From 1 Timothy 1:1-2
This devotion is the first in the next series we’ll be going through with these written devotions and we’ll be focusing on the books of 1 and 2 Timothy. Today our verses are simply Paul’s greeting to Timothy. It provides us with an opportunity to give some rudimentary background on Paul, Timothy, and these epistles.
Paul was not always a Christian. In fact, he aggressively persecuted Christians as a leading member of the Jewish political scene at the time. While he was doing that, God confronted him and he converted to Christianity. Paul was a Roman citizen and well educated. These traits allowed him to make his way around much of the ancient world, planting churches and sharing the Gospel wherever he landed. He also wrote extensively, authoring many of the epistles (letters) in the New Testament.
Timothy was a young leader in the church who was a gifted pastor. He served the Christians at Ephesus as they struggled with chaos, false teaching, and false teachers.
Paul writes to Timothy to advise him on how to deal with the difficulties facing his congregation. His letters include wisdom for church leadership, worship, confrontation, and setting an example. The book of 1st Timothy is the first of three pastoral epistles (books with wisdom directed towards leaders in the church).
Regardless of your role in the congregation, these letters contain wisdom for all of us in whatever leadership roles we have – and gives us an image to live up to.
Focus on God
We are reminded in these verses that God graciously blesses His church with leaders.
Function in Our Lives
We are encouraged to lead faithfully wherever God has put us in positions to lead.
Topics to Pray About
- Thank God for the Christian leaders in your life.
- Confess to God the times where you don’t live up to His standards for life, faith, and leadership.
- Ask God to bless His church with good, faithful leaders.
In His Service,
J. LeBorious