Perfect Peace

Is. 26:3-4

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is an everlasting rock.

God offers perfect peace to those who trust Him, to those whose mind is stayed on Him. Similarly, Rom. 12:2 says the believers are no longer conformed to the world, but are transformed by the renewal of their minds. It is by testing that this transformed mind will know the will of God. Correspondingly, Jer. 17:10 says that the Lord will  search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds." The mind is the arena for accountability for the thoughts and deeds of man. Furthermore Phil. 4:7 says the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. God's peace is entirely entwined with the mind which is exactly why Col. 3:2 says to Set our minds on things that are above, not on things of the earth. It seems as if the idea has come full circle. Is. says peace is for those whose mind is stayed and now Col. says to set our minds on God. But how can man keep his mind stayed on God constantly, and for that matter, how can man set His mind on heavenly things? It is only accomplished by grace, the grace of God that has transformed my mind and awakened my mind to spiritual things. Praise His name! 

Father,

It seems as if everything in the world is a peace-stealer. I know that Your grace is stronger than the world, but still I am made of flesh. I need Your grace everyday to keep my mind stayed on You. Help me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Maker of Them All

Prov. 22: 2

The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.

This verse is the story of all mankind. In every culture there are rich and poor, and most often there is a class system in play. There will always be those who lord it over the others,  those who seem to have nowhere to go to undo the injustices piled on them. But God says simply that it makes no difference whether you are rich or poor. All will stand before the Lord, the Creator of all life. The obvious differences have no effect on eternity. God deals not with outward appearance but with the heart. I need to remember this! I know that I am often intimidated by those who have more money, possessions, or position. I don't need to shrink out of sight, but I need to be forthcoming about Jesus. He should be foremost in my thoughts and my words.

Father,

Give me boldness to speak the gospel. Reveal to me when I am intimidated by those who have more than I do. Make my mouth eager to share you with others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Tongue and Mouth

Prov. 21:23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Such a simple statement, but how very true! Keeping control of the mouth and tongue is a very difficult task. James says that the tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. What power! Why can't a person control the tongue? James goes on further to say that many things in life can be tamed but not the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. There seems to be little to no self control in this area. Perhaps it is because it is set on fire by hell. It is the playground of Satan Himself. He relishes the fact that He accomplish so much just by a few words.

So is the believer doomed from the get-go? Now, thank God, God gives us the new nature when we become His chosen vessel. At this point we have access to the wisdom from above, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Even though this new nature is in us, we are still in our bodies of flesh. Thus comes the conflict! As Paul said he had a war within in his own body. His mind wanted to delight in the law of God, but  his flesh was constantly trying to undo this delight. If Paul can't live like this, do I have a hope? In 2 Tim. 1:7 Paul said, For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Certainly,  we will be a constant battle, but we have the power of Christ within us teaching us and leading us. We must suffer as good soldiers of Christ praying daily for this small member of our body.

Father,

Put a watch over my mouth so that I might not sin against You. I know Your grace is my sufficiency in this area as it is for my entire life. I love you, Lord.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Eternal Priest

Heb. 28

For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who had been made made perfect forever. 

There is a huge difference in the priesthood of Jesus Christ as compared to the Levitical priesthood. The ramifications are many. 

• Imperfect  priests --- a Perfect priest
• Levitical tribe--- a tribe of Judah, a tribe from which no one has served before
• The former commandment is set aside because of it uselessness --- to open the way for a better hope through which we draw near to God
• Without an oath --- God giving an oath establishing His priesthood forever making Jesus a guarantor of a better priesthood
• Offer daily sacrifices for their own sins and then sins of others ---to offer once for all sacrifice for the sins of many
• priests unholy --- Christ, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens
• Law appoints men in their weakness as high priests --- Jesus appointed as a Son who has been made perfect forever. 

Praise God I have Jesus who is the eternal priest providing for me. Jesus in the life brings radical change.

Father,

Help me live in such a way that bring glory to Christ who is my eternal priest. Teach me to live in His power and grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Sifting

Lk. 22:34

Jesus said, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me. 

