Month: March 2024

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Unashamed

2 Tim 1 Is there something of which you are ashamed? Paul wrote to the Romans and then to Timothy that he was unashamed. To the Romans, he wrote that he was not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of life to the unbelieving. [Rom 1:16] To Timothy he wrote that he was unashamed of Christ for He has given him life eternal. [2 Tim 1:12] These two statements give us the reason Paul continued on even though he suffered greatly here in this physical world, but one day he will receive the crown of righteousness for being faithful. 

Are you ashamed of Christ or His gospel or are you proud to carry the banner of this gospel to the unbelieving world?  How can we do this? Paul writes: Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us. [2 Tim 1:13-14] We have an obligation to persevere daily wherever we are and to whom God has sent us. Go forth unashamedly and seek His will not yours. 

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One Thing

Psalm 27 “One Thing”
Have you ever pondered about the ‘one thing’ that you need or desire above all else? Jesus once told Martha, “you are worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed.” What could that ‘one thing’ be? Could we find a clue in Psalm 27: “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.”

The psalmist’s desire to dwell in the house of the Lord was not just a wish but a yearning to be in the presence of the Almighty. As he said in Ps 26, it is where the splendor of God is revealed. It is where God resides, described by Isaiah as where He is “enthroned on the cherubim! God over all the kingdoms of the earth.” [maker] of the sky and the earth.” “He is the one who sits on the earth’s horizon.” Can you imagine the majesty of such a place?

The psalmist found solace in the dwelling place of the Most High. There, he could contemplate and meditate upon the Lord’s precepts and statutes, finding guidance and peace. Is this the peace and tranquility we seek in our lives?

These are the “one things” that should be a part of our wish list if we could but have a moment in the very presence of Him… then we can have that moment as we read, meditate, and bask in the Holy Word knowing that His Word is fresh every morning. [Lam 3:23]

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True Contentment

1 Timothy 6 We live in a materialistic society. We are bombarded with ads for this and that supposedly because we need it to be contented. But, if you read history and the biographies of rich men, you will find that they were not contented. Rockefeller when asked what would make him contented, he answered, one more dime, one more dollar. Is that you my reader friend? Jesus reminded the people and his disciples that just one thing is not what God wants. He wants us to be contented in what He has given to us. In fact Paul reminds us “Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.”[1 Tim 6:17]

Many a man has acquired wealth only to see it disappear just as it did in the Great Depression. Or how about the wealthy who were on the Titanic and died having no gold or riches to save them?  Seek ye first the kingdom of God and He will provide all we need at the moment. That is true contentment. 

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Multi-generational relationships

1 Timothy 5 As in the time of Timothy, so today we have multi generational groups which require wisdom and patience. Paul’s wisdom to Timothy is to be wise in word and deed to those who are older, yet sometimes can be challenging to the young. Proverbs reminds us that gray heads, as my granddaughter calls them, have wisdom from their many years that they have walked through trials and blessings. Listen to them, glean words of wisdom and truth. Be grateful for their years of toil and trouble for their words come from a pure heart and a steadfast love. 

Paul reminds Timothy how he is to respond in wisdom. Do not rebuke an older gentleman but appeal to him that both of you may learn to be wise. My mother was a widow for many years, and we gave up our home to go and take care of her and now my son and daughter in law are caring for her mother. It is sweet to see that love relationship and patience which they now do as an example for their daughter. 

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Be steadfast!

1 Timothy 4: God’s Spirit reminds us that as then, so today, some will desert the faith; some will occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings. Look at what they teach: prohibition of marriage, yet it was God who instituted it in the Garden! They want you to abstain from those very foods that God gave us to eat! The qualifier is to give thanks as you begin to eat.

My advice: persevere; don’t give up because we are prone as human beings to make God’s standards much lower and prohibit those things He has not prohibited, for it is far easier to refrain from things outwardly in lieu of developing the pure heart He requires. Where have you added to or taken away from God’s Word?

