I need to share this. I've been looking for a way for 8 1/2 months now. Here goes.



1 Timothy 4:7-16 absolutely inspired me. I can't put it into words very well, btu I tried.



Training yourself to be godly is useful for all things and the promise of better things for you in this life. Your reward (the “better” things) in this life is getting to know the Father, and finding your joy and love in Him. And you also find hope for the life to come- that there IS a life to come, and that it is far better than this life on earth. Who wants to live without hope?


As you strive towards godliness, you also hold onto the hope of a heavenly reward. What greater reward could we have in heaven but to have God say “Well done!”? To know that we have pleased our Father--this is my own goal. 2 Corinthians 5:9 “So we make it our goal to please Him.”


These verses in 1 Timothy instruct us to devote ourselves to teaching and preaching. These involve other people, and we should do this as a corporate thing. We need support, accountability, community, and friendship. God made us as social creatures. But don’t become too dependent on other people. In the same passage it says to train yourselves to be godly. Our relationship with God IS a personal relationship and we have that individual responsibility to train ourselves in godliness. Don’t wait to be taught, do it yourself. You should devote yourself wholly to being like Christ.

And as verse 16 cautions us, we need to watch our lives and our beliefs closely. People are watching us and will be affected by what we do. You can lead and teach just by living a godly life.