DAY 1 – JULY 19

“HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?”

TITLE: “THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I Timothy 2:1-6

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I Timothy 2:1

KEY VERSE: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- .” I Timothy 2:1

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Make prayer for others your priority, not just in your intentions, but in your actions.

The word ‘priority’ dates back to the 14th century and has been defined in the following ways: ‘the quality or state of being prior,’ ‘a preferential rating,’ ‘something given or meriting attention before competing alternatives.’

Author, Stephan Covey highlighted the importance of priorities when he said, “How different our lives are when we really know what is deeply important to us, and keeping that picture in mind, we manage ourselves each day to be and to do what really matters most.” Preacher and author, Haddon Robinson points out that one old recipe for rabbit started out with this injunction: "First catch the rabbit." Says Robinson: "The writer knew how to put first things first. That's what we do when we establish priorities -- we put the things that should be in first place in their proper order.”

The apostle Paul, in this passage, is focusing on the priority of prayer. With strong encouragement, Paul urges the church to make prayer their priority. The words “first of all” relate to the primacy of importance. John Bunyan, author of the famous book, Pilgrims Progress, understood the importance of making prayer the first thing when he wrote, “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.” The Psalmist expressed the priority of prayer when he wrote, “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:1-3)

Prayer is to be the first thing, for prayer is the best thing we can do. Paul calls us to make prayer our approach to life. Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6. In our approach to life, prayer must be our priority. Prayer may take many forms, but prayer is to be the first thing in our lives. Prayer may take the form of requests, intercessions, thanksgiving, and more, but prayer must be our priority. Make prayer for others your priority, not just in your intentions, but in your actions. Will you make prayer a priority in your life today? Choose to say ‘no’ to other things today that keep prayer for others from being your priority.

WEEK 2 - JULY 20

“HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?”

TITLE: “HOLINESS”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I Timothy 2:1-6

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I Timothy 2:2

KEY VERSE: “…for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” I Timothy 2:2

Paul understood that specific prayer does make a difference in our lives. His encouragement to us is that we pray specifically for kings and all those in authority. It is clear that a vital aspect of this prayer is prayer for the state, though most would agree that leadership in the church is included. The prayer is for the best possible conditions for expanding God’s kingdom and that God’s people would live godly and holy lives for His glory.

The word, ‘godliness’ expresses reverence both towards God and man. To be godly means ‘to be aware of one’s dependence on God, to give Him worthy praise and to conduct oneself in a manner which is pleasing to Him.’ Godliness is Paul’s term in the Pastoral Epistles for genuine Christianity. It brings together knowledge and faith in God and the observable lifestyle of God’s presence.

The word, ‘holiness’ refers to proper behavior or conduct. The word translated ‘holiness’ denotes the Christian’s demeanor, grace, dignity or seriousness of purpose. Theologian, Philip Towner observes that the word translated ‘holiness’ suggests ‘a deportment of respectability that is evident to observers.’ It is a life that reveals they have been in the presence of God. Concerning holiness, Phineas Breeze, founder of the Church of the Nazarene made these observations. He said, “Holiness is not only a luxury but a necessity. God has not left it simply to human choice whether we will be holy or not. He has not urged it simply because it is the best thing, the happiest, sweetest way; that when life ends, we will wish we had sought and found holiness….It is not a matter simply of interest and enjoyment. God commands us to be holy.”

“Called unto holiness,” Church of our God, Purchase of Jesus, redeemed by His blood;
Called from the world and its idols to flee, Called from the bondage of sin to be free.

“Called unto holiness,” children of light, Walking with Jesus in garments of white;
Raiment unsullied, nor tarnished with sin; God’s Holy Spirit abiding within.

“Called unto holiness,” praise His dear Name! This blessèd secret to faith now made plain; Not our own righteousness, but Christ within, Living, and reigning, and saving from sin.

Refrain: “Holiness unto the Lord” is our watchword and song. “Holiness unto the Lord” as we’re marching along. (Leila N. Morris,)

Sing it, shout it, loud and long, “Holiness unto the Lord,” now and forever.

DAY 3 – JUNE 21

“HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?”

TITLE: “PLEASING GOD”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I Timothy 2:1-6

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I Timothy 2:3

KEY VERSE: “This is good, and pleases God our Savior,” I Timothy 2:3

In his book, Pleasing God, David Hocking asks the question, “How do we please God?” He makes the following observations:

1. By exalting Jesus Christ, His Son (Matthew 3:17; Colossians 1:15-19)

2. By proclaiming the message of the cross (I Corinthians 1:18-2:5)

3. By believing in God and His promises (Hebrews 11:6)

4. By asking for wisdom (1 Kings 3:10, Colossians 1:9-14; James 1:5-8)

5. By staying away from sexual sin (Ephesians 5:3, 4,10; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)

6. By sharing the gospel with unbelievers (I Corinthians 9:14-27, 10:31-33)

7. By giving to others in time of need (Philippians 4:10-20; Hebrews 13:16)

8. By submitting to authority (Romans 8:7-8, Colossians 3:20; 1 John 3:22)

9. By praising God for all things (Psalm 69:30-31; Hebrews 13:15-16)

In this passage, Paul indicates that prayer and its resulting in lives of godliness and holiness please God our Savior. Pleasing the God who is our Savior should be the focus of our lives. Paul wrote, “Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.” I Thessalonians 4:1.

