Category: Good Life Journal

Journal Ps 124-125 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever…

 

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore…” Ps 125:1-2

 

Observation: Two verses, both truths.  One is a constant, the other contains a variable.

Analysis: This was a surprise to see.

I wonder if the psalmist wrote these in this order on purpose as a dichotomy, or at least pointing out the trustworthiness of the Lord God versus man’s unreliability.

Seriously: the OT is full of stories, observations, prophecies, even songs about the people of Israel, not losing trust in God, but abandoning it.

I am getting into the thesaurus on the computer lately.  Synonyms for abandoning: deserting, leaving, vacating, forsaking…even the phrase “walking out on” is in there.

Does God surround His people?  Yes, and that in an unchangeable way.  He is always there, never leaving or forsaking his people.

Ah, but does man?  Looking into the mirror intently I know that my tendency is to forget.

So, God is Constant, unchangeable.  Unchangeable is part of His eternal character.

Man?  I am as changeable as my socks.  Malleable is my middle name.

Point?  As I have been writing lately, actively trusting the Lord God is an effort, to be diligently, meticulously engaged in.  This is not referencing the doctrine of Justification, justifying myself for salvation, canceling Grace, but Sanctification—that process (engaged with the Holy Spirit) to deliberately walk worthy of the Gospel; that worthiness to which I have been called to.

Ears to hear?  Then hear what the Spirit is saying.

Prayer: Sometimes I can say too much.  Today is one of those days, Father.

Let the mystery of Your Word bring clarity to my mind and heart.

Cause revival, AMEN.

Scripture –
Psalm 123:1 – 2 – To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens!  Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us.

Observation –  

The Psalmist opens Psalm 123 lifting his eyes to God who sits in a position of authority in heaven and is ruler over all.  We are to look at God as who we are to serve.  Stay focused looking to God and seeking His mercy.

Application –

The God of all creation, ruler of heaven and earth is where my eyes should be fixed.  God, who loved us so much that he sent Jesus to die on our behalf is our Lord and savior.  As such, Christ should be (better be) positioned as the master of my thoughts and actions.  I need look to Him as my master who bought me with His sacrificial blood.  I must look to Jesus, follow Jesus and serve as He served.  So I will look to God, not earthly gods and seek His compassion and mercy.

 

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word and the encouragement it provides.  Let me humbly submit to you God as master of my life.  Focus my eyes on you to follow you, serve you and make you known.

Journal Ps 120-121 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace.  I am for peace but when I speak, they are for war! (Ps 120:6-7)

 

I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord (who made heaven and earth).” (Ps 121:1-2)

 

Observation: One Psalm laments over what is being experienced; the other Psalm is the psalmist exhorting himself to (broadly speaking) get his head on straight…

Analysis: Again, the psalmist is a wonderful example of expression.

Do I get down?  Yes.  Does the psalmist talk about being down?  Yes.  Do I see turmoil around me?  Yes.  Does the psalmist?  Yes.

Now I am at the point where the rubber meets the road: Does the psalmist identify where his heart should be? Yes.  Do I?  Not always.

Why is my answer “not always?”  I think…no, I know, that I can get caught up with the situation and emotion involved with a situation.  I forget to shake myself coherent and remember the Gospel.

I remember this: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?  Hope in God, for I shall again praise him…” (Ps 43:5)

Engaging in God, engaging in hope, refusing/resisting the emotion of turmoil is an effort.  That effort is supported and empowered by the Holy Spirit (re. Ro 8:5-6, v13), but it is an effort that I am expected to engage in; it is not an effortless exercise.

I think that is where a lot of folks go astray; they are not told/taught, or they neglect to put effort in their walk in Christ—that intentional walk that leads to life.  Perhaps it is a misunderstanding of the doctrine of Grace like in Eph 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God (not a result of works) so that no one may boast…”  Maybe not: I don’t presume to understand someone else’s heart—this just seems to be a likely, scriptural reason, i.e.,  “If I have to work at it, then it is not relying on grace” —a falsehood and misunderstanding of the Gospel.

There was an exercise I engaged in way back when.  That exercise was to circle or underline every verb/adverb I came across in the Scripture that indicated an action I was to engage in.  There are a lot of “I will” and “I shall” in Psalms.

