training in godliness

Good morning friends,
Today's reading is another piece of advice for Timothy, a young leader in the church whom Paul mentored. I really value the tenderness and encouragement. This is great support for a leader working hard in a community of faith. Two things Paul lifts up are the importance of training in godliness. Our faith is something we have to practice and work at. It doesn't just happen. Any work we do to become more faithful is more than worth the time we put into it. He also emphasizes the importance of scripture, both because it is part of the training in godliness and because he encourages Timothy to read scripture publicly as an important part of his ministry. That's a good reminder for our daily lives as well.

Blessings on your journey today,
Sam

1 Timothy 4:6-16

6 If you put these instructions before the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound teaching that you have followed. ⁷Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, ⁸for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ⁹The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. ¹⁰For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

11 These are the things you must insist on and teach. ¹²Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. ¹⁴Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. ¹⁵Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

faith and proclamation

Good morning friends,
Today is world communion Sunday, a day we celebrate that despite everything that divides the church, despite language and distance and history and politics, in the Lord Jesus we are one. We celebrate that unity at Christ's table and we celebrate it in our giving as we support the PCUSA Peacemaking Offering that helps spread God's peace in the world. Our second reading is fitting for that day as Jesus reminds his disciples that it's a terrible crime to hurt the faith of anyone. We should watch our behavior to make sure it doesn't get in the way of anyone coming to Christ. Jesus also reminds his disciples that if we really live into our faith, even a little faith can go a long way.

I keep finding myself touched by our first reading. We see Paul's deep care for his young colleague Timothy and we see strong presentations of the meaning of the faith. Paul's language is at once intimate and soaring. We learn that Timothy is a third generation Christian and we are reminded that God comes to us not because of who we are but because of his amazing grace. May you hear and believe that God is calling you to walk with Christ today. We all have a role to play in proclaiming the gospel.

God bless,
Sam

2 TIMOTHY 1:1-14
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus, 2To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3I am grateful to God-whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did-when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. 6For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; 7for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

8Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, 9who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, 12and for this reason I suffer as I do.

But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. 13Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.


*Luke 17:1-10
Jesus said to his disciples, “Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to anyone by whom they come! 2It would be better for you if a millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea than for you to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. 4And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive.”

5The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7“Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here at once and take your place at the table’? 8Would you not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink’? 9Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? 10So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!’”