In Order to Teach, We Must be Hard-working

Photo by Bob Jagendorf

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:6-7

The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.   Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Insights: Our final illustration this week is that of a farmer. Notice with me the way that Paul describes this farmer. He calls him a hard-working farmer. I have been blessed over the last many years to work in communities in which agriculture is a big mainstay of peoples occupations. I can say with Paul that forming is very hard work. These farmers have to make certain the fields are prepped by removing stones in stumps and other debris. These farmers then have to plow the field and in many occasions have to get the appropriate nutrients into the field. Then they have to plant the field. And then during the growth process they have to tend to the field. Then after this step they harvest the field and all the work that goes into the delivery process of their crops. The point is: farming is hard work. It is not accidental that Paul used this illustrations as one of the examples of our Christian walk. Our walk often times is very hard because there is a spiritual battle waging around us.  Beloved, let us again be reminded of Paul's words when he tells us to not grow weary in doing good because if we do not give up we will reap a harvest in due season. When we are in the field doing the work it can at time seems overwhelming. It often times takes months for a crop to reach the point of harvest. At the beginning when we see very little progress we might even ask ourselves if it is worth it. Let me assure you, Beloved, it is worth it. Stay true to the work set before you and you will reap a spiritual harvest in due season. When the Lord God returns may He find us faithful at the work He has assigned to us.

Questions:

 1. Are you willing to do work that gives you no real earthly recognition, but gives God glory?

 2. What reason(s) do you give to support your justification for not working hard for the Lord?

Prayer: Father, too many times I find myself being lazy and unwilling to do the work necessary for a greater harvest.  Shack me from my complacency and let me honor You with work that endures no matter how challenging it might be for me.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

In Order to Teach, We Must NOT Disqualify Ourselves

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Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:5

Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.

Insights: Today we are introduced to the second illustration Paul uses regarding teachers.  The illustration is in reference to an olympic athlete who follows the rules of the games.  I often think of a long jumper in regards to this illustration.  They run down the long track and then jump into the box of sand.  They try to get as close to the fault line as they can, but all too often, they step on the fault line.  They are only given three chances to make a good jump.  If they step on the fault line that jump does not count.  If they step on it three times, they are disqualified.  In our Christian walk we are called to be above reproach.  In other words, we are to not disqualify ourselves by breaking the rules.  The problem to this situation is we are all going to break the rules apart from Christ Jesus.  We must daily, no, moment by moment, trust the Lord to fill us with His Spirit in order to live above reproach.  In our earthly lives our words need to be above reproach.  Sunday I spoke briefly about our current presidential run for the office.  As far as I am concerned both of the mainline candidates have disqualified themselves from office because they are not living lives above reproach.  Both candidates are untrustworthy.  May our lives, Beloved, not be characterized from this same perspective.  May we truly not disqualify ourselves so that we can earn the right to pass on the truths we have learned and been taught from our spiritual heritage.

Questions:

 1. What is your reputation like?

 2. Have you in any way disqualified yourself from being a teaching of the Lord?

Prayer: Father, my life is often full of contradictory notions.  Let me, in the midst of my struggle for authentic relational wholeness with You, not disqualify myself from service to You and for Your kingdom.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

In Order to Teach, We Must Suffer Hardship

Photo by Archives New Zealand

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

Insights: At this point in the passage, Paul is going to use three examples.  Today we observe the first which surrounds the concept of soldiers.  Soldiers do not get to determine their own skirmishes with which they desire to engage.  They are under the command of an officer who sees the big picture of the entire war and not the myopic view of a singular battle.  As a result, the commander may send the soldiers into an area in which the fighting will be intense and casualties may occur.  It is for this reason we can rightly say that a soldiers life is not easy.  They suffer hardships on a daily basis.  They have to make many sacrifices for the greater good of the society for which they wage war.  These same truths apply to us who are in Christ Jesus.  We have to fight many battles.  We may find ourselves in situations where we have to suffer for the kingdom of God.  We may get to the place we are incapable of seeing the larger picture, but we must trust our Commander to know the eternal perspective of our present situation.  Beloved, it is not easy being a Christ-follower, but it is the greatest thing we will ever do.  Let me challenge you as you teach/disciple other believers to do so no matter the hardships you will face.  There will be days you want to through your hands up in the air a retreat from the battle.  There will be times you question the value of the engagement.  There will be days you want to go A.W.O.L., but let me encourage you to hold your post.  Teach well those who will pick up the mantle of Christ after you are gone.  Trust the Lord for His perfect plan.

Questions:

 1. What kind of hardship have you experienced as a result of teaching other people about the grace of the Lord?

 2. Are you willing to experience new hardships in order for the Lord to be brought glory in your life?

Prayer: Father, thank You for never leaving me in the midst of my hardships.  You have called me to suffer for Your glory, but Lord oh how I don’t like pain.  Help my heart to be more concerned about You than my very own comfort.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

In Order to Teach, We Must Entrust Others

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Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:2

The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Insights: The second attribute of a teacher we learn about in today's verse is there willingness to entrust other people. This entrusting of others is not always easy for a leader. The reason it is often hard is because of the fact that we as leaders can often times do it better and faster then those with whom we are entrusting this new information. Even though we are better and faster, it does not negate the necessity that we pass on the truth we have come to know to those following behind us. It goes beyond, however, just entrusting them with what we know. It is also about us empowering them to go beyond where we have arrived. In other words, new ground ought to be taken and new methodologies ought to be used to accomplish this work. As the teacher/leader our responsibility is to eat entrust them with as much of the information as we have and then to set them free. Will these individuals with whom we have entrusted our teachings make mistakes? The answer is a resounding yes, but we must let them make these mistakes anyway. We then must come along side of them and help them to properly evaluate their mistakes. For it is in the evaluation one learns from their mistakes and from that perspective are able to grow and move past their failures. Beloved, entrusting of others is not easy, but it is a necessity. Let me encourage you think about those who have invested in your life and how can you take their life lessons and apply them to other people. I would also encourage you to begin thinking about an individual with whom you can also invest your life. Then begin entrusting them with the depths of God's grace. Let us indeed pass on what we know to the next generation and to the generation after that. May God be brought glory.

