Word for 2015 - Train yourself for godliness
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Stanley Samuel
Jan 1, 2015, 2:36:20 PM1/1/15
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1 Timothy 4:7-9…Train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
Paul in his letter to Timothy is advising him the ways to be a good minister of the gospel. However, this teaching applies not only for ministers but to also for all Christians. The Greek word here for "train" is gymnazo which is from where we get the word gymnasium. The Greek readers understand the context, as the gymnasium was the center of their civic life. Paul is using this imagery to encourage Timothy to “train himself for godliness.”
As you enter 2015, I encourage you to see which of these best practices (none of these are new for you, but consider them as a reminder) which will facilitate your training for godliness. To all who are saved and have accepted Jesus as a personal savior, God has already provided full access to His Spirit and His blessings. However it is up to us to take that fullness of God’s blessing into our life. It is only God’s grace that gets showered upon us unconditionally; however it us up to us to allow godliness to can manifest in our life, which is why Paul tells us that this training “holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
1. Do not try to discipline yourself with your own human wisdom and strength. Abide in Jesus and He will help you bear much fruit as you surrender control of your thoughts, emotions and behaviors to His leading. (Is. 55:8-9; John 15:5)
2. Be teachable through all the experiences, relationships and endeavors of life. Disciplined people are always learning better ways that they can grow in all aspects in to Christ. (Eph. 4:15)
3. Believe in God’s methods for training you. Know that the Lord has a unique plan, process and set of results that He has designed just for you. (Heb. 12:2, Psalm 27:14; (Rom. 5:3-4))
4. Remember that the biggest source of objections to godliness will be in your own sinful human nature. (Mark 7:15; Matt 15:11)
5. Program your thinking to love, serve, and maximize your contribution to the priorities of the Christian life. (Rom 12:1-2)
6. Be willing to apologize and admit that you are not perfect. (2 Cor. 12:9)
7. Be content with what the Lord gives you and blossom where you are planted! (Phil. 4:12,13)
8. Begin every day and task with prayer and study of the scripture to learn God’s will for every hour. (Matthew 7:7)
9. Associate with other disciplined godly people who can teach you by their example how to be more like Jesus. (Prov. 13:20). The wrong crowd will make us accept ungodly ways of life.
10. Do not take criticisms, failures or problems personally. Many people allow obstacles to get to them emotionally. Do not let setbacks deter you from accomplishing, being in and thinking God’s will.
11. God uses diverse ways for our paths to godliness, so don’t try to mimic others. The Lord gave everyone a unique set of experience, personality, and perspectives that He works through. (Phil. 2:13)
12. Focus your emotional, mental and spiritual energies on following Jesus Christ in all areas of life. (Heb. 12:1,2)
13. Know that "You can do everything God asks you to do with the help of Christ who gives you the strength of power!" (Phil. 4:12,13) God has not given you the spirit of fear but of power, love and self-discipline. (2 Tim. 1:7)
14. Be wise as serpents, but innocent as doves when you are around people who are like the Pharisees. We are called to resist the devil and understand his ways so that we can stand firm from the attacks of the devil (Eph. 6:10-20; James 4:1-21)
Paul in his letter to Timothy is advising him the ways to be a good minister of the gospel. However, this teaching applies not only for ministers but to also for all Christians. The Greek word here for "train" is gymnazo which is from where we get the word gymnasium. The Greek readers understand the context, as the gymnasium was the center of their civic life. Paul is using this imagery to encourage Timothy to “train himself for godliness.”
As you enter 2015, I encourage you to see which of these best practices (none of these are new for you, but consider them as a reminder) which will facilitate your training for godliness. To all who are saved and have accepted Jesus as a personal savior, God has already provided full access to His Spirit and His blessings. However it is up to us to take that fullness of God’s blessing into our life. It is only God’s grace that gets showered upon us unconditionally; however it us up to us to allow godliness to can manifest in our life, which is why Paul tells us that this training “holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
1. Do not try to discipline yourself with your own human wisdom and strength. Abide in Jesus and He will help you bear much fruit as you surrender control of your thoughts, emotions and behaviors to His leading. (Is. 55:8-9; John 15:5)
2. Be teachable through all the experiences, relationships and endeavors of life. Disciplined people are always learning better ways that they can grow in all aspects in to Christ. (Eph. 4:15)
3. Believe in God’s methods for training you. Know that the Lord has a unique plan, process and set of results that He has designed just for you. (Heb. 12:2, Psalm 27:14; (Rom. 5:3-4))
4. Remember that the biggest source of objections to godliness will be in your own sinful human nature. (Mark 7:15; Matt 15:11)
5. Program your thinking to love, serve, and maximize your contribution to the priorities of the Christian life. (Rom 12:1-2)
6. Be willing to apologize and admit that you are not perfect. (2 Cor. 12:9)
7. Be content with what the Lord gives you and blossom where you are planted! (Phil. 4:12,13)
8. Begin every day and task with prayer and study of the scripture to learn God’s will for every hour. (Matthew 7:7)
9. Associate with other disciplined godly people who can teach you by their example how to be more like Jesus. (Prov. 13:20). The wrong crowd will make us accept ungodly ways of life.
10. Do not take criticisms, failures or problems personally. Many people allow obstacles to get to them emotionally. Do not let setbacks deter you from accomplishing, being in and thinking God’s will.
11. God uses diverse ways for our paths to godliness, so don’t try to mimic others. The Lord gave everyone a unique set of experience, personality, and perspectives that He works through. (Phil. 2:13)
12. Focus your emotional, mental and spiritual energies on following Jesus Christ in all areas of life. (Heb. 12:1,2)
13. Know that "You can do everything God asks you to do with the help of Christ who gives you the strength of power!" (Phil. 4:12,13) God has not given you the spirit of fear but of power, love and self-discipline. (2 Tim. 1:7)
14. Be wise as serpents, but innocent as doves when you are around people who are like the Pharisees. We are called to resist the devil and understand his ways so that we can stand firm from the attacks of the devil (Eph. 6:10-20; James 4:1-21)
Reference:
(1) Paul Fritz- How To Discipline Yourself for the Purpose of Godliness
(2) ESV Bible
(1) Paul Fritz- How To Discipline Yourself for the Purpose of Godliness
(2) ESV Bible
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With love and Prayers
Stanley Samuel
1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love another, as he gave us commandment
With love and Prayers
Stanley Samuel
Come and be challenged with the Word of God on facebook => http://www.facebook.com/riversofnewlife
1 John 3:23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love another, as he gave us commandment
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