1 Timothy 4

How can I survive this with my fear of layoffs? Larry Davies writes about the proper attitude to face evaluations and how to avoid fear as we approach them.

"Dear Father, May we never lessen our commitment to you because someone criticizes us. Instead, let us set an example in speech and conduct, in love,...."

"Dear Father, Make us diligent athletes who exercise our spiritual bodies, recognizing that while physical exercise has some profit, godliness is of....."

"Dear Father, Keep us from paying attention to seducing spirits or doctrines of demons. Don't let the pretensions of those whose consciences are..."

"Dear Beloved, I walked the streets and footpaths of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea two thousand years ago. I came as God incarnate and gave Myself as a...."

"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them,..."

"The Spirit says clearly that in later times some believers will desert the Christian faith. They will follow spirits that deceive, and they will..."

parody image of 1 Timothy 4:15-16 -- 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and y

Where do you begin to find a new preacher, pastor, or minister? Tim Woodroof begins a series of articles by Interim Ministry Partners on discovering a congregation's mission by talking about how churches want to find someone to fill the pulpit in a hurry when they first need to discover who they are and what their mis

"Dear Friend, Today's verses again come from Paul's instructions to Timothy and Titus. At first glance, they appear to be nothing more than a list of...."

"Dear Disciple, Don't you think it is past time for My people to be more diligent and persistent in calling their young believers into passionate work..."

What such a dour and serious face? Rubel Shelly reminds us that being dour doesn't help any of us make disciples or friends.

So what can we do to bless our churches this next year as we thank God this year? Larry Davies offers a Thanksgiving check up for churches and their leaders as he explores things that make for healthy churches.

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

"Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you."

Inspirational illustration of 1 Timothy 4:12 -- Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Inspirational illustration of 1 Timothy 4:14 -- Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Why such a sour look on our faces? Rubel Shelly reminds us that so much of what the world sees in us is unhappy and dour, but Jesus was involved in life, joy, and friendship to show that it is the direction of our lives and not necessarily the acts themselves that make things holy or unhol

When's the last time you spent the day fully smiling? We need to be a rejoicing people who reflect God's blessings in our lives and in our smiles!

When do you want our young people to start? We cannot wait for our teens and young adults to grow older before we use them in service to the Kingdom.

Have you seen a hero lately? Rubel Shelly reminds us the nature of heroism is about being diligent and faithful to our everyday tasks like Sully.

What have you done to grow your soul lately? While we focus on physical exercise at the beginning of the year, why not also focus on spiritual exercise, too?

Who's training you to be God's servant? Spiritual growth really requires us to have a spiritual trainer to help us with our spiritual discipline.

Why do we keep them at the kids table so long? Phil Ware looks at the story of David and Goliath and challenges us to not keep our young believers away from risk, faith, and leadership.

Don't let the signs of the times scare you! Many try to predict when Jesus will come back. The Bible says His coming will be a surprise. The main thing we need to do is be ready to greet Him, whenever that may be.

Are you a situation complainer or an environment changer? We can be situation complainers -- thermostats -- or situation changers -- thermometers; Jesus' will, however, is that we be salt, light, and examples who display the fruit of the Spirit.

Have you been trapped lately? Satan loves to trap us when we wander away from God's people.

What are the mountains you would die on for what you believe and what you are called to do? Phil Ware talks about finding our theological and missional mountains and how important it is to know them if you are going to call a minister with whom to partner.