Be an example in speech, conduct, love, faithfulness and purity. Not just be an example but also don’t neglect the spiritual gift given to you. Remember my advice: be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord!

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Conduct

1Timothy 3 No matter where you are today, it is imperative that you know that your conduct reveals that you are a walking and breathing Christian in word and deed. This week marks a change in the West Point mission statement. The leaders have removed “duty, honor, country.” That seems to be the way of the world these days. Remove anything that would cause you to rethink your conduct on and off the battlefield. It also holds true for our conduct in family and our churches. We are to fulfill our duty to Christ to walk worthy of His Name. We are to be dignified and serve well in great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

These are our marching orders for the kingdom here on earth so that we would be prepared for the kingdom of heaven.

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God calls us to pray

1 Timothy 2 Prayer’s Purpose

We have been encouraged over and over to pray for others, but did you notice the reason why? Paul, as a wise counselor, tells his disciple Timothy to pray not just for those he cares about, but for all people and especially those in authority over us. Since it is election season, we often forget that we are to be praying for those who have the responsibility to lead us, so they will lead us responsibly. 

Paul tells Timothy why and this applies to us as well. “since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” [1 Tim 2:4] So, our prayers are not just that they lead us wisely, but our prayers may be the very instrument to lead them in some way to come to God and be saved. 

What leader do you need to be praying for this very day, even if you have problems with how they lead and why they lead as they do. Pray for them to come to know the “Way, the Truth, and the Life” that they may one day stand before God justified. 

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How pure is your heart?

I Timothy 1: A Pure Heart

Do you let Satan seek to destroy your testimony? Listen to what Paul has to say Timoth, teach the people to have a heart of faith, a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Beware of those who seek honor that is not theirs because they do not understand what they are saying on many other matters.

Paul is bold to remind Timothy that he, has been faithful. God did not consider his past sins for they were done in ignorance. It was by God’s grace that He chose him and made him the example for those who would and those who not believe in Him.

As I look into the mirror of my life I can see my ignorance from my past, I cringe, but the life of Paul and his words encourage me to press on. It wasn’t until the Holy Spirit grabbed Paul’s heart that he was changed, and that is the truth for me as well. One must be changed inwardly before one can be changed outwardly.

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Responses…

Acts 28 Responses 

Paul and the people abandoned the ship due to torrential rains and winds. The people on Malta are skeptical, but then see the power of God and bless Him. Later, the shipwrecked people go on another ship which takes them to Italy. Paul goes on to Rome and there he meets with the Jews who do not believe what he is saying about Jesus. Two responses of two different people. Today, we meet those who scoff but then turn to belief and those who scoff and go on their way. 

Last night as I sat watching the SOTU, I was amazed to see these same two responses. There was a lot of scoffing both during and after the speech. I choose not to say here where I was in that “audience,” but I was amazed at how God reveals people’s hearts by their words and actions. People do not change; only God can change a heart. 

Today listen to the words of God and choose ye this day whom you will serve, were the words of Joshua and they ring true today. Where are you my friend? 

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Hindsight

Acts 27 They say hindsight is 20-20 and it seems that this is true in this chapter. Paul had wisely told the centurion that they should not try to sail but his words were lost to the wind, (pun intended). As it happened, Paul’s words came to be and the ship and all of its cargo was lost, but the 276 persons were saved. 

How often has someone given us wise counsel and we have ignored it only to face the consequences of our choice that will turn out to be harmful and injurious, not just to ourselves but others around us. Take heed dear reader, listen to the counsel of others and test the words by prayer and the reading of the Word. 

God will not lead His children astray. Prov 3:5-6 comes back to tell us: trust in the Lord and do not lean on your own understanding but acknowledge him and he will lead us in the way we should go. This also brings to mind that verse in Isaiah: “You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, This is the correct way, walk in it,” [Is 30:21] 

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