Being intentional in my personal walk in Jesus is important.  And, to be clear, it is not optional.

Prayer:  Lord, you know I struggle with keeping on with fervor.  I guess it is better to stoke the fire slowly and consistently rather than just toss lighter fluid on it occasionally.  The lighter fluid method gets a great big flame suddenly but once the fluid burns off there is still the issue of keeping the coals hot.

Help me stoke the coals of my heart, O God.

Cause revival.  AMEN.

Journal Philemon (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

 

For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”  Philemon 4-7

 

(and then there was Onesimus…)

 

Observation:  Again, Paul addresses effectual brothers in the local church.  There is no indication that this guy is a pastor or anything but a good brother…

 

Reading further, Philemon also had an issue with Onesimus…which Paul is appealing for Philemon to change his mind about…

 

Analysis:  A while back, I changed this section from “application” to “analysis.”  Little did I know that I was getting on the “textualist” band wagon—not trying to interpret what the Scripture means but stopping at what it says.  From looking at what the Scripture says, then I can extrapolate any application from the text alone.

I see two things in the letter to Philemon:

1. An acknowledgment concerning Philemon of effective involvement within a home church, and;
2. Take that “effectiveness of faith” and apply that to Onesimus.  Please.

I think it can be safely assumed that Phil is a brother of good, faithful, exemplary character in his local church.  Perhaps a guy that can be pointed to and said, “I want to be like him.”  Maybe not a pastor, nor an elder/deacon because there is no indication of that; maybe a small group leader.  He may be an example of what a disciple looks and acts like.  Faithful to the church, encouraging, exhorting, comforting, and refreshing…refreshing is such a cool word and description of someone who just loves Jesus and His Word.

But even Phil has a wart or two.  Nobody is completely without fault.  After all, if that even could be true, what need of the Gospel then?  So, Philemon has a blind spot—and his name is Onesimus.

Once upon a time, Onesimus tripped up somehow.  Philemon deemed him “useless.”  I have been deemed useless a time back; considered unfaithful, not needed, hopeless, incompetent, etc.

Paul is now asking Philemon to reconsider Onesimus.  This reads like this may be a difficult decision for Phil, bad blood perhaps.  Maybe there is really an issue that is not surfacing in this letter but is known by many at that house church.  Paul isn’t commanding, he is appealing—and there is some heart searching that Philemon may have to go through.

I think the point I am taking away is that church life is messy.  It is not straightforward.  There are twists and turns, hurts and losses, betrayal, and unfaithfulness galore.  And it is always there, just under the surface, needing Grace and Mercy.

Factually, forgiveness is not always easy for folks, even Redeemed folks.  There is that awful tendency lurking in hearts that “someone’s gotta pay.”  That is my inner being aligning with the Justice of God that sin demands a price to be paid.

Philemon is being asked by Paul to struggle with that decision about Onesimus.

And the whole story now is an example for me to follow…

Prayer:  Father, thanks for opening my eyes to this.  I never recognized this story as one that I am presented with daily.  It is, I think, the practical application of the Gospel for my life.  Did Onesimus reconcile with the home church that Philemon was in?  I don’t know yet.  I pray that when I am presented with reconciliation moments, I will respond appropriately in the manner of the Gospel.

Bring revival, O God.

Journal Titus 3 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Remind them:

• to be submissive to rulers and authorities,
• to be obedient,
• to be ready for every good work,
• to speak evil of no one,
• to avoid quarreling,
• to be gentle,
• and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

 

For we ourselves were once:

• foolish,
• disobedient,
• led astray,
• slaves to various passions and pleasures,
• passing our days in malice and envy,
• hated by others and hating one another.

 

But when the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness but according to His own mercy…so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  Titus 3:1-7

 

Observation:  Paul is good to have a reminder of what good works looks like.  He is also good to firmly review where we came from.  And he is good to confirm this is the Gospel, the message of Salvation and of our hope.  Clarity is good…

 

Analysis:  During these contentious times I am thankful that these practical directives are available.  I am also glad that of the reminder that I was the same way as the folks that create the contention.  It leads me to understand why these actions are so important to honor the Kingdom of God and the Gospel.

