Pastor Ellen Bilsborough
Look well to yourself (to your own personality) and to (your) teaching; persevere in these things (hold to them), for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16 AMP
When we take care of ourselves we shouldn’t feel guilty. We might have been taught that we should always put others before ourselves. That might be true, but that doesn’t mean we please God by neglecting ourselves and not taking care of the temple of the Holy Spirit.
It’s one of my greatest desires as I get older to be a blessing to my children, grandchildren and our awesome church family. We will become more effective even today if we would simply apply this verse to our lives. Looking well to yourself doesn’t just mean exercise and eating right. The verse clearly points out, to look at our personality. What we say each day can make or break someone’s heart. We can lead a soul to God, or our actions can steer someone far away from God. How many times have you heard someone say this? “If that’s what a Christian looks like, or acts like, I don’t want any part of it”. How damaging would that be if someone said that of any of us. God help us to look well to ourselves and to Your teaching.
Then it says to persevere and hold to them. Not only do we shine radiant, but others will see us glowing and will want what we have. It’s like an explosion of light, a double shot of glow. The key is in our perseverance. To continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty is what it means to persevere. I’m happy that life isn’t always easy. Being on the mountain is much more exciting knowing that our Father helped us through the desert, through the valley so that the joy of being on that mountain is that much more exciting. Diligence, perseverance for our Father will do that for us. Let’s take good care of ourselves today. We are not our own, we have been bought with a price!
When we take care of ourselves we shouldn’t feel guilty. We might have been taught that we should always put others before ourselves. That might be true, but that doesn’t mean we please God by neglecting ourselves and not taking care of the temple of the Holy Spirit.
It’s one of my greatest desires as I get older to be a blessing to my children, grandchildren and our awesome church family. We will become more effective even today if we would simply apply this verse to our lives. Looking well to yourself doesn’t just mean exercise and eating right. The verse clearly points out, to look at our personality. What we say each day can make or break someone’s heart. We can lead a soul to God, or our actions can steer someone far away from God. How many times have you heard someone say this? “If that’s what a Christian looks like, or acts like, I don’t want any part of it”. How damaging would that be if someone said that of any of us. God help us to look well to ourselves and to Your teaching.
Then it says to persevere and hold to them. Not only do we shine radiant, but others will see us glowing and will want what we have. It’s like an explosion of light, a double shot of glow. The key is in our perseverance. To continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty is what it means to persevere. I’m happy that life isn’t always easy. Being on the mountain is much more exciting knowing that our Father helped us through the desert, through the valley so that the joy of being on that mountain is that much more exciting. Diligence, perseverance for our Father will do that for us. Let’s take good care of ourselves today. We are not our own, we have been bought with a price!