Pursue Love!
This week’s devotions are based on “The Key” Week 6: “Pursue Your Future with Grace!” (WATCH HERE)
Perhaps when we first hear the phrase, “pursue love,” our initial reaction is to go after those things that make you feel loved. Our society around us promotes chasing after individuals or experiences that make you feel loved. To be sure, feeling loved is a very important aspect of human nature.
But here’s the refocus that God gives us in regard to a future filled with his grace. We are ALREADY loved! We don’t have to pursue love as it has already been given to us. We are loved so much that Jesus came to this earth to live, die and rise again for YOU, for me! We are loved so much that all we have and need is provided as a gift of grace for our enjoyment of this earth. We are loved so much that we have been promised an eternity of joy and bliss around the throne of God forever!
The love God has given to us will never let us down.
Human love, as much as it is a blessing, can let us down. Ask any married couple, even ones who say, “I married the love of my life.” Sometimes that love lets us down. We still value it, appreciate it and are blessed by it, but it is a shadow of God’s perfect love for us.
So, we don’t have to pursue being loved, so what does it mean to pursue love as Paul writes to Timothy, (our verse of the week) “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, LOVE, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).
The pursuit of love is the desire to reflect the love we have been shown to the people around us. As the Apostle John wrote, “We love because he first loved us.”
The great thing about the love that God has shown to us, is it becomes the model of what it looks like to love others. The Apostle Paul captures the characteristics of this giving, sacrificial love in 1 Corinthians 13, “4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
This is what we are pursuing, a love like this.
But it’s tough, because our sinful nature doesn’t want to be loving. It wants to be selfish and really pursue love of others for personal needs and desires. Our sinful nature wants to do just the opposite of love and pursue what is personally beneficial rather than doing what is a blessing to others.
So pursuing love is a spiritual battle between the Spirit of God at work in us and the sinful nature of self that seeks to pursue self over love.
How does our heart and life pursue love?
We also pursue a stronger connection to God’s love for us. It is the only strength we can find that will allow us to better live out love in the relationships around us. It is the only way we can pursue love to show God’s love to others rather than simply pursue love for the gratification of one’s self.
Apply: Where do you see the spiritual battle waging in your life between pursuing love for your personal motives or pursuing the ability to love as you have been loved?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your selfless love that you have shown to us. We are grateful we did not have to pursue it but it was given to us. Help us win the battle over our sinful nature and show your love to others each and every day…including today! AMEN.
Pursue Faith!
This week’s devotions are based on “The Key” Week 6: “Pursue Your Future with Grace!” (WATCH HERE)
“Do you trust me?”
This question is often asked to determine if an individual is willing to put something of value in the hands of others.
“Do you trust me with your finances?” says the financial planner to the investor.
“Do you trust me to catch you?” says the dad to his child he’s inviting to jump off a chair.
“Do you trust me to find you fish?” says the fishing guide to his client.
“Do you trust me to sell you a good car?” says the used car salesman to the buyer.
“Do you trust me to protect you?” says the CIA agent working a dangerous engagement.
Trust is a big deal
God asks us, “Do you trust me with your life and your eternity?”
Of course, we often quickly answer, “YES! Of course we trust you Lord!”
But do we?
“Do you trust me to bless you when you give financially first to me?” asks God when we are hesitant to give our firstfruits because we are worried we won’t have enough to “pay the bills.”
“Do you trust me with your career?” asks God when we are willing to compromise our Christian faith to keep a job or gain a promotion.
“Do you trust me with your relationships?” asks God when we seek to do marriage or parenting without seeking guidance and time in the Word.
“Do you trust me with your time?” asks God when we believe we are “too busy” to go to church, spend time in prayer or attend a Bible study or small group.
“Do you trust me with your salvation?” asks God when we seek to “make sure” we are good for heaven by performing good deeds hoping we live a “good life” that God will find acceptable on our day of death.
“Do you trust me?”
I have to admit, I have room for repentance on this one. I do not trust God with ALL my heart, ALL my soul, ALL my life. I want to control some or subconsciously believe God can’t be fully trusted in certain situations.
Forgive me…forgive us Lord.
It’s no wonder that Paul writes to Timothy, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, FAITH, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).
In this context it would be easy for Timothy to trust finances like others were doing. It would be easy to trust his dedication to the Lord or his family spiritual background.
