Daily Devotional – August 7-13
August 7 – Meditating on God’s Word
This devotional series offers less content but more opportunity for you to reflect, contemplate, and pray through the short Scriptures we offer. It is an opportunity to help us slow down and enjoy time in the presence of God. It is an exercise in listening with the intent of hearing from God through His Word and by His Spirit. Here is the passage for the week:
1 Timothy 6:11-12, But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Prayer: “Jesus, may I flee from chasing after the love of money and pursuing more stuff that will never satisfy my soul. Instead, may my life be an all-out pursuit of such eternal qualities as righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. If I’m going to fight for something then empower me to contend for the faith for which You have taken hold of me. May I grab ahold and refuse to let go of eternal life to which You called me when I declared my faith in the riches of Your grace. Amen.”
August 8 – Meditating on God’s Word
1 Timothy 6:6, But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness…
Write out the Scripture. (As it is or in your own words.)
“But you, man of God, run for your life from this, and pursue righteousness, godliness…”
Observe what it is saying. (Answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions)
These words follow last week’s devotional on the dangers of pursuing wealth. Paul tells Timothy, not to walk, but run from loving money and all of the calamity it brings. In its place, he tells us to pursue various eternal qualities that reveal heaven’s true wealth. Righteousness is what Christ gives so that we can stand before God in a right relationship. If we don’t have this, we have no lasting eternal inheritance. Godliness is the work of the Holy Spirit transforming us day by day into the image of Christ. It takes on the thoughts, words, and actions of Jesus. It’s a supernatural process as we surrender ourselves to the power of Christ to make us more like Him.
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
Having confidence that I stand before God in a right relationship and pursuing His holy nature is what brings life into my soul. It satisfies the inner longings to a much deeper level than the stuff of this world could ever attempt to do. These are the pursuits that will bring lasting contentment.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Jesus, I confess my faith in Your saving work so that I can stand before the Father covered in Your righteousness. I surrender myself anew to You so that by the power of Your Spirit, I will continually be transformed into a brand-new person, reflecting Your holy nature. Amen.”
August 9 – Meditating on God’s Word
1 Timothy 6:11, But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love…
Write out the Scripture.
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love…”
Observe what it is saying.
Two more qualities we choose to pursue are faith and love. Faith is our response to God’s wealth of grace. We believe the incredibly good news of what God has made available in Jesus is true. We choose to trust in Him each day every step of the way. The result of such a dynamic faith is that we love God and others with the same generosity that was shown to us in Jesus.
Relate it to your life.
The way I show biblical love is a true measure of my faith in Christ.
Do something.
“Lord, give me increasing faith to keep on trusting in Your promises. May my authentic faith be translated into Holy Spirit filled love for You and others. Amen.”
August 10 – Meditating on God’s Word
1 Timothy 6:11, But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Write out the Scripture.
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.”
Observe what it is saying.
We add to the list of qualities to pursue: endurance. Our journey with Jesus requires perseverance of faith. There will be many challenges and obstacles along the way that will tempt us to give up. We must press on and we do so with a gentle spirit which communicates the love of Jesus to others. Through the Holy Spirit we enjoy these qualities of heaven’s wealth.
Relate it to your life.
My pursuit of Christ is an ongoing surrender to the Holy Spirit so I can become Jesus for others.
Do something.
“Lord, I surrender myself to You so that I can enjoy Your wealth and share it freely with others. May others clearly see You in me. Amen.”
August 11 – Meditating on God’s Word
1 Timothy 6:12, Fight the good fight of the faith.
Write out the Scripture.
“Fight the good fight of the faith.”
Observe what it is saying.
In our pursuit of everything that is godly, we will experience difficulty, trouble, and pushback. To surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome our pursuit for more stuff is fighting the good fight. To not succumb to the temptations, to the trials, and tribulations of this world is fighting the good fight. To fulfill our calling as followers of Jesus in difficult circumstances is fighting the good fight. To love generously and to forgive graciously is fighting the good fight.
Relate it to your life.
If I’m going to fight, I want to fight the fight of faith that leaves me standing strong at the end.
Do something.
“Jesus, life is a battle. There are many opponents that attack from within and from without. Fit me with the armor of God so I can enter the war spiritually equipped to win in the end. Amen.”
August 12 – Meditating on God’s Word
1 Timothy 6:12, Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Write out the Scripture.
“Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Observe what it is saying.
This may be speaking of Timothy’s confession of faith in Christ at his baptism, when “many witnesses” were present. His confession is the beginning of his faith journey but each day is another opportunity to trust fully in Christ in capturing the new life that has been given.
Relate it to your life.
The witnesses of my profession of faith should be able to see a daily witness of a flourishing faith which beautifully displays the fruit of the Spirit.
Do something.
“Jesus, may my life reflect that I’ve taken hold of the eternal life for which you died and resurrected. May I fully engage in living this brand-new life by the power of Your Spirit. Amen.”