Pure and True

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.

Oh the difference it makes when Christ transforms the life! I am clean from the inside out. He has made me pure through His blood. Before Christ I was defiled much like the person described in these verses. I could have been raised in a church that was one of social significance where a saving knowledge of Christ was missing. I may have thought I knew God, but yet my works, my life style would have denied Him like so many people today. Oh the trap of religion!

However, there are people who claim to know God but are out to destroy the people of God. These people are defiled in their minds and consciences. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for good works. Yikes! Quite an indictment! But at the same time, quite a warning! I need to watch to see if the life of a person matches his words. God is concerned with the heart. He knows if a person is true and not pretend. He has given me His Spirit to live inside me to help me live for Him and to guide me in discerning truth from error, that includes those who profess to know God but deny Him by their lives. 

Father,

Help me to be true to You, to live purely in Your power and strength. Give me eyes to discern truth from error.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Soldiers

2 Tim. 2:3

Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

Paul has exhorted Timothy to be strengthened by the grace of Jesus. It is only in His grace that any believer can endure, maintain, survive, or even flourish. He then proceeded to urge him to share in sufferings as a good soldier of Jesus. As a believer, we are all enlisted in the ranks. Jesus is our commanding officer. Just like a soldier's tour of duty brings with it hardship, suffering, deprivation, and even death, so the believer must endure. The soldier removes himself from civilian pursuits. He no longer lives at his home and may be deployed anywhere around the globe. All his moments are filled with orders concerning his very existence. His life is given completely over to his commanding officer. How glorious it would be if my every thought, word, or action were so structured!

Just in case Timothy did not understand the concept he gave him 2 more examples. The first was the athlete who only is crowned only if he competes according to the rules. Much like the orders the soldier receives so the athlete's life is structured. As he trains for his competition, his life is on a strict schedule of diet, activities, exercise, and focus. Not for a moment does he forget his end goal and all the rules that take him there. Finally, Paul referred to the farmer who works hard and enjoys the first share of his crops. Hard work is a keystone of the Christian life, that is hard work energized by the grace of Jesus Christ. When done in his power, the blessings [the first share of the crops] far outweigh the burden of work. 

He concluded this small section by saying, Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offering of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. In essence Paul gave the example of his life. Just as he suffered for the sake of the gospel and the salvation of the elect, so should Timothy. Always be encouraged by remembering Jesus who suffered for us. Always remember that the word of God is not bound!!

Father,

My heart is uplifted this morning. Strengthen me in Your grace so that I might be a soldier who endures suffering, an athlete who obeys the rules, and a farmer who works hard. I do remember Jesus Christ and that Your word is never bound.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Power, Love, and Self-Control

2 Tim. 1:7

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 

Paul longed to see Timothy. He had prayed for Timothy faithfully and had remembered his sincere faith, a faith that had begun with a godly grandmother and mother. What a wonderful home! I imagine Paul was thinking of the great fellowship they would have and the times of intense teaching. Until he could be there with Timothy face to face, he had some instructions for him. First, he wanted him to fan into flame the gift of God that was in him through the laying on of hands. Timothy had great responsibility for a young man. He was chosen and commissioned as a preacher/teacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He needed to do all that he could to foster that gift, to remain faithful in using the gift, and to grow in his gift personally. A preacher/teacher who doesn't grow is not an effective leader. Instead he is an empty shell spouting only words devoid of power. 

Paul was especially concerned because Timothy was young. Being a young man, there were many temptations, temptations which would deter Timothy from his calling. So Paul was pouring his heart and soul into Timothy. He was his son in the faith! Secondly, he wanted him to remember that God had given him a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Living in the reality of this verse would make a person drastically transformed. For Timothy, perhaps he was fearful of coming up against those much older than he was. Perhaps he was unsure how to teach and lead others when he was so young. Perhaps he was concerned he would fall prey to the temptations of young men. But no problem! God had given Timothy, and all of us, a spirit of power, love, and self-control. When I read that verse, I think of the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit who grows within us His fruit, specifically love and self-control. What a great blessing! 

Father,

I confess my lack of love, and self-control. Obviously, I am not living in the power of the Holy Spirit. Help me. Teach me. Grow me. Keep me faithfully fanning into flame the gift of God.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Contentment

1 Tim. 6:6

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 

Does godliness flourish when coupled with contentment? If our gaze is averted from the pursuit of worldly things, is it more focused on God and thus on godliness?  Paul said that there was a snare in riches. Once man had achieved them, they have created a gaping hunger and craving for more and more. In fact, this craving can open the door to abandoning the things of God altogether. 

In Phil. 4 Paul also shared on contentment saying that he had learned to be content in any situation. He had been brought low and had abounded, both ends of the spectrum. He shared that he had learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. What is that secret? I am sure that we would all want to know. Here it is: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Christ is the strength in abundance and in need, in plenty and in hunger. How many times have I read this verse and never put it in the context of contentment? Repeatedly! I am sure that it can be applied in many situations, but it might be good to begin with its original context. 

Father,

Give me the strength I need for contentment. Help me to rely on You constantly and in every situation.

In the name of all Strength,

Amen

Purity

1 Tim. 5:22

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 

Hastiness often leads to error, and in this case, to sin. If Timothy or any church body is hasty in establishing leaders [laying on their hands], then the consequence is that they are partially responsible for the sins that arise from their choices. Choosing leaders is something that must be done with prayer and the leading of the Spirit. The huge big overriding admonition is to keep yourself pure. Pure in making decisions and pure in one's own spirit and body. Who would have even thought that impurity could have resulted from incorrectly choosing a church leader. 

What other areas demand purity? 

• Ps. 24:3-4- Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord/ And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 
• Mt. 5:8-"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
• 2 Cor. 11:2-3- For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 
• Phil. 1:10-so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
• Phil. 4:8-Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
• 2 Tim. 2:22-So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
• Titus 2:3-5-Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
• Heb. 10:22-let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
• James 1:27-Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
• James 3:17-But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
• 1 Pet. 1:22-Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
• 1 Pet. 3:1-2-Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

Father,

So much to think about. Teach my heart to be pure so that my choices, thoughts, attitudes, and conduct are pure. I confess allowing sin in my life to cloud and stain my heart keeping it from being purely Yours. Forgive.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Our Charge

1 Tim. 1:5

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Said simply, but oh so powerfully! Love from a pure heart would have to be selfless and could only be seen in Jesus Christ. As I grow closer to Him and become more like Him, each day my love becomes more like His love for me. But such a great distance I have to travel! Oh so very flawed is my love! A good conscience would mean always seeking the best for another and not for self. It would mean obeying the commands of the word without any rationalization or justification. So that always I could come into Your presence with nothing to hide or regret. Complete and utter obedience means a good conscience! A sincere faith is one that I pursue at all costs. It is the most important thing in my life, my reason for living, my mission and ministry, and my future hope. My faith must be sincere, or is no faith at all!

Father,

Such power in Your word! Clean out my heart. Sweep away my selfishness and let Your love reside in its place. Keep my heart pure as Your Son who has redeemed and sanctified me. Teach me willing obedience even when the cost is great! Keep my faith sincere, never reduced to mere formality or habit, but bursting with the freshness of the Spirit in all that I do, say, and feel. Lord, I love You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Weariness

2 Thess. 3:13

As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 

Weariness is something that really clings to the soul. I think it sneaks up on a person until all of a sudden it's huge! Little by little the flesh begins to take hold of what we are doing for the Lord, our service. We push through when we are tired. We fill a spot because no one else will. As soon as the flesh has a foothold, weariness is inevitable! So the warning is do not grow weary in doing good. The command is emphatic! I think Paul knew how devastating weariness could be. He knew the great potential it had for stealing the joy of the Lord, for drying up the reserves of our love for one another, and for allowing dissatisfaction to cloud our spiritual vision. Yes, do not!! Do not even go there!! At the first sign, stop, pray, get rid of it!!! How many times have I grown weary? Too many to count! I must heed this warning. I must not be weary in doing good!

Father,

Help me not to grow weary. Give me correct vision so that I might see my flesh and deal with it as sin. I confess all the times that I have served in weariness of flesh. Forgive me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

3 Things

2 Thess. 1:3-4

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.

Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

Paul was thankful for three very important things in the Thessalonian Christians: One, that their faith was growing. Two, that their love for one another was increasing, and Three, that they stood steadfast in faith and in persecution and affliction. Certainly, I could use these three areas as criteria for my own Christian life. 

