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Sunday, 27 July 2008
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"Becoming a Man of God who is Faithful - Part Four'
Devotion for July 27, 2008
By: Dr. Joe Savage
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In the previous three weeks we have discussed the following:
First, a man of God is known by what he flees from - He has enough wisdom to run from temptations and never let greed rule his life.
Second, a man of God is known by what he follows after - He pursues those things that emulate the character of God.
Third, a man of God is known by what he fights for. He is tough and stands for what is right and true.
Today we discuss the fourth characteristic of men of God:
A MAN OF GOD IS KNOWN BY WHAT HE IS FAITHFUL TO.
"I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus . . . that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing" (1 Tim. 6:13-14).
"To keep this commandment" is to stay faithful or true to the Holy Word of God, to guard its precepts, and to live a life following Christ.
"To keep . . . without spot" is to make certain that you do not become tainted by the world and all of its sinful paths.
How long are you to keep God's commandments? "Until Jesus appears" which is His return to earth or your standing before Him upon your death.
Faithfulness is always a choice. For instance, everyday we choose if we are going to go to work or not; if we are going to eat healthy of not; if we are going to love others or not; etc.
Often, I see people who mean well, but they become faithful to the wrong things in life. Because of various pressures, stresses, influences, and desires, they become more faithful to the things they despise more than the things they really love. Often this occurs gradually.
To be faithful to God's commandments is to absolutely make following Christ a daily priority. The following are a few keys toward staying faithful:
- Guard your heart (don't let anything take root in your heart that shouldn't be there);
- Say "no" to the wrong things and "yes" to the right things;
- Study God's Word daily;
- Spend time in prayer daily and throughout each day;
- Encircle yourself with Godly people who will keep you accountable;
- Attend church weekly (if you are not able to do this consistently then make certain you regularly participate in some sort of spiritual place of fellowship and Bible study);
- Make a list of the things that you are going to be absolutely faithful to and burn those into your heart and mind;
- Daily ask the Holy Spirit of God to help you stay faithful.
The one who is faithful is the one who is consistent, loyal, dedicated, committed, and responsible. God desires for YOU to be a man or woman of God. You can do this. Dedicate yourself toward Godliness today . . . tomorrow . . . and all of your days! There is no better and more fulfilling way!
Today's Prayer
"Oh God, may you find me faithful . . . faithful with both the small things and the larger things in life. Help me Lord, to be a man of God that keeps your commandments without spot. I need help to do this so I ask you Holy Spirit to be my Helper. I desire to be faithful to you. When I fail in this, please be quick to remind me of my commitment to be faithful. Oh God, may I be a man of God. In Jesus' name. Amen."
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Becoming a Man of God
Part One - A man of God is known by what he flees from.
Part Two - A man of God is known by what he follows after.
Part Three - A man of God is known by what he fights for.
Part Four - A man of God is known by what he is faithful to.
Study verse: "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith . . . I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus . . . that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing" (1 Timothy 6:11-14).
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Saturday, 19 July 2008
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"Becoming a Man of God who FIGHTS - Part Three'
Devotion for July 18, 2008
By: Dr. Joe Savage
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Today we continue our study on "Becoming a Man of God." Let's review the previous two weeks lessons:
First, a man of God is known by what he flees from - He has enough wisdom to run from temptations and never let greed rule his life.
Second, a man of God is known by what he follows after - He pursues those things that emulate the character of God.
Third, a man of God is known by what he fights for. Paul tells Timothy to "Fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12a).
When this Scripture was written, Greek boxers would use gloves made of ox hide with iron sewn into the hands. The loser of the match would have his eyes gouged out. Being of half Greek descent, I am sure Timothy had an understanding of Greek fighting. When Paul told Timothy to "fight," he understood the intensity of this term. In other words, Timothy had an understanding that he was to absolute fight to win, not to simply dance around a ring for entertainment sake.
Fighting is something that we in modern times tend to denounce. I understand and greatly value the fact that we are to live peacefully. I understand that we typically should walk away from a fight. However, I also believe that we as a society have lost our will to fight. Simply stated, most of us don't stand up for anything. We go along in order to get along.
Friend understand me. I am not advocating going out and getting in a fist fight. I am however, advocating the need for us to fight for what is right . . . stand up for what we believe in . . . and be tough.
Life is difficult. Satan is real. The flesh and world desire to ruin our precious freedoms. We must preserve truth. We must battle against sin within ourselves and our society at large. We must fight to win!
There are many things we should fight for, but here are a few to consider:
a) Fight for our religious liberties;
b) Fight for absolute truth;
c) Fight for what is right and fair;
d) Fight for the less fortunate and underprivileged;
e) Fight for your family;
f) Fight against your own flesh and its sinful desires;
g) Fight against evil.
The Christian life is not easy. It certainly isn't for wimps! As Christian leaders we must be fighters! If we do not stand up then who will. After all, the very essence of leadership is to stand up and stand out. Go fight the good fight!