Peter grandiosely stated that he was ready and willing to go with Jesus both to prison and to death. How many times have we [believers] made huge gestures and then were unable to fulfill them? How many times have we made a statement that we have not carried through on? Too many to count! Peter in all his enthusiasm and fervor wanted his statement to be true. He could not imagine that he would fail. But I wonder how he felt when Jesus' reply said that he [Peter] would deny him three times before the rooster crowed. Ouch! I know when someone has doubted that I would follow through on something, I worked all the harder to prove them wrong, but this was Jesus speaking and there was no proving Him wrong. 

Earlier in this passage, Jesus told Peter that Satan demanded to sift him like wheat. That's a little scary, but Jesus reassured him that he had prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. Once again how would Peter feel hearing this? Two very specific statements should have made Peter aware. Maybe he was aware, but what Jesus says will happen will happen. This situation reminds me of Job where Satan spoke with God about sifting him. In Job's case the sifting was horrendous as will this be as well. But after Peter cried the bitter tears, he was changed and ready to serve the Jesus he loved.

Father,

I don't want to be the person that is untrue in her words or deeds. But I know an action done in the flesh will not count for anything. Help me to be grace infused throughout my day. Help me to hold fast when I am sifted.

In Jesus name,

Amen

God Cannot Lie

Heb. 6:19

...so that be two unchangeable things it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 

First God established the fact that He could not lie with an oath to Himself. Most people swear to someone or something greater than they are to establish the truth of what they say. But God couldn't do this since nothing is greater than He is. Secondly He referred to the unchangeable character of His purpose. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. For these reasons we can flee to Him for refuge and be encouraged. We have the hope set before us, Jesus Christ is coming for us again. What I need to do is to hold fast to the hope set before me. This is my focus. 

Father,

I am so thankful that You do not lie. I can trust You to do what You say. You have saved and given me a hope for my life. Help me to hold fast.

In Jesus name, 

Amen

The MInd

Prov. 19:21

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. 

Such a simple statement, but how insightful! Man is captivated by what his mind can conceive. No doubt because it supports and grows his pride. Sadly I and many other Christians are still caught up in this same scenario. We live as if the plans that we make are better than God's purposes. Of course we would never say that or even allow ourselves to think that, but our actions demonstrate that it's true. Oh how strong is the flesh! Seeking its own way even through our subconscious thoughts. What a battle we have before us! 2 Cor. 10:5 says, We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Jesus Christ.  This does not seem like a passive battle! Taking our thoughts captive is a full time job that must be done in the power of the Spirit. If I tackle this myself without bringing God into the equation, I am assured of failure. I know this in my head, but still my mind is wayward. How to make what I know to be become a reality in my life is my constant struggle. Why? Do I not desire it enough to make the hard choice? Am I drinking too much from what the world offers? Rom. 12:2 says, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. The renewal of the mind is so very important in understanding the will of God, in making the right choices, and in giving over all of my 'self' to God. 

Father,

My heart wants to live as you would have me, but still I am often controlled by my flesh. I confess and ask that You grant me repentance. Help me though Your great grace to live in the reality of a transformed mind..

In Jesus name,

Amen

Obedience through Suffering

Heb. 5:5

So also Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him who said to Him, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten You.

Even though Jesus was a Son, He was not exempt from anything human. He experienced all the temptations and the limitations of a physical body. He, like all humans had to learn obedience through suffering. What a thought provoking phrase! Do I learn obedience through suffering? Is suffering the route to a closer walk with God? Jesus the Son of God accepted the Father's will. Even though He cried out to His Father to let the cup pass Him, He always ended that prayer with submission to the Father's will. What if Jesus had not done His Father's will? We would all be lost without any hope. It was because of His obedience [that included the ultimate in suffering] that He could save lost humanity. He endured the humiliation of death on a cross, the separation from His father, and the loss of all the honor He deserved to become a servant. Not just any servant, but the servant who when tempted did not cave but remained pure. He was appointed by the Father to be the high priest to all those who name His name as their Savior. How glorious!

Father,

Teach me how to learn obedience through suffering. Give me Your grace and strength to endure.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Grace

Heb. 4:16

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

Why can we go into the presence of the God of the universe, the God who controls all the details of life, and the God who has taken down nations and armies? The short answer is because of Jesus Christ, but that answer eludes the complexity of Christ's act. Believers have a high priest who has been tempted in every way like we have but with one exception. He came through it sinless! His sinless response to temptation guarantees us entrance to the Father because He fully paid the debt of sin. When we come to the throne of grace, Christ's acceptable sacrifice, His purity and  righteousness cover us. What a miracle! Not only to  be chosen by God but to have confident access because of Jesus Christ! To have the righteousness of Jesus be my righteousness is hard to understand especially when I don't live righteously most of the time. That is the crux of the matter! It doesn't depend on what I have done, it depends on His grace! The favor of God is extended to me because of the blood of Jesus. It is this grace that allows me to come freely and confidently to the throne of grace where I will find mercy and grace for all my needs. Truly, it is grace upon grace and more grace.

A second blessing radiating from Christ's sinless act is His understanding. When He looks at our flawed humanity, our duplicitous nature, and our overall lack of righteousness, He understands. Could He really? The Bible says He does. Why else would He have died and endured separation from the Father? He understands because He was tempted as we are only He didn't cave as we do many times. Jesus understands so that when we come to Him, He is not harsh with us. He is not critical of our many failures, instead He holds out loving arms that sympathize and forgive. What a gracious Savior!  Grace upon grace! What amazes me is the uncalculable amount of grace that is shown to us and how stingy we are to share grace with those around us!  Instead of the shame that we should feel, we often live like this without blinking an eye. How powerful is the flesh that we all live in! Such a need for grace upon grace!

Father

Thank You for Jesus, for His sinless life and His understanding heart. Thank You for allowing Him to come so that I might be saved. Help me to live in full view of Your great grace. Help it to be my full sufficiency, grace for me and grace for me to share with others. Thank You for the confident access that I have to the throne of grace. I am truly blessed!

In His name,

Amen

Living and Active

Heb. 4:12-13

 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

It is amazing that God gave us His very words, words of power and strength. It is because of the nature of the word that believers can be transformed. As the word grips our hearts, it can reveal the true intentions of the heart, exposing humanity's bent for evil and our need for a Savior. For the believer this task of exposing goes on until we are called home to heaven. Humanity's natural bent towards evil flares out when we least expect it, but it is the word that keeps us on the right track, following in the steps of Jesus. Strangely enough, I think many Christians must think that their innermost thoughts are not perceived by God, or should I say that this is the way we live, but the truth is our God is the all-seeing One. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. So why do we have so much concern that other humans will find out our secrets as opposed to a God who has the power over life and death? Such a foolish path we travel! We must live in the reality that we are naked and exposed before God. No amount of cleaning ourselves up on the outside will save the day. It might work for other people, but certainly not with God.  I know the truth of these verses, but how do I live in their reality? 

Father,

I bring my heart before You asking for a powerful cleaning. Teach me how to walk as Jesus did. Help me to see my heart and my sin. Grant me repentance. Grow me in Your righteousness. Draw my true position ever closer to my life covered in the blood of Jesus.

In His name,

Amen

Commit

Prov. 16: 3

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established,

Whatever I do must be in His will and in sync with His purpose. What better way to know this this is a reality than committing my work to the Lord. When I give over the reins of my life, my work, and my life purpose, then I can be assured that God is working freely in the circumstances of my life. He as the Creator of all has the inside track on all of life and its purposes. He sees the big picture while I see only the immediate picture. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. All people, places, events, and everything exist only for His purpose. This should make me feel so secure and safe, yet at times I want to manage my life as I see fit. Poor choice on my part! When I operate in my own will and strength, I am circumnavigating the best for my life. Anything that I might do is always less than God's best. How foolish I am in my thinking! 

Father,

I am committing my life, my work, and my all to You. Give me grace and strength to only look forward so that I might be Your salt and light.When I stray, pull me back. Keep me ever in Your plan.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Tempted

Heb. 2:17-18

Therefore He had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

Jesus was made perfect through suffering. He shared in flesh and blood that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of flesh and death, that is the devil. Not only that, but His suffering paved the way for the deliverance of those who were enslaved by death and sin including me specifically. He was like me in every respect so He could understand my nature, my foolishness, my helplessness, my passions, my forgetfulness, my weakness, my temper, my irritability, my frustrations, whatever I am He understands.  He was tempted as I am tempted. He suffered as I suffer. He did this to help me and all of us who believe. He conquered sin and death so that I could be released from my bondage. In Christ, I live eternally. I can have victory over sin. I can have forgiveness when I fall. I can grow into Jesus. I can have a relationship with the Father. I can forgive others. I can turn to Jesus for grace and mercy whenever I need it.

Father,

Thank You for my Savior, Jesus. What a savior He is! He conquered so I could live in newness of life. He forgives so I can in turn forgive others. He takes me out of the mess of my flesh to live in the Spirit. I know that I fall so many times, but I ask that each time You make sure that I am falling upwards. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Grace

Heb. 2:9

But we see Him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering to death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. 

This verse really drove home to me the extent of grace. I guess I have always thought of Jesus' death from my point of view. He was the way for me to experience the love and grace of God. But on the flip side, it was the same grace that sent Jesus to the cross to die. Grace for death and grace for life! When Jesus was resurrected, it allowed me to be resurrected to newness of life. Such a lesson! All of life, the good and the bad, is of grace. Grace during the hard times to chip away my flesh and grow me into the image of Jesus. Grace during the good times to see the beneficent hand of God in all things. Amazing Grace! Where would I be without it? The answer is simple. I would be lost, undone, hopeless and condemned to spend eternity without Jesus.

Father,
Thank You for Your grace! How strong and perfect it is. Certainly Your grace is my sufficiency. Your power is perfected in my weakness. Thank You for Jesus. In my heart I want Him to be my all, but I have so far yet to grow to reach that reality. Grow me!
In His glorious name,
Amen

The Son

Heb. 1:1

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world.

Jesus is the name that has power and glory, and the author of Hebrews clearly identifies Him as the Son of God. 

• Just like God spoke through the prophets in ages past now God speaks through Jesus. He is the very voice of God.
• He is the heir of all things, and gloriously we who name the name of Jesus are heirs with Him,
• He is the agent of creation.
• He is the radiance of the glory of God.
• He is the exact imprint of His nature.
• He upholds the universe by the word of His power.
• He made purification for sins.
• He sits at the right hand of God.
• He is superior to the angels, and even His name is more excellent.
•  He is the begotten Son, and God is His father.
• The angels worship Him.
• His throne is eternal. 
• Uprightness is His scepter.
• He loves righteousness.
• Even though the world will one day perish, He is the same every day and His years are eternal.

How powerful is He! It is amazing to me that He would die and pay the penalty for my sin. And then beyond salvation, He indwells me sending His Spirit to make my body His temple. He is a God who is most personal and He has paved the way for me to be personal with the Father calling Him Abba, Father. 

Father,

As I understand more clearly the nature of Your Son, I see what a sacrifice it was. It was no easy gift. My heart is full of gratitude. Somehow saying thank You is not enough. I know that I must live a life of surrender and obedience for You desire a broken and contrite heart. Teach me more each day how to do this.

In the name of my Savior,

Amen

Refresh my Heart

Philemon 20b

Refresh my heart in Christ.

Just a simple phrase at the end of a letter...in this specific case it was Paul asking and urging Philemon to receive Onesimus as a brother in Christ and not as a runaway slave. After Paul made his case, he asked Philemon to refresh his heart in Christ. How could he do this? By extending grace to Onesimus, Philemon was able to refresh Paul's heart. To me, this act reveals the huge bond of Christian fellowship. Onesimus was a runaway slave who deserved extremely harsh treatment upon his return, but because of Christ, Philemon could love him as a brother in the faith. The bond between Onesimus and Philemon was reestablished but now on an entirely new basis, Jesus Christ. And even more  than that, Philemon could bless Paul. All who are in the body of Christ have this ability and responsibility to bless one another because we are all part of the body of Christ. We do not cut off the toe to spite the hand. Instead we nurture and love the toe. Not only blessing the toe but also blessing the entire body. What a bond Jesus makes! 

