Author: Justin Oakes
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Contentment In A Culture of More: How To Steward Your Possessions Well
Main Text: 1 Timothy 6 Finishing the Stewardship Conversation We are finishing today our study on how to be a good steward. That is what we have been looking at for several weeks now, even with the interruptions of snow and everything else that came along. We have been considering how to steward well the…
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Devotion: The Trap of Desire
Scripture:“But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare…” — 1 Timothy 6:9 Paul does not condemn wealth; he warns about the desire for wealth as a ruling ambition. When becoming rich becomes the goal of life, the heart is vulnerable to compromise. A snare is not obvious. It is hidden. It…
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Devotion: Godliness With Contentment
Scripture:“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” — 1 Timothy 6:6 Contentment is not the absence of ambition; it is the presence of gratitude. Paul reminds us that we brought nothing into this world and will carry nothing out. Everything we possess is temporary, and everything we enjoy is a gift. The beauty of creation,…
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Devotion: The Mind of Christ
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:16 “We have the mind of Christ.” Jesus died not only to forgive sinful deeds but sinful thoughts. And through the Spirit, He empowers transformation. You are not trapped in old mental patterns. You have been given new life. You have been given the Spirit. You have been given the Word. You…
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Devotion: Gird Up the Loins of Your Mind
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13 “Gird up the loins of your mind.” In ancient times, men wore tunics that would sometimes reach down to the knee. These tunics were great for every day tasks, but when it came time to do hard work, these knee-length garments could really get in the way (as many of you ladies…
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Devotion: Amusement and Formation
Scripture: Philippians 4:8 The word “amusement” actually comes from the prefix “a-“, which means “no”, and “muse”, which means “to think”. The idea communicated in that word is “no thinking”, which is exactly what we seek to do with our entertainment. We want something passive that we don’t have to think hard about or put much…
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Devotion: The Power of Meditation
Scripture: Romans 8:6 “To be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Meditation is what you think about when you are not required to think about anything. It’s your default drift. And that drift reveals what your heart treasures. If your mind habitually drifts toward worry, resentment, or pleasure-seeking, your life will reflect that. But if it…
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You Are What You Think: Stewarding Your Mind for the Glory of God
Philippians 4:8–9 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and…
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Devotion: The Ingredient List
Scripture: Philippians 4:8 “Think on these things.” Your mind is constantly receiving ingredients. The question is not whether something is going in—it is what is going in. Paul gives us a filter. True. Honest. Just. Pure. Lovely. Of good report. Virtuous. Praiseworthy. If you desire Christlike fruit, you must choose Christlike fuel. The Word of God…
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Devotion: Glorify God In Your Body
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” You were purchased at the cost of Christ’s blood. That is not meant to shame you — it is meant to free you. That means God loves you and cares about you enough to pay such a great price.…
