1st Timothy 4:9-16

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Quote for the Day

“Do not neglect your gift…”

Today's Prayer

This week ask God to show you your gifts and how He expects you to use them.

1st Timothy 4:9-16

1st Timothy 4:9-16 (NIV)9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. 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 life, 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 a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Message

We continue to see the best offense as the solution to the battle with our enemy.Paul begins the second half of the chapter with a perfect focus for our lives. Verses 9 and 10 say, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God…” He then goes on to command Timothy to continue teaching and focusing on God’s truth, not letting anyone condemn his youth. Finally, Paul reminds Timothy, “Do not neglect your gift…” This is the BEST advice we can remember as we seek to pursue our lives before God. He has given us each specific gifts and skills to use on this earth. When we focus on using them, we are not only doing God’s will, but we also find the joy He has planned for us. When we focus on our will and our strength, we find frustrations and failure. God has given us our gifts for a reason: to serve Him. He also has given them to us to experience joy in Him. Take that double dose of an offense and let the world see what He can do through us.