You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth,
And the heavens are the works of Your hands;
They will perish, but You remain;
And they all will become old like A garment,
And like A mantle You will roll them up;
Like A garment they will also be changed.
But You are the same,
And Your years will not come to an end
Heb 1:10-12
What an awesome God we serve. He never changes. He is always true. He loves us beyond measure. He is all-powerful. He created everything. He has no limitations.
I am so happy to serve this amazing God.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
I Rather Appeal to You
though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you
Phm 1:8-9
What makes you feel better: when people appeal to you or when they order you to do what is proper? Are you more motivated by harsh commands or gentle suggestions? Do you prefer orders from on high or nudges from a friend who cares about you? I believe that Paul and Philemon were examples of how that church should work. Paul realized that appealing to Philemon was the most effective. He also knew Philemon well enough to know that with a suggestion, Philemon would do more than he said. What a beautiful picture of how church life should work!
Am I able to receive an appeal from my brothers or sisters in the church and act on it? Am I humble enough to appeal to people even when I'm confidant in Christ that I am right? Following Paul's example would improve relationships in the body of Christ dramatically.
Lord, help me to be able to give and receive appeals in the spirit of a servant, a follow of You. Help me to know when to appeal and when to give orders, and to do both in love. I want to relate to my family, friends, co workers, brothers and sisters in the church meekly and humbly as You showed us when You were here on earth.
Phm 1:8-9
What makes you feel better: when people appeal to you or when they order you to do what is proper? Are you more motivated by harsh commands or gentle suggestions? Do you prefer orders from on high or nudges from a friend who cares about you? I believe that Paul and Philemon were examples of how that church should work. Paul realized that appealing to Philemon was the most effective. He also knew Philemon well enough to know that with a suggestion, Philemon would do more than he said. What a beautiful picture of how church life should work!
Am I able to receive an appeal from my brothers or sisters in the church and act on it? Am I humble enough to appeal to people even when I'm confidant in Christ that I am right? Following Paul's example would improve relationships in the body of Christ dramatically.
Lord, help me to be able to give and receive appeals in the spirit of a servant, a follow of You. Help me to know when to appeal and when to give orders, and to do both in love. I want to relate to my family, friends, co workers, brothers and sisters in the church meekly and humbly as You showed us when You were here on earth.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Engage in Good Deeds
Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful.
Tit 3:14
In this verse, Paul reminds us that people of God must be doing good deeds. They should be known for their hospitality, generosity and willingness to give. They should be willing to give to the needs they see. But, with so many charities and other good organizations asking for our support, how can we decide where to put our support? How do we decide between giving to starving children in Haiti or Africa? Should we support the tornado victims in Mississippi or Christians in China that have no Bibles? Should give money to the mission work to unreached people in India or Indonesia? There are so many pressing needs that beckon to us for help. In all this giving, we need to be sure that we're not neglecting our own homes and families. How can we do it all?
Lord, give us wisdom to use Your resources where they do the most good. Help us to follow Your guidance as we make decisions about giving. You have given us everything we have and it is all Yours. Please help me to remember that in every decision we make.
Tit 3:14
In this verse, Paul reminds us that people of God must be doing good deeds. They should be known for their hospitality, generosity and willingness to give. They should be willing to give to the needs they see. But, with so many charities and other good organizations asking for our support, how can we decide where to put our support? How do we decide between giving to starving children in Haiti or Africa? Should we support the tornado victims in Mississippi or Christians in China that have no Bibles? Should give money to the mission work to unreached people in India or Indonesia? There are so many pressing needs that beckon to us for help. In all this giving, we need to be sure that we're not neglecting our own homes and families. How can we do it all?
Lord, give us wisdom to use Your resources where they do the most good. Help us to follow Your guidance as we make decisions about giving. You have given us everything we have and it is all Yours. Please help me to remember that in every decision we make.
Friday, August 23, 2013
How God Looks at "Spiritual" Discussions
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self- condemned.
Tit 3:9-11
I heard (and been a part of at times) too many "spiritual" discussions that were nothing more than foolish controversies and disputes about the Bible. They missed the point of the Scriptures and the majored on the minors.They are like a Pharisee eating his soup who would "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" (Mat 23:24) It's so easy to get into those types of discussions and feel sanctified and justified for trying argue our interpretation of the Bible with no regard for the other person's feelings or ideas. And, usually we completely miss the main point of the passage.