Father,

Thank You for Your Son who makes such a bond a reality. Grow me in this fellowship so that my life can be a blessing to others. Help me to love the parts that are harder to love. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Goodness and Loving Kindness of God

Titus 3:4-7

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Without God's goodness and loving kindness, I would be lost as would all mankind. Salvation was initiated by God and given to those whom He chose for His own plan and purpose. My salvation [and the salvation of all mankind] had nothing to do with me, my works, my talents, my resourcefulness, or my vision. God's choosing had nothing to do with anything I could do. Somehow for most of mankind this fact is hard to swallow. They think that they have something to offer God or that they could make God's job easier if He would implement some of their plans. Thankfully, salvation was taken out of the hands of man so that no man could boast save only in Jesus Christ.  

Salvation was accomplished by the washing of regeneration [cleansing from sin] and by the renewal of the Spirit in my mind, my spirit, and my soul. This washing took place when Jesus took my place on the cross and carried with Him the sins of the world. For the first time ever God turned away from His Son. Why? So that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled. As the Spirit renews, He transforms my mind so that I might desire above all else the will of God. However, the Spirit's involvement goes beyond salvation. Not only does He transform but He indwells each new child of God and in me guiding, leading, and teaching. He helps in understanding the word of God. We have been justified an [including me] and made heirs with Christ so that someday when Jesus calls us home we can be heirs of the hope of eternal life. What a great Savior!

Father,

Thank You for so great a salvation and Savior. Your plan is perfect. Teach me how to listen to the Spirit so that I might be consistent with You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Mission Statement

Titus 2: 11-14

 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 

This is my life, or what my life should be! The grace of God in the body of Jesus Christ appeared to all men bringing salvation not just in Christ's earthly lifetime, but even now. God's Spirit drew me to Him so that the grace of God could give me salvation. Consequently grace is the measure of my Christian life, grace for salvation and grace for living. This grace of God is to train me to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions [the put off's], and in their place put on self-control, uprightness, and godliness. I wonder if that is the problem. Have I not put off the world? Is it still creeping in preventing me from living a godly life? I know that the two cannot peacefully coexist. So this is the stuff of my daily living, of my sanctification. I can neither put off the behaviors of the world or put on the behaviors of grace without grace as my power source. Jesus is not interested in any putting off that I might do because it is just a shabby imitation. Putting off in the power of Jesus is the only way to go!

What is the focus of my daily life? Doing good works zealously! He has saved me to carry out the work of His ministry. He bought me back from sin for a specific purpose not so I might ride the fence gleaning the best of both sides, but instead living solely for Him by doing His good work. And what is the focus for my future? I am waiting for my blessed hope which is the appearing of Jesus Christ the glory of God. Why is this a big deal? Why should that be the future focus of my life? Because Jesus is the One who redeemed me from lawlessness so that I might become a people for His own possession. Once redeemed I no longer own myself, I am His slave to do only His work . But when His good work is done on earth, He will come to take me home to heaven as a child of God, an heir, a joint-heir with Christ.. It will be the most glorious event ever!

Father,

How important is this short passage! Thank You for bringing it before my eyes and my heart. I know that this is my mission statement. Teach me how to rely on grace more and more each day.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Purity

Titus 1:15-16

To the pure, all things are pure,  but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

 Paul speaks blatantly to Timothy saying keep yourselves pure. Such a commandment! Purity is impossibility apart from the grace and gift of God. God covers us in the blood of Christ making us new imputing the righteousness of Christ to us. It is that righteousness that becomes our purity in the eyes of God.  

But at the same time, we are to grow in purity on a daily basis. How? We must put off the deeds of the flesh and saturate ourselves in the word of God. Understanding the nature of the unbeliever should make a clear differentiation for the believer. Am I  doing, thinking, feeling, or speaking anything that is defiling? Would I take Jesus with me in all the areas of my life? [ News flash: Jesus is with me if I am His.]  If something is defiling, I need to put it off. and cleanse myself through confession and repentance. Hopefully, the believer would not profess to know God [which he should], and yet have the actions of his life reveal something else.  Do the actions of my life point to Jesus?  Believers must not participate or even spectate things that are detestable. Disobedience and a rebellion toward authority can not describe the life of a believer.God expressly desires obedience to all that He says. If I persist in this way of living, I am not His, and consequently I am not fit for good works. This is sobering. How I live reflects whose I am! How I think reflects whose I am! How I feel reflects whose I am? If I am pure in Jesus then I need to be pure in all things. The key is not to jump in and try and live like this in my own strength, but to do it in the strength and power of Jesus. 

