Hold Tightly To Your Faith

Reading God’s Word with Purpose

1 Timothy

What spoke to me?
1 Timothy 3: 9-10 “They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.”

‭‭Why did these verses speak to me?
These are the things that are required for someone to become a deacon, but I also think it could also be what God requires of us before He uses us for His service. This passage states we must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith - So we have to want and go after a deep relationship with God, not just a surface kind of relationship that looks good to others and is just enough to get us by. To be able to keep hold of those deep truths of the faith, we first have to know what they are. We must dig into God's word and pray and ponder about what they are, what they mean and how they will change the way we live our lives. Then, if you think about keeping hold of something, that means you are constantly holding on to it and grasping on to it - never stopping and never letting go of it. Not living by it one day, but not the next, depending on what is convenient or benefits you the most on that particular day. And you do all this with a clear conscience.... One meaning of "clear" is: to become free from doubt, misunderstanding or anxiety. Our "conscience" is the inner sense of what is right or wrong in ones conduct or motives. So we are to be very sure - without having to wonder, or be nervous about it or mislead about what is right or wrong in the way we conduct or lives or wonder if we are justified in the motives that direct our actions. We can be perfectly sure and know these things without a doubt because we rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us in every decision we are faced with. When we do these things, we are definitely qualified to be a deacon and also qualified to be used by God to do whatever He calls us to do. Next it states, "they must first be tested, and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons." I think God tests us to further clarify His deep truths in our hearts and minds and to grow our faith and our character to prepare us for the purpose He has set for our lives. Just like we are learning in our study "Dream to Destiny", we must be tested in many areas of our lives to mold and strengthen our character so that we can fulfill our true mission and destiny and so that when we are brought into that destiny, it will not destroy us.

How will this truth change the way I live my life?
I want to continue to learn and understand the deep truths of God by spending more time in His word. I need to be more intentional in finding time everyday to read God's word and spend time with Him. I have not felt well a lot the last few months and when I don't feel well - especially when I have headaches - it is so hard for me to think or even want to read at all. I need to pray for God's help and do it anyway because when I don't feel like spending time with God or in His word, it is usually when I really need it the most.

My Prayer
Lord, I want to know all the deep truths of the faith. Thank you so much for giving me your word to teach me and bring me into a more intimate relationship with you. Please give me a renewed longing in my heart to know your truths and study your word. Amen