Chapter 1
By rejecting this, some has made shipwreck of their faith. (v.19b) Our pastor’s theme yesterday for his message was our church becoming a forgiving church. While the message was great as a whole, his final question to the church hit home. He asked, “How is your forgiveness affecting you?” What does that mean? He’s asking how has the fact that you have been forgiven by God actually changed you? Has is changed you? Has because you have been forgiven actually changed the way you act? Live? Speak? Worship? Has it changed anything? I pray that it has! Sadly, many have rejected that amazing understanding that they are forgiven and shipwrecked their transformed life with God because of it. They are stuck on a reef of guilt, shame, selfishness, and pride and never allowing the change to take place in their life that comes from the forgiveness that God places in their story. Today, wrap your head around the fact that you have been forgiven if you’ve come to Christ. Because of that, live changed. You’ve had a massive change take place in your life when you are forgiven; now actually live out that change. The weight is off, the shackles are gone, the forgiveness is here. Live changed. For your own walk with God and so others can see the awesome love of God through your story. For if you never let the forgiveness of God affect you, your story will never affect anyone. – Daily DEVO 17
Nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 1 Timothy 1:4 – What I see being taught from this passage is that we can invest our time in things and questions that have no impact on our spiritual growth or the growth of others. I’ve seen this take place within the church body far too often. We find ourselves arguing and debating over things that really have no value or clear cut answer. I see scripture saying to invest our energy and mind on things that grow you and others in Christ. In fact I see Paul telling Timothy to check those people who are allowing themselves to be caught up in all that. Let’s begin to pour ourselves into what really matters, the salvation of others and our sanctification. Let’s also be brave enough to speak up when we see the opposite of that happening within our churches. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 472
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 16 But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 – Paul is writing to his co-laborer in the mission Timothy, and he is seeking to direct and encourage young Timothy to remain steadfast in his calling. Here Paul looks back at his pre-Jesus life and acknowledges the true sinfulness of it all. He even claims to be the worst of all sinners. Yet, that didn’t stop Jesus from being able to save him and use him for God’s glory. Now Paul’s life and story is an example of what God can do in a sinner’s life. For each of us, we too have our own pre-Jesus story. Some may be longer than others and some may include greater amounts of sinful behaviors than others, but all have the truth that Jesus changed our lives in common. Paul wasn’t afraid to speak about and demonstrate the change Jesus made in him, the question is will we be willing to? It can be scary to show others who we were before Jesus. The enemy will seek to cover you with shame and embarrassment about all that, but there’s a reason why the enemy would play the shame game with you on this. Because when we share the change Jesus has made in our life, people’s eyes are opened to how good Jesus truly is. Will you allow your story to be used for God’s glory? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2484
Chapter 2
Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. 1 Timothy 2:15 – Ok, so at first this passage seems to be saying something different than what the rest of scripture says. That ladies can find salvation through having kids. I though wanted to talk about this because that’s not what is being said, and in fact, it doesn’t at all contradict other scripture. We see in the verses before this one it speaks about the sin of Adam and Eve. Do you remember the curse put on Eve of pain during childbirth? What we see being said here is that even though there was a curse and sin in the life of Eve, and all ladies, she/they could still find salvation through all that in faith and love. See the difference. It’s saying that even through sin in our lives we can still find salvation. That’s right in line with scripture! So ladies, and gents, know that even through all the sin in our lives, salvation is available to us! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 473
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 – God desires all people to be saved and to know the truth. While there is a lot of theological conversations that surrounds passages like this about free will and God’s sovereignty, I believe we can see the heart of the Lord within this passage. God wants people to be saved from their sin. God doesn’t enjoy seeing any fall under the condemnation of their sin, which is why He provided for us a Savior in Jesus. God also desires all people to know the truth of His word. He wants each person to know His love for them, to become aware of their sin, and to know His plan of salvation. God desires all people to be saved and to know His truth…the question is though do we feel the same way? Do we want all people to be saved and to know the truth of scripture? On the surface and maybe verbally we would say yes, but when it gets down to speaking on certain individuals, our answers may not be as clear. How about the person that deeply hurt you, or the criminal that hurt your loved one, or the dictator across the word causing havoc, or the ex that you only speak vile things about? Do you want them to have the joy of heaven and forgiveness of their sins? God desires all people to be saved and to know His truth, and so should we. Will that always be easy? No, in fact that piece may be one of the most difficult parts of your faith life with Jesus, but it is following the example of Jesus. Pray that the Lord would change your heart to match His when it comes to such individuals and be open to however God may use you in their lives. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2485
Chapter 3
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. 1 Timothy 3:2 – What we see being outlined in this chapter is some qualifications to those who are being lead to step into leadership roles within the church. But I want to challenge you, why can’t these same qualifications given for a pastor or deacon be guidelines to how every Christian to strive to live? While every pastor holds an important role within the church, every Christian holds the name of Jesus on their life. I encourage you to examine what you see listed in these qualifications and begin seeing how your life can begin meeting them too. Just imagine a church family where each member was self-controlled, not greedy, and hospitable. What sort of reputation would that church have in its community? What sort of witness for Jesus would that church be giving? Isn’t that the type of witness we have been called to have all along? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 474
