There are three verses that I want to touch on tonight that come from 2 Timothy chapter 3. Early today I was thinking about how I could relate the post that I was going to write to the frigid temperatures that we are all experiencing right now. I was really at a loss. I couldn't quite figure out how I was going to tie the two things together.
Again, and again I always seem to have some doubts about what I am going to write about and the Holy Spirit always gives me something. I don't know why I ever doubt. Every time I think I am stuck, I am given a new thought. That is a small example of God's faithfulness but a great one at that. God is faithful over and over again. If we just trust in God's faithfulness and never doubt our lives would be so much more peaceful. But maybe that is why we doubt sometimes, so that we can realize that peace that we can have through Christ.
If you stepped outside today, you experienced some of the coldest temperatures you ever have in your life. It's ridiculously cold. Even if you were inside standing beside a window, or sleeping beside a window like I have to, you were probably able to tell that it was freezing. One thing about this cold is that there is no escaping it. You could put on five coats, three hats, and two pair of gloves and you would still feel the cold. There was just nothing you do about it.
Much like you and I experiencing the freezing cold today, we as believers in Christ experience persecution whether we can help it or not.
"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)
As believers, we all should want to live a godly life every single day, and because of that we will be persecuted. When we obey God and want to live for God we will be persecuted. We can't be surprised when people misunderstand, criticize, and even try to hurt us because of what we believe in and how we live. We can't ever give up. We must continue to live as we know we should with the understanding that God is the only one we need to please.
Persecution looks different to both you can me. We aren't all persecuted the exact same way. The people who persecute you are like a bunch of haters. But what do we do to the haters? We still have to love them.
On to the next one, did you know that the word of God was inspired?
"All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Simply put, the bible is not a human book. Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed his person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down his message for his people. This process is known as inspiration. The writers wrote down their own personal, historical, and cultural contexts. Although they used their own minds, talents, language, and style, they wrote what God wanted then to write. Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing. Its words are entirely authoritative for our faith and lives. The bible is "God-breathed." Read is, and use its teaching to guide your conduct.
I mean how crazy is that? God had normal human beings like you and I write the bible with their own special talents and gifts while speaking to them through the Holy Spirit. If you don't feel like you have anything special about you, I can assure you that you are special and that God is using your special talents he has blessed you with for a purpose that you might not understand yet.
The whole bible is God's inspired word. Because it is inspired and trustworthy, we should read it and apply it to our lives. The bible is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live. It is our only source of knowledge about how we can be saved. God wants to show you what is true and equip you to live for him.
How much time are you spending in the word? Reading it regularly to discover God's truth and to become confident in your life and faith. Reading the bible is one of the hardest things. For me I always put it on the back burner. I thought it took up to much time. I figured if I would pray before bed, that was enough Jesus time in my day. I spent years of my life doing that. I would read short devotionals because I was getting some scripture and certain things made more sense to me. I was taking a short cut and I didn't even realize it. I blog because I want you to get into your bible. The excitement I get opening my bible on a daily basis is a feeling that I want so many people to feel. I am overwhelmed by God's inspired word every time I open it. There are things you can learn from and apply to your life in the word of God more than anywhere else. Digging into the word of God on a daily basis changed my life.
I hope you were encouraged today by this post. I hope that you never give up. Understand that we will be persecuted, but that just comes with living a life fully for Christ Jesus. You are never the only one going through something tough, we all are. Also, the word of God is inspired! If you have never heard that before until today, I hope you find that to be very cool. I encourage you to dig into your bible. The word of God is the source of knowledge about how we can be saved.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Monday, January 28, 2019
Like good soldiers
"Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown expect by competing by the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all of this." (2 Timothy 2:3-7)
Have you ever thought about the idea of us being like soldiers? I never have and I love it. Soldiers have one thing in mind and that is victory and following the rules that the commander and chief has set. The commander and chief of our lives is Christ Jesus and we should only be concerned with following his word.
Paul also gives the example of an athlete. He writes that athletes will never receive the victor's crown if they don't play by the rules. There are rules that athletes must follow so that games and events are fair. If there were not any rules for athletes to follow there would never be a way to reward someone for the hard work they have put it. There are rules athletes must follow for a reason.
Lastly, Paul talks about farmers. He says that the hardworking farmer should be the first person to receive a share of the crops. The hardworking farmer put all the work in so it is fair if he gets the first share. He was patient and followed the rules that farmers follow.
I hope you understand these three samples here. I like how Paul uses three examples that lots of people can relate too. Not everyone is a farmer, athlete, or a solider. Not everyone is the same, but these three example all have a couple of things in common and that is following the rules, sacrifice, and wanting to be victorious.
As Timothy preached and taught, he would face suffering, but he should be able to endure. Paul used the three comparisons as an example of those who must discipline themselves and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the results they want. Like soldiers, we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline. Like athletes, we must train hard and follow the rules. Like farmers, we must work extremely hard and be patient. But we keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our suffering is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to Christ, and one day living eternally with him.
Have you ever thought about the idea of us being like soldiers? I never have and I love it. Soldiers have one thing in mind and that is victory and following the rules that the commander and chief has set. The commander and chief of our lives is Christ Jesus and we should only be concerned with following his word.
Paul also gives the example of an athlete. He writes that athletes will never receive the victor's crown if they don't play by the rules. There are rules that athletes must follow so that games and events are fair. If there were not any rules for athletes to follow there would never be a way to reward someone for the hard work they have put it. There are rules athletes must follow for a reason.
Lastly, Paul talks about farmers. He says that the hardworking farmer should be the first person to receive a share of the crops. The hardworking farmer put all the work in so it is fair if he gets the first share. He was patient and followed the rules that farmers follow.
I hope you understand these three samples here. I like how Paul uses three examples that lots of people can relate too. Not everyone is a farmer, athlete, or a solider. Not everyone is the same, but these three example all have a couple of things in common and that is following the rules, sacrifice, and wanting to be victorious.
As Timothy preached and taught, he would face suffering, but he should be able to endure. Paul used the three comparisons as an example of those who must discipline themselves and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the results they want. Like soldiers, we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline. Like athletes, we must train hard and follow the rules. Like farmers, we must work extremely hard and be patient. But we keep going despite suffering because of the thought of victory, the vision of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our suffering is worthwhile when we achieve our goal of glorifying God, winning people to Christ, and one day living eternally with him.
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Promise of Life
When we struggle with the difficulties in this life, remember that the best is yet to come.
When we give our lives to Christ there is a promise of life that we get to experience. When we are united with Christ, life takes on both immediate and eternal dimensions. Paul's use of the phrase, "the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus," can apply to the life that Jesus give immediately to those who trust him, as well as to the life fully realized in eternity.
On one hand, Paul said, "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). So a new life begins at conversion. Yet on the other hand, we "wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our own bodies" (Romans 8:23). The present experience we enjoy provides a foretaste of our complete redemption at Christ's return. That is why we need to remember that the best is yet to come.
If you are going through something right now I hope you're encouraged. I am struggling with things right now and knowing that the best is yet to come is all I needed to hear. When I was writing in my journal earlier, I asked the question, "is the best really yet to come?" That is just where I am right now. Then I read 2 Timothy 1 and the very first verse talks about "keeping the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus." So yes! The best is yet to come.
That isn't just for me, it's for you as well. As believers the best is yet to come for all of us because we aren't in heaven yet. That is what the best will be. If you are having doubts like I was, really dig this into your mind and heart. You haven't gotten to experience the best things in this life yet, but you will. If you think you already have then you are wrong because the best is yet to come.
A good friend of mine sent this text to me last night and I hope it's as encouraging to you as it was to me.
God says, "It is time to shift your sense of worth from your performance to your position. You are my son. You do not have to perform to be somebody; you already are a somebody in my eyes."
There is a great promise of life through Jesus Christ and because of Christ you are somebody. You don't have to prove that to anyone because God knows and that is what matters above all else.
Keep on persevering every day because you are somebody and the best is yet to come.
When we give our lives to Christ there is a promise of life that we get to experience. When we are united with Christ, life takes on both immediate and eternal dimensions. Paul's use of the phrase, "the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus," can apply to the life that Jesus give immediately to those who trust him, as well as to the life fully realized in eternity.
On one hand, Paul said, "If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). So a new life begins at conversion. Yet on the other hand, we "wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our own bodies" (Romans 8:23). The present experience we enjoy provides a foretaste of our complete redemption at Christ's return. That is why we need to remember that the best is yet to come.
If you are going through something right now I hope you're encouraged. I am struggling with things right now and knowing that the best is yet to come is all I needed to hear. When I was writing in my journal earlier, I asked the question, "is the best really yet to come?" That is just where I am right now. Then I read 2 Timothy 1 and the very first verse talks about "keeping the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus." So yes! The best is yet to come.
That isn't just for me, it's for you as well. As believers the best is yet to come for all of us because we aren't in heaven yet. That is what the best will be. If you are having doubts like I was, really dig this into your mind and heart. You haven't gotten to experience the best things in this life yet, but you will. If you think you already have then you are wrong because the best is yet to come.
A good friend of mine sent this text to me last night and I hope it's as encouraging to you as it was to me.
God says, "It is time to shift your sense of worth from your performance to your position. You are my son. You do not have to perform to be somebody; you already are a somebody in my eyes."
There is a great promise of life through Jesus Christ and because of Christ you are somebody. You don't have to prove that to anyone because God knows and that is what matters above all else.
Keep on persevering every day because you are somebody and the best is yet to come.
Friday, January 25, 2019
Realness
There is a great deal of realness that comes when we have a relationship with Jesus Christ. The presence of the Holy Spirit is so real every single day. I believe it becomes especially noticeable when you get into a routine on a daily basis where you are either spending time in the word or in prayer.
For me, the more I seek God in my time and surrender to him the more I feel his presence. I don't know if it's the same way for you, but that is how it is for me. I am not saying that I am right when I say that God's realness is only experienced in what I do, I wouldn't ever say anything like that.
I've gotten to the point that if I don't spend time in the word on a daily basis I feel the affects. The affects aren't necessarily bad either. It's not like I am being punished, I just feel like a part of me was missing for that day and that I didn't make use of my full potential.
Wednesday night we picked up a big conference win on the road and after any game it's hard to go to sleep that night because of all the adrenaline that is still pumping through me. We got back to campus around 11:15 which should be bedtime, but Paul and I decided to watch Thor so we were up till around 1:30. I had a meeting the next morning at 10:30 and my roommates had asked if I would make them broadest at 9. I was planning on having some Jesus time in the morning before I made breakfast. I set my alarm for 7:45 and then decided just to go back asleep for another 40 minutes. I knew that the only time I was going to have that day to spend time with Jesus was in the morning and that I missed my shot.
When I spend a number of consecutive days having Jesus time, my mind and my thoughts are mainly centered around what is honoring to God. When I don't have Jesus time, my mind and thoughts begin to shift towards what fits in with others around me whether it's godly talk or not Yesterday was a great day, I got to spend a ton of time with my friends and I was able to get a lot of things done. But there was a problem with yesterday...and it was my thoughts and what was coming out of my mouth. There were certain things I were saying that I normally don't say because my thoughts shifted more towards fitting in than honoring God in all I say and do. Now I am not saying these thoughts were the worst thing in the world, but they were not honoring God I can tell you that. I am also not saying that what was being said around me was terrible, I just try to hold myself to a high standard in all I say and do.
I understood why I was having those thoughts and it hit me right away. I believe this is such a great example of God's realness and his presence. If God wasn't real I would have not ever recognized that my thoughts and words were not honoring towards him. God's love is shown through his never ending presence. Yeah, I said some things and thought some things that weren't godly yesterday but I am not perfect and God is real enough for me to recognize those things.
I hope you can get to the point where the Holy Spirit allows you to recognize the power of God and the word of God. My prayer is that you all do. I hope that your recognition of how your day is going can be circulated around time with Jesus. That is a tough thing to put into words and I hope you understand what I am trying to say to you.
It's like when we have a terrible day, which we all have and we are trying to figure out why. You think your friends are betraying you, you fail a test, forget about a home work assignment, etc. Instead of truing to single out of those things making that the reason you had a bad day, maybe you're focus wasn't centered around God. When it's not we miss out on our full potential.
I came across a verse today that encouraged me and I want to share it with you.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6)
This statement is the key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment. We should honor God and center our desires on him and we should be content with what God is doing in our lives. For me, I am content with where God has me and the situations he puts me in. If that involves me not participating in a conversation to fit in, I am perfectly okay with that. I am happy wherever God has me because he has never failed me and I am sure he has never failed you either.
If you can take one thing away from this post I want you to understand that God is real. His presence is so real when we have the awareness to look for it. We experience our full potential when we seek and honor God.
For me, the more I seek God in my time and surrender to him the more I feel his presence. I don't know if it's the same way for you, but that is how it is for me. I am not saying that I am right when I say that God's realness is only experienced in what I do, I wouldn't ever say anything like that.
I've gotten to the point that if I don't spend time in the word on a daily basis I feel the affects. The affects aren't necessarily bad either. It's not like I am being punished, I just feel like a part of me was missing for that day and that I didn't make use of my full potential.
Wednesday night we picked up a big conference win on the road and after any game it's hard to go to sleep that night because of all the adrenaline that is still pumping through me. We got back to campus around 11:15 which should be bedtime, but Paul and I decided to watch Thor so we were up till around 1:30. I had a meeting the next morning at 10:30 and my roommates had asked if I would make them broadest at 9. I was planning on having some Jesus time in the morning before I made breakfast. I set my alarm for 7:45 and then decided just to go back asleep for another 40 minutes. I knew that the only time I was going to have that day to spend time with Jesus was in the morning and that I missed my shot.
When I spend a number of consecutive days having Jesus time, my mind and my thoughts are mainly centered around what is honoring to God. When I don't have Jesus time, my mind and thoughts begin to shift towards what fits in with others around me whether it's godly talk or not Yesterday was a great day, I got to spend a ton of time with my friends and I was able to get a lot of things done. But there was a problem with yesterday...and it was my thoughts and what was coming out of my mouth. There were certain things I were saying that I normally don't say because my thoughts shifted more towards fitting in than honoring God in all I say and do. Now I am not saying these thoughts were the worst thing in the world, but they were not honoring God I can tell you that. I am also not saying that what was being said around me was terrible, I just try to hold myself to a high standard in all I say and do.
I understood why I was having those thoughts and it hit me right away. I believe this is such a great example of God's realness and his presence. If God wasn't real I would have not ever recognized that my thoughts and words were not honoring towards him. God's love is shown through his never ending presence. Yeah, I said some things and thought some things that weren't godly yesterday but I am not perfect and God is real enough for me to recognize those things.
I hope you can get to the point where the Holy Spirit allows you to recognize the power of God and the word of God. My prayer is that you all do. I hope that your recognition of how your day is going can be circulated around time with Jesus. That is a tough thing to put into words and I hope you understand what I am trying to say to you.
It's like when we have a terrible day, which we all have and we are trying to figure out why. You think your friends are betraying you, you fail a test, forget about a home work assignment, etc. Instead of truing to single out of those things making that the reason you had a bad day, maybe you're focus wasn't centered around God. When it's not we miss out on our full potential.
I came across a verse today that encouraged me and I want to share it with you.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6)
This statement is the key to spiritual growth and personal fulfillment. We should honor God and center our desires on him and we should be content with what God is doing in our lives. For me, I am content with where God has me and the situations he puts me in. If that involves me not participating in a conversation to fit in, I am perfectly okay with that. I am happy wherever God has me because he has never failed me and I am sure he has never failed you either.
If you can take one thing away from this post I want you to understand that God is real. His presence is so real when we have the awareness to look for it. We experience our full potential when we seek and honor God.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Proper Treatment
What comes to your mind when you think of proper treatment? For me, I think of the golden rule: "Treating others how you wish to be treated." Too often we have our own agenda and focus on the things we want, and we care and treat ourselves well but not others. Think about what you thought about when you woke up this morning and the things you were going to do to make that happen. Now think about the people around you, they most likely woke up with an agenda as well. Do you have the awareness and love for those around you to help make their day just as great as you want your day to be?
I came across a verse in 1 Timothy today that beautifully illustrates how we should view other people.
"Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity." (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
The first thing you think about when you read that might not make much sense. We have one father and why would we treat any man who is older than us as a father? Treat younger men as brothers. Older women as mothers. Treat younger women as sisters. We have one mother, why treat all women like they're our mothers? Why would I want to treat younger women as sisters?
