God has ordained that the man of the house be a provider. Paul set a good example in being a hard and devoted worker, and was very clear that Christians are to conduct their household business above reproach. He also was clear that we were not to worship money. Striking the healthy balance is key.

Too many people worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship.

Being grounded in God’s Word keeps us moving in the right direction.

PRAYER: Father, we are grateful for the health You have given us and the opportunity to work and be fruitful. Every good gift comes from You.

READ: 1 Tim. 3-6; 2 Tim. 1

Paul was very clear that Christians, especially leaders, should set a good example in their work ethic, their charity, and their devotion to the Gospel. He was very careful to always provide for his own needs through working so that there could be no accusation that he was a financial burden to the churches. This mode of provision was of his own choosing. He could never be accused of profiting from the Gospel.

Jesus was no doubt financially supported by those who believed in His ministry [Luke 8:1-3] and present day pastors are usually supported through the local church they serve. Sincere and effective leaders, also according to Paul, are worthy of double pay. [1 Tim. 5:17]

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, we want to be responsible in the way we conduct our lives before others. Give us wisdom to always conduct ourselves honorably, never bringing reproach upon Your name and Your Work.

READ: 2 Thess. 1-3; 1 Tim. 1,2

The letter to the church at Thessaloniki contains solid instruction on maintaining a lifestyle that pleases God to the end. Saints are encouraged to be in control of their bodies so as not to slip into sinful behavior. Instruction is then given to provide and understanding of end-time events.

Here the “catching away” of the saints is mentioned which will occur during the Lord’s climactic return to earth to establish His earthly Kingdom. I recently stood on the Mount of Olives where Jesus will descend with the sounding of God’s trumpet blast. It’s all coming together sooner than we think. We should BE READY!

PRAYER: Lord, we want to live to please You. Give us grace to continually advance our desire to serve You. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit power.

READ: 1 Thess. 1-5

A letter composed by Paul and designed to correct error in the church at Colosse, this epistle contains so many theological truths with which our Christian faith is stabilized. The centrality and exalted relationship of Christ with all believers is a major theme.

Paul’s focus upon Christ’s pre-eminence frames a healthy model for a ministry organization such as Trinity Christian School. We can call Christ our Head. A mortal man or woman may have a similar title, but in essence, Christ Jesus is recognized and consulted as the true Leader through His Word and prayer.

We are “Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.” [Eph. 2:20]

PRAYER: Lord, Whom have we in heaven but You, and there is none upon earth we desire besides You. You are the Lord of All.

READ: Col. 1-4

Every day, every situation, every challenge, is an opportunity to apply Christian principles to life and thereby “Work out” your salvation. When we work out, we exercise our muscles. When we apply God’s Word to life, we are exercising our ability to be obedient to His commands and thereby become stronger in our Christian witness.

When we are tempted to react in a carnal, sinful manner, we should resolutely say, “I am going to be obedient to God’s Word and give a Godly, spiritual response to this challenge.  I am going to display for everyone how a Christian should act.”

We need God’s grace to pull this off.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, You are the source of all life and goodness. Empower us today to show to everyone what a Godly, loving response should look like. We do it for Your glory, not ours.

READ: Phil. 2-4

Paul knew that God would keep working in the lives of new Christians if they would devote themselves to Christ. He also knew the importance of his prayers for them.

Mature Christians and Christian leaders have the privilege of nurturing and strengthening the walk of those younger by praying and teaching . The mature in the faith serve a critical role in the development of the Body of Christ in this way.

Paul said, “Though you may have ten thousand instructors in Christ, you don’t have many fathers.” [1 Cor. 4:15]

PRAYER: (Today we lift up a family who is suffering and grieving deeply over the tragic loss of a little 4 year old boy. Our hearts go out to them in this difficult time of pain and loss.)

Loving Father in Heaven, we bear up this family who are grieving deeply this morning. Send in the comfort of the Holy Ghost and give them the strength they need to walk through this difficult challenge. Lord, You know all things.

READ: Eph. 5,6; Phil. 1

So much of our present culture accents healthy eating, healthy workouts, healthy living etc. The latter portion of Ephesians 4 emphasizes healthy speech.

We have the capacity to issue health and life or death and decay through our own tongue. Let’s Speak Life.

READ: Eph. 1-4

Paul made it clear that we are not saved or made right with God by merely obeying the laws and rules. However, he did say, “How will we know what sin is except by the law?”

Consider our highways. Without rules and laws, we would have chaos.

The law is a Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.

READ: Gal. 4-6

When men try to get what they want from God, they can easily corrupt theology. However, when we seek to please God and consult his word directly, he can impart to us the truth we need to know to live holy lives before him.

I have noticed that listening to the word of God seems to give a greater sense of context than reading it. It’s so easy to pull scriptures out and isolate them when you read. Get from scripture what you need, not what you want.

READ: Gal. 1-3

2 Cor. 11 is a catalog of Paul’s sufferings for the sake of the message God gave him. It is a seemingly incomparable description of human suffering that few can describe. Yet, he saw every such occasion as a chance for the power of Christ to rest upon him. He did not resent the personal price he paid, but rather gloried in his sufferings because he was rewarded with a greater measure of God’s power and Spirit resting upon him and working through his life.

It’s not like we are looking for ways to suffer … no worries, if you give your life to Christ, they will find you.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for bringing us through life’s many challenges and giving us a greater measure of Yourself. You are worth it.

READ: 2 Cor. 10-13