This section of scripture is a summary of how I should be looking at everything in my life: through the Lens of the Gospel.

Prayer:  Father, I am glad that there are sections of the Scriptures that are soooo clear as this that no commentary is needed—just a reminder of the glorious Gospel.

Cause revival.  AMEN.

Scripture

VS 1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.

Vs 2 Older men are to be … self-controlled …

Vs 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior ….

Vs 4 and so train the young women … Vs 5 to be self-controlled …

Vs 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled.

 

Vs 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works …

 

Vs 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

Vs 12 training us to … live self-controlled …

 

Vs 13 … waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ …

 

Observation

Paul is encouraging Titus to teach “sound doctrine” to everyone.

Paul has certain unique teachings for each age and gender,

but he mentions one thing consistently to teach everyone across the board.

 

SELF CONTROL is mentioned as a necessary teaching for everyone!!

In other words … EVRYONE NEEDS SELF CONTOL!!

 

And Paul gives us the “WHAT”, the “HOW”, and the “WHY” of SELF CONTROL in this short instruction.

WHAT is self-control? … “sound doctrine”

HOW do we live with self-control? … “the grace of God training us”

WHY do we live with self-control? … “waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of God”

 

Application

I’ve always considered self-control important.

I learned about the “marshmallow test” a long time ago and it stuck with me.

If I want “success” down the road, I better have “self-control” now.

 

But have I ever considered “self-control” to be “sound doctrine”?

I don’t know that I’ve ever linked the two as directly as Paul does here with Titus.

 

Sure, I strive for “sound doctrine”, and, sure, I strive for “self-control”.

But I can’t separate these things anymore.

Self-control IS sound doctrine!

 

It shouldn’t be a stretch in my thinking, though.

Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit before it is an exercise of the body.

 

And so fitting that Paul would list “self-control” last in his list of spiritual fruits.

… such a perfect book end to the first fruit of love.

 

Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, and Gentleness … each are motivated and launched from Love.

Bit will I actually maintain any of those without Self-Control?

Each spiritual fruit is kept on track by Self-Control.

 

But I can take no pride as if this is merely a personal discipline.

Paul reminds me that it is “the grace of God training me” … not my own doing!

Grace of the Spirit in planting the fruit to begin with …

And grace in the continuous training in it.

 

I’ve always thought of “self-control” as a personal act of “delayed gratification”.

In other words, don’t eat the ice cream on Tuesday, wait until the weekend.

Or don’t waste money on a bunch of little spontaneous purchases, wait to spend on the bigger, more meaningful things.

 

So, self-control can be a lot of “waiting”.

But Paul gives me a much more significant cause that I am waiting for.

I am waiting for “our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of God”!

 

Eternal satisfaction in his limitless beauty …

There is no better reason to live out self-control and show it for the world to see.

 

Prayer

Thank you, God, for your Word

Thank you, Spirit, or reminding me of your fruit … self-control

Help me live in it and eliminate the worthless daily wants in my mind

Help me show the world you are worthy

In Jesus name

Amen

 

Titus 1

Scripture: vs 10 – 11, 16

[10] For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. [11] They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.

[16] They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Observation:

Paul sees a big problem in Crete. There are false teachers deceiving the people away from the truth of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. He leaves the authority with Titus to appoint leaders, elders, to lead the church properly.

Application:

Just as they were in Crete, false teachers nowadays know the Word, claim to believe in God as Father, Son, Holy Spirit but they are deceivers with hardened hearts.

This is apparent partly by their lives and actions – living apart from God; how they live and what they do day to day denies him.

Words – how they talk denies him; adding to the Word, denying parts of the Word so suit them or their mission.

These false teachers are detestable to God. I can think of nothing worse.

They are disobedient to God – along with false teachers, I think of unsaved Christians.

They are unfit for doing anything good. Are these the ones to whom the Lord will say on judgement day, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

As we near the end times, we need to be more and more aware of false teachers and false prophets.

