“When my spirit grows faint”

NORSK
Psalm 142 was yesterday’s text on our ‘Bible Reading Plan’. David wrote his psalms and prayers under all kinds of circumstances. This particular prayer was written when he fled Saul’s persecution and hid in a cave. He had all reasons to be depressed and to lose heart, but he wrote:

When my spirit grows faint within me,
it is you who watch over my way.
Psalm 142:3

It is a strong testimony of trust in the midst of hostility.
May be Timothy found himself in a similar situation when Paul wrote:

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Tim 1:7 

David was young when he was in the cave. Timothy was young when he was left with the responsibility for the church at Ephesus. Both of them carried the blessing and the burden of a calling and anointing on their lives, as do all disciples of Jesus Christ at all times.

Therefore, I need to be reminded about the fact that God:

• watches over my way
• gives power, love and self-discipline

With regard to the study of Paul’s mentoring of Timothy, I have already focused on both love (1) and self-discipline (2), but tomorrow I will look closer at power.

‘Manna’ for today:

God watches over my way!

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(1) See e.g. “The goal of the mission defined” and “A smile on the arena of love”
(2) See e.g. “Godless myths” and “It is about lifestyle”

Fit for fight and strife?

NORSK
The terminology Paul uses in his letters to Timothy, fits well with the one we use in the Salvation Army. When he urged his disciple to train himself to be godly, it was because of the importance of the promises linked to godliness concerning this present life and the life to come. Godliness is also the foundation for living as a disciple of Jesus in the world:

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labour and strive
1 Tim 4:9-10a

The trustworthy saying Paul writes about, is the word of salvation. He made that clear even in the beginning of the letter (1), and it is a central thought in many of his letters (2). Again he goes to the core of the Gospel. Everything else is subordinate this one truth: Salvation in Jesus is available for all men. That is what the labour and strive is all about, and that is why it is important to be well trained and in good shape as good soldier to please the commanding officer (3).

‘Manna’ for today:

Declared fit for fight?

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(1) 1 Tim 1:15
(2) E.g. Titus 3:4-8 which is a summary of the gospel that has to be communicated as a ‘trustworthy saying’. See also 1 Cor 1:18  and Rom 10:8
(3) 2 Tim 2:3-4

Godless myths

NORSK
I become very curious when I read what Paul wrote to Timothy in today's verse:

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly..
1 Tim 4:7

The Norwegian versions use ‘ungodly’ myths, I prefer godless. The use of godless is more neutral. I can live in a godless society without it making me godless. Godlessness can be a result of ignorance or lack of knowledge and revelation, while ungodliness in my conception, is a conscious choice. At the same time, I know that it is possible for me to behave ‘ungodly’ (meaning: to act otherwise than Jesus would have done), but an ungodly behavior will not automatically make me "godless."

The issues Paul refers to, are useless additions to the Christian faith, which apparently were discussed in the churches (in this instance at Ephesus). They were discussions about thing like e.g. "endless genealogies" (1). It was probably nothing wrong in the discussions, but Paul regarded them as distractions from the main purpose – they were like “old wives’ tales” or 'empty natter' as the Norwegian translations prefer to use. Paul wants Timothy and the churches to focus on the "advancing God’s work—which is by faith" (1). To be able to that, it is important to concentrate on the essentials:

“train yourself to be godly…”

I will reflect more on this verse tomorrow

‘Manna’ for today:

It is all about a disciplined focus!

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(1) ”…command certain people not … to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 
1 Tim 1:4

It is about life-style

NORSK
In many ways holiness is a life-style, and life-style is a result of habits. Many will claim that it takes three weeks to develop a habit, and three months to get a life-style.

This thesis is one of the keys in the discipleship-program of Dr. Charles Lake, a program we also use in the Salvation Army in several countries. Lake applies this principle to daily Bible-reading and prayer. It takes three weeks before this becomes a habit, followed by another three weeks before you miss the exercise. However, after three months it has become a life-style. Particularly in the first phase this takes discipline, and therefore you need someone to be accountable to.

I have seen how this principle can function in my own life and in the lives of others. If there is an area where it is important to keep two thoughts in the head at the same time, it must be when the subject is discipline. Holiness is the working by God, and a result of his grace and love. Apart from receiving in faith, there is nothing I can do to save myself or to live a holy life. Salvation and sanctification is in Jesus, and in him alone. However, the principles that are valid in our physical life, are often the principles that will work also in the spiritual life.

My physical existence is a result of the love of my parents. In the same way as I cannot ‘save myself’, I could not “create myself”. From the moment I was born again, a development started I which I became more and more responsible steward of my own life. It was all about learning good habits, like e.g. to eat healthy food, get enough sleep, have good routines for personal hygiene and learn as much as I could about the world in which I am a citizen. If I do not manage to develop one good habit, I would still remain a world-citizen, even though it is not likely that I would have lived to my present age if I completely neglected my body and my life.

Thus, holiness is depending upon what I want and upon discipline to develop which makes it possible to live a good life in the holiness I have in Jesus Christ. In other words, I have part in the holy life, but what I do with this life is very much for me to choose. It can be good to have a mentor who can encourage me like e.g. Paul encouraged Timothy:

But you, man of God (1)
1 Tim 6:11

‘Manna’ for today:

I want holiness to be my life-style

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(1) Maybe the ‘formation’ of Timothy will be the focus for the next period?