Until I Come, Devote Yourself

This week, I’m sharing 6 short meditations for Autumn Inspiration Week, each verse beginning with the letters in the word autumn. Here’s what I’ve shared so far:

A: Ask, Seek, Knock
U: Unless the Lord Builds the House
T: This is the Confidence we Have in Approaching God

And today,

U: Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. I Timothy 4:13

In I Timothy 4, Paul is encouraging Timothy as the church in Ephesus is facing some struggles. He is encouraging Timothy, in a pastoral sense, to keep pointing the church in the right direction.

I love this chapter, as a reminder of the right things to do, and as a strong encouragement for those in a position of leadership.

Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. I Timothy 4: 11-14

These verses are so special to me -
- “Command and teach these things.” (Listed in previous verses)
- “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young…but set an example….”
- “Devote yourself to….”
- “Do not neglect your gift….”

Aren’t those some encouraging reminders?

These reminders help us to keep our focus where it needs to be - on instructing wisely, on being bold in our love for God, on sharing God’s word, and on using our God-given gifts.

As we devote ourselves to the public reading of Scripture, this reminds me that we need to be meeting regularly with the congregation in church. We have much to learn from meeting together and sitting under good teaching. (Pray for your pastors, that they would hear clearly from God!)

How do these verses apply to where you are right now in your walk with God?

Are you looking for more encouraging posts for autumn? Check out some of my friends who are sharing other inspiring posts. Click the icon below, and enjoy!

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