We Are Not Alone

December 4, 2009

Please read the Book of Philemon for today’s reading

In this short book the Apostle Paul mentions — “Beloved Friend,” “Fellow Laborer,” “Fellow Solider,” “Beloved Brother,” and “Fellow Prisoners.”  Paul was a great man of God, yet he never lost sight that he needed others.  Some of the “others” were famous too, but most were ordinary men and women.  These ordinary people were often the most supportive of his ministry and life.  Every great leader needs a great support system, and every great support system can enhance a great leader.

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Intentional Change

December 3, 2009

Please read  Titus 1 – 3 for today’s reading

The Apostle Paul left Titus in Crete to “…set in order the things that are lacking…” (1:5).   Every person and every church has things that need to be set in order because they are lacking.   This is called intentional change.   The church in Crete was a Gentile church. They need to be taught sound doctrine.  They needed to be taught the standards of being a spiritual leader.  They needed to be taught proper church discipline.  You see, church is so much more than showing up…singing a few songs….taking up the offering…listening to a sermon….smiling and going home.  Church is supposed to be a vital part of a Christians life and there is an “order” to things.  Many churches shy away from setting things in order that are lacking because they are afraid people will be offended.  But, if we really love Christ Jesus, wouldn’t we want to be the very best faith community we could be?  Wouldn’t we want to do things the biblical way?  Paul takes the time to instruct the lead pastor, Titus, what must be established in the church at Crete.  Remember…if the church is out of order…society will be even more out of order.  Every Christian, every church, should be open and willing to experience intentional change when it comes to setting things in order that are lacking.

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Rightly Divided

December 2, 2009

Please read 2 Timothy 1 – 4 for today’s reading

Once again, those of us who have been around the church for a while know that God’s Word is sometimes taught or preached incorrectly.  It may be done by a sincere and well meaning person, but what they are teaching is wrong.  Oftentimes this kind of teaching comes from incorrect division of God’s Word.  When we do not divide the Word of God correctly we will not experience a wholesome Christian walk.  2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Truth cannot be divided without consequences.  If it is rightly divided it will make sense and bring understanding.  If divided wrongly it will create deception and falsehood.  So what does it mean to rightly divide?  It means to simply grasp the intended meaning of the Scripture.  Our exposition of God’s Word must be true to the deposit made by the Holy Spirit.  God says what He means and means what He says.   Scripture interprets Scripture. There is no need to “read into” God’s Word.  There is no need for some “special revelation” to understand God’s Word.  When we seek to understand the Word of God it is straight forward and true.  Book,  chapter, and verse are all important.  Keeping things in context is important.  Maintaining scriptural integrity is important.

Rightly divide the word of truth and you will grow strong, mature, and withstand all opposition.

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Know Your Calling

December 1, 2009

Please read 1 Timothy 4 – 6 for today’s reading

Timothy was a young pastor assigned to the church in Ephesus. The church in Ephesus was a tough church to pastor.  Paul gives young Timothy some advice in 1 Timothy 4:12-16, especially noting vs. 15 which says, “Meditate on these things, give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.”   Paul is telling Timothy to ignore the critics and plow straight ahead.  Timothy needs to know who Timothy is in Christ.  A leader cannot allow others to define him or her.  You must have a deep conviction about your calling, character, and conduct.  Let your life speak to the accusations of the critics.  As leaders, we do not owe any answer or explanation to those who are contrary to us.  We must be true to the ministry of our Lord and follow His example in these things.  All leadership – at home, at work, or in the community – must have a deep conviction about duties and responsibilities, in spite of the call of the critics.

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Idle Talk

November 30, 2009

Please read 1 Timothy 1 – 3 for today’s reading

 

Every church, every Christian has had an encounter with idle talk. In 1 Timothy 1:6 we read that some believers had strayed from the faith by getting caught up with idle talk.  What is idle talk? It is futile talk, worthless and empty conversations.  Getting into discussions that are nothing more than babbling and blabbing.  It is talking about something just to talk about something.  No substance. No real reason to be discussing it.  There are a lot of problems caused in the church when people get to talking nonsense.  Some believe it is their right to insert their opinion into various areas, and don’t mind sharing their thoughts.  Wrong!  There is sin in a multitude of words (Proverbs 10:19).  Idle talk comes from those who love to hear the sound of their own voice, but really are just making an annoying noise.  This kind of conversation takes people away from Jesus, not to Him.

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Coming Of Lawless One

November 29, 2009

Please read 2 Thessalonians 1 – 3 for today’s reading

 

From the early days of the church we knew he was coming…The Lawless One.  Who is he?  The anti-Christ, the one who will deceive the world.  But how will he come?  How will one so false, so evil, so dark deceive the world?  Well, 2 Thessalonians 3:9,10 tells us this – The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. The Lawless One will use power, signs, and unrighteous deception to fool the world.  Because they did not love the truth they will believe a lie!  How tragic.  How sad.  To have been given the truth about The Way, The Truth, and The Life; yet to be so apathetic as to ignore it, only to be deceived by the Lawless One.  He will be impressive.  He will be popular.  He will be famous.  He will deceive many.  Let’s take heed and love the truth so we won’t be deceived.

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Thank You…

November 28, 2009

Please read 1 Thessalonians 1 – 5 for today’s reading

 

At the beginning of this letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul gives thanks for their…work of faith, labor of  love, and patience of hope.  What three great qualities for a person or church…Faith, Love, and Hope.  These are the DNA of a healthy person and/or community.  We must have faith.  We must have love. We must have hope.  With these three building blocks any marriage, any family, any church, any town can grow and do well.  May we seek to be men and women who achieve and appreciate these three virtues.

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He Is Preeminent

November 27, 2009

Please read Colossians 1 – 4 for today’s reading

 

In Colossians 1:9-18 the Apostle Paul states plainly that Jesus Christ is preeminent in all things!  He is God.  He is our Creator. He is before all things.  He is the reason all things consist.  He is our beginning and our ending.  It has always been and will always be all about Jesus.  Backing up, when he refers to “consist” he is saying that Jesus Christ is our Sustainer and Uniting Principle in the entirety of creation.  Jesus really is preeminent!

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Thankful = Peaceful

November 26, 2009

Please read Philippians 1 – 4 for today’s reading

 

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6,7

A thankful prayer is a pathway to peace.  While we are consumed at times with our supplications to God, let’s remember to be thankful for Who God is, what He does, and how He hears us.   To remain thankful while praying is a way to stay positive, thus keeping oneself calmer.  A thankful prayer opens us up to experience the peace of God,  a peace that will protect our hearts and minds.

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The Way To Walk

November 25, 2009

Please read Ephesians 4 – 6 for today’s reading

 

The Christian life is a journey.  This journey is a step-by-step walk in the way of the Lord.  The Apostle Paul mentions 4 ways to walk in Ephesians 4 & 5.  First, Ephesians 4:1-6, we are encouraged to “walk in unity” as we take the journey.  Second, in Ephesians 5:1-7, we are encouraged to “walk  in love” as we take the journey.  Third, in Ephesians 5:8-14, we are encouraged to “walk in light” as we take the journey.  And fourthly, in Ephesians 5:15-21, we are encouraged to “walk in wisdom” as we take the journey.  Four great ways to to walk on The Way…Unity, Love, Light, & Wisdom.

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