All of those questions may be a little rhetorical, but that was the best way to present this to you. This just seems like a weird verse when you read it the first time.
When you really think about it, the picture that is painted is clear. When you begin to treat older men like your father you begin to respect older men. When you begin to respect people more often your perceptive begins to change. You learn that you can take something away from these older men in your life. They aren't just older men. These are men who have lived longer than us young guys and these older men have gone through things that we haven't had to go through yet. Much like how fathers want to pour into their sons, these older men want to pour into you. Respect it and embrace it. I think of my dad and the love he shows me. There are so many things that come to mind when I think about how great of a dad he has been for me and I respect and love him so much. Older men are out there who want to love you and pour wisdom into you as well.
Treat younger men as brothers. When I think of guys who are younger than me and think of them like brothers, I want to pour into them. I want to be a good example. I want to encourage them and teach them lessons from the things that I have learned so far in my life. Having a younger brother, I hope that I can be the same person I am to him, to all other younger guys,
Treat older women as mothers. I love my mom so much and she is so full of wisdom in all areas of life. Women who are older then me are most likely to have that same amount of wisdom as my mom. A mother cares for her children. Think about all of the moms out there. They want to care, love, and nature everyone out there. Again when we begin to live with that perspective everything changes.
Everybody who has a little sister wants nothing bad to ever happen to them. I don't have a little sister but that is what I have heard from people who do. I know if I did have a little sister, I would be the most protective big brother that I could be. I would not want anything ever happening to her.
Men can avoid improper attitudes towards women by treating them as family members. If men see women as fellow members in God's family, they will protect them and help them grow spiritually. Coming from a guy, we have a tendency to have improper thoughts about women whether we want to or not. Even if we try as hard as we can to not, we still will get those thoughts. When I think of women being a part of God's family just like me, I don't want to ever have those thoughts and I am encouraged to pray that I don't get those. As members of one family we are to look out for each other, love each other, and have respect for each other. We are members of one family we can help each other grow.
I hope with the verse I shared today that you have a better idea of what proper treatment looks like. We are part of God's family and when we start looking and treating everyone like family everything changes. We become better people because of it. You love your family right? Love your family, love everyone. That is obedience to God and pleases him greatly.
I came across a verse in 1 Timothy today that beautifully illustrates how we should view other people.
"Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity." (1 Timothy 5:1-2)
The first thing you think about when you read that might not make much sense. We have one father and why would we treat any man who is older than us as a father? Treat younger men as brothers. Older women as mothers. Treat younger women as sisters. We have one mother, why treat all women like they're our mothers? Why would I want to treat younger women as sisters?
All of those questions may be a little rhetorical, but that was the best way to present this to you. This just seems like a weird verse when you read it the first time.
When you really think about it, the picture that is painted is clear. When you begin to treat older men like your father you begin to respect older men. When you begin to respect people more often your perceptive begins to change. You learn that you can take something away from these older men in your life. They aren't just older men. These are men who have lived longer than us young guys and these older men have gone through things that we haven't had to go through yet. Much like how fathers want to pour into their sons, these older men want to pour into you. Respect it and embrace it. I think of my dad and the love he shows me. There are so many things that come to mind when I think about how great of a dad he has been for me and I respect and love him so much. Older men are out there who want to love you and pour wisdom into you as well.
Treat younger men as brothers. When I think of guys who are younger than me and think of them like brothers, I want to pour into them. I want to be a good example. I want to encourage them and teach them lessons from the things that I have learned so far in my life. Having a younger brother, I hope that I can be the same person I am to him, to all other younger guys,
Treat older women as mothers. I love my mom so much and she is so full of wisdom in all areas of life. Women who are older then me are most likely to have that same amount of wisdom as my mom. A mother cares for her children. Think about all of the moms out there. They want to care, love, and nature everyone out there. Again when we begin to live with that perspective everything changes.
Everybody who has a little sister wants nothing bad to ever happen to them. I don't have a little sister but that is what I have heard from people who do. I know if I did have a little sister, I would be the most protective big brother that I could be. I would not want anything ever happening to her.