Jesus said this about people who majored on the minors: "you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law:justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." (Mat 23:23) When we feel like we've arrived in justice, mercy and faithfulness, then maybe we'll be justified in putting such scrutiny on tithing the herbs from our gardens/arguing about the meaning of the white horse in Revelation.
Lord, help me to focus on the things that You say are important. Help me to love what you love: justice, mercy and faithfulness. Help me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ more than I love to be right. Help me to honor their feelings and opinions. Most of all, I want to honor you by my life.
Tit 3:9-11
I heard (and been a part of at times) too many "spiritual" discussions that were nothing more than foolish controversies and disputes about the Bible. They missed the point of the Scriptures and the majored on the minors.They are like a Pharisee eating his soup who would "strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!" (Mat 23:24) It's so easy to get into those types of discussions and feel sanctified and justified for trying argue our interpretation of the Bible with no regard for the other person's feelings or ideas. And, usually we completely miss the main point of the passage.
Jesus said this about people who majored on the minors: "you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law:justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." (Mat 23:23) When we feel like we've arrived in justice, mercy and faithfulness, then maybe we'll be justified in putting such scrutiny on tithing the herbs from our gardens/arguing about the meaning of the white horse in Revelation.
Lord, help me to focus on the things that You say are important. Help me to love what you love: justice, mercy and faithfulness. Help me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ more than I love to be right. Help me to honor their feelings and opinions. Most of all, I want to honor you by my life.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
The Kindness of God
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Tit 3:4-7
Reading these verses this morning blessed my heart. Just read over them several times and let the meaning sink into your heart.
Tit 3:4-7
Reading these verses this morning blessed my heart. Just read over them several times and let the meaning sink into your heart.
- The amazing kindness of God
- How much He loves us
- We don't need to earn salvation
- His amazing mercy
- Renewed by the Holy Spirit
- We are heirs of God
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Let No One Disregard You
These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
Tit 2:15
As I read this verse, I thought about how we're taught to be tactful, humble and not offend people when we speak. Yet, this verse seems to fly in the face of that teaching. It tells us to speak with authority, and let no one disregard us. I believe the difference is this: when we are speaking from our own hearts, thoughts and opinions, we should be reserved and not over-confident. Yet, when we are speaking from God, there is no need to apologize. When Jesus spoke, people were amazed at the authority with which he spoke. When God has given us words to speak, we too can and must speak with boldness and authority.
Lord, help me to be sensitive to You speaking in my life. Help me to be bold to speak what You have given me. Help me not to be dogmatic when expressing my own opinions, and help me to know the difference.
Tit 2:15
As I read this verse, I thought about how we're taught to be tactful, humble and not offend people when we speak. Yet, this verse seems to fly in the face of that teaching. It tells us to speak with authority, and let no one disregard us. I believe the difference is this: when we are speaking from our own hearts, thoughts and opinions, we should be reserved and not over-confident. Yet, when we are speaking from God, there is no need to apologize. When Jesus spoke, people were amazed at the authority with which he spoke. When God has given us words to speak, we too can and must speak with boldness and authority.
Lord, help me to be sensitive to You speaking in my life. Help me to be bold to speak what You have given me. Help me not to be dogmatic when expressing my own opinions, and help me to know the difference.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Urge the Young Men
Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
Tit 2:6-8
In these verses, Paul gives us a snapshot of what the lives of young men should look like:
Tit 2:6-8
In these verses, Paul gives us a snapshot of what the lives of young men should look like:
- Sensible: reasonable, balanced, wise
- An example of good deeds: a life that inspires others to kindness, self-sacrifice and discipline
- Purity in doctrine: only getting our doctrines and beliefs from the Bible, not being swayed by every wind of doctrine
- Dignified: acting and living respectably and in a way that honors God
- Sound speech which is beyond reproach: truthful, upright, full of integrity, speech that honors God and respects our fellow men
Lord, help me to have this kind of life. Help me to be an example of someone who fears You. I want my life to point people to You.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Professing to Know God
They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him,
Tit 1:16
Is this a picture of me? I profess to know God. I claim to live for Him. Yet, if people could only see what I do and not hear what I say, what would they think? Is my life as good as my words? Or, are some of the things I do self-serving instead of God-serving. The talk is easy to get right, but the walk tells what we're really made of.
