Issue 24 - Day 1

1 Timothy 1

1 Timothy 1:14-16
14)  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15)  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16)  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

In this day and age the world is full of motivational speakers. One of the most motivating speakers of current times is Dick Halt, now over seventy, the story is partly his, and partly that of his son Dick, who was born with cerebral palsy, unable to walk or talk. In fact doctors said he would live life a vegetable. He defied all odds to graduate from college, and even more amazing, the father/son team have competed in nearly 1000 marathons and triathlons, and five iron man races, with Dick towing, or pushing his son over the course. Amazing dedication and teamwork. They would have got nowhere unless Dick and his wife had not started out knowing their son could not communicate, but wanted to. Could not walk, but wanted to run! Knowing he could not, they did something about it.
Paul, realising he was the chiefest of sinners did something about it. We must recognise the same and do likewise. But the story of Paul, not just his conversion but also his life, is there for us as the greatest motivational discourse on the Christian life. Paul went through trials, imprisonment, beatings, shipwreck and illness. He travelled widely, preached, taught, demonstrated Christ to rich and poor. He worked at times and was provided for at others. He lived his life for Christ, and it is documented for us as an example, so that we can do likewise. Read it and put it into practice!