August 2 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

1 Timothy 6:1-12:

¹Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
²And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.
³If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
⁴He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
⁵Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain.
⁷For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
⁸And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
⁹But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
¹⁰For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
¹¹But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
¹²Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Devotional

The Christian life is not a life of ease. It means struggle and strife; it means fighting and warfare. But our warfare is not against flesh and blood. Paul says, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Against the wiles of the devil. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." We fight with spiritual weapons, with the whole armor of God, having our loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. "Above all, taking the shield of faith, where­with we are able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplica­tion in the Spirit." Equipped Thus we shall be able to fight law­fully, to endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ; alto­gether to war a good warfare. The whole fight is a matter of knowing and believing the truth and professing a good profession.

Prayer

O God, we pray, endue us with power from on high, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. May we never deny our Saviour.

O God, we pray, grant that we may be instant in prayer, pray­ing always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints, and especially also for those whom Thou hast called to preach Thy gospel, that they may speak boldly, as they ought to speak, that the truth of the gospel may be made known, and many repent of their sins and believe in the Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Eph. 6:1ff; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:15-18; 2 Tim. 2:3ff; 1 Tim. 1:18; Rom. 8:37.

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