May 11, 2022
JUDGES 14-15:
Yesterday we heard the conclusion of Jephthah's
six years as a judge of Israel. Then we heard briefly of three more
judges, and then about the miracles preceding the birth of
Samson.
PSALM 85:
This
psalm is one appropriate at any time and to anyone. There are
hidden nuggets of spiritual gold here— deep truths that are worth
digging for.
1TIMOTHY 1:
Yesterday in the final chapter of Galatians,
Paul continued what he was saying (from chapter 5) about the
contrast between being led by God's Spirit versus allowing our
sinful natures to lead us. And Paul returned to something he said
in chapter two, explaining the figure of being crucified with
Christ. It means being so much in union with Christ as to consider
ourselves dead to this world. Paul had marks on his body that were
much more valuable than circumcision, and those were the scars he
had gained as a representative of Christ.
Today we turn to Paul’s first letter to Timothy. This contrasts with the letter we have just finished in that it is personal correspondence written to Paul’s disciple. Timothy was so dear to Paul that he considered him a son. Paul had given Timothy— who was still a young man, the task of shepherding the church at Ephesus. This book is important for the personal advice, for personal insight given about Paul, for insight into church leadership, and for the sound teachings for us to follow.
NLT Translation
notes:
Jdg. 15:7
[Then Samson vowed,] “Because you did this,” [0//Samson vowed,] “I
won’t rest until I take my revenge on you!”
====
1Tim. 1:4 Don’t let them waste their time in
endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things
only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live
a life of [fully believing//faith] in God.
5
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled
with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and
genuine [belief/faith].
14 Oh, how generous and
gracious our Lord was! He [helped me to fully believe in
Christ//filled me with [belief//the faith]] and [filled me with]
love that come[s] from Christ Jesus.
19
Cling to your [full belief//faith] in Christ, and keep your
conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their
consciences; as a result, their [beliefs//way of believing//faith]
has [been a shipwreck// suffered shipwreck//been
shipwrecked].
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.