Thoughts By Scott: October 2016

Monday, October 31, 2016

Are you a Vessel of Honor, Part 1

Photo by Pure Romania

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:20-26

Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 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, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

Insights: This week’s Thoughts by Scott are going to focus primarily on the authority of the house owner, Jesus Christ as it relates to the characteristics of His vessels of honor and dishonor. The first two days we will address issues surrounding the honorable vessels and the next two days we will look at attributes associated with vessels of dishonor. The paramount issue at hand, however, is Jesus is in complete control and He rightly distinguishes between these to vessels perfectly. The first thing we notice from our verses is that vessels of honor are sanctified for good works. We are called and commissioned to work for the Lord, but He knows we bring a lot of sinful baggage with us into the relationship. As a result, he purges our lives of this sin through the process of sanctification. He removes our imperfections and fills us with Himself. The second thing we notice about vessels of honor is they pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. In other words, they are intentional about what they put in their minds and how they respond to life. They let the Holy Spirit fill them with these four attributes. The third thing we notice about vessels of honor is they associate with others who have a pure heart in the Lord. We become like those with whom we associate. We hang around garbage and we begin to stink. We hang around those who breathe higher air, we see from a greater position of clarity. Choose your friends wisely.

Questions:

1. What good works point to the righteousness of God in you?

2. How passionately do you pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace?

Prayer: Father, I desire to be a vessel of honor and to pursue You with all I am. Transform my life by righteousness being manifest in me and all for Your glory. 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.

Friday, October 28, 2016

DO Stand Firm in Your Relationship with the Lord

Photo by Charlotte Tai

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:19

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

Insights: Our final verse this week deals with our need to stand firm in our relationship with Jesus. Notice Paul tells Timothy the firm foundation of God stands. In other words, our salvation is not dependent on us, but Him. His foundational work through His Son Jesus on the cross of Calvary and in His subsequent resurrection IS the firm foundation. God seals us with His Holy Spirit and He alone knows who are truly His. When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior we enter into a relationship with Him and this relationship ought to be the very thing in which we also stand firm. We know that no matter what we face we are secure in Him. We don’t have to question our eternal security before such a loving and gracious Lord. At the same time, however, Paul warns Timothy about livaciousness. One who enters into a licentious life basically says, “I am saved, therefore, I can do whatever I want and I will still go to heaven.” This mentality truly reveals the heart of the individual and it is for this reason Paul previously wrote, “The Lord knows those who are His.” If one has this perverse mindset, then they are not really a part of the Lord’s family. It is for this reason Paul tells Timothy, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” The very foundation with which we stand is the source of power by which we are able to abstain from such a sinful life. Beloved, let me encourage you as we closes this week to not be divided over secondary issues, but to be united on primary issues. Also let me admonish you to not get caught up in petty conversations, but to stand firm in your relationship with he Lord. I promise you that such a life is not easy, but well worth all the sacrifices you will make. May God bless you for your faithfulness to Him.

Questions:

1. Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?

2. Do you find strength in knowing you are secure in Jesus?

Prayer: Father, I stand firm in You and am grateful for my salvation in Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for sealing me by Your Spirit. Amen.

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Do NOT get Caught up in Petty Conversations

Photo by Alan Strakey

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:16-18

But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.

Insights: The two men in today’s verses are working within the guise of doctrine which makes it sound a lot like our first point this week regarding secondary issues that often times divide us. The focus, however, I wish us to look on with these two men is the manner in which they were causing a disruption. Notice what they are doing. They are going around and having petty little conversations with people. Paul calls these conversations worldly and empty chatter. Secondly, notice with me what happens once these petty conversations begin to spring up. They spread like gangrene. In other words, these petty conversations have the ability of killing an organization, and in our context, a church. I can visualize the way Hymenaeus and Philetus conducted their clandestine conversations. They would go over to an individual in private and in secret and start telling them the concerns they were having over young Timothy’s teaching. They would say, “You know, Timothy says the resurrection has not taken place, but have you noticed how corrupt the world has become. The only thing that could have created such an environment is if the resurrection had already taken place. I don’t know what we are going to do about it, but we must stop Timothy from preaching such foolishness.” I have no idea what the actual words were, but I can see the same thing happening today. I could see people going to other individuals and saying things like, “You know, these songs we are singing now days are not very spiritual. I think we need to start looking for another minister of music.” All these conversation do is distract the church from the main focus of authentic worship. When that shift happens it does not take long for further ungodly conversations to take place and the church becomes sick and eventually dies. Beloved, let us not get caught up in these petty conversations.