Are you living to please God? When I think of pleasing God, my mind often reflects on Enoch. In Genesis 5:21-24, he is twice spoken of as a man who was walking with God. It says, “And after he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked with God 300 years and had others sons and daughters. Enoch walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” (Genesis 5:22 & 24) Enoch had a faith that caused him to please God. Enoch pleased God by turning away from the godlessness of the world in which he lived. And, he maintained a daily walk with God by faith.

In Hebrews 11:5, it is clear that the hallmark of Enoch’s life was that “he pleased God.” It says, “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.” What a great legacy to leave. He is known as the man that pleased God.

Are you known as a person who pleases God? Are you pleasing God in your conversations and relationship with others? Are you pleasing God in all that you think and do? Are you pleasing God with what you watch, read, and listen to? Are you pleasing God with your prayers for others? Are you pleasing God by the way you live out your daily life?

DAY 4 – JULY 22

“HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?”

TITLE: “HE WANTS ALL MEN TO BE SAVED”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I Timothy 2:1-6

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I Timothy 2:4

KEY VERSE: “…who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” I Timothy 2:4

God is the saving God who wants all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. We must never forget God’s mission and purpose. Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Peter wrote, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9.

In the fifteenth chapter of Luke, Jesus tells three stories that reveal how valuable each person is to God. Lost people matter to God. The first story is about a lost sheep, the second is about a lost coin, and the third, about a lost son. These stories reveal that Jesus is not content with the thousands of people who know Him and are in church somewhere today. In the story of the lost sheep, we are taught that if we have the heart of the shepherd, we will never be content with the 99. In this parable, God defines for the church that the priority is not to maintain the status quo, for God wants all to be saved.

The Olympic Games are full of stories that center on the events and lives of their participants. There is one that goes all the way back to the Olympic Games in Paris, 1924, when the sport of canoe racing was added to the list. The favored team in the four-man canoe race was the United States team. One member of that team was a young man by the name of Bill Havens. As the time was drawing near, it became clear that Bill’s wife would give birth to her first child about the time that Bill would be competing in the Paris Games.

In 1924, there were no jet flights, just slow going ocean ships. He found himself troubled. His wife told him to go, but he withdrew so he could be by her side, and someone else took his place. It was his lifelong dream to win the gold medal, but he gave it up. The U.S. team won the gold medal and Bill’s wife was late in giving birth, which meant he could have gone. However, Bill said he had no regrets, for he was glad to pay to price to fulfill a commitment to someone he loved. He made a sacrifice because of a commitment of love. Jesus loves lost people. He came and died on the cross for the whole world because He loves the lost people and wants all to be saved.

There is an interesting sequel to the story of Bill Havens. Twenty-eight years later, in 1952, he received a cablegram from the winner of the canoe-racing event at the Olympics in Finland. It read, “Dad, I won. I’m bringing home the gold medal you lost while waiting for me to be born.” His son, Frank had just won the gold in the canoe race.

Jesus gave up so much because of His commitment of love for me. What greater joy can I bring to my heavenly Father than to have His commitment of love for lost people?

DAY 5 – JULY 23

“HOW THEN SHOULD WE LIVE?”

TITLE: “HE GAVE HIMSELF”

WEEKLY SCRIPTURE READING: I Timothy 2:1-6

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING: I Timothy 2:5-6

KEY VERSE: “…who gave himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time.” I Timothy 2:6

Jesus gave Himself as a ransom so we could be redeemed. The Apostle Paul wrote, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” Ephesians 1:7

It has been reported that years ago, when A.J. Gordon was pastor of a church in Boston, he met a young boy in front of the sanctuary carrying a rusty cage in which several birds fluttered nervously. Gordon inquired, "Son, where did you get those birds?" The boy replied, "I trapped them out in the field." "What are you going to do with them?" "I'm going to play with them, and then I guess I'll just feed them to an old cat we have at home." When Gordon offered to buy them, the lad exclaimed, "Mister, you don't want them, they're just little old wild birds and can't sing very well." Gordon replied, "I'll give you $2 for the cage and the birds." "Okay, it's a deal, but you're making a bad bargain." The exchange was made and the boy went away whistling, happy with his shiny coins. Gordon walked around to the back of the church property, opened the door of the small wire coop, and let the struggling creatures soar into the blue.

The next Sunday, he took the empty cage into the pulpit and used it to illustrate his sermon about Christ's coming to seek and to save the lost -- paying for them with His own precious blood. "That boy told me the birds were not songsters," said Gordon, "but when I released them and they winged their way heavenward, it seemed to me they were singing, ‘Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed!’"

Yes, Jesus gave His life as a ransom so you could be saved. He gave His life for you. Take a few moments to reflect on the gift of Jesus and what that means to you.

I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed,
That thou might ransomed be, and raised up from the dead.

I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me?
I gave, I gave My life for thee, what hast thou given for Me?

My Father’s house of light, My glory circled throne
I left for earthly night, for wanderings sad and lone;

I left, I left it all for thee, hast thou left aught for Me?
I left, I left it all for thee, hast thou left aught for Me? (Frances R. Havergal)