Lord, help me to serve You in my wards and actions. Help me not to be a hypocrite. I want to be genuine all the way through. I don't want to have anything that I need to hide. I don't want to have to put on words or actions when I'm in public. You can see me all the time, and You are the One I want to please. So, please help me to speak for You and live for You continually.
Tit 1:16
Is this a picture of me? I profess to know God. I claim to live for Him. Yet, if people could only see what I do and not hear what I say, what would they think? Is my life as good as my words? Or, are some of the things I do self-serving instead of God-serving. The talk is easy to get right, but the walk tells what we're really made of.
Lord, help me to serve You in my wards and actions. Help me not to be a hypocrite. I want to be genuine all the way through. I don't want to have anything that I need to hide. I don't want to have to put on words or actions when I'm in public. You can see me all the time, and You are the One I want to please. So, please help me to speak for You and live for You continually.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Safely to His Heavenly Kingdom
I was rescued out of the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen
2Ti 4:17-18
In previous verses, Paul was telling Timothy about his arrival in Rome, when no one would stand with him for fear of persecution. Yet, through it all, God delivered Paul from Satan, that roaring lion. Paul had complete trust that whether he lived or whether he died, God would keep him safely and bring him to heaven. Paul was completely content with life or death if it brought glory to God.
Is my life that surrendered to God? Do I completely trust God's direction in my life even when it means hardship?
Lord, I thank You that I can trust You completely. I know You have a plan for my life. I choose to give You the reins of my life. I am willing to follow You through hard times and easy. I ask You for the grace to face whatever lies ahead. I want my life to be dedicated to Your glory.
2Ti 4:17-18
In previous verses, Paul was telling Timothy about his arrival in Rome, when no one would stand with him for fear of persecution. Yet, through it all, God delivered Paul from Satan, that roaring lion. Paul had complete trust that whether he lived or whether he died, God would keep him safely and bring him to heaven. Paul was completely content with life or death if it brought glory to God.
Is my life that surrendered to God? Do I completely trust God's direction in my life even when it means hardship?
Lord, I thank You that I can trust You completely. I know You have a plan for my life. I choose to give You the reins of my life. I am willing to follow You through hard times and easy. I ask You for the grace to face whatever lies ahead. I want my life to be dedicated to Your glory.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Lord, Pour Me Out
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering
2Ti 4:6
Paul had submitted his life to God. He allowed God complete control. God could pour Paul out in any way He desired. Am I that submitted to God and His plan for my life?
I want to be like water in a glass: completely without resistance to wherever God pours me out. Water has no control over where it's poured out, how it's used or where it runs. I want to give God that kind of complete control over my life.
Lord, I submit my life to You. Help my lack of submission. I want You to control every detail of my life. I want Holy Spirit to fill me so completely that my first impulse in every situation is to follow Your direction. Please help me to see the areas in my life that are not surrendered and give me the strength to surrender them to You. Amen.
2Ti 4:6
Paul had submitted his life to God. He allowed God complete control. God could pour Paul out in any way He desired. Am I that submitted to God and His plan for my life?
I want to be like water in a glass: completely without resistance to wherever God pours me out. Water has no control over where it's poured out, how it's used or where it runs. I want to give God that kind of complete control over my life.
Lord, I submit my life to You. Help my lack of submission. I want You to control every detail of my life. I want Holy Spirit to fill me so completely that my first impulse in every situation is to follow Your direction. Please help me to see the areas in my life that are not surrendered and give me the strength to surrender them to You. Amen.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Difficult Times Will Come
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self- control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
2Ti 3:1-5
This seems like a description of today. This long list of bad character traits is a laundry list of what we see around us. Paul tells us to avoid these kind of people. We become like the people we are around. So, we need to be careful when choosing our associates. As we choose friends that have good character traits, we will improve our characters. With God's help and the influence of good friends, these difficult times will be less difficult.
