WEEK 16: DAY 1
TEACH WITH YOUR LIFE

1 Timothy 4:8-15 (reading randomly)
Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. Exercise daily in God—no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.

Get the word out. Teach all these things. And don't let anyone put you down because you're young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanour, by love, by faith, by integrity. Stay at your post reading Scripture, giving counsel, teaching.

Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.

It is important to note that exercising in God daily isn't just about reading the scriptures but living it (you do have to read it to live it though). The word exercise is used there to let us know it is not always a task that comes naturally but will require stretching us as well as high dose of discipline and consistency to see results - growth and maturity.

It is imperative also to understand that these things are cultivated which indicates a certain death to live and bear fruits - this points us to pruning.

Maturity is really a matter of time when you subject yourself to the right training - it is not something to pray for:- it is something you position for.

Teaching, however, is another ball game - it takes more intentionality to teach right: anyone can speak but it takes integrity for your words to match your belief and your act.

I pray that you make that choice to live intentionally as you subject yourself to the leading of the Holy Spirit in Jesus name, amen.

Rain in a bucket: Devotional with Toyosi
www.raininabucket.wordpress.com