Posts by John Stephen Smith

Train Yourself “Set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity” 1 Timothy 4:12 Read the context of 1 Timothy 4:6-16 to get the full picture. At its simplest, godliness is taking on God’s character. It is imitating God. This has been the essence of godly living from the earliest times. The Old Testament law was premised on this injunction: “Be holy for I am holy.” In the New Testament it is the same. In Ephesians 4:24 Paul tells…

Train Yourself “Until I come, devote yourself to the reading of Scripture, etc.” 1 Timothy 4:13 Now understand clearly – A _____________________________________ is the goal! We are to train ourselves to be “godly.” As with almost any type of training, there are necessary disciplines that accompany the desires we have for success. So, if our desires become “Godly Desires”, the next step is to determine what some “Godly Disciplines” are. Disciplines are the habits (processes priorities, regimens, routines) that connect…

Train Yourself “Until I come, devote yourself to the reading of Scripture, etc.” 1 Timothy 4:13 Now understand clearly – A _____________________________________ is the goal! We are to train ourselves to be “godly.” As with almost any type of training, there are necessary disciplines that accompany the desires we have for success. So, if our desires become “Godly Desires”, the next step is to determine what some “Godly Disciplines” are. Disciplines are the habits (processes priorities, regimens, routines) that connect…

Train Yourself “I desire to do your will, my God.” Psalm 40:8 Train yourself to be godly – to pursue godly desires. Do you want to be godly? If so, to what degree? To what lengths would you go to be godly? How strong are your desires in this area? If you do, follow closely with the truths in this lesson. Desires are immensely POWERFUL! They come from deep within you, your ____________________________ – the birthplace of decisions and actions…

To Grow Wise In Face Of Trials We should pray because we are spiritually stronger for praying. We should pray because it brings peace and security as we entrust our self to God and pour out our anxious thoughts. We should pray to stand firm in the face of temptation. And today, we need to pray, because, through prayer, we grow wise in the face of trials. And perhaps this is among the most significant reasons. The immense value of…

To overcome temptations Ephesians 6:12: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Why pray? Week one: Because of the ___________________________ we receive. Week two: For the __________________________________ that we gain, in anxious times. Today’s Reason: To overcome ________________________________________. Matthew 26:41: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit…

To be like Jesus God commands us to pray: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12 (NIV) “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” – Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful, and thankful.” – Colossians 4:2 (NIV) “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone …” – Timothy 2:1 (NIV) “Pray continually” – 1 Thessalonians…

benefits of prayer Peter Kreeft, in his book, “Prayer for Beginners,” wrote the following: “Some say that prayer, and “the spiritual life,” or “the inner life,” or the soul’s private love affair with God, is an unaffordable luxury today, or an irresponsible withdrawal from the pressing public problems of our poor, hurting world. I say just the opposite: that nothing, nothing is more relevant and responsible…” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “pray without ceasing.” James 4:2 NKJV You lust and do…

How To Pray Matthew 6:5-15 Prayer can be a difficult action to perform because we may not know how to pray to God. Luke 11:1– Prayer is offering our words to God. How Not To Pray, Matthew 6:5-8 Do not pray like the ____________ (vs. 5) To be seen by people Instead, pray in your private room (vs. 6) Jesus says to shut the door and pray in private to the Lord. 1 Timothy 2:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 So what…

Deny Yourself Our last requirement, to many of us, is the hardest and the most controversial. Here’s what Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Compound this passage with a companion scripture a few chapters later in Luke. Here Jesus says, “Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and…