I Timothy 4:1-16 Keep a close watch on yourself…(v. 16a). I think Paul is talking here about responsibility and accountability. We are responsible to ourselves to keep that “close watch”, which is, in effect, our self-control. One way to keep that close watch on ourselves is to allow ourselves to be accountable to another individual …
Author Archives: Fred
November 5 / I Timothy 3:1-16
I Timothy 3:1-16 There are a couple of items that stand out for me in Paul’s qualifications for the office of overseer. First, He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive… (v. 4b) This …keeping his children submissive… I remember that when I was growing up I learned the …
November 4 / I Timothy 2:1-15
I Timothy 2:1-15 Although the second paragraph in today’s reading (vv. 8-15) is mostly about women, I was struck by verse 8: I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling… I wondered what it was about Ephesus (Timothy’s church at that time) that made for …
November 3 / I Timothy 1:1-20
I Timothy 1:1-20 Paul often refers to himself (specifically or in general terms) as an “apostle to the Gentiles”. But in the following verse I see him very much as an apostle to the Jews also. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me … Jesus Christ might display His perfect patience as …
November 2 / Ephesians 6:1-24
Ephesians 6:1-24 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling … [and] … render service, as to the Lord, and not to people, (vv. 5, 7) Kathy H. gave me a book to read a few weeks back, Jesus and the Disinherited, by Howard Thurman. The …
November 1 / Ephesians 5:1-33
Ephesians 5:1-33 …and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (v. 10) I left this verse as a question last year and still have it as a question this year: How to discern what is pleasing to the Lord? I think we all have it as a basic question in our lives. We …
November 2021 Readings
Date Reading(s) Verses 01-Nov Ephesians 5:1-33 33 02-Nov Ephesians 6:1-24 24 03-Nov I Timothy 1:1-20 20 04-Nov I Timothy 2:1-15 15 05-Nov I Timothy 3:1-16 16 06-Nov I Timothy 4:1-16 16 07-Nov I Timothy 5:1-24 24 08-Nov I Timothy 6:1-21 21 09-Nov Titus 1:1-16 16 10-Nov Titus 2:1-3:15 30 11-Nov II Timothy 1:1-18 18 12-Nov …
October 31 / Ephesians 4:17-32
Ephesians 4:17-32 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger… (v. 26) This verse is guidance that every marriage counselor should have in his/her repertoire, especially when counseling engaged couples. It’s a verse that Carol and I have embraced since before we were married and have held …
October 30 / Ephesians 4:1-16
Ephesians 4:1-16 …so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. (v. 14) This verse follows Paul’s speaking about unity and Christian maturity, then commenting on those items that can lead us astray. …
October 29 / Ephesians 3:1-21
Ephesians 3:1-21 To me … grace was given to preach to the Gentiles … and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages … so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly …