Tag: preaching

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 30, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 1 Timothy chapter 4

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Where does false teaching come from? It originates from deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons. The Holy Spirit warns the church that in the last days some will depart from the faith paying attention to seducing spirits. The result of bad beliefs is bad behavior. Seductive doctrines lead to duplicity and a seared conscious. To protect God’s church from hypocrisy and error God calls and equips spiritual leaders. Timothy was one of those leaders. He was led of the Lord to serve as pastor of the church at Ephesus. God spoke to Timothy through the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 4:6-7, “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.” Two things that spiritual leaders today learn from Timothy on how to be good ministers, and help the church to have victory in days of apostasy and demonic assault. First, good ministers must faithfully preach and teach God’s Word and expound the Scriptures. Second, good ministers must focus on living godly and pure lives as examples to the people they minister to. Preach truth to your people, and practice truth before your people so they may see your spiritual growth and be inclined to do the same.

Prayer: “Lord, we ask You to raise up spiritual leaders who will love preaching and who will faithfully proclaim Your Word, and who will pursue godliness above all else. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 25, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is 1 Timothy chapter 1

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Paul wrote what is called the “pastoral epistles” which includes 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and the book of Titus. In these three books we learn a lot about church, church leaders, and the ministry. The first lesson is about being faithful in our calling. Faithfulness in our calling requires, first of all, that we be sure of our calling. Paul was sure of his call. He knew his call was special, and that it came from God. My advice to those who have an interest of serving in the ministry is, if you can do anything else besides preach the Gospel then do it. Because if you can do anything else besides preach the Gospel, God hasn’t called you! Paul explained how that at one time he was a wicked sinner, but God saved him by His grace. He said, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.” (1 Timothy 1:15b) Paul knew that it was God that saved him, and that it was God who called him into the ministry. He said, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” (1 Timothy 1:12) The world doesn’t need any more self- appointed, mamma- called preachers. We need men whose service to God flows from their full surrender and obedience to the clear and undeniable call of God upon their life! Second of all, faithfulness requires that we be steadfast in our calling. Paul instructed Timothy to remain at Ephesus and to faithfully expound the doctrine of God. Timothy’s success depended on him clinging to his faith in Christ, and keeping a clear conscience. Carefully following the instructions of God’s Word helps God’s servant to fight well in the Lord’s battles! And being faithful to serve in the place where God has appointed, is a mark of steadfastness.

Prayer: “Dear Father, we humbly submit to Your will, it is a privilege to serve You in any capacity. Put a fire in our bones to serve where You have called us and to use our service to tell others about our loving Savior! In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron