Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
1 Timothy 6:11-21 (ESV)
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.
Who is the Timothy that God has put in your life to mentor? Who was the Paul that helped you know God?
Glorious God, You are the Ruler of all things. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords. You have blessed me with everything I need to enjoy life. I worship and praise You today. I thank You for the faithful people who have shared the gospel message of Your loving forgiveness and grace so that I could learn about the truth of Your salvation. I thank you for my parents, grandparents, Pastors, Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, and faithful Christian people You have put in my life. Thank You for the opportunities to learn and grow in my relationship with You. Thank You for the bible study and small group leaders who bring people together to learn and build stronger connections with each other and with You. Thank You for those who use their time, talents, and treasure to support the church and to enhance worship. Thank You for those who invest their time, finances, and emotions to serve others. All of these people have brought me and others closer to You through their love, compassion, faith, dedication, and their example. Online worship and zoom meetings are wonderful temporarily, but the face to face connection with faithful people that nurtures my faith is sorely missing. Heal this land and the world of this pandemic and the associated fear so that we can come together as Your body soon. In the meantime, use me to mentor and lead people to You in any method available to me. Help me to please You Lord, and to be more like You. Help me to be faithful, loving, dependable, and gentle. Help me to do as many good deeds as I can to help others and to be generous with what You have given me. Use me to be an example and a resource for others to know You better. Amen