(Authors Note: This is the third part of a series of posts looking at the 4th Chapter of I Timothy, verses 12-16. While I try to typically make posts devotional in nature, this one seems like it is turning more into a study. Fault my inexperience at writing…but don’t despise my youth!)

I Timothy 4:13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

In school, they take attendance, “Is Johnny here today?” they ask. They do this everyday. Everyone that is there answers: “Here!” when their name is called. God does not take attendance in this way, but that doesn’t mean He doesn’t want you to show up each day for His service. I know that God loves it when you just show up of your own accord, and say “Hello Jesus, I’m here!”

“give attendance to reading…”
Have you read the Bible today…Yesterday…Everyday?This is what giving attendance to reading means.We MUST read His Word daily. We show up and say “I’m Here! to read God’s word.”

MATTHEW 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

So, if you expect to “live” as Jesus was speaking of in the preceding verse, you must live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.How are you going to live by something you’ve never read or heard?

“give attendance…to exhortation…”
Now that you have been giving attendance to your reading, a wonderful thing has happened, you now have much of God’s Word “written on your heart” (Heb 8:10). Since this has happened, it is only natural that you share this Word with others. That you lift up your friends with encouragement. Why? Because you know what life is, what it is all about, and as you love your friends, naturally you want them to know too. So show up each day and say “I’m here” to exhort others to follow after Christ with “purpose of heart” (Acts 11:23).

“give attendance…to doctrine…”
What?Give attendance to doctrine? Isn’t that for the “learned men”? Please! As we said in the first post, do not despise your youth, “for God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Tim 1:7).If you have a question have you searched the message for yourself to see what you can learn? I do still recommend speaking with your parents and your pastor for doctrinal issues, but there will come a day when YOU are the one that must step up to the plate and be knowledgeable in doctrine. You can say “I’m here” to “give attendance…to doctrine” and allow the Holy Spirit to quicken and make alive these things to you.

While you are young, you have more time than you ever will after you are married, and especially, start a family. Give attendance to what is really important to you now. After all, Jesus is the most important thing to you isn’t he? Show Him your attendance.

“I’m Here!”

Next Post: “Neglect not the gift” coming soon!