The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 1 Timothy 3:1 – What is an overseer? While that role will likely be understood by many in many different ways, we can understand it as a pastor or elder. Someone who is taking a leadership position within a church body. We learn here that if there is someone inwardly longing for that and they are desiring to step into that role, that to God this is a good and beautiful thing. While this devotional today may not resonate with everyone for not everyone has such a desire, I want to agree with the Lord, it is a beautiful thing. As a pastor you get the honor of sitting in places you wouldn’t have and with people in seasons you may not have been able to without such a title in their life. If then you are reading this and God has placed that desire in your heart, I would encourage you to pursue it. Know the journey of a pastor won’t be easy for you and there will be times you’ll question everything and wonder what you stepped into for sure. Yet you’ll be positioning yourself to be used by the Lord in unique and great ways. I pray more young men will step up to the call of pastor. If though this is not your call, then I request you pray for the pastors in your life and in your city. While their calling is good, it’s hard too. If you want to support them, be at church at Sunday, step up and serve where the church needs, and be willing to be a studier of scripture outside the doors of the church. I know, a little different of a devotional, but thank you for allowing me to share my heart after reading a passage like this. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2486
Chapter 4
Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 1 Timothy 4:15 – What we have been called to do, let’s give ourselves wholly over to it so that all may see our growth and what it is we’re about. That’s what Paul was directing Timothy to do and what scripture is directing us to do. While individually God is going to lead us in unique ways to live out our calling, the calling is the same for all of us. To love God and to love people and share His love with those people. That’s what each of us is called to do. So taking what we read today, begin giving yourself wholly over to the sharing of God’s love with people and growing in your love for God. Let yourself be so immersed in all that that others can’t help but see your love for God and people when they look at you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 475
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 1 Timothy 4:6 – In our chapter, Paul is contrasting the false teaching of many in that day to the real truth of scripture. Paul informs and directs Timothy to be aware of such false teaching and he even guides Timothy on how to combat such lies being spoken to the people. By telling the people the truth. See our best weapon against the lies of this world is not some well thought out argument or loud stance on an issue. Our best weapon is sharing the truth of scripture. We then ought to be learners of God’s word, learners of what is true. For the world around us is going to continue creating and sharing their lies about life and the world. Lies about how to live, lies about what life after death is, lies about Jesus even. The enemy isn’t taking a day off on his goal of deception of the world. While it can seem overwhelming when so many mediums like TV, music, and even our school system are actively sharing so many of these lies, our best posture of warfare against such lies is knowing and sharing the truth of Jesus. We then must be sharing God’s truth of scripture however, whenever, and to whomever we can. We must do so gently and respectfully, but also consistently and with conviction. For while the lies are being shared nonstop, all they are is lies and they have no real foundation. These lies will crumble and fall, and what will remain is the truth of God’s word. Let’s make sure that those who are currently believing the lies of this world will have a safe, solid foundation of God’s word to land on when those lies fail them. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2487
Chapter 5
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 – You have a responsibility to help meet the needs of your family. While the church has its responsibilities within the lives of those a part of each congregation, the individual members are called to do all they can to meet the needs of those in their home. That means the physical, emotional, and even spiritual needs. Please note as well no one is off the hook. It’s not just the parent’s responsibility, it’s everyone in the house that is to meet the needs of everyone else. So today, open your eyes to the needs of those in your home. If you already do that, try opening your eyes to see their needs you’ve been missing. Like maybe you try to make sure there is food on the table, but what about their emotional state right now? God’s given you these people in your house, how can you step up to meet their needs and be God’s tool within their story today? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 476
The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. 1 Timothy 5:24-25 – Nothing remains hidden forever. Here Paul reminds Timothy that whether it is a sinful action or a good work, both cannot remain hidden forever. Some sins of people are obvious to see for no effort was made to conceal and hide it. Others though tend do their sinfulness in secret, hoping no one will ever discover and find out what is happening behind closed doors. Scripture reminds us that nothing remains hidden forever, and even if the only one that sees is the Lord, our sin never remains hidden. On the other hand, our good works are the same. Some flaunt their good works, and they are seen by all. While some do their good works in quiet, behind the scenes, never requesting thanks nor the spotlight. What God reminds us is it that even this cannot remain hidden forever. God sees the sacrifice and good work being done in secret. Maybe no one else will ever see it or comment about it, but the Lord sees. If then your story has a hidden sin within it, know God sees it and is seeking you to turn away from it. If your story is one is one of quiet, faithful service to Him, know God sees your faithfulness. God’s eyes sees all and brings justice where needed. He also brings blessing and exaltation where it is due. Whether then this devotion is to direct you away from sin or encourage your quiet faithfulness to continue, know God’s eyes are upon you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2488
Chapter 6
But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 – What we see here is scripture telling us which type of life will be the most fulfilling for us. Not one following after sin. Not one constantly reaching for more. Not one that is filled with what the world offers. But one that is pursuing and obeying God, being satisfied with what He brings in and satisfied with what He chooses to leave out. Here will we find the greatest gain of peace and joy in our story. So how does that compare to your pursuit in life? How does your life need to change in order to make sure you mirror what is being said within our passage? Pursue God, obey God, and be satisfied in what He chooses to bring into your life. Here is where we can find what we’re really looking for. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 477
…to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ…1 Timothy 6:14 – Paul, in his final words to Timothy in this letter leaves Timothy with a closing charge. To keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach. Yet what command and what does all that mean? Timothy is to keep the command of the gospel message. Whether that was in his proclaiming the gospel through his teachings or proclaiming the gospel through his life, the gospel message was to remain unstained. His words and his life shouldn’t blemish the message of the gospel nor distort it, but to keep it pure and true. What a hefty charge to give Timothy! Yet, I hate to break the news to you, but this charge is given to every believer as well. Our aim ought to be to keep the gospel message unstained and free from reproach. That when we speak the gospel message that we speak it fully and truthfully. That with the way we live our lives that we are demonstrating the gospel well and not trashing its message by our lifestyle. Yes, a hefty charge, but we have a Savior who took on an even heftier burden for us and He is worth living like this for. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2489
Daily DEVO 