December 29 2025

Monday December 29

“Discipline Yourself For The Purpose Of Godliness” 

Ephesians 4:15

1 Timothy 4:7-9

“But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.”

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today is an especially exciting Pastor’s Chat because we have reached a significant milestone. Five and a half years ago, during COVID, I began these Pastor’s Chats to encourage people—many of whom were stuck at home—to stay in God’s Word every day. Today marks the 2,000th Pastor’s Chat. I can hardly believe how quickly the Lord has brought us to this point. Thank you so much for being a part of these five-minute devotionals from God’s Word, day after day, as we seek to grow together in our walk with the Lord.

I am convinced that we are at a crossroads in America—and really, at a crossroads in the world. We are living in a time unlike anything we have ever experienced before, with artificial intelligence, global unrest, and rapid cultural change. I believe, as never before, that we are living in the end times. We are in the final days of this church age. Jesus is coming again, and it is essential that we do all we can and be all we can for the glory of God.

Because of that, it is necessary—absolutely necessary—for every believer to be growing in their faith.That has been the theme of what we’ve been studying. The Apostle Paul speaks clearly about this in Ephesians 4:15, where he says: “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things unto Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”

Twice in that passage Paul speaks of growth—spiritual growth. As we’ve said over the past several weeks, spiritual maturity is not a destination; it is a daily, progressive journey, moving in the right direction toward Christlikeness. Now, the Apostle Paul also wrote to his young protégé Timothy, encouraging him in his ministry. In 1 Timothy 4:7–9, he writes: “But have nothing to do with old wives’ fables. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.”

That phrase—“discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness”—is what we want to focus on over the next several days. What does that really mean?

Remember, Paul was writing to Timothy, a young pastor living in a culture filled with false ideas, distractions, and spiritual noise—much like the world we live in today. We are surrounded by social media, sports, constant news, and endless information. As someone has wisely said, we are living in a day not of weapons of mass destruction, but of weapons of mass distractions. We are easily distracted from the very things that produce spiritual growth. May the Lord help us with that.

Paul tells Timothy to reject these worldly fables—empty stories, myths, and teachings that sound spiritual but have no power to change a life. They waste time, stir emotions, and distract believers from what truly matters. Then Paul gives a clear command: “On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.”  What does it mean to discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness? Over the next several days, I want to share with you some things I have practiced over the last 54 years of my Christian life—things I have tried to do daily to discipline myself for godliness, because godliness impacts every area of my life and eternity.

Thank you again for being a part of these 2,000 Pastor’s Chats—some of you from the very beginning. My prayer is that in the days ahead, as the Lord tarries His coming, we will do those things that truly please Him, exercising ourselves for the sake and ministry of godliness in our lives.

God bless! And may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.