Questions:

1. Would others classify you as a person who gets caught up in petty conversations?

2. In what ways can you guard yourself against such conversations?

Prayer: Father, I do not fully understand why I get myself caught up in petty conversations, but unfortunately, I do. Lord, forgive me for having these conversations and strengthen me to resist such opportunities in the future. Amen.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

DO be Unified Over Primary Issues

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Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:15

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Insights: Yesterday we learned we were not to be divided over secondary issues. In today’s verse we learn we are to be unified over primary issues. We need to ask ourselves what the primary issues are. We then need to learn what what God has to say regarding those primary issues by reading His Word, the Bible. One of the challenges of the modern western church is our lack of discipleship. Very few believers have ever been taught how to feed themselves on God’s Word. As a result, we have a lot of church members who are not being presented before God as being able to handle the Word of God accurately. We cannot just eisegette (take a verse or section of a verse out of context) a verse and make it say whatever we want it to say. We must exegete (take a verse within the scope of the entire passage) a text and let the context of the passage determine the truth of each verse. As a way of example, the most quoted verse from the Bible in our United States context is no longer John 3:16, but Matthew 7:1, which states, “Judge not lest you be judged.” If we were to read that verse in its complete context, we would learn the issue is not the judgment, but the manner in which people judge. There still is a speck in your brother’s eye that needs to be removed and the only way to know there is a speck is to have judged him and confronted him about the speck. Let me challenge you to seek out a person whom you admire regarding their knowledge of the Bible. Ask this individual to disciple you so you too can accurately handle the word of truth. If you have been discipled and do know how to accurately handle the word of truth, then I admonish you to look around you and pray for the Lord to put someone in your life with whom you can disciple and help grow them into a person who accurately handles the word of truth.

Questions:

1. Have you ever been discipled by someone to learn how to properly handle the Bible?

2. Do you live life in such a fashion that your life is a visual exposition of God’s Word?

Prayer: Father, help me to not falter in my handling of Your Word, the Bible. May I be thoroughly equipped to use Your Word as a life changing tool in my life and in the lives of those around me. Amen.

Monday, October 24, 2016

Do NOT be Divided Over Secondary Issues

Photo Author Unknown

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:14

Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.

Insights: Parents are notorious for saying things like, “Do what I say, not what I do.” We all know the good we ought to do, but all too often get sidetracked by other things. When that happens, we get off balance and start to make life decisions which are detrimental to our well being. In today’s verse we see Paul instructing Timothy to remind his congregation of the three things we looked at last week, which were Paul’s values, his mission and his vision for the future. At the core of who Paul was as a human being one would find Jesus Christ. His relationship with Jesus was the primary focus of Paul and he would not allow anything to sidetrack him from this principle relationship. It was for this reason he instructed Timothy to “not wrangle about words, which [was] useless and [led] to the ruin of the hearers.” On Wednesday nights at FBC Bowling Green we have just started studying Daniel chapter seven. As we continue moving through the book of Daniel we will be forced to discuss end time theology. If you want to be a pre tribulation rapture believer, then great. If you want to be a post tribulation rapture believer, then great. If you want to be a pre wrath rapture believer, then great. My point is this: Jesus’ return is primary. He is going to return, period. When He is going to return, is secondary. There have been very intelligent scholars who have written far greater works than I could possibly comprehend on these positions. The problem is for some of these theologians, the return of Jesus became secondary and the when of His return became primary. When that subtle shift occurred, they got themselves wrapped up in wrangling over words and it was useless and often times lead to the ruin of the individuals overall ministry. Beloved, let us keep the main thing, the main thing. Remain in a relationship with Jesus and all these other issues will have there right place.

