Author: Good Life Church

Scripture:

Psalm 122:1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Observation:

David was excited to be going to Jerusalem to worship God. He was happy to be going together with other believers to a house of worship. When you are excited about going someplace you anticipate having a good time and go with a sense of enthusiasm looking forward to everything that place has to offer. When you dread going somewhere, you go with a sense of indifference and can be unresponsive.

Application:

This is a reminder that I should not forget the little things about having the privilege to worship God. I take it for granted how lucky we are in the US to be able to worship God in public spaces, public places. I should be glad each day for the opportunity to worship him in churches, buildings or on the beach and not be afraid of life threatening repercussions for doing so.    

It is a reminder that I don’t have to worship God, I am called to worship him and it is my choice to go.  I am called to worship with other believers not just by myself.  It is an open expression. We are all called to worship in community. Not just together but together in His house, a place of worship, where the appropriate thing to do is worship and honor Him. There is a sense of belonging, bonding and fellowship when we worship together. We are brought together for one purpose and that provides encouragement, reassurance and accountability to other believers.    

Prayer: 

It is easy to take the small things for granted. Thank you for allowing us to worship you as believers in a cafetorium in a small public school surrounded by the homes of believers and non-believers. Let us be a light that reflects your glory in our community that brings people together to worship you. 

Scripture:

Psalm 120

1 In my distress I called to the Lord,
and he answered me.
2 Deliver me, O Lord,

Psalm 121

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

Observation:

The author of these psalms is in “distress”.
He needs “help”.
This is a person clearly worried about something.
Things are not going well.
Circumstances of his life are not as he would want them to be.
What is his response to this?
“Call to the Lord” and “lift up my eyes”
Why?
“He answers me” and “help comes from the Lord”

Application:

The author here gives a very clear application to his worries.
But it’s an application that in the “real world” doesn’t always satisfy.
The author says “call to the Lord”.
But what if I don’t want to “call the Lord”?!
I don’t want to call the Lord, I want to call Triple A!
I want to call someone who will just come to me and fix my problem!
Oh … and then go away … like the AAA guy.
God’s not that kind of God, though.
He’s not interested in fixing and going away.
He wants to be with me always.
He wants relationship.
There’s a reason I need to always “call upon the lord” and always “lift my eyes up” to Him.
This is called … Worship!
In worship I find “deliverance”.
In worship I find “help”.
Of the external circumstances that are worrying me?
No, but of the internal circumstances of my heart.
In fact, I’m not so sure I can “worry” and “worship” at the same time.
They’re pretty similar if you think about it.
What is “Worry”? … a fixed, focused attention on one thing.
What is “Worship”? … a fixed, focused attention on one thing.
If I am “worrying”, it may be an indicator I am worshipping … the wrong thing.
This makes me realize why Jesus gave us a very clear and simple 3 word command regarding it:
“Do not Worry”.

Prayer:

Thank you Father that you are always there for me to “call out to” and “lift my eyes” to.
Thank you that you “deliver me” and “help” me where I need it most, in my heart and mind.
Help me Holy Spirit to always remember you when I’m tempted to drift into worry about my external circumstances.
Help me worship you!
In Jesus name!
Amen !

Scripture:

Philemon 1:8-9 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—

Observation:

Paul, though having the authority to command the church to action, instead chooses to compel them to action through a heartfelt plea.

Application:

This is a great leadership lesson in regards to church authority. Every day I have opportunities to speak into the congregation’s life. Every weekend I have the chance to lead the congregation through the Word. God has given me the authority to command them to action. I have also earned the right through serving as their pastor. However, it is best, and most effective to lead with the heart and not the hand. Just as Paul cares for the congregation, so do I. He longs to be with them and to share life with them. This is a great example to follow.

A few things…

-Just because a leader has the authority to command doesn’t mean he should always use it.

-A heartfelt plea in love is sometimes more powerful and effective than a stern command in authority.

-Loving people is a powerful force in leadership. It is also the most important commandment I have been given by Jesus. I must choose to love first before I choose to lead. May my leadership come first from love.

Prayer:

Thank you for this powerful reminder and leadership lesson. May I love people and the whole church well today. May my leading come from this love.

Scripture:

“The saying is trustworthy and I want you to insist on these things so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the Law for they are unprofitable and worthless.” Titus 3:8-9

 

Observation:

A very reasonable pair of statements. But I think I can see where I could run off the rails from the rest of the Scriptures if all I did was to adhere to these instructions.

 

Application:

There is a theological term somewhere that declares the Bible is the Word of God as a whole-Scripture doesn’t argue with itself or will present contrary directives or principles. For example, the Doctrine of Election: Scripture says “Man: Choose” in some places and “God chooses” in others. Because both are stated or implied in Scripture, both are true-neither are exclusive of each other and neither can be explained away to only one principle through mental and verbal gymnastics.

 Here is another sort of place. Devote yourself to good works; don’t argue about the Bible and theology. Doesn’t quite say that but I have found some over the years that embrace this fiercely. “What I believe is mine alone-the Bible says “devote myself to good works” and that is what I am going to do. What I believe isn’t up for me to discuss.”

 What it has devolved to is just “doing good works” for some folks. But is that all the Holy Spirit wants us to do?

 The answer I think is “no” but there is a “yes” in there as well. I can succumb to trusting in good works and deceiving myself. I can also succumb to not doing good works and end up just as deceived.

 Scripture is adamant about learning and fortifying ourselves about and with the Scriptures. The Scriptures imply reading and learning all of our lives, simply because there is so much of God to learn about. We should let the scriptures be “more desired than gold” even a lot of fine gold (Ps 19:10). The Word of God and its study makes us wise, knowledgeable, and discerning-able to see things to avoid from a distance and to provide wisdom to men.

But…if we let it stop at the desk we are not well rounded men of God…neither if we stop at the broom, hammer, or chain fence puller. Our hands (and other parts of our body) are meant to do the works that He has appointed us to do-parallel with the above paragraph about studying. While it may be singularly focused for a season, work and study/study and work are two halves of the Whole. So sweat and effort is also a part of being a Christian. I am an older and fatter guy now and the body isn’t what it used to be. But works are a broad area to play in. Service to my wife is works. Denying myself in favor of another are works. Making an effort to call, encourage, write notes, and discern a need, etc. are good works.

 Lastly: Avoid discussing (arguing) those things that Paul mentions in Verse 9. But do yourself a favor and figure out why you should avoid them from a trusted, mature, wise man of God in your midst.

Prayer:

God: You know that I have enjoyed a good argument now and then. And then, You illuminated my heart and mind to see the folly of my ways. Flowery, huh? Facts are that You showed that I was just banging my head against the wall, feeding my own ego, arguing just to get the thrill of the kill-and not accomplishing a darn thing towards Your Kingdom. Thank you for letting me see that and placing that Biblical reasoning firmly in the frame of the Gospel. AMEN.

Scripture:

Titus 2:11-14 – For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

Observation:

A response of love for the grace of God clearly shows that a gospel centered life is one that is self-controlled, upright, godly and zealous for good works. These changed behaviors are brought about by a love and desire for Christ from within. Godliness should not be something to be modeled on occasion but rather a hallmark of Christian living.

Application:

I must remember the love and grace God has for me each and every day! My life needs to be lived as a response to honor Jesus. This change can only occur from a desire for Jesus within my heart. As I follow Jesus and allow more of Him and less of me, the Spirit will guide godly behavior and works.

Prayer:

Father,
Thank you for your love, grace and salvation. Let me never get over your gospel and live my life as one of godliness to honor and serve you rather than the things of this world.

Scripture:

Titus 1:9
“ He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Observation:

In Titus chapter 1 the author lays out the qualifications of those who are in church leadership. Included within this are not only a life that is being lived above reproach but also the directive to be solid in doctrine and a learner of the Scriptures. In this sense sound doctrine is guarded by those who are followers of Jesus. The imperative in Titus is that leaders within the church are not only able to teach doctrine to others but also to guard from those who seek to sway people away from the belief of the Scriptures.

Application:

In my life I need to be a learner. Doctrine is not something that I just have or possess but it comes from learning and from instructing in others. Am I surrounding myself with people who I can learn from? Am I active in the word every day allowing God to refine my doctrine? It is also not enough to simply have the head knowledge of doctrine without truly walking it out in faith. I believe that the true test of my doctrine may not be if I can answer the test questions properly (although that is important) but, if I have sound doctrine then it will be reflected in the life that I live. Today, I want to be a learner of God’s Word and a doer of what I learn.

Prayer:

Thank You Jesus that you through You we can have relationship to God. That I can be a person of the Word because Your Holy Spirit is revealing truth to me. Help me as I live today to not only have sound doctrine in my head but also give me the faith to walk it out in my life. Amen.

Scripture:

2 Tim 3:5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Observation:

Paul is warning Timothy of the difficult times ahead of him and provides a lengthy list of behaviors in people that he will run into during his ministry. The list that Paul uses to describe people is a long list and not flattering. He is warning Timothy to be careful who he associates with as he continues his ministry. Unfortunately, Paul is describing people who call themselves believers who have the appearance of godliness. He is not describing non-Christians. The directive is to avoid these people.

Application:

Remember what viewpoint I need to build a foundation. The world will always have a desire for money, wealth, will be proud and arrogant, lovers of self, etc. as Paul details. It is when I let the world’s views, ideas and measuring stick into my life, my home and the church that I have a problem. The list that Paul describes is a list of the world’s influences on the church. I must remember that God’s word is sufficient and should be the tool to teach and direct me and others.

Be careful who I allow to influence me. It is easy to follow the crowd. No one in the crowd will judge you while you are in the crowd. Only by stepping out and away from the crowd can I see if the crowd is going in the right direction.

Paul warns Timothy to “avoid these people”. What was true for Timothy is true for me. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, allowing deceitful people into my life will harm me. Allowing to be influenced and even associated with people that don’t walk and talk the truth harms my witness, my integrity and my ability to do all God wants me to do.

Prayer:

Provide me with the wisdom to discern. Provide me with the strength to identify and stand up to the ungodly behavior from some in the church today. Let me stay true to your word and allow others to see in me the truth.

Scripture:

2 Tim 2

3 Share in suffering …

9 … I am suffering…

10 …I endure everything … that they also may obtain the salvation …

11 The saying is trustworthy …

12 “if we endure, we will also reign with him”

24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness.

God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,

26 and they may come to their senses …

 

Observation:

Paul is getting into the heart of his final instructions to his most trusted servant.

And what are his instructions? “Share in suffering”.

And, “Oh, by the way, I’m not asking you to do anything I am not doing myself! Because … I am suffering.”

But don’t suffer just for sufferings sake, there is a greater purpose:

“that the people you are enduring with may also obtain salvation”.

And there also happens to be a greatest purpose beyond the greater purpose:

we will “reign with Christ forever”.

 

Application:

So what may this life of shared suffering look like?

First, Being “kind to everyone”. And this “everyone” includes the people that it is hard to be kind to. It’s the people that want to “quarrel” and engage in conflict.

It’s easy for me to be kind to people who are kind to me.

Will I be kind to people who are not kind to me?

Second, I must live an instructive life.  This is a life bigger than my wants and needs.

Is my life pointing to something beyond myself? Am I teaching people around me what life is about? And when I am opposed, can I correct those opponents gently?

This, by the way, is not about seeking out opponents to tell them how wrong they are!

This is gently correcting those people who oppose me.

Finally, I must “patiently endure evil”. These are words I would never write myself. It’s hard for me to imagine giving my child this advice. Yet, here’s Paul telling it to Timothy. This seems like more than the Spirit’s wisdom. This seems like life’s experience coming from a grandfather … “Yeah, you’re going to see a lot of evil, my advice is endure it patiently.”

And what’s most fascinating about a life like this is, will the goal actually be achieved?

Paul’s answer is, “Perhaps” … and “God may”.

Paul lives this incredible life “that they may obtain salvation”!

Will they? “Perhaps” … Who knows?! … They “may come to their senses”.

In others words, we are not in control of what God does and we certainly are not in control of others around us either.

I can only control myself.

And I must:

-Be kind to everyone.

-Live instructively.

-Correct gently.

But this is trustworthy:

“I will reign with Christ”!

Prayer:

Father I ask you to empower me in kindness, obedience, and gentleness. May I see the kingdom more than everything else. 

Scripture :

2 Timothy 1:12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 

Observation:

Paul, though imprisoned and treated as a criminal, shares that his conscience is clear and that he isn’t ashamed. How? How can he have a clear conscience when everyone else is condemning him? He tells us. He knows who he believes in and is convinced that what has been entrusted to him will be guarded until the day of the Lord. 

Application:

It’s hard to do the right thing, especially when the environment around you does/believes the opposite. I am in a city today that is over 90% non-believer/unchurched. Being a Christian in many parts of Canada is considered silly and small minded. The men and women I will be a part of assessing today feel a calling to be a part of the great commission in this tough/cold spiritual climate. So how do they stand strong when many around them ridicule them and shame them. 

Two things:

-Know who you believe in. Know who you live for in the first place. Know why you are living and doing life the way you are doing it. Know why you take risks, live uniquely and share the gospel with your life and actions. Jesus is our all in all. 

-Be sure, that no matter what, your security is found in Christ. No one can take away the Spirit He placed in you or revoke the call to follow Jesus. When the whole world turns against you, rest in the grip of Jesus. He is able to hold us secure in even the most difficult of environments. 

Prayer:

I need this word today. Father, thank you for reminding me and revealing your love and security to me again. May I stand secure, regardless of my surroundings.

Scripture:

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you.” 1st Tim 6:20

Observation:  

When I read the full chapter 6, Paul is almost pleading with Timothy (“O Timothy…).  There is a lot to remember and apply as a disciple.  It reads like Paul understands that I can be quickly distracted towards irrelevant things and away from a true worshipful delight of our Savior.

Application:  

 1st Timothy 6 is a strong chapter.  As I have written before, Paul has this knack to get to the point quickly and produce a list of things to do and pay attention to.  Timmy is at least a 2nd generation Christian (if not a 3rd).  He became a believer due to the testimony of his mother Lois and grandmother Eunice.  He is now getting into being a pastor and leading congregations.  So what is Paul telling him?  Be strong in doctrine, look out for deviations of the Truth—but in particular “Pay attention to your heart; Pay attention to your soul.”  How?

I wrote last week about Colossians 3:1 “If then you have been raised with Christ…” 1st Tim 3:20 is a continuation of that thought.  The operative concept here is to think; consider; contemplate; meditate; wonder, envision, imagine, visualize, ponder, reflect, deliberate, converse, and any other synonym that can be thought of.  [Side note and not meant to condemn: How often when I am around other men do I not talk about the Word of God but gravitate quickly to last night’s scores?  I am guilty of the second often.  When I am asked “how are you doing?” it is not very often I reply “I am treasuring what I read in 3rd Hezekiah 3:3 this morning.  It is so rich…”]

How much do I even consciously consider guarding the deposit entrusted to me?  What does that even look like?  How would I go about “guarding?”  Here is a hard question that just came to me: “What do I guard?”

If the only answer that I can think of is “my salvation” (a Sunday School answer) then I think I am missing the mark.  I can’t guard my salvation because it is a gift of God-I cannot appropriate it, grab it, hold on to it, or anything like that.  So what then do I guard?

This is an open ended question.  I can think of a few things.  But this is something that I can take away from this scripture reference-if I am not thinking about this frequently (if not constantly) then I am without doubt missing the mark.

Prayer:  

Lord God: If I don’t delight in You and that in all my ways then I think I can be quickly adrift.  All the things that You wrote to Timmy I can get bogged down in and lose sight of You.  I remember these exhortations: Ps 1:2 “…but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night.”; Ps 35:27 “Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore: “Great is the Lord who delights in the welfare of his servant.”; and goodness so many parts of Ps 119.

You, O God, remind us that no matter what we lay our hands and hearts to, we are to always delight in You.  How can I guard my heart?  How can I guard the deposit entrusted to me?  How can I always treasure Your precious Gift?  Delight!!  AMEN.

Scripture:

1 Timothy 5:24-25 – Remember, the sins of some people are obvious leading them to certain judgement. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. In the same way, good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.

Observation:

Paul uses these two verses to advise Timothy that God is all knowing, righteous and He is the ultimate judge. We should be careful not to condemn people for a sin that is revealed, as we all have sin that God knows. Also, we need to be careful not to rank believers on their outward appearance of service as many do things for family or others that may unfortunately go unnoticed accept by God.

Application:

God is all knowing, all powerful righteous loving Father. God and God alone is the only one holy and without sin qualified to pass judgement. Jesus reminds the Pharisees of everyone’s sin when a woman was caught in adultery in John 8:7. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” As we are all sinners, God loved us so much that He has provided us salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to pay for our sins. I must remember the Gospel daily and not look at someone else’s sin as worse than my own. Any service I do should be from the power of the Spirit working inside my heart and never have a force ranking or comparative value relative to other believer’s good deeds.

Prayer:

Father,
Thank you for the truth in your word and sending Jesus to save me from my sin. Help me not be one who judges but one who loves, encourages and shares with others.

Scripture:

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Observation:

Paul challenges Timothy to live an exemplary life, even though his youth might be despised by others. Paul teaches that maturity and leadership do not require grey hairs but rather exemplary conduct.

Application:

People don’t expect much from young people. Honestly, young leaders are usually assumed to be hot-headed, over-privileged and under qualified people. For the most part, that is right. Therefore, knowing this, Paul calls Timothy to change the negative stigma of young leaders in the church culture. How? By preaching against it? No. By scolding those who do it? No. By boycotting the older and judgmental generation? No. Instead Paul says, prove them wrong by living an exemplary life in all areas. The best way to break the stigma is to live a life that proves the stigma wrong.

