Grow Our Character and Exercise Our Gifts

March 25, 2013 - 1 Timothy 4:12-14

4:12		不 可 叫 人 小 看 你 年 輕 ． 總 要 在 言 語 、 行 為 、 愛 心 、 信 心 、 清 潔 上 ． 都 作 信 徒 的 榜 樣 。
4:13		你 要 以 宣 讀 、 勸 勉 、 教 導 為 念 、 直 等 到 我 來 。
4:14		你 不 要 輕 忽 所 得 的 恩 賜 、 就 是 從 前 藉 著 預 言 、 在 眾 長 老 按 手 的 時 候 、 賜 給 你 的 。

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.¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Paul encourages his spiritual son Timothy to grow himself both in the development of character and the exercise of his spiritual gifts received. Timothy should set himself as an example for other believers in his speech and conduct (external spiritual behaviors), and in his love, faith, and purity (internal spiritual qualities). At the same time, Timothy should not neglect, but rather exercise his spiritual gifts in preaching and teaching of the words of God which was given to him by the Spirit through prophecy as the body of elders laid their hands on him. Timothy becomes a model of every believer who devotes himself or herself to grow and to serve the Lord. 

My dear heavenly Father, thanks for using Timothy to be my example that I need to grow myself continuously to become an example to other believers (life influencing life). My speech and conduct matter to God, and my faith, love, and purity of heart, though are not seen by others, are the foundation of my spiritual life. I pray that at the same time I can further develop and exercise my gifts as based on this life foundation for serving the Lord. Also focus myself on preaching and teaching of the words of the Lord to others through other means as well, including training, mentoring, and coaching of emerging leaders who also desire to grow themselves and serve the Lord. 

The Holy Spirit is also the Spirit of Truth

March 24, 2013 - 1 Timothy 4:1-2

4:1		聖 靈 明 說 、 在 後 來 的 時 候 、 必 有 人 離 棄 真 道 、 聽 從 那 引 誘 人 的 邪 靈 、 和 鬼 魔 的 道 理 。
4:2		這 是 因 為 說 謊 之 人 的 假 冒 ． 這 等 人 的 良 心 、 如 同 被 熱 鐵 烙 慣 了 一 般 。

 ¹ The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. ² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit comes to sanctify us so that believers can be like Jesus Christ in His holiness, compassion, righteousness, and justice, etc. The Spirit at the same time also leads us into truth, illuminates our darkened mind or understanding so that we really know that Jesus is God, and helps believers to exalt Jesus and follow Him. The Scriptures teach about deception, the self-deception that comes from human's sinfulness, and the deception that comes from deceiving spirits and demons, and hypocritical liars. Believers need to rely on the Word of God, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the church as a spiritual community to discern teachings and "truths" as advocated by the world. 

My dear Holy Spirit, You are the Spirit of the living God and also the Spirit of Christ. You promise to indwell in me to help me grow and discern the truth from You. I admit that without the Word of God, I have no other standard to discern the truth and the lies from demons and the world. At the same time, I know that without Your illumination, I still have my prejudice and misconception in understanding the words of God. I pray that I adhere myself close to You Spirit so that You can teach me to understand the Truth from You, and also have the courage and faith to follow You without fear. Please manifest Your Presence and Power in me and my family as we serve and follow You today.

The Church exists to exalt the Lordship of Jesus

March 23, 2013 - 1 Timothy 3:15-16

3:15		倘 若 我 耽 延 日 久 、 你 也 可 以 知 道 在 　 神 的 家 中 當 怎 樣 行 ． 這 家 就 是 永 生 　 神 的 教 會 、 真 理 的 柱 石 和 根 基 。
3:16		大 哉 、 敬 虔 的 奧 秘 、 無 人 不 以 為 然 ． 就 是 　 神 在 肉 身 顯 現 、 被 聖 靈 稱 義 、 〔 或 作 在 靈 性 稱 義 〕 被 天 使 看 見 、 被 傳 於 外 邦 、 被 世 人 信 服 、 被 接 在 榮 耀 裡 。

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.

The church of Christ is called by Paul as the church of the living God, the household of God, and also the pillar and foundation of the truth. Paul exhorts Timothy to grasp the true nature of the church before he can minister in the right way. Paul himself was also captured by the greatness of God that he delivered a doxology of praising God for the mystery of true godliness, which is now revealed through His church, Jesus, Son of God, who incarnated, died on the cross, resurrected as vindicated by the Holy Spirit, was seen by angels and apostles, was preached among the nations and received by believers, and ascended to heaven to receive His glory. 

My Lord Jesus Christ, You are always the Subject of our proclamation and testimony. You are the only Reason for the existence of Your church on earth. I pray that by the power of the Holy Spirit, Your church can powerfully witness our Lord Jesus in this world. I pray that this mystery of God can now be known through your church as we realistically experience the Lordship and the Presence of Jesus Christ in His church through the work of the Spirit. 

Recall God's Calling/Prophecies in Our Lives

March 22, 2013 - 1 Timothy 1:18

1:18

我 兒 提 摩 太 阿 、 我 照 從 前 指 著 你 的 預 言 、 將 這 命 令 交 託 你 、 叫 你 因 此 可 以 打 那 美 好 的 仗 ．

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well.

Paul reminds his spiritual son, Timothy, to faithfully keep the prophecies which had been made on him. The prophecies might be related to God's calling to Timothy for being God's servant and minister for His church. Paul encourages Timothy to recall God's prophecies or Will in his life that he can fight the battle well. Every believer needs a clear and strong affirmation from God regarding how he/she can follow God and fight for this spiritual battle. God calls someone to be ministers; and some to be His servants in the marketplace; and some to be faithful parents in their families, etc. 

My Lord, I also recall your calling that You choose me to be your servant and the shepherd of Your church. I also recall the prophecy You spoke to me through another servant of God that my life has to be renewed before I bring renewal to Your church. My Spirit, help me to focus on Your wonderful work in my daily life. You ask me to pray for the healing of one of your children; You ask me to pray for the guidance and deliverance of another believer; You ask me to pray for the return of a prodigal daughter of a family, etc. Though my faith is little, I want to pray for Your manifestation of the mighty works, Your miracles, in people's lives so that we all know that You are God and give the greatest glory back to You. Amen!