2Ti 3:1-5
This seems like a description of today. This long list of bad character traits is a laundry list of what we see around us. Paul tells us to avoid these kind of people. We become like the people we are around. So, we need to be careful when choosing our associates. As we choose friends that have good character traits, we will improve our characters. With God's help and the influence of good friends, these difficult times will be less difficult.
Friday, August 09, 2013
Instructions for the Lord's Bond-Servants
The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
2Ti 2:24-25
Am I the Lord's bond-servant? Do I do everything He asks of me without questioning? I believe that I still need to grow in this area. Paul lists some character traits of bond-servants of God:
2Ti 2:24-25
Am I the Lord's bond-servant? Do I do everything He asks of me without questioning? I believe that I still need to grow in this area. Paul lists some character traits of bond-servants of God:
- Not quarrelsome: peace-loving
- Kind to everyone, not just those we agree with
- Able (and willing) to teach
- Patient when wronged (no revenge)
- Giving gentle correction to those in opposition to truth
We must also desire in our heart that God would lead them to truth and repentance. We must have a personal love and concern for them, not just a desire to prove ourselves right.
Lord, I give myself to You as a bond-servant. I ask You to rule my life. Please build in me these characteristics. I want to represent You to my family, friends and coworkers.
Thursday, August 08, 2013
Guard the Treasure
Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
2Ti 1:14
While the title may sound more like Pirates of the Caribbean, that a Bible verse, there is a similarity. Christians should be guarding the treasures of salvation and gifts of the Spirit even more closely than pirates would guard a treasure chest. But we have something far more powerful than canons and cutlasses. We are to guard this treasure with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord that we can never lose a battle when we rely on God.
Lord, I thank You for the treasures You've given me as a Christian. I pray that you would help me to always remember the value of these gifts and defend them. Help me not to be distracted by daily life.
2Ti 1:14
While the title may sound more like Pirates of the Caribbean, that a Bible verse, there is a similarity. Christians should be guarding the treasures of salvation and gifts of the Spirit even more closely than pirates would guard a treasure chest. But we have something far more powerful than canons and cutlasses. We are to guard this treasure with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord that we can never lose a battle when we rely on God.
Lord, I thank You for the treasures You've given me as a Christian. I pray that you would help me to always remember the value of these gifts and defend them. Help me not to be distracted by daily life.
Wednesday, August 07, 2013
Entrusting Our Lives to God
I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
2Ti 1:12
Can I say with Paul that I completely entrust myself to God? I tend to want to be in control of my own life. I want to make my own decisions. Yet I realize that when I completely entrust my life to God, it is so much better. He sees the future. He cares about me. He understands me intimately. Why is it so hard to give control over to God?
Lord, I surrender my life to You completely. Please show me any areas that are not completely under Your control. I am convinced that You do a better job of running my life than I do. Thank You for how much You love me and care about me. I'm Yours.
2Ti 1:12
Can I say with Paul that I completely entrust myself to God? I tend to want to be in control of my own life. I want to make my own decisions. Yet I realize that when I completely entrust my life to God, it is so much better. He sees the future. He cares about me. He understands me intimately. Why is it so hard to give control over to God?
Lord, I surrender my life to You completely. Please show me any areas that are not completely under Your control. I am convinced that You do a better job of running my life than I do. Thank You for how much You love me and care about me. I'm Yours.
Tuesday, August 06, 2013
Not According to Our Works
God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity
2Ti 1:9
God has put a holy calling on our lives. He has called us to be different from those around us. He wants us not to be normal or average. He wants us to live our lives looking up and following Him. He wants our goals and dreams to focus on Him not on earth. He wants to give us a future in heaven. Yet, we may not credit ourselves that we've been called. It has nothing to do with what we've done or our performance. We may only boast in God. He's called us for His purpose, not our own. It's His plan that we're fulfilling. And, it's only by His grace that we can be good enough to fulfill His plan. We cannot save ourselves. Only through the blood of Jesus, can we be made clean from sin.