Questions:

 1. To whom are you entrusting the things you have learned from the Lord Jesus?

 2. Who has entrusted you with the depths of God’s grace?

Prayer: Father, thank You for those who have invested into my life.  I am a much better follower of You because of their deposits.  May my life be a deposit to others as well.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

In Order to Teach, We Must be Strong

Photo by Lauren Mitchell

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Insights: This week we are going to be looking at various teaching attributes of Christ-follower. The first attribute is if we are going to be teachers, we must be strong. The specific aspect of being strong I want you to focus in on is the object of our strength. In other words, if you put your strength in you, you will falter and fail, but if your strength is in the grace of Jesus Christ, then you will finish and succeed. This distinction, in regards to the object of our strength, is the significance of this first verse. Paul is telling Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Grace is something we do not earn nor do we deserve it. Grace is a gift given to us completely dependent upon the mercy of God. If Jesus did not dispense to us this grace, then we would not have this grace. Fortunately for us, however, Jesus does dispense grace. He gives us what we do not rightly deserve which is eternal separation from his amazing Love. I also want you to notice that this grace is in Jesus. What makes grace strong is the Lordship of God. Beloved, it is my hope and desire that when the struggles of teaching come upon you that you will turn to Christ Jesus and allow him to be your strength which carries you through to completion.

Questions:

 1. In what way are you teaching others about the Lord Jesus?

 2. Is your strength found in you or in the Lord’s Jesus’ grace?

Prayer: Father, help me to fully grasp the inadequacies of my own strength.  May I actually be found strong in You only Lord God as You dispense Your grace in my life.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

In the Midst of the Storm

Photo by kakela

As you know I live in Florida. If you are in another part of the country or even somewhere else around the world you may not be aware a hurricane is heading for Florida. People are going to the stores and buying water and other provisions, gas prices have risen, school systems are closing, and it appears to be the conversation on everyone's lips. It is amazing how a storm can focus our thoughts and attentions.

The same can be said for the storms of our lives. Our storms can take on many forms and many fashions. It could be a loss of a loved one, it could be a loss of employment, it could be a sickness, it can be an assault, it could be someone who was let us down, or a myriad of other subjects. The point I'm trying to make is that a storm focuses our thoughts and our attentions. When we are living in the midst of a life storm all we seem to be able to think about is the storm.

For example, last night one of my daughters came to me and said that her sister was scaring her. When I asked why, she responded that her sister was talking about the hurricane. This weather storm has her very concerned. It gave me an opportunity, however, to talk to her about the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus. I shared with her that whether the storm missed us or whether the storm hit us our hope was in Jesus. 

Part of her fear was that her sister told her people die in hurricanes. So, I had to explain that people do die in hurricanes, but for those who are in Jesus Christ, we still don't have to fear. If we were to die an earthly death due to an earthly storm and Jesus was our Lord and Savior, then we go to live with Him forever in heaven. If he chooses to allow us to live through the storm, then we praise Him that He is giving us opportunity to point people in suffering to Him. Either way, we praise Him in the storm.

I don't know what earthly storm you maybe facing today, but let me encourage you to seek after the Lord Jesus. If you will do this, then it really doesn't matter what the storm is or the outcome of the storm, because you have One who sticks closer to you then brother. Rest in Jesus in the midst of confusion. Trust Him to have your best interest at heart. And let Him be your anchor in the midst of the storm.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.

People Who Finish, Part 2

Photo by Kris Williams

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:16-18

The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me—the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.

Insights: Yesterday we learned that those who finished well are a refreshment to others and that they encourage others. Today we look at the last two characteristics of those who finish well. The third characteristic is that of showing mercy because one has been shown mercy by God. Notice in the verse it starts off with the words “the Lord grant mercy” and then a little later it states, “the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day.” We in the Western world are driven by justice. As a result, we want people to get their true comeuppance, but we don't want to receive them ourselves. When we receive mercy, we think it's correct, but we don't like to grant mercy to others who are just like us. This attitude must change if we are going to display Christ's way of working in the world. The last attribute of one who finishes well is that of service. Notice the verse reads, “and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.” As a Christ follower we are to serve other people. In fact, in Mark 9:35 we learn that the greatest among us is a servant of all. Once again, like mercy, we like to be served, but we do not like to serve. Beloved, let our hearts change and let the Lord do work in us to where we truly desire to serve other people. If our lives exhibit these four characteristics, I think it is safe to say we have experienced the life transforming power of Jesus Christ. It is not in our natural sin nature to desire to encourage other people, to be tenacious about the things of God, to be merciful, and to serve others. These are attributes of one whose life has truly been changed. May our lives bring Him glory.

Questions:

 1. How easy is it for you to show mercy to other people?

 2. Do you receive pleasure in serving other people?

Prayer: Father, if I am honest with myself, I prefer to be served than to serve.  I also prefer to receive mercy rather than grant it to other people.  Lord, transform my heart to desire to be a blessing to others by serving them and showing them mercy.  Amen.

If you have found this blog to be helpful, please forward it in Facebook or retweet it in Twitter.  I would also appreciate if you would tell your friends to read this blog.  As always, if you have a comment you would like to make regarding this Thoughts by Scott, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section.  Thank you.