But Timothy had to pursue faith…trust in the Lord.
At the crux of life is following the wisdom the Spirit gives to Solomon:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Life challenges are opportunities for our faith to grow. When our finances are tight, we can trust the Lord and give to him first. When our career seems in jeopardy, we can trust the Lord to work it out as we honor him in all things. When we are wondering if we have the time to spend with the Lord, we can trust that God will always redeem the time for our spiritual blessing. When we begin to believe that we have to add our goodness to our assurance of salvation, we can trust the Lord he has done it all!
Pursue faith! Pursue trusting God in all circumstances from our salvation to the small things of life. We submit to him and he WILL make your paths straight. Trust him. Pursue faith!
Apply: What aspect of trusting God is most challenging for you? Step into that challenge this week and act in a way that forces you to trust God to work an act of faith for your temporal and eternal blessing.
Prayer: Lord thank you for your Spirit and the faith you have given to me. Lead me to walk by faith and not by sight, knowing that you are walking with me at all times and in all times I can trust you. AMEN.
Pursue Righteousness and Godliness!
This week’s devotions are based on “The Key” Week 6: “Pursue Your Future with Grace!” (WATCH HERE)
Many of us have just finished or are finishing a season this spring of going to high school and college graduations. At these events, there is usually a class speaker or a key note speaker that gives some type of encouragement and advice to the graduates. Often you hear phrases like, “Go out and change the world!” Or, “Follow your dreams!” Or, “Pursue your passions!”
But what if the Apostle Paul were invited to be your keynote speaker at your commencement? What would he say? Perhaps we have a good idea as he wrote to Timothy:
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).
In essence, the heart of Paul’s message would be to flee from the materialistic trap that wealth and earthly pursuits can present to you and rather pursue the things of God. I’m not sure how that would come across in today’s commencement culture, but for the Christian, it’s a great verse to guide us in what the Spirit of God desires we pursue with our time, energy and effort.
Pursue Righteousness.
By definition “righteousness” is the right adherence to a standard. For the Christian, it is a following of the law of God, i.e. the will of God. It is the desire of the Christian to more and more align our thoughts, words and actions to the will of God so that in everything we do, we reflect Him to the world.
But it’s not easy.
Just like a doctor doesn’t just decide one day to be a surgeon and the next show up in an operating room to do open heart surgery, a Christian is encouraged to “train in righteousness.”
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Paul reminds us that training in righteousness comes with regular time in the Scripture. Scripture is the tool for training. Little by little, with intentional priority, the word of the Lord communicates the will of the Lord to our heart. And when our heart is filled with the Word of the Lord, the righteousness of God displays itself more and more often. When we pursue righteousness, the power of the Spirit through the Word leads us to live more righteous lives.
Pursue Godliness.
Godliness is being a reflection of God himself because we are in relationship with him. Perhaps a silly example, but when I act in a way that honors and represents well the Geiger family, one might say I am being “Geigerly.” It’s because I have a relationship with my parents and family that I desire to represent our family well and not bring shame on them. Godliness represents God well because he has brought us into relationship with him through the waters of baptism and the power of his Spirit. As God’s children, we want to be who God created us to be: godly.
What does that mean? Paul guides us through his words to Titus (2:11-14):
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Christ purified us and made us to be his own with a resulting reality that we are “eager to do what is good”… to be godly.
Pursuing godliness is pursuing your relationship with Christ. A stronger relationship with Christ drives our desire to represent and reflect Christ in the world around us. As we represent Christ to the world around us, we are seen as godly. Pursue godliness.
The commencement speech isn’t over…look forward to tomorrow to hear the next part of Paul’s encouragement to you!
Apply: Consider the pursuits of righteousness and godliness. What time can you set aside in your day to train in the Word of God and develop your relationship with the Lord? As you do both your life will exhibit more righteousness and godliness to the praise of God himself!
Prayer: Forgive us for our lack of zeal to pursue righteousness and godliness. Spark in us by your Spirit a desire and discipline to daily pursue your word and a relationship with you. We know when we do, you enable us to show righteousness and godliness more prominently. AMEN.
What are you pursuing?
This week’s devotions are based on “The Key” Week 6: “Pursue Your Future with Grace!” (WATCH HERE)
“I’m in hot pursuit!”