Questions:

1. Do you ever find yourself sidetracked by secondary issues?

2. What are some ways in which you can put safeguards in place in order to make the primary issue to remain in first position?

Prayer: Father, all too often I find myself distracted by secondary issues. Help me to keep my relationship with You first and Your commission to me right behind it. Let me not get distracted by all the other activities which confuse life and my focus. 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.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Ecuador Missions Share Time, October 23 at 6 p.m.

Photo by Shobeir Ansari

I am only a few weeks away from my third year anniversary at FBC Bowling Green. I cannot believe by how quickly these three years have gone. I am extremely grateful FBCBG felt the Lord’s calling of me and my family to this fantastic church. I have shared this information before, but whenever a church and a pastor are determining if they are a good ministry fit, they look at ministry matches.

One of those ministry matches for Kristy and me was the Ecuador Missions ministry FBCBG had established. There is no way we could have ever imagined the impact and relationships we would have developed with the wonderful people of Ecuador. We could have never predicted one of these precious Ecuadorians would move to Hardee County and be teaching a Sunday School class at our church. Even this morning, another one of our dear Ecuadorian friends was in the church helping out while she is visiting the states. These relationships are dear to us and we cannot express how influential these dynamic people have been to our lives. We are deeper, richer and better as a result of these brothers and sisters in Jesus.

If you would like to learn more about our Ecuador Mission, then I invite you to our share time this coming Sunday, October 23, at 6 p.m. We had a team in Ecuador at the start of this month and they are going to be sharing with us what the Lord did during their trip. I am looking forward to hearing about the Lord’s power, provision, and presence from this most recent trip. I’ll see you Sunday and let us all praise the Lord for His amazing goodness.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Communities have a Common Vision

Photo by Lola Audu

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:11-13

It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Insights: Monday, we looked at the values that drove Paul. Yesterday, we looked at his mission which pointed to his activity. Today, we look at Paul's vision for his future. Now to help you understand how these three elements all fit together we need to understand the process. Our values drive our vision. In other words, who we are will determine where we end up. In between who we are and where we will end up we will have activity. This activity is our mission. Just to say it a slightly different way our mission is what we do. From our versus today we see Paul clearly defining where he is going to end up. He is going to end as one alive with Christ. He is also going to reign with Christ. He will be in a relationship with One who always remains faithful. And he will be found faithful to the Lord Jesus at his death. At FBC Bowling Green we also have a vision which is comprised in for short statements with three clarifying comments following each major statement. For the purpose of this blog, I will only provide the four broader statements. They are, at FBC Bowling Green . . .

We see a church who is Christ centered as it teaches traditional biblical values to its families through the the preaching of the Word.
We see a church who shares the gospel with its city, state, nation and world.
We see a church who is heavily encouraged through worship and the fellowship of the body of Christ.
We see a church who communicates with God through prayer as it seeks to discern and obey the will of God.

Beloved, vision is about where we will be, not where we are presently. If we live life out of our core values, we will eventually reach our destination. Our mission is the vehicle with which we will use to reach our destination. It is my prayer you will help FBC Bowling Green to reach its vision.