Thank You Lord, for calling me for Your purpose. Thank You for the privilege of walking with You. Help me to live only for Your purposes in my life. Thank You for the grace that changes me. Thank You for the gift of salvation. Help me to realize that there is no way I can earn that gift. I can only thankfully receive it and live out my life in thankfulness to You.
2Ti 1:9
God has put a holy calling on our lives. He has called us to be different from those around us. He wants us not to be normal or average. He wants us to live our lives looking up and following Him. He wants our goals and dreams to focus on Him not on earth. He wants to give us a future in heaven. Yet, we may not credit ourselves that we've been called. It has nothing to do with what we've done or our performance. We may only boast in God. He's called us for His purpose, not our own. It's His plan that we're fulfilling. And, it's only by His grace that we can be good enough to fulfill His plan. We cannot save ourselves. Only through the blood of Jesus, can we be made clean from sin.
Thank You Lord, for calling me for Your purpose. Thank You for the privilege of walking with You. Help me to live only for Your purposes in my life. Thank You for the grace that changes me. Thank You for the gift of salvation. Help me to realize that there is no way I can earn that gift. I can only thankfully receive it and live out my life in thankfulness to You.
Monday, August 05, 2013
Power, Love and Freedom
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2Ti 1:7
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful
Jn 14:27
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, " Abba! Father!"
Rom 8:15
I the verse prior to 2 Timothy 1: 7, Paul reminds Timothy to rekindle afresh the gift that God has given him. He then reminds Timothy not to be fearful, but bold. When we are serving God, we can be bold. We don't need to be afraid of what people will think. We are only concerned about what God thinks. Our King is God, and if we're following Him, everything else will fall into place. We also don't need to fear what people will do to us. God is strong enough to protect us if He chooses to. If he chooses not to, we will only go to heaven to live in eternal bliss.
John 14:27 gives us the same idea. It also adds the idea of peace. Because we trust and follow God, we will have peace without worry and fear. Romans 8:15 adds another angle. We can have freedom. Fear enslaves us. Love frees us. When we offer our bodies a living sacrifice to God, we can be completely free. What a paradox! Being a slave to God, makes us free from opinions of people around us, fashions, fads, keeping up with the Jones's, fear-based religion, peer pressure, and our own unrealistic expectations. Now that's freedom!
Lord, help me to have the spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Help me not to live in fear, but to live in boldness. Help me to have your peace instead of worry. Help me to live in freedom serving You. I desire to be free of the chains that living here on earth can so easily encumber me with. I claim Your freedom for myself. Through Your power and the indwelling Holy Spirit, I will live in freedom!
2Ti 1:7
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful
Jn 14:27
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, " Abba! Father!"
Rom 8:15
I the verse prior to 2 Timothy 1: 7, Paul reminds Timothy to rekindle afresh the gift that God has given him. He then reminds Timothy not to be fearful, but bold. When we are serving God, we can be bold. We don't need to be afraid of what people will think. We are only concerned about what God thinks. Our King is God, and if we're following Him, everything else will fall into place. We also don't need to fear what people will do to us. God is strong enough to protect us if He chooses to. If he chooses not to, we will only go to heaven to live in eternal bliss.
John 14:27 gives us the same idea. It also adds the idea of peace. Because we trust and follow God, we will have peace without worry and fear. Romans 8:15 adds another angle. We can have freedom. Fear enslaves us. Love frees us. When we offer our bodies a living sacrifice to God, we can be completely free. What a paradox! Being a slave to God, makes us free from opinions of people around us, fashions, fads, keeping up with the Jones's, fear-based religion, peer pressure, and our own unrealistic expectations. Now that's freedom!
Lord, help me to have the spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Help me not to live in fear, but to live in boldness. Help me to have your peace instead of worry. Help me to live in freedom serving You. I desire to be free of the chains that living here on earth can so easily encumber me with. I claim Your freedom for myself. Through Your power and the indwelling Holy Spirit, I will live in freedom!
Sunday, August 04, 2013
Saturday, August 03, 2013
Abolished Death and Brought Life
but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel
2Ti 1:10
What a blessing! King Jesus has abolished death and given us life instead. Let's always live in that life.
2Ti 1:10
What a blessing! King Jesus has abolished death and given us life instead. Let's always live in that life.
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