Is my faith growing? What am I doing to make sure that it is growing? Study, fellowship, attending church, praying, service...I would need all of these and in right proportion. A life of study becomes cerebral without prayer to take it to the heart level. In fact, could any of these without prayer become a liability? Could they give off the essence of being in right relationship with God but without the power that comes from constant communication with Him? I can attest to the truth of this statement. This summer I have done all these things but have been very irregular in prayer. I have experienced repeated flares of temper and lack of self-control. I firmly believe my lack of prayer has left me unsteady in my Christian walk.

Is my love increasing? I would have to say yes. I do cherish the body of Christ and rejoice in all the times that I get to fellowship with them. But I would ask, am I loving them enough to pray for their spiritual growth like Paul prayed for these believers. Once again it comes back to prayer. Finally, am I faithful in persecution and affliction. Well, I haven't experienced any persecution, but my lung disease seems to be active and encroaching on my life again. When I found that out, did I take it to God in prayer immediately, or did I let it undo me for a time. Obviously, the latter was the answer. Why am I so foolish when it comes to prayer? Why is it so much harder than any other discipline?

Father,

I come to You this morning confessing my prayerlessness, something that I am sure grieves Your heart. Help me, Lord. Guide me and strengthen me in this area. I pray for study this morning that all the ladies would make an effort to come and that their hearts would be strengthened.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Summation

1 Thess. 5:12-24

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,

and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Rejoice always,

pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not despise prophecies,

but test everything; hold fast what is good.

Abstain from every form of evil.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

What a closing is this! It is almost an overview of the Christian's walk. I wonder are any of these more important than the others? As I read the list, my thoughts would immediately jump to Do not quench the Spirit.  Without the Spirit can the others really be a reality. I wonder if Paul made this list with an order in mind. Regardless, they are to be obeyed.

Respecting and honoring those over me in the Lord. So does this refer to paid staff at the church? Would it include Sunday School teachers, singers, meal planners, etc. I would think all in the body should be honored and respected, but especially the pastors. Their work and ministry carry with it a huge responsibility and a huge accountability. Does honoring and respecting mean to be blind to faults or areas that need to be corrected?

Peace among the brothers is of ultra importance. When there is peace, no one is doing or receiving evil, instead they are seeking to do good to each other. In this same arena, would be rejoicing with each other in their good circumstances and not delighting in their bad circumstances. But rejoicing goes much farther than interpersonal relationships. It goes vertical as well. I need to rejoice not just in the people God has put in my life, but in the circumstances God has given me. As I pray unceasingly about people and circumstances, I must be thankful in everything. This is the will of God!! Oh how difficult to be thankful for everything. It's one thing to say the words but an entirely different thing to mean the words. 

Abstaining from evil and quenching the Spirit somehow seem to be related. If evil is in the life, the Spirit can't work. Evil would totally quench the Spirit! God cannot tolerate evil and neither does His Spirit. The believer's new nature should make evil an abhorrent thing, but somehow evil still seems to hold quite a bit of power. Certainly praying without ceasing is essential in this most basic of areas. Constant communication is the only way any of these areas are to be a reality, the only way to abstain from evil, and the only way for the Spirit to work freely is through prayer. 

Paul closes with a benediction. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The God of peace is the only One who can sanctify and keep the believer. In fact, Jesus Himself will present us blameless and holy at His coming. What a glorious day! Then Paul offers a word of encouragement. It is as if he is saying, I know that all these areas seem unrealistic and out of reach, but He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 

Father,

Thank You for these words and Your promise to do what You have called me to do. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

His Purpose for Me

Ps. 138:8

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. 

What a great verse to claim! I need never doubt that whatever happens in my life is not according to His purpose and plan. What a great sovereign God! Somehow today this verse really hit home. As I get older I see myself lagging, getting slower and slower. I see my mind not making connections and forgetting things. I see disease and medicine taking its toll on me. Yet in the midst of this, I can trust Him. 

Father,

When my trust wavers, strengthen it. Grow me in my love for You. Lord, I lack self-control. Help me in that area. Help me listen to Your voice and the voice of Your Spirit.

In Jesus name,

Amen