Devotionals

Daily readings to encourage your heart and mind in the pursuit of God and his glory.

  • Ordain with Discernment

    1 Timothy 5:22-23

    John Calvin writes, “Every person should attend to his own health, not for the sake of prolonging life, but that, as long as he lives, he may serve God, and be of use to his neighbors.” While we must be ...Read More

  • In the Presence of the Court

    1 Timothy 5:19-21

    John Chrysostom says, “As it is wrong to condemn hastily and rashly, so not to punish manifest offenses is to open the way to others, and embolden them to offend. …The threatenings of hell show the care of God for ...Read More

  • Honoring Church Elders

    1 Timothy 5:17-18

    The way in which we value goods or services is seen in the amount we are willing to pay for them. We have no qualms about spending money in order to get the best medical care or receive the best ...Read More

  • The Family’s Debt to Widows

    1 Timothy 5:3-4

    Only those with no other recourse are to receive financial assistance from the church, not those who cannot afford food because they refuse to give up cable television, Internet service, lavish living, and other discretionary expenses. If you need the ...Read More

  • The Pastor’s Priorities

    1 Timothy 4:13

    Without even knowing it, our expectations can be part of the problem in the church’s lack of focus on teaching in our day. When we choose churches based simply on the extent of their youth activities or the style of ...Read More

  • Timothy’s High Calling

    1 Timothy 4:11-12

    Besides the many difficulties of ministry that young pastors must learn to deal with, they have the extra hurdle of youth, which can unfairly render them suspect in the eyes of many congregants. We should treat young leaders with understanding ...Read More

  • A Deacon’s Reward

    1 Timothy 3:13

    Our reticence to serve others may be one of the many things that can prevent us from serving Jesus boldly. Whether we are ever ordained to the office of deacon or not, we must never forget that greatness in the ...Read More

  • The Deacon’s Home

    1 Timothy 3:12

    We who belong to God’s household need to keep in mind that a person’s way of life identifies him as a potential church servant, not his charisma, social influence, or good looks. Our culture prizes these things, but we must ...Read More

  • Women Servants

    1 Timothy 3:11

    Reformed Christians who affirm Scripture’s final authority continue to differ over whether women may be ordained as deacons. What is not up for debate is that the traits Paul lists in 1 Timothy 3:11 should be true of all Christian ...Read More

  • The Testing of Deacons

    1 Timothy 3:10

    John Calvin also explains that “those men are to be chosen who are approved by their past life in such a manner that, after what may be called full inquiry, they are ascertained to be well qualified.” The concern is ...Read More

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