Men can avoid improper attitudes towards women by treating them as family members. If men see women as fellow members in God's family, they will protect them and help them grow spiritually. Coming from a guy, we have a tendency to have improper thoughts about women whether we want to or not. Even if we try as hard as we can to not, we still will get those thoughts. When I think of women being a part of God's family just like me, I don't want to ever have those thoughts and I am encouraged to pray that I don't get those. As members of one family we are to look out for each other, love each other, and have respect for each other. We are members of one family we can help each other grow.
I hope with the verse I shared today that you have a better idea of what proper treatment looks like. We are part of God's family and when we start looking and treating everyone like family everything changes. We become better people because of it. You love your family right? Love your family, love everyone. That is obedience to God and pleases him greatly.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
godliness training
In 1 Timothy chapter 4 Paul writes to Timothy about instructions that should be in place for elders of the church. Those instructions for the elders don't only apply to the elders but to all believers. We can take note of these instructions and live by them.
There are a couple of verses from chapter 4 that stick out to me so I will share those verses and a little bit about each one. I hope this is a clear and concise way.
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:4)
It is very important to remember that everything that God created is good. Oftentimes we forget about the beauty and goodness of God's creation. One thing we need to do is ask for God's blessing on his created gifts that give us pleasure and thank him for them. That doesn't mean that we should abuse what God has made. Instead of abusing, we should enjoy these gifts by using them to serve and honor God. Have you thanked God for the good gifts he has given you? Are you using the gifts in ways that are pleasing to you and to God?
What if tomorrow, you were only given what you thanked God for today? Would that change the thankfulness you have for the gifts that God has given you? I know for me it does. When I write out a prayer every morning before I get into the word, I make sure to write down things that I am thankful for, and things that I hope come true in my life tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and the next day. Whatever it may be! It was - 8 degrees yesterday and I thanked God for it because that freezing cold temperature makes me more thankful for shelter and for heat.
Think about the gifts God has given you, are you using them in a way that is pleasing to you and God? If you have all of the talent in the world are you using that talent to glorify God or are you sitting on your butt and doing nothing about it? If you can sing, are you singing? If you can write are you writing? If you are an athlete are you bettering your craft every day or are you just coasting along because you're good enough?
Train yourselves to be godly. For Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the lift to come. (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
This verse is one of my favorite verses because of the sheer importance and significance of it. Being that I am a basketball player and have been one for a very long time, I rely a ton of physical training. If I don't work on the physical side of things, I wouldn't be any good at all. One of the gifts God has given me is a sense of hard-work. From a young age I have known how to work hard in order to achieve what I strive to achieve. For years, I relied on my physical training more than godliness training. I finally figured out two summers ago that godliness training has value for all things, both now and for eternity. When God gave me the heart and mind to transform that hard word to my walk with him, everything changed. I wish I could clearly put into words how everything changed but it's hard because the change was so great. I put to great of an emphasis on my physical health, when spiritual health is what's most important. Our physical health is susceptible to disease and injury, but faith can sustain us through any tragedy. To train ourselves to be godly, we must develop our faith by using our God-given abilities to serve others. Are you developing your spiritual muscles?
Don't let anyone look down on your because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
This is a very encouraging verse to me as well. I am 22 so I am young still and I don't want anyone to look down on me because of that. I may be 22, but I want to set an example in the things I say, the things I do, in love, in faith, and in purity. I am not perfect. I know I say things I shouldn't and do things that I shouldn't but I am human, I am not perfect. I strive to set an example everyday. I don't do it to look good for other people, I do it as an act of obedience towards Christ. Striving to set an example to believers is an excellent way to train for godliness.
Timothy needed some encouragement, most likely there are people around you that need encouragement as well. Paul modeled six important principles to help us encourage others:
1. Begin with encouragement. People who know we will encourage them will be happy to work with us.
2. Expect of others only what you expect of yourself. People will resist being held to unfair standards.
3. Develop expectations of others with consideration for their skills, maturity, and experience. People will reject or fail to meet expectations that do not fit them.
4. Monitor your expectations of others. Changing circumstances sometimes require revised or reduced expectations.
5. Clarify your expectations with others. People are not likely to hit a target that no one has identified.
6. End with encouragement. People love to be thanked for a job well done.
I want to close with this.
Nothing you can do is more loving for those around you than positioning yourself to be all that God has called you to be. To truly love people means to love God first and foremost.