Today's Prayer
"Father, help me to know when to fight and what to fight for. Help me to be one whom is known by my convictions. Help me to be one who stands for truth. Help me to always fight for what is right even when it may not be popular. Help me to fight with tenacity, toughness, endurance, wisdom, and strength. Help me to be a mighty warrior for Jesus. Amen."
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Becoming a Man of God
Part One - A man of God is known by what he flees from.
Part Two - A man of God is known by what he follows after.
Part Three - A man of God is known by what he fights for.
Study verse: "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:11-12
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Saturday, 12 July 2008
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"Becoming a Man of God in the NFL (or anywhere else) - Part Two''
Devotion for July 11, 2008
By: Dr. Joe Savage
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Our topic for the month is "Becoming a Man of God." Last week we discussed how a man of God is known by what he flees from. This week we will look at how a man of God is know by what he follows after.
While the man of God must continually run from that which is evil, he must also run toward that which is good.
A simple life principle is this: If we stop running from evil, it will invariably catch us. If we stop pursuing after what is righteous, it will simply elude us. In other words, we will never come to a point where we have out distanced ourselves from evil nor do we ever arrive spiritually that we fully capture righteousness. All of life consists of fleeing and pursuing.
Paul tells Timothy to "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (1 Tim. 6:3). Let's take a moment to reflect upon these six qualities.
1. Pursue righteousness - Righteousness simply means doing right, both before God and before man. I encourage you to ALWAYS do the "right" thing no matter what, even if it means personal loss. Doing what is right is better than having what is wrong. Think about it!
2. Pursue godliness - Godliness refers to doing what is God like. In other words, do what is holy. The only way to live out a holy life as Christ did is by walking in the Holy Spirit. How? By reading scripture, praying, feeding your soul. These will help you toward godliness.
3. Pursue faith - Faith means placing your confidence and trust in the Lord. It is leaning on Him for everything. The man of God trusts the Lord in every circumstance whether that is seemingly good or bad.
4. Pursue love - This is the greatest commandment given by our Lord. We are to love every person - not just those who we like or who can help us achieve our dreams. As a man of God, our love for the Lord is to be so deep that our love overflows toward others.
5. Pursue patience - Patience is a tough one for most of us. Dr. John MacArthur said, "Patience does not mean a passive resignation, but a victorious, triumphant endurance, an unswerving loyalty to the Lord in the midst of trials." A man with great patience is a man with great endurance, vision, and hope.
6. Pursue gentleness - This is a selfless attitude of humility that puts team and others first.
A man of God must pursue these six characteristics. They are something that must be cognitively chased after. They will not simply occur in your life as something natural. They instead must be pursued! Are you pursuing them?
Today's Prayer
"Oh Father, help me to flee that which is evil and help me to pursue that which is good. I need your help to do this. Make me into the man or woman of God that you desire. In Jesus' name. Amen."
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Becoming a Man of God
Part One - A man of God is known by what he flees from.
Part Two - A man of God is known by what he follows after.
Study verse: "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:11-12
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Sunday, 06 July 2008
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"Becoming a Man of God in the NFL (or anywhere else) - Part One''
Devotion for July 5, 2008
By: Dr. Joe Savage
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God wants you to be a man or woman of God!
The world needs you to step up and become a man of God!
Oh how we are desperate for more men of God in the National Football League who will put God above all things. Those type people who have the "it" factor spiritually. Those who operate from a consistent foundation of integrity, love, faithfulness, and humility. Those who work hard, speak truth, and who are excellent in what they do.
Hear me! God wants you and we need you to be a man of God in the NFL (or wherever else you may be serving).
Today, I will give the first of four qualities about men of God. First Timothy 6:11-16 will serve as our core foundation scripture for this study. I want you to pray and ask God to examine your heart as you read each one. If the Lord convicts you and brings some truth into your mind, then realize this is God's gentle nudge and desire to do a deeper work in your core. It's up to you if you allow Him to do His work.
FIRST A MAN OF GOD IS KNOWN BY WHAT HE FLEES FROM.
The Apostle Paul tells Timothy, "But you, O man of God, flee these things" (1 Tim. 6:11). The verb "flee" conveys the idea of one running continually to escape a dangerous enemy. "These things" refer to the evils Paul had just described in verses 9 and 10. He says, "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition." He then continues stating, "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through many sorrows."
Friend, greed has no place in the heart of a man of God. This does not mean that you are to never negotiate your salary nor have nice things. It does mean that you are to be very careful and knowledgeable of what greed can do to your heart and head. Many a man who started well has ended as a jerk or in a mess because they slowly left the path of Godliness. God doesn't want you to be one of those people!
You work in a League of great greed and we all live in a nation where money has great power. We all know this; however, we do not have to become entrapped by greed and the love of money. There is a different way.
Check your heart today. Check your wallet. Check your hands. Be a man who knows when to flee.
Are you a man of God?
Today's Prayer
"Father, I desire to be a man of God. I confess it is hard Lord and I have probably fallen short. But Lord, I want to become a man of God. I ask and invite you to do a deep work within my soul. Make me into a man of God . . . a true man of God. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen."
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DR. JOE SAVAGE
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