fume when you hear or read what certain politicians think and advocate that is clearly contrary to God and His best? With primaries here this week in Michigan, there were (and still are) lots of different views flying around. I can get worked up about it, but it usually helps if I stop and pray for the various politicians.

In fact, Paul gave that advise to Timothy.

I Timothy 2:1-8          I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. ⁷ And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

⁸ Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 

We are to pray for everyone, including politicians! Not only that, but I think Paul emphasized that the most important prayer is for their salvation. Paul highlighted that God has offered and wants to give grace to all people. Through Jesus Christ, everyone has access to salvation.

How does this motivate you and me to pray, especially the next time we start to boil after hearing a politician?

Alice