Daily Devotionals
Tuesday, January 9, 2024 (Aminta)
The pursuit of….
How would you finish that sentence?
In other words, what are you pursuing in 2024?
Do you have a fitness or health goal?
A relationship goal?
A work goal? A vacation goal?
A financial goal?
Last Sunday, our Pastor read us a passage from 2 Timothy 2:19-22 and it got me thinking about what I am pursuing:
2 Timothy 2:19-22
“But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: "The LORD knows those who are his," and "All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil."
In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.
If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.”
The Apostle Paul was calling for the pursuit of righteousness, or godly living. He was encouraging Timothy to live a life set apart from the behaviors and customs of the world. To live a life of purity in a world of perversion and evil.
The pursuit of righteousness.
Paul’s words serve as an incredible reminder for us in 2024 as we face the year ahead and make our plans.
Amidst all of your goals for the new year, can I invite you to add righteousness as one of them? Be intentional to make purity a priority! Cut out the aspects of your life that are not pleasing to God and add in the truth that will transform you from the inside out.
Join me!
Sunday after church, my husband and I came home and took an inventory. We asked ourselves this question: do the books we read, movies and shows we watch, and music we listen to encourage righteousness or promote a lifestyle that is unholy?
The honest answer is that we needed to get rid of a bunch of apps off of our televisions and phones. Even though we are pretty careful about what we watch and would never intentionally allow junk in our home, we have both seen an uptick in the junk that is sneaking in through the form of advertisements. It could no longer be ignored. So… we decided to delete those apps.
In addition, starting January 15th we are going to do a 21 day “unplug” from television and social media. Instead of technology, we are going to fill our evenings with Bible reading (kids included), worship time, game nights and bonfires. We are hoping these little changes create the space and time to pursue what really matters. We want to be expensive utensils that God can use for his good work.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you loving me and calling me your daughter. It is an honor to be your child. The desire of my heart is to please you and live a life set apart. Show me any areas in my life that offend you and lead me on the path of purity. Help me to pursue righteousness in 2024; make me a utensil ready for the good work you have planned for me. May all the glory be yours!
Amen
We are better together.
Mint
How would you finish that sentence?
In other words, what are you pursuing in 2024?
Do you have a fitness or health goal?
A relationship goal?
A work goal? A vacation goal?
A financial goal?
Last Sunday, our Pastor read us a passage from 2 Timothy 2:19-22 and it got me thinking about what I am pursuing:
2 Timothy 2:19-22
“But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: "The LORD knows those who are his," and "All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil."
In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use.
If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.”
The Apostle Paul was calling for the pursuit of righteousness, or godly living. He was encouraging Timothy to live a life set apart from the behaviors and customs of the world. To live a life of purity in a world of perversion and evil.
The pursuit of righteousness.
Paul’s words serve as an incredible reminder for us in 2024 as we face the year ahead and make our plans.
Amidst all of your goals for the new year, can I invite you to add righteousness as one of them? Be intentional to make purity a priority! Cut out the aspects of your life that are not pleasing to God and add in the truth that will transform you from the inside out.
Join me!
Sunday after church, my husband and I came home and took an inventory. We asked ourselves this question: do the books we read, movies and shows we watch, and music we listen to encourage righteousness or promote a lifestyle that is unholy?
The honest answer is that we needed to get rid of a bunch of apps off of our televisions and phones. Even though we are pretty careful about what we watch and would never intentionally allow junk in our home, we have both seen an uptick in the junk that is sneaking in through the form of advertisements. It could no longer be ignored. So… we decided to delete those apps.
In addition, starting January 15th we are going to do a 21 day “unplug” from television and social media. Instead of technology, we are going to fill our evenings with Bible reading (kids included), worship time, game nights and bonfires. We are hoping these little changes create the space and time to pursue what really matters. We want to be expensive utensils that God can use for his good work.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you loving me and calling me your daughter. It is an honor to be your child. The desire of my heart is to please you and live a life set apart. Show me any areas in my life that offend you and lead me on the path of purity. Help me to pursue righteousness in 2024; make me a utensil ready for the good work you have planned for me. May all the glory be yours!
Amen
We are better together.
Mint
