– Today’s Community Scripture – 10/28/2025
The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. These liars have lied so well and for so long that they’ve lost their capacity for truth. They will tell you not to get married. They’ll tell you not to eat this or that food—perfectly good food God created to be eaten heartily and with thanksgiving by believers who know better! Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out. God’s Word and our prayers make every item in creation holy. You’ve been raised on the Message of the faith and have followed sound teaching. Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus there, and you’ll be a good servant of Jesus. Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally. We’re banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers. Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching. And that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed—keep that dusted off and in use. Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.
1 Timothy 4:1–16 (MSG)
– Reflection:
Reading this passage reminds me how vital it is to stay grounded in truth and intentional about my spiritual growth. Paul’s words feel like a wake-up call, warning that distractions and false teachings will come, but urging us to hold fast to what we know is right. It challenges us not just to believe, but to live out our faith with discipline and integrity, because our example matters. I’m struck by the emphasis on training; just like physical exercise takes effort, spiritual maturity requires consistent practice. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress and persistence. I want my life to reflect the hope and truth I profess, so that others see something real and lasting in me. Ultimately, this passage pushes us to lead with humility, teach with sincerity, and keep our hearts anchored in God’s Word. We don’t want to take everyone’s word for the truth.
– Where do we go from here?
We move forward with intentionality, choosing to guard our hearts and minds against distractions and false narratives, while committing to spiritual discipline. This means making time daily for Scripture, prayer, and reflection, not as a checklist but as a way to stay rooted in truth. We should also lean into our calling to lead by example, whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities, showing integrity and humility in every decision. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, so we keep training, keep practicing, and keep encouraging others along the way. Our next step is simple but powerful: live what we believe, teach what we know, and let our lives speak louder than our words.
– Our Prayer for Today
Father, today we come before You with a heart that desires to honor You in all we do. Thank You for the wisdom passed down through Paul and Timothy’s words, reminding us to stay rooted in truth, to train in godliness, and to lead by example. Please help us to be tireless against distractions and false teachings, and to remain faithful in both word and action. Give us the strength to live with integrity, the courage to speak truth with love, and the humility to keep growing. May our lives reflect Your grace, and may our leadership point others toward You. Teach us to be consistent in our devotion, intentional in our discipline, and bold in our witness. Let today be a step forward in living out the calling You’ve placed on our lives. In Your name, Jesus, Amen.
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Let Your Spirit guide our decisions, our conversations, and our actions. When challenges come, remind us that You are our strength. When we feel weak, remind us that steel is forged in fire, and You are shaping us for something greater. Let today be a day where we grow, serve, and reflect Your love in everything we do.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
