Morning Moments

1Ti 4:14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

As we conclude the fourth chapter, we look at the two final ways of standing among seductive deceivers:

BY EXPERIENCE

People can be like chickens in a hen house, let the sight and scent of blood come and they will pick you to death. It is sad but true. So Paul says to Timothy "I want everyone to see the proof of your gifts and to profit by them, so take very seriously what I am writing you and do it. Apply the truth you affirm as truth and don't forget what God has done with your, for your, in you, and through you.

The Psalmist said the man of God "meditates" on God's Word day and night. Someone has suggested that meditation is like cow chewing her cud. She chews it, swallows it, regurgitates it, chews it some more, swallows it, regurgitates it. It is a fitting illustration of meditation.

Paul also tells Timothy to give careful consideration or pondering time to what God has said and done in the past in his personal experience. One of the best ways to overcome discouragement and depression is to keep a journal of what you have seen God do through you. This is not for the sake of boasting, but for the sake of blessing. It is not a record to rest upon, but a record to refresh you in.

Finally, Paul tells Timothy to learn to stand among those seductive deceivers who seek to intimidate by EXAMINATION.

"Give heed to thyself...” One's disposition and deportment largely affect one's delivery. David encouraged himself in the Lord, and there are times we can find encouragement no place else. Your attitude will determine your altitude. We are crawling or climbing, faithing it or faking it.

Ephesus was a strong church and as we discover Jesus' words to the in Revelation two, they remained sound in convictions, strong in character, but slothful in charity. This church had elders who were first followers of John the Baptist and then Jesus through Paul's ministry to them.

WARNING! John said, I have no greater pleasure than to know you walk in truth. This is precisely what the Ephesian church had done, BUT they needed to be more loving. For those of us who are so ready to fight for truth, God's word to us is do it lovingly but firmly. Weak men can never lead strong men, so to fulfill his ministry at Ephesus, he had "quit ye like men" as was the battle cry of yesteryear. In face of adversity and adversaries, God's man must learn to stand tall.

BLESSINGS!