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1 Timothy 1 (link to reading)
Summary by Chuck Swindoll: First Timothy presents the most explicit and complete instructions for church leadership and organization in the entire Bible. This includes sections on appropriate conduct in worship gatherings, the qualifications of elders and deacons, and the proper order of church discipline. Paul advised Timothy on these practical matters in a way that would have helped the young pastor to emphasize the purity that should characterize Christian leaders and the gatherings they oversee. Timothy’s youth no doubt served him well, allowing for the energy and vigor he needed to serve his people. However, it also caused inevitable difficulties with older Christians who may not have taken quickly to the leadership of such a young man because of his lack of knowledge and experience in leadership. It was important to Paul that Timothy set an example of consistent faith and a good conscience, remaining above reproach and exercising the spiritual gifts that God had given him. Scripture: 15-17 Application: Remember that Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it. Do my actions and thoughts reflect God's grace upon my life? Prayer: Lord, thank You for saving me...
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Song of Solomon 8 - Day 1081 (link to reading)
Scripture: Song of Solomon 8 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): The Song of Solomon closes much the same way it opened – intense passionate love of Solomon and his wife. In so many ways, it shows the progress of maturity in the relationship as it grows only deeper and excitement for being in the other’s presence has not subsided. For the third time, the bride charges her friends to not awaken love until it so desires. Each time it is a statement about their relationship. Her warning, as it could be looked at, is to let love progress and develop until it’s matured. Not to allow things to go too fast. It’s about taking time to enjoy one another on every level so their love matures and becomes fruitful. Application: Intimacy between a husband and wife is developed when they both put in effort to nurture their relationship. Similarly, our relationship with God also grows stronger when we actively work towards it. Prayer: Lord, open my ears so I can hear You... Song of Solomon 7 - Day 1080 (link to reading)
Scripture: Song of Solomon 7 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): It’s a chapter that would cause one to blush. In intimate detail, Solomon describes his wife. This is the third time he has done so. The first came in chapter 4 in the context of their wedding night. He praised his bride before she gave herself to him. The second is found in chapter 6 as they restore their relationship after a conflict. He assures her she is just as beautiful at this point as she was on their wedding night. The third is found here and possibly is more of a public description assuring her of the beauty she holds. Of course, there are conflicting ideas about this. For with such detail it almost seems impossible he would describe her this way. This chapter alone has been one thought of wrestling for many in the view of God and sex. Puritan commentator John Trapp absolutely could not come to grips with how to deal with this. He chose to approach it as a spiritual allegory reckoning the navel as baptism that fed newborn babies in the womb, which is the church. He also found a place to talk about the Lord’s Supper being found here. Yet, the reality is, God created one another for intimacy. The idea of sex does not shock nor does He keep it under wraps per se. He is the creator of it. So if anything this shows the beauty of celebrating one another’s bodies as God intended. Application: Sex, like marriage, is a gift from God for us to enjoy. Prayer: Bless us oh Lord... Song of Solomon 6 - Day 1079 (link to reading)
Scripture: Song of Solomon 6 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): We are bombarded with imagery of what makes a marriage fulfilling. Often inundated with concepts of romantic love through book and film, what is left out is the reality a good marriage takes work. Continuing from the previous chapter, as friends ask where her love has gone she realizes she has not really lost him. Initially, the problems that arose between were based on feelings and reactions not upon thoughts of truth. Thinking through the fundamentals of their relationship she comes to the realization she had been wrong in her behavior. Where she wanted to be was with him. Her selfishness and lazy behavior in chapter 5 she is back where she longs to be. The bride had to come to a place of awareness that focusing on her feelings had caused division. Application: We live in a world where our feelings dictate our actions more than our commitments. God desires our obedience not sacrifice, so simply do what you say that you're going to do. Prayer: Lord help me believe... Song of Solomon 5 - Day 1078 (link to reading)
Scripture: Song of Solomon 5 Commentary (thewarehouse.blog): As with any marriage, there is miscommunication. Hurt and conflict naturally follow. It is hard to understand if verse 2 is describing a dream or a real situation. On one hand, it begins by stating, “I was asleep but my heart was awake.” Many translations have taken this and changed the phrase to a dream. On the other hand, it could have been a situation where she was in the early stages of sleep and heard the man knocking which caused her to wake. In her own words, she had already washed, removed her robe, and gotten into bed. She simply didn’t want to get out again. If she had just woken from sleep, she may have been groggy. All that said, it would seem like a natural response to alert him that she heard his knocking and would be opening the door soon. But the text does not indicate she spoke at all. She waited. And after she finally decided to get up and answer the door, he had gone... Application: Having a good relationship with others takes a lot of effort, energy, and forgiveness. Prayer: Lord, have mercy on me a sinner... |
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January 2024
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