Prayer:

Lord thank you for choosing me.  Keep me on track, obedient to you, using your will as my guideposts. Help keep my heart and mind filled with your truth and to rebuke those who speak falsely.  Amen

Scripture –
2 Timothy 3:14 – 15 – But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you have learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Observation –  

Paul in writing his second letter to Timothy explains that there will be lawlessness and people will turn from God in the last days.  Verse 14 is a call for endurance to continue in the faith that Timothy learned and so strongly possesses.  Timothy knows the scriptures and from them he obtains wisdom about the importance of faith in Jesus as the only way of salvation.

Application –

Paul’s descriptions of Godlessness in the opening of Chapter three is a really good synopsis of what we are beginning to see more often in our culture now.  With that there are coming times of difficulty and I need to endure and be strong in my faith.  Not forsaking what I have learned and know to be true.  The word is going to guide my way and equip me with wisdom.  I must seek God in humility and remain focused on Jesus and His will to make Him known.

 

 

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word and the encouragement it provides.  Let the power of the Spirit give me strength, courage and boldness to be firm in my faith.  Let your word guide me to humbly focus and follow you to give you glory.

Journal 2 Tim 4 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus (who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom):

 

• Preach the Word;
• Be ready in season and out of season;
• Reprove, rebuke, and exhort with complete patience and teaching.

 

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching but, having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and will wander off into myths.”  2 Tim 4:1-4

 

Observation:  Another “gird up your loins” message from Paul: still appropriate, still poignant, still challenging to practice patience about.  It can read like a “go get them” instruction but is an actual call for steadfast faithfulness to the Word of God, sound doctrine, and love.

Analysis:  Action words/phrases: Preach; Be ready; Reprove, Rebuke and Exhort.

Without thought and consideration of the complete scriptures, I can go on a wild sinner chase (not a goose chase, a sinner chase).  Considering ONLY these words, I can think that I have been given a green light to say and do anything I want in the Name of Jesus.

You know what just came to mind?  Paul (then Saul) received a letter of license to pursue the Church.  Seems like the same thing UNLESS I pay attention to the whole of the Scriptures and not just “cherry pick.”

There is no doubt that the evidence is clear: there are folks that will not endure sound teaching; there are folks that accumulate teachers to suit themselves and their own passions, thinking, convictions, and the like.

There are itching ears about.  Where do my ears itch?

Good, strong, candid, transparent, introspection.  The fact that I can ask this question, has a ring of health to it.  “O Lord, where do my feet go wayward in direct relationship to my thinking?  Do I succumb to “stinkin’ thinkin’ anywhere?”

Before I react to any of the injunctions concerning other folks, I should examine myself.  Paul strongly advised the Corinth church folks to do exactly that (2 Cor 13:5) I should take that to heart in this as well.  Why?

The mandate is to declare the Kingdom of God, not to specifically declare the condemnation of this world.  In declaring the Kingdom, the mandate carries with it a communication of the fact that Sin will encounter Judgment and subsequent Wrath from God.  My obligation is to communicate those facts, not engage in condemnation on my own.

False teachers twist the facts, minimize certain things about the Gospel, and sometimes make up stuff so that somewhere a message evolves that is all about the good things that appeal to flesh and/or worldly reasoning and is not the Gospel at all.  Ears itch because folks want to hear stuff that satisfies what they think is “right.”

Working at getting the Gospel right in all its aspects is hard work for a Believer.  Nobody gets it all and right at the beginning.  To present the Kingdom in all its astounding Mercy and Glory, takes effort, boldness in front of the mirror, and merciful practice.

Prayer:  I appreciate, Lord God, that I can put thoughts on an e-paper.  So many thoughts, so little effort to organize these thoughts without this instrument of grace.  I hope that in a year from now I can read this again and make subsequent corrections to get the Gospel right in my mind.

Cause revival.  AMEN.

Journal 2 Tim 2 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: (Paul to Timothy) “…what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also…

 

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

 

God MAY perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth and they MAY come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.”  Excerpts from 2 Tim 2:2 and 24-26

 

Observation:  Paul, giving Timothy directions; and communicating God’s Sovereignty concerning the hearers. Yes, Tim: You are guided by the Holy Spirit, you are not the Holy Spirit.  Don’t keep score…

Analysis:  As a youngster, I was “on fire for the Lord.”  My imagination ran wild about what God was going to do with me.

People were going to be “slain in the Spirit” and a huge and mighty revival was going to take place.  All because of me…

My first “real” bible was selected based upon how much “flop” it had so I could wave it in front of folks like it was a badge of authority.  I was so stupid and foolish then, and not much better now.  There was a reason I was not “selected” to be entrusted with the Word of Truth and teach others back then.  There was this little thing called “faithfulness.”

Decades later, I sort of see.

Faithfulness is something to be consciously developed; it doesn’t just “happen.”  Faithfulness is observed in two spheres: one is on the spiritual realm where the Holy Spirit sees; and the other is on the physical realm where everyone else can see.  Is “being found faithful” a one and done description?  No, it isn’t—faithfulness can wax and wane—especially if trying to practice in isolation.

Discovered faithful men, men to be entrusted with the health of the local church, have a few things in common—devotion to prayer, not public prayer although this should not be shied away from, but private, secret prayer; study and adherence to sound doctrine and observed practice of that sound doctrine in life, testified of and by others.  (Husbands, your wife should be able to testify of your Practice without fear or exaggeration.); gentleness and forbearance with others; actively pursuing spiritual giftings (1 Cor 14:1); and more…

Gentleness and patience are of note for me.  I have had issues with other folks not falling in line to what I have thought was the plain truth of the Bible, and I have reacted badly; “chosen poorly.”  Seeing this in myself, I have (and am) repenting from this self-involved practice of argumentative behavior and am devoting myself to “correcting with gentleness”, Biblical reasoning, and forthrightness.  Where do I get to practice this most?  With my wife in our devotional time.

Does that mean that I need to “cool my jets”, my ardor, my fierce pursuit of God?  No.  It means that as Jesus is (and has been) gentle with me, so I must be with others.

Prayer:  Lord, I think about my wife a lot and how I treat her.  She is a fellow believer, a growing disciple in You.  I am also aware of how I can be a destroyer of her faith by the way I act—even if my actions are citing Your Word.  Scripture bullets and bible bombs galore.

I also think about not involving myself because of this tendency to be overload to my wife.  Both ways I must repudiate and repent from.  If there is one person I will be called upon to answer about, it is my wife.  Even if I don’t succeed with anyone else in discipleship, You call me to answer for my actions with her.

Help me to be faithful, O Lord, pleasing You in every respect.

Cause revival, AMEN.

Journal 2 Tim 1 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “I thank God whom I serve (as did my ancestors) with a clear conscience as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.

 

As I remember your tears, I long to see you that I may be filled with joy.  I am reminded of your sincere faith—a faith that dwelt first in you grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and now (I am sure) dwells in you as well.

 

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 2 Tim 1:3-7

 

Observation: Reading this, it occurs to me to remember that these guys like Paul and Tim (and others) dealt with the same emotions and fluctuations of faith that occur with me.

Analysis: What thoughts ran through Tim’s mind as he read this second letter from Paul?

Tim got a 1^st letter and it was pretty powerful: Direct, instructive, completing and encouraging—treating him like a senior contemporary.  Oozing confidence in him through the Holy Spirit to capably lead the local church.  I think I would frame it and hang it on the wall of my study to remind me that, “Yeah…I can do this!”

And then…

The beginning of the second letter reads like something didn’t go as anticipated, or at least hoped for.

Paul takes a step back and attempts to remind Timothy how he got here:

• You are in my heart, Timmy, my boy;
• I am reminded of your sincere faith—and I remind you of it as well;
• You are of 3 generations of faith: Lois, Eunice, and now you.  Something to be said of that, remember…
• Again, I am sure of that sincerity of faith.

Encouragement of this kind goes a long way.  Keeps my eye on the Goal of the high calling in Christ.  But what happened to Tim?

Something did.  It wasn’t that he fell away or anything like that, but I can’t help but think something happened to cool the flame of pursuing God.  Could it have been opposition to his youth?  Perhaps.  Something else?

I note that it is never one thing that cools my fervor towards the Lord.  It is always a multiplicity of things.  Individually, nothing much to see, but all of these “molehills” can make a mountain of apathy.

“Stir into flame…”  For a believer, what is the first thing that I need to get the fire in my eyes once again?

A desire…

Prayer: Lord, I am looking up from my desk and I am caught with the thought that a fierce pursuit of holiness, of You, isn’t just a big, fat, library.  It isn’t the absence of a library, either.  Ferocity in You, pining after You, desiring You, comes with the reminder that You are the Pearl of Great Price and it doesn’t stop at my conversion experience.

“But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning…” Lam 3:21-23a

Cause revival, O Lord.  AMEN

 

Journal 1 Tim 6 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “Teach and urge these things.  If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing.”  1 Tim 6:1-4

 

Observation: Methinks Paul is pounding a specific nail to Timothy: “Stay on target, stay on target…” (from Star Wars: A New Hope)

 

Analysis:  Here is 1 Tim 1: “…remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine…rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.  THE aim of our charge is: 1) Love that issues from a pure heart; 2) a good conscience, and; 3) a sincere (genuine, honest, truthful, earnest, straight) faith.”

The beginning of the letter and the end of the letter: Fairly consistent, right?  Paul is hammering on a point: “Sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ” and “teaching that accords with godliness.”

There have been so many “teachings” over the centuries.  Even today, I can see this teaching and that, and the other, and (with a little diligent research) I can discover that there is nothing new under the sun—everything I see today was visible way back when.

Take prosperity teaching: “… (teachers) who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a MEANS OF GAIN.” (1 Tim 5:5b) Doesn’t that sound like prosperity teaching?  2,000 years ago?  60-70 years after the Cross and Resurrection: didn’t take long to twist sound words into something yucky.

Sound doctrine isn’t easy to come by.  In every generation there are those who want to package “something different”, a perspective that is easier to swallow, a so-called “truth” that is just a little bit out of tune but isn’t worth the work to get the music absolutely in tune.  If it was a picture, then perhaps my face is in complete focus, but my surroundings are just a little fuzzy—that is the effect of “unsound doctrine.”

There is a piece of scripture that can be taken improperly out of context: “Forgetting what lies behind…” (Phil 3:13)  It is not saying that history should not be considered; don’t pay attention to the past—it is saying that, in context to the emotional reaction of sin, ‘forget about it and press into Jesus.’

It is a privilege to lean hard on the shoulders of saints that have gone before us.  These folks are instruments of Grace and it is from them that sound doctrine can be learned from.  “Old, dead guys”—they are harder to read, takes effort—but are well worth it to grow into godliness/holiness.  Fortunately, there are good writers today that are in the same doctrinal path as the old guys.

“Sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness” … Godliness is the goal; sound doctrine is the method to get there.

Prayer:  Father, I want to whine and complain.  I know this message is hard to communicate.  There are so many distractions in the Church and too few of the rank and file that burn for godliness.

Lord God, help us to yearn for your presence; to learn of you and your works and ways; to not save our communication to those stranger who possibly don’t know you but to speak of you to friends in the church, family at home; to have the Wonder of your ways on our tongue and in the forefront of my mind daily.

Help me to not be concerned about sounding like a fool with my wife.  Help me to communicate with gentleness and grace and not come across like a correcting martinet.  You didn’t sound like that—I don’t want to sound like that either.

Cause revival, O Lord.  AMEN

Scripture:

(NIV) [1] The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. [2] Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

 

Observation:

 

1) Paul lets Timothy know that this is not just his opinion but came to him through the Holy Spirit.

2) The end times are near – stay focussed on the truth of Christ and be very aware of, and not to be fooled by, false teachers.

3) False teachers will become widespread in the end times and there is no turning them around – their consciences seared as with a hot iron.

 

Application:

It seems more and more lately that we are hearing men call evil good and good evil. If we pay attention, we will see that as a huge warning.

 

It feels like the world is seemingly leaning more and more to a sort of subjective morality and it’s not just the secular individuals and leaders causing the shift.  There are plenty of false teachers who claim to be Christians but are controlled by deceiving spirits, distorting God’s word to suit their own sinful purposes.

 

This is certainly not the only place in Scripture warning of the increase of false teachers and false prophets in the end times and we know what will finally happen to them.  Check out Rev 22:18-19 [18] ..If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. [19] And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City..

 

We know the end of the story and what will happen to false teachers but until then, they are dangerous.  Dangerous to us and especially to others who may not be immersed in the Word.   We need discernment in what we hear.

