Interceding for a Nation

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From our perspective as individual citizens, nations wield great power and authority, and it seems as if one person would be unable to bring about any change. But Christians can impact a nation with their prayers. In fact, the way we can play a part in reversing the downward trajectory of a nation is by interceding for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2-4). As James 5:16 tells us, the prayers of a righteous person can accomplish much. We should faithfully appeal to God on behalf of our country’s leaders.

Commentary from the In Touch devotional, July 4, 2022.

Pray for All Men

Christ and the Holy Spirit intercede for believers. Also, the lost have a great need for salvation, and believers should always be asking God to meet that need.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for 1 Timothy 2:1.

One Mediator

Only the perfect God-Man could bring God and man together.

Commentary from the MacArthur study Bible, notes for 1 Timothy 2:5.

Security

~1 Timothy 6:17-19~

Those who have much tend to trust in their wealth (Prov. 23:4-5).  But God provides far more security than any earthly investment can ever give (Eccl. 5:18-20, Matt. 6:19-21).

Commentary from the MacArthur Study Bible, notes for 1 Timothy 6:17.

Who is the Law for?

The Law was not meant as a means to self-righteousness, but a means to self-condemnation, pointing man to his sin, leading to conviction, repentance, and pleading to God for mercy.

Commentary from notes for 1 Timothy 1:9, the MacArthur study Bible.

False teaching

False doctrine – anything claiming to be the truth that is in fact a lie.  

False teachers typically claim to have the superior knowledge (as in gnosticism).  They claim to know the transcendent secrets, but actually are ignorant and infantile in their understanding.

Paul identifies 3 characteristics of false teachers: 1) they “teach otherwise” – a different doctrine, or any teaching that contradicts God’s revelation in Scripture; 2) they do “not consent to wholesome words” – they do not agree with sound, healthy teaching, specifically the teaching contained in Scripture; and 3) they reject “doctrine which accords with godliness” – teaching not based on Scripture will always result in an unholy life.  Instead of godliness, false teachers will be marked by sin.

Commentary from the MacArthur Study Bible, notes for 1 Timothy 6:3, 6:20.

Spiritual Blindness

Not only can money and material possessions not satisfy the desires of the heart or bring the lasting happiness they deceptively promise, but they also blind those who pursue them to eternal, spiritual concerns (1 Timothy 6:9,10)

Commentary from The MacArthur Study Bible, notes for Mark 4:19.

What Makes You Happy?

Internet “match-making” sites differ in purpose.  Some are “dating” sites, allowing singles to meet and get together.  Other sites are marriage-oriented, requiring interested parties to fill out extensive questionnaires on themselves and the kind of person they’re looking for.  All these sites are based on a single premise:  Few people are happy being single.

God himself said to Adam, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Genesis 2:18).  God said that, ideally, men and women should meet, marry, and populate the earth.  What He didn’t say was that it’s okay to be unhappy until that meeting and marrying takes place.  The apostle Paul pointed out that singleness has rare blessings – the chance to be wholly committed to serving Christ.  His point is this:  Whether one is single or married, use it as an opportunity to serve the Lord with all your heart.  Are you happy where you are, taking advantage of the opportunity you have today?

Happiness is not a state of companionship.  Rather, it’s a byproduct of being in the center of the will of God.

“There is never a place in the Bible where it says that marriage makes you happy.  It says over and over again that God makes you happy.”  Dick Purnell

Commentary from the Pathways devotional, by David Jeremiah, May 30.