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In the course of examining my own life and labor as a Minister of the Gospel, I was greatly challenged by hearing Dr. A.N. Martin of New Jersey expounding and applying 1 Timothy 4:11–16 during a one day conference for pastors at Canton, Michigan, in the United States. It seemed to me that the Spirit of grace had led the preacher into applications of particularly pertinent personal and practical help for my soul and service.

As I later reviewed my notes and the passage so expounded, I noted this directive from the Apostle:

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (1 Timothy 4:15).

It was thus laid upon my heart that I should give myself to extended, prayerful reflection and rumination upon this Epistle in light of the whole counsel of God in Holy Scripture, as the Holy Ghost might grant me light and leading.

The exercises of devotional meditation which followed this course began on 1 January 2006 and closed on 25 May 2008. They are here presented in a form slightly edited to allow for weekly reading by my brethren in the ministry and by students seeking to prepare for the good work of a bishop, elder, pastor, and teacher in the house of God.

Each section supplies an original hymn. A course of select Bible readings covers the words and works of leading men of God in the Old Testament, many of the richest portions of the New Testament, and the whole Psalter. Finally, there is a meditation on a portion of 1 Timothy. To these 145 devotions have been added 12 short devotional pieces written for magazines and local church bulletins under the heading “From My Bible.” The book can thus serve as a weekly companion to a seminarian for three years of training. In addition, I would warmly commend to any student of the ministry unfamiliar with the Heidelberg Catechism to read and reflect upon its 52 Lord’s Days each year of his studies.

This is neither an exegetical commentary nor a series of expository sermons. While I have on occasion consulted lexicon and concordance to ascertain more clearly the intent of the sacred text, I have not attempted an academic work here. I have sought throughout to mull over and assimilate to my heart the words of life in their immediate import to my own soul. I invite the reader to share my experience by retaining the first person. I hope I have not strayed far from the simple truths that offer themselves at once to the devout mind, nor in any way wrested the Scriptures.

In humble hope that reading these Meditations may accrue to others some of the profit I have experienced in writing them, I now offer them to those who labor “for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” May we all know the blessedness of that man who meditates in the Law of the Lord day and night (Josh 1:8; Psalm 1).

Affectionately yours in the Lord Jesus, our faithful Savior,

Rev. John Peter Bodner M.A., M.Div.

Pastor, Hope Assembly, Mississauga, Canada