Questions:

1. Where do you see yourself in 5, 2=10, 15, or 20 years down the road?

2. Does this projection line up with God’s Word and does it require His involvement in order for it to come to pass?

Prayer: Father, I want to live a life of significance for You. May You provide me the vision of where my life ought to be and what is required to reach the destination You have set before me. Amen.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Communities have a Common Mission

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Content from MasterLife by Avery Willis

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:9-10

for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

Insights: Yesterday we learned about the values which drove Paul. We also reviewed the actual and aspirational values of FBC Bowling Green. Those values were family, preaching, worship, fellowship tradition world mission, evangelism, prayer and obedience. Values drive behavior and direction. In a organizational sense, values drive vision and vision determines mission. As Paul writes to Timothy, he switches the vision and mission dynamics. In today’s verses we see the mission of Paul being proclaimed to Timothy. Paul’s mission is to proclaim Jesus so that the chosen may be found and obtain salvation. Paul is willing to endure hardship and imprisonment. In fact, he is willing to endure all things for the opportunity to tell others about Jesus’ salvational work for their lives. At FBC Bowling Green we also have a mission with which we sense God has called us. Our mission is to be a church that is Christ centered, gospel driven, joyfully united and prayerfully obedient. If you have ever seen Avery Willis’ The Disciples Cross from his MasterLife Bible study material you could visualize this mission of our church. Christ is the center of the cross and there is a vertical axis which goes up and down. There is also a horizontal axis which goes left and right. Because we are in a relationship with Jesus (Christ centered) we hear from Him through His Word. This action is the vertical axis which goes down. As we hear His Word, we respond back to Him in prayer (prayerfully obedient) in order to confirm His commands. This action is the vertical axis which goes up. His commands will lead to us being evangelistic in our witness toward lost people (gospel driven). This action is the horizontal axis which goes to the left. The final area of command is the fellowship we experience with our fellow brothers and sisters (joyfully unified). This action is the horizontal axis going to the right. Our personal missions need to fall within the corporate mission of being Christ centered, gospel driven, joyfully united and prayerfully obedient. If we will live life in this fashion, we will see the Lord brought glory.

Questions:

1. Of what mission has God explicitly called you to be a part?

2. In what way does your personal mission fall into place to help meet the over arching mission of the local church?

Prayer: Father, forgive me when I falter in pursuing You with the mission You have commissioned me to do. Grant me Your strength to be faithful to my devotion and obedience to You calling. Amen.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Communities have Common Values

Photo by Patrick McDonald

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:8

Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel,

Insights: Last week we looked at five teaching attributes we need to have in order to be good teachers in God’s kingdom. This week we begin to see what we are actually to pass on to the next generation. We start off today with Paul telling Timothy what he valued or in what he believed. Verse eight tells us Paul valued Jesus and not just a dead Jesus, but One who had come back from the dead. He also felt the necessity to point out this Jesus was not just some man, but was the fulfillment of the Old Testament as He was the descendant of David. Jesus was the good news with which Paul was proclaiming as the gospel. Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah who would save the people from their sins. This Jesus is who Paul valued. We at FBC Bowling Green also have values which we have elaborate explanations as to what we mean when we say the following singular words, but with which we do not have time to explain in this blog post. We have six actual values and three aspirational values. We at FBC Bowling Green value family, preaching, worship, fellowship tradition and world mission. Our three aspirational values are evangelism, prayer and obedience. All nine of these values can be centrally affixed to Paul’s words to Timothy in today’s verse. If we live Christ Jesus, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, then we will be a church that does hold fast to our nine stated values. If we actually live our lives out of these values, then we will be a stronger and a more healthy body of believers who are willing to impact the world for Jesus. Beloved, let us daily live our lives based on our values and not just our whims of fancy. Let us be intentional about life and not drift through it without purpose. May our lives honor the Lord God.

Questions:

1. What personal values do you hold to in you life?

2. In terms of corporate values, how well are you following the values FBCBG has set before you?

Prayer: Father, we have stated values and actual values in our lives. Forgive me when my actions do not line up with my stated values of belief. Transform me to authentically live out the values You have instilled into my life. My by obedience to these values bring You glory and praise. Amen.

Friday, October 14, 2016

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.

Thursday, October 13, 2016

In Order to Teach, We Must NOT Disqualify Ourselves

Photo from Unknown Author

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.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

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.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

In Order to Teach, We Must Entrust Others

Photo by ninniane

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.

Monday, October 10, 2016

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.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

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.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

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.