Father,

You have blessed my life in giving me Jesus. Help to me to put off the deeds of the flesh and to put on the deeds of the Spirit. I want to walk in the Spirit constantly.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Saved from the Lion's Mouth

2 Tim. 4:17

But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. 

Though Paul was deserted by man, it didn't matter. It may have been disheartening [which I think it was or he wouldn't have mentioned it.], but the Lord stood by him giving him all the strength that he needed for that particular situation. And that is the way it is always! This certainly was a message that Timothy needed. There would be many times in his ministry when he would stand alone, but the Lord would always be there. Support from man is always off-again on-again because man is so easily swayed. Sadly, it shouldn't be that way for Christians. They should all stand in support of one another when it comes to spreading the gospel or standing for Jesus. Something that any and all believers should remember is that the Lord will always be there to strengthen and sustain. What a great Savior! His watch care always supersedes man's!

Not only did the Lord strengthen Paul personally, but he furthered the message and his ministry. God works in ways not understood by man. Perhaps more people would come to Jesus by seeing Paul suffer than by listening to him preach. Who knows? Only God! What it demands is trust! Paul could attest to the fact that he was rescued from the lion's mouth, but it would not be that way every time. God might choose to take one of His beloved home, as He did Paul. Once again, not for man to understand, but for him merely to accept. Trust!!

Father,

Grow my trust in You so that whatever comes my way I can rely on You and not falter when man deserts. You are an amazing God who has chosen to come to man and to me personally. Thank You!

In Jesus name,

Amen

Important Commands

2 Tim. 4:2

...preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching. 

There always has been and there still is much talk about end times. But Paul's task with Timothy was not so much about revealing end times to him as much as it was to make sure he was faithful until the time that Jesus would come back. I think that same thought goes for us. We must be found faithful when Jesus comes for us. For Timothy it meant to preach, be ready, reprove, rebuke, and exhort. I don't preach, but I am sure that I could put in its place sharing. I must share Jesus with anyone He brings across my path [to the unsaved], and be ready [that is the condition of my own heart and soul], and reprove, rebuke, and exhort [to the saved]. Jesus did not leave us with fuzzy, unclear instructions. Instead our path is clear.

After giving this very specific command, he went on to say,  As for you, always be sober-minded, endure sufferings, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill your ministry. Paul definitely was in the serious mode. Verse 2 and 5 are a reflection of this. Certainly believers today need to be sober-minded, always watching and praying lest they fall into temptation. We must endure sufferings, tough though they be, this is how Jesus walked. He has commanded us to walk in His footsteps [impossible shoes to fill without grace]. Fulfilling our ministry [which is specific to each one of us] is a matter of faithfulness. It is the faithful believer who will hear the words, Well done, good and faithful servant. 

Such strong and specific commands! Paul knew the time of his departure was nearing. His heart for Timothy had to be expressed in heavy words. He wanted Timothy to be able to say like he said, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing. Paul's life was Timothy's example. He too would be called home. So it is for all of us who believe. Am I faithful in all things, not just doing but in being? Am I longing for His appearing? Am I growing?

Father,

I confess that the world has often blinded my eyes to the truth, but I ask You to work in my heart. Start a fire that will burn up the dross. Help me keep my eyes on You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Scripture

2 Tim.3: 16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

All Scripture is breathed out by God, not most or even bits and pieces, but all. Breathed out not only speaks of origin, but it also says that as God exhales His words flow like the air we breathe. They are alive and charged with the God-stuff. This fact alone should change the way that we view the Bible. It is not just any book, or even a book that can impact your life, but instead it is the very word of God. These words don't contain the word, they are the word! They transform! They have the capability to reveal to us the Son of God because He is the living word, the logos. There are many books that have been preserved for centuries, books that have merit like Shakespeare, but none equal the Scripture in power and in truth! 

