225th Week, I Timothy Chapters 5& 6 -and II Timothy Intro - Chapter 2 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

 

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, I Timothy Chapter 5

I Timothy 5

Verses 6-10

Delores Little

Verses 6-10:  Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they 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. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and ask God for help.

THOUGHT

God put me into a prayer time before my husband ever died, and how well this has prepared me for today. I have been blessed with children that help me out in many ways. They do yard work and repairs and help me with my finances.  When I ask God about bills that come in and how to pay them, He always shows me what to do.  Many times after sending a payment in, the same day money comes in the mail.  To be honest I just sit and cry, because God is so good to me.  

I am speaking from experience about the older widow.  The younger woman should pray for a Godly mate if her husband has died, and she is a Christian. Christians should pray for the widows who have lost their mates, and God will bring the right one in for them.  In verse 14 it says, ‘So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.’  The sad thing is today we see a lot of people living together outside of marriage.  As it says in Verse 15, ‘Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.’ The world teaches us that this is ok, and you see it in movies, TV shows, etc. “WRONG”. We need to follow God’s way and not the world’s.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, forgive us and help us do what Your Word says to do, even when the world does it the other way. Help us stand up for what is right and good.  We need to be the lights of the world and share the Salt of Your Word to others You bring across our path.  Heal the sick.  Thank You for bringing the Stephen Minister into my life when Willie died to pray and walk with me through the hard times.  Bring Godly mates in for the ones who have lost their loved ones and for single people also. In Jesus Name.  AMEN

Tuesday, I Timothy Chapter 6

I Timothy 6

Verses 6-10

Delores Little

Verses 6-10:  But godliness with contentment is great gain for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 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 grievances.

THOUGHT

I have known we cannot take anything with us when we die.  This scripture came alive when Willie died.  I thought of all the things he had gotten in all the years we were married and not one thing went with him.  He left with only the clothes he had on.  When Willie had a job in MO for 3 weeks, he took us with him.  We rented a small apartment, and all I took was our clothes we needed and a couple cooking pans, plates and glasses for each of us. We lived so simple, and it was so much easier than having all that other stuff to deal with. It was fun.

I think we all can fall into the trap of wanting more money in our lives. You know what it is to trust God in all things, and He will provide. I have found out to be truly rich is being with Christ Jesus our Lord. You cannot get any richer than that or any higher here on earth. If we let money be our goal we can wander from our faith, and many troubles can hit us.  By making Father, Son, and Holy Spirit our goal, we really become rich in the Spirit of God. Like Joshua said, “Then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods of your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amontes, in whose land you are living.  But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Yes, we need money to live on, but let us not let it become our god as so many have done.  Go, Salt Shakers, and let us serve our God every day, for He is the Way and the Truth and the Life. Praise the Lord.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, forgive us if we seek money before You, but thanks for forgiving us and leading us back to the right way.  Heal the ill and show us who to bring the Good News of Jesus to every day. Bless everyone at work and give them the joy of the Lord.  In Jesus Name.  AMEN

Wednesday,  II Timothy Intro

II Timothy Intro

Delores Little

THOUGHT

Paul wrote I Timothy and Titus, and then while imprisoned under Emperor Nero, he wrote II Timothy. He was in a cold dungeon chained like a common criminal. His friends even had a hard time finding out where he was being kept. Paul knew his work was done, and his life was nearly at an end.

Paul had 3 reasons for writing Timothy at this time.

1. Paul was lonely.  Everyone in the province of Asia and Demas had deserted him.  Only Luke was with him.  Paul wanted Timothy very much to join him also. He was like a son to Paul.

2. Paul was concerned about the welfare of the churches during this time of persecution under Nero, and admonishes Timothy to guard the gospel, to persevere in it, to keep on preaching it and, if necessary, suffer for it.  

3. He wanted to write to the Ephesian church through Timothy.

I and II Timothy and Titus were written for the Pastors and also for us as believers so that we would know what to expect in our walk with God. These letters may not be long, but they are a powerful message for us all.

PRAYER

Father, we ask forgiveness of our sins today and help us to follow the instructions Paul gave us in these letters.  We need you to help us, Lord Jesus, and Your Holy Spirit to teach us Your Word and how to use it each day in word, thought and deed.  Thank you for the Salt Shakers and their faith in You. Bless each and every one of them.  In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN

Thursday, II Timothy Chapter 1

II Timothy 1

Verses 3-6

Delores Little

THOUGHT

As I read this chapter, verses 3-6 spoke to me.

Verse 3:  “I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.”  I do pray so much for all of you, but you do the same for me.  What a powerful prayer group we can be for the Father to use. 

Verse 4:  “Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.”  Jeanie has seen my tears.  When I was with Jeanie, when Heather was back to visit, I saw mother & daughter tear up when they had to leave each other and say good-bye.  The love Jeanie has for her girls, and they for her, is a very special priceless one.  

Verse 5:  “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”  Just hearing the stories you have shared about your grandmother/mother’s faith as you grew up, made me think of this verse.  My mother did teach me to say the Lord’s Prayer and told me that there was a God.  I was 24 before Jesus got me to notice that He was the way, the truth and the life. Praise the Lord for that. Praise God for those who came before us.   

Verse 6:  “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”  I know you are doing that in your everyday walk with the Lord. Even in these devotions every week you are fanning the flame of God to touch our hearts in many ways. I love the way you all see God’s Word in such a fresh way and still stay true to it.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for Your victory in all our lives through Your Son Jesus. We can do all things through Him, and we cannot thank and praise You enough. Lead us this day in what You have for us to do and be with all who are traveling and ill and need surgery. Bless our families that You have loaned to us while on earth.  In Jesus Name.  AMEN

Friday, II Timothy Chapter 2

II Timothy 2

Verses 3-4, 15, 22

Delores Little

THOUGHT

Verses 3-4:  “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs - he wants to please his commanding officer.”  As I read these verses I can see why God wanted me to know them as my walk in faith.  Since I first read them, it has really been a walk to find out how important it is to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ and to please Him every day of our lives. I cannot tell you how many times I did not please Him as I got myself in the way and tried to do things my way and not His. I have often said I wish I knew then what I do now, but also realize that I might not have learned to depend on God as much if things went right all the time. Only God knows.

Verse 15:  “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of truth.”  God gave me this verse, one of many, when I went into Aglow. I was president for 2 years and can tell you the devil really comes against you to kill and destroy. We had to really be in prayer for our speaker every month and for the money to pay them.  Sometimes we just didn’t have it and would write a check out in faith praying the offering would cover the expense. It was truly a testing and rewarding walk for me in the Spirit of God. One time right after I got into office, the other Aglow women wanted us to ask this one lady to be our speaker.  We prayed and prayed, and God just shut the door.  We said no.  Come to find out she wasn’t teaching the Word right. See why prayer is so important?

Verse 22:  “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” What a wonderful verse for our young ones today. If only they would follow this and wait upon God. I’m praying my grandkids will.  I ask you Salt Shakers to keep my grandkids in prayer for the right mate for them.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for Your Holy Word that we can be in every day to learn what You want of us. Help us to do it with Your help of the Holy Spirit through Jesus our Lord. Bless all the Salt Shakers with a wonderful weekend.  In Jesus Name. AMEN