I remember these words from Sheriff Roscoe P. Coletrane in every episode of the Dukes of Hazard. The Duke boys inevitable were in trouble with the law “since the day they were born” and whether they actually did anything wrong or they were framed on drummed up charges, Boss Hog and his Sheriff Roscoe were bound and determined to catch the Duke Boys. When they had the chance…they were in “HOT PURSUIT!”
When you pursue something you make it a priority and give it your best effort to obtain it. One may pursue a degree. One may pursue a boyfriend or girlfriend for marriage. Another may pursue a destination vacation.
We can pursue a lot of things in life and it will consume much of our attention and energy.
The interesting thing about Roscoe’s pursuit of the Duke Boys…it usually ended in vain. The Duke Boys would get away, escape from jail, and the pursuit would continue. I give Roscoe credit for being persistent!
Many things we pursue in life are elusive. And even if we think we finally achieved them, we realize they get away from us and the pursuit is never over.
So what really are meaningful pursuits in life that will really make a difference in life and for that matter in eternity?
Paul writes to TImothy in 1 Timothy 6:11, “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
What Timothy was fleeing FROM were the traps of wealth and the pursuit of wealth that was leading many away from their Savior and into the temptations and traps of Satan. Rather, Timothy was to pursue the six things Paul mentions (which we will cover in our devotions this week).
But is this pursuit going to be worth it? Paul is real and knows it will be a battle, “12 Fight the good fight of the faith.” To be in “hot pursuit” of these things of God is not going to be easy. However, you pursue something you perceive is going to be of great value to you. Will pursuing these six things make a big difference? Paul continues, “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” The pursuit of the Christian is not couple of elusive boys from the hills of Tennessee, but rather the pursuit of the Christian is to take hold of the blessing of eternal life. This is an end that will not escape or get away. When Jesus, appears in glory, he will share this gift of grace to all who have fled the temptations of the world and pursued him!
Apply: Evaluate what you are pursuing? Do they match Paul’s list? What changes need to be made in what you are pursing. What happens when your heart and life let go of worldly pursuits and pursue God?
Prayer: Lord thank you for your love and grace the is so amazing that I desire each and every day livin i
Value the eternal!
This week’s devotions are based on “The Key” Week 5: “Let Grace Lead Your Finances!” (WATCH HERE)
Death is a sobering reminder of one reality. We will leave everything in this world behind. There is no need for a U-haul behind a hearse at your funeral. People like the ancient Egyptians have tried it as they would bury material wealth with the rulers so it could be used in the afterlife. Unfortunately it was just the fortune of grave robbers. You can’t take it with you.
Yet, we often don’t live that way. Or let me just speak for myself, “I often don’t live that way.” It is easy to focus on stuff, find security in stuff, want to have stuff around, and find our value in stuff. We can look at it, use it, and hold on to it. But we can’t take it with us.
Paul told Timothy: For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it (1 Timothy 6:7).
So if we can’t take it with us, what are we to do with the material blessings we have been given? Paul gives Timothy this encouragement to pass on:
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Enjoy material wealth as a blessing from God, but don’t let material wealth supplant your hope in God.
Use material wealth to do good and be generous to others. Let what God has given to you flow freely back to Him and to others.
Use material wealth to invest in Gospel ministry that has eternal blessings, not just temporal pleasure.
Our world has created a challenge for us to keep our hearts valuing the eternal over the temporal. It has promoted financial wealth and all it can buy as what it means to truly live. However, Paul points out to Timothy that if you want to take hold of life that is TRULY life, value the eternal over the temporal.
For when grace leads us to value the eternal over the temporal…
- Our hearts are content.
- Our hope is in God.
- Our wealth is a tool.
- Our joy is in giving
- Our impact is in sharing.
- Our treasure is heaven.
So then it doesn’t matter if we can’t take it with us because what is most valuable, the grace of God, we can.
So let grace lead your finances. Allow the Spirit of God to direct your heart and attitude toward wealth, not the world around us. Grace will lead us to see wealth as a tool, not an idol. It will enable us to be godly, not greedy and value the eternal, not the temporal.
Matthew 6:19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Apply: Take time today to reflect: Am I more focused on the temporal or the eternal? What changes when your focus shifts more to the eternal from the temporal?
Prayer: Lord thank you for providing all the material things I have for my enjoyment. Let the blessing of wealth never become the curse of idolatry. Keep my heart focused on the eternal even as I live in the temporal world. AMEN.