The Scriptures are purposeful words, words that are spoken in order to transform the human soul. And after salvation, they grow the believer into the image of the Son.  How? Through teaching, reproof, correction, and for training in righteousness, teaching for how to live, reproof for living wrongly, correction for putting back on the right track, and training for a godly walk and sanctification. Each and every part from beginning to the very end [of the Word] is essential for the child of God. If all this is true, why do so many Christians have a long-distance relationship with these words? Why do they prefer to read a short devotional instead of the word? Even though pre-digested devotionals and books have a place in a believer's life, should they ever supplant the words of God? Obviously, the answer is no. I guess we would need to look within at how much Jesus a believer would want in his or her life. If  the desire is to be a competent man of God who is equipped for every good work, then the Scriptures are the place to be!

Too much Jesus, what a funny phrase. Many times we can have too much of a good thing, like medicine [must be the prescribed dose], healthy food, or even junk food. I have heard stories of people who work in canning factories or even people who pick the fruit. It often becomes too much and they can refuse to eat that food ever again. But the Scriptures are vastly different! The more we eat, the more we want! If the book is rarely opened, correspondingly the appetite for it will be rare. God has offered us the full platter of divine food. What are we going to choose to eat? 

Father,

I know that reading Your words are an integral part of my life, but should it be more? Teach me to redeem my time, to use it as You would have me use it.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Walking

Prov. 10:9

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely...

Walking is an important concept in the Bible. We must walk in light and in love, not walking as the Gentiles in the futility of our minds or in their lack of wisdom. We must walk in the Spirit as well as be controlled by Him, and as Proverbs says we must walk in integrity. All this walking could make me think of me trying to walk right, of trying to implement all this in my own power, but that is where the error comes in. Certainly I walk but in the power and strength of God, in His grace, and through His indwelling Spirit. I walk with God knowing full well my poverty, that I am nothing a part from God. 

Integrity usually means being a man of your word, living by a higher ethical standard, and doing what is right even if it is the hard choice. There are unsaved people who possess integrity, and sadly there are believers who do not. Jesus has called me to follow in His footsteps. When I am walking as He walked,  then I am walking in integrity. It is not something that I drum up, but it is something that comes from my core, a core that has been transformed by Jesus Christ. Integrity means Jesus in me! Integrity means Jesus calling the shots and me obeying! Integrity means living by His Spirit every moment of the day.

Father,

I do want to live in my poverty and in Your power alone. Teach me how to do that every day. Speak to me when I am not. Let me know completely how to be controlled by Your Spirit.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Grace/Effort

2 Tim. 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Do your best...This clearly demonstrates the relationship between grace and human effort. I know all is of grace. As Paul said in 1 Cor. 15:10, But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Paul worked hard, but through the grace of God. At this point understanding this concept is something that I will probably have to wait until heaven to truly understand. I do not know that all is of grace. My ability to do anything is of grace. But my problem is is that many times I take off in my own strength. In essence [without even meaning it or thinking it] I am telling God that I can handle this [whatever it might be] on my own. Sometimes I must think [way back in the deep recesses of my mind] that God needs my help. Perhaps even that my plan is better. Such foolishness!!  

Is this question as simple as acknowledging God in all that I do? I notice that many times I operate on auto-pilot. I am going through the menial motions of everyday life without even a thought for God. Why not? Might it be truly wonderful if I would pray as I fold laundry? Or even if I had God-glorifying music on while I was cooking or cleaning up after a meal? I am sure that there are many ways that I could keep God in my daily life that would result in great blessings. But why don't I? How strong is my flesh! It controls me [many times] without me even thinking. And that is why I need to purposely keep God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in my conscious thought. 

Paul encouraged Timothy to be a worker for Jesus, one who was unashamed because of his relationship to the word of God. Certainly the example of Paul would demonstrate what it means to be filled with the word. In truth, the Word was synonymous with his blood. As it coursed through his veins, it filled every part of him. Paul encouraged Timothy to be this same way. Make the word alive in your life. Give it free course throughout your entire body, brain, and soul. Perhaps then the relationship of grace and effort would be understood. 

Father,

Thank You for Your life-giving and life-continuing word. I so need it everyday. I confess Lord that my auto-pilot response is strong. Help me to change that. Give me Your grace so that I might be aware of You in all the moments of my day.

In the name of Jesus,

Amen