A few things…

-As I age as a leader, I’m not the youngest in the room anymore. I must not assume that those younger than me are more immature or less serious about the mission. I must allow a culture in which young leaders can grow and take the reigns in areas of ministry that require it.

-I must not assume that my age or experience equals maturity. It is easy to get lazy and trust in my experience instead of the power of the Holy Spirit. I must stay humble as I lead.

-My speech, conduct, love, faith and purity are precious. I must not be careless and allow these areas to slip. I am called to lead people to obey Christ in each of these areas. My leadership will be limited to my level of obedience in these areas.

Prayer:

Father I am grateful you gave me the chance to lead at a young age. Thank you for men who believed in me and invested in me when others blew me off. May I lead well and allow younger leaders to rise up and lead in the church for your glory. May I never be insecure of younger leaders but instead know when to pass the torch as Paul did.

Scripture:

1 Timothy 3:7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Observation:

Paul gives Timothy a humbling list of qualifications for the office of elder. The final thing he says is that those who are outside of the family of God must think highly of him.

Application:

To serve as an elder in the local church is a humbling office. Paul calls it a noble task. It is not for the faint of heart, the weak, or the immature. It matters how an elder lives both in the public eye and in private. It also matters how an elder relates to believers and non-believers. His reputation and character is to be above reproach even to those who wouldn’t hold him to this standards.

A few things…

-Who I am alone or in a crowd should be the same.

-Who I am at church or in the world should be the same.

-What others think of me, furthermore, what others think I am capable of matters.

Prayer:

Today I make a recommitment to a life of integrity, even in the most private affairs of my life. I trust the forgiveness and grace of Jesus in the areas that don’t match. I ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to make me into the image of Christ in all aspects of my life.

 

Scripture:

1 Timothy 4:10
10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Observation:

Paul is making it clear and setting forth the expectation that not all will last. This faith and pursuit of Christ and obedience to him is not easy. So many teachings and temptation will be before us to lead us from obedience. It’s work, and it’s hard at that. Encouragement and much more is needed.

Application:

Toil and strive stuck out to me in verse 10. These are two words that when I think about following Jesus I want to block out. If I’m honest I want to see my relationship with God as something That I want to work out and grow in, but not TOIL…..that sounds painful. Earlier it speaks of training. The training of the body is valuable but training in Godliness is of lasting value. Training takes dedication, toil, striving, pursuit, discipline, sweat, pain, at times tears. This should and must be true of my pursuit of Jesus. It’s not and that is my realization to repent.
-Every morning I wake, pray the Lord would put the Gospel before my heart and mind.
-Set disciplines in my life to train in Godliness
-Get an accountability partner that is SERIOUS about training and growing in Godliness.

Prayer:

Father, I pray that you would forgive me for not training and growing. Forgive me for not toiling and striving To be more like you. I need your help and I can’t do this on my own. Take me to your Word daily and let it be the light to the path you lead me. Give me faith rather than certainty.

Scripture:

1 Tim 2:4-5 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

Observation:

There is one God. God desires all people to be saved. There is only one way to be saved and that is through Jesus Christ. To be saved a person needs to know the truth.

Application:

I recently traveled to Seattle. Seattle has a large homeless population. Seattle provides benefits to homeless people to the point that other cities now provide transportation to the homeless to send them to Seattle. There were a large number of people living on the streets and in tents on the sides of the roads. Some begged but most didn’t. They just sat on the sidewalk or in groups.

Sometimes they are dirty. Unbathed. Unshaven. Sometimes they have a dog and I asked myself “How can they afford to feed a dog?” I often found myself trying to avoid them as I walked down the sidewalks, looking past them as I walked by or walking on the other side of the street if I saw someone asking for money. One person I was with even said “Don’t give them money. It will just go to beer or drugs”.

God loves each person just as much as he loves you and me. God desires all and not just some. He didn’t say he only desires the rich or people that have jobs or live in homes. He desires all.

Does my reaction and my attitude toward these individuals match Jesus’ love for them? Does my attitude reflect a Christian attitude? I can’t give enough money to make them rich. What do they need the most? Money, love or the truth? How can I show my love for a group of people that most try to walk away from, shy away from, ignore or avoid?

I know I can’t reach everyone on a 5 day business trip. But sometimes God exposes us to things to help us see new perspectives, different areas of need. There are needs everywhere. We don’t have to travel to find people who are hurting. They may be in need of money, housing or just have things that need to get done that they can’t physically do. But the biggest need is knowing the truth.

Prayer:

Help me to identify opportunities in my life and in the people I meet to help spread your truth. Open my eyes to the people in my life that need you the most yet know you the least.