 

1 John 4:1

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

 

Test the spirits to see whether they are from God. Here are a couple basics..

* Do the teachers truly believe believe in the Trinity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

* Do they teach that we have salvation through the Grace of God though faith and not by works? That is, Jesus + nothing = salvation, not Jesus + some sort of works = salvation.

* Does their teaching line up strictly with Scripture?

* Can their teaching be validated through other Spiritual advisors?

 

Prayer:

Lord you are so good. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for my salvation, knowing that I have not earned it and yet you sent your Son do die for my sins that I may live eternity with you. Lord I live to glorify you. Keep me focused on your will and truth. Help me not be deceived by satan’s lies and most of all, stop me from spreading any gospel message that is not true to your word. In Jesus’ holy name I pray. Amen.

 

Scripture –

1 Timothy 2:1 – 4 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Observation – 

Paul is writing to encourage his protégé Timothy who is pastoring a church in Ephesus.  Paul is urging that the church be in prayer for all people including leaders who are in high positions. Prayer for leaders is so we can live in a peaceful and godly manner.  God likes this and wants all to be saved and know the truth.

Application –

There has never in my life been a time that these versus are more applicable than the current era in which we are living.  Prayer needs to be for everyone: for believers, for the lost, for injustices, for repentance from sin/evil and for our nation’s leaders.  The why behind prayer for our nation’s leaders is for our lives not to be dominated by conflict to live in a manner that reflects Jesus and we are able to be Ambassadors for Christ.  This is why it is important to have and not take for granted the religious liberties that we enjoy today.  God is pleased when we live to follow Him and make Him known so all can be saved through Christ Jesus.  Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no one gets to the Father but through Jesus.

Prayer –

Father,

Thank you for the truth in your word and teaching us to pray.  Let the power of the Holy Spirit guide me to pray for repentance, restoration, reconciliation and healing in our land.  Let me lift up our leaders so I can live a life as an Ambassador for Jesus.

Journal 1 Tim 3 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)

Scripture: “…I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God—which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.”  1 Tim 3:14b-15

 

Observation:  Key phrase: “…how one ought to behave in the household of God…”  While there are instructions, descriptions, and qualifications for elders and deacons, this imperative (vital, crucial, essential) phrase ought to dominate thoughts of every believer.

Analysis: I think it is easy to download the “List”; the checkoffs that give people like me objective points to judge on whether a man can measure up to be an elder or a deacon.  It is a measure for the face in the mirror as well.

The only one that I have taken a stand on is the recent convert point.  And, even on that, I hold it loosely.  I am satisfied that in this time of my life, I don’t have to make those decisions…

However, I don’t get to skip over Chapter 3 because I am neither an elder or deacon, because the list that Paul shares to Timothy is the same list that applies to everybody in the house of God.  And it is highlighted by this statement:

“You may know how one ought to behave in the household of God.”

This sounds very familiar to me from Paul’s letters:

• “…in a way worthy of the saints…” Ro 16:2
• “…to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…” Eph 4:1
• “…let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” Phil 1:27
• “…so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…” Col 1:10
• “…walk in a manner worthy of God…” 1 Thes 2:12
• “…make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good…” 2 Thes 1:11

Therefore, behavior matters.  Not only behavior but resolve.  Resolve to what?  Resolve to walk in holiness.  “Walking worthy of the Gospel” is meant to mean: “Is it appropriate, according to my displayed behavior, to be called a “follower of Christ?””

I am reminded of a document: Jonathon Edwards’ 70 resolutions. I need to look at these every so often.  I have them printed out and bound in a notebook.  I recommend this practice.

If I am not comparing my behavior (in every aspect of life) to the Word of God, listening to the Holy Spirit, studying and emphasizing my progression as a believer of the Gospel, looking to and embracing what the scriptures say holiness is, then somewhere I have skipped a beat.

Prayer: Lord, somewhere in writing this the word “idolatry” is pulsing between my ears.  I cannot ascribe that word to others—I must ascribe that to the face in the mirror first.  Help me to walk worthy of the gospel and treat others gently and with grace/mercy.

Cause revival, O Lord.  AMEN