There are a couple of verses from chapter 4 that stick out to me so I will share those verses and a little bit about each one. I hope this is a clear and concise way.
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:4)
It is very important to remember that everything that God created is good. Oftentimes we forget about the beauty and goodness of God's creation. One thing we need to do is ask for God's blessing on his created gifts that give us pleasure and thank him for them. That doesn't mean that we should abuse what God has made. Instead of abusing, we should enjoy these gifts by using them to serve and honor God. Have you thanked God for the good gifts he has given you? Are you using the gifts in ways that are pleasing to you and to God?
What if tomorrow, you were only given what you thanked God for today? Would that change the thankfulness you have for the gifts that God has given you? I know for me it does. When I write out a prayer every morning before I get into the word, I make sure to write down things that I am thankful for, and things that I hope come true in my life tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and the next day. Whatever it may be! It was - 8 degrees yesterday and I thanked God for it because that freezing cold temperature makes me more thankful for shelter and for heat.
Think about the gifts God has given you, are you using them in a way that is pleasing to you and God? If you have all of the talent in the world are you using that talent to glorify God or are you sitting on your butt and doing nothing about it? If you can sing, are you singing? If you can write are you writing? If you are an athlete are you bettering your craft every day or are you just coasting along because you're good enough?
Train yourselves to be godly. For Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the lift to come. (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
This verse is one of my favorite verses because of the sheer importance and significance of it. Being that I am a basketball player and have been one for a very long time, I rely a ton of physical training. If I don't work on the physical side of things, I wouldn't be any good at all. One of the gifts God has given me is a sense of hard-work. From a young age I have known how to work hard in order to achieve what I strive to achieve. For years, I relied on my physical training more than godliness training. I finally figured out two summers ago that godliness training has value for all things, both now and for eternity. When God gave me the heart and mind to transform that hard word to my walk with him, everything changed. I wish I could clearly put into words how everything changed but it's hard because the change was so great. I put to great of an emphasis on my physical health, when spiritual health is what's most important. Our physical health is susceptible to disease and injury, but faith can sustain us through any tragedy. To train ourselves to be godly, we must develop our faith by using our God-given abilities to serve others. Are you developing your spiritual muscles?
Don't let anyone look down on your because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
This is a very encouraging verse to me as well. I am 22 so I am young still and I don't want anyone to look down on me because of that. I may be 22, but I want to set an example in the things I say, the things I do, in love, in faith, and in purity. I am not perfect. I know I say things I shouldn't and do things that I shouldn't but I am human, I am not perfect. I strive to set an example everyday. I don't do it to look good for other people, I do it as an act of obedience towards Christ. Striving to set an example to believers is an excellent way to train for godliness.
Timothy needed some encouragement, most likely there are people around you that need encouragement as well. Paul modeled six important principles to help us encourage others:
1. Begin with encouragement. People who know we will encourage them will be happy to work with us.
2. Expect of others only what you expect of yourself. People will resist being held to unfair standards.
3. Develop expectations of others with consideration for their skills, maturity, and experience. People will reject or fail to meet expectations that do not fit them.
4. Monitor your expectations of others. Changing circumstances sometimes require revised or reduced expectations.
5. Clarify your expectations with others. People are not likely to hit a target that no one has identified.
6. End with encouragement. People love to be thanked for a job well done.
I want to close with this.
Nothing you can do is more loving for those around you than positioning yourself to be all that God has called you to be. To truly love people means to love God first and foremost.
Monday, January 21, 2019
Deacon: "one who serves"
I have come to learn that whenever I learn something new I desire to share it with you as quickly as possible. This morning, I learned something new and I hope that it can be of some sort of encouragement to you today.
How many of you have ever read or seen the passages in the bible that are about either instructions or qualifications for overseers and deacons in the church? I have read those passages for years and never really thought that they applied to me. I think it was fair to think that, I am not in a position of leadership in the church so why would I think those instructions and qualifications are for me and you?
While I was reading through 1 Timothy 3, (it was a passage about qualifications for overseers and deacons) I was thinking that these qualifications would be good for everybody, not just overseers and deacons. I was then trying to think about how we as believers should live and a lot of the two things related very well. Then I thought, why would we want to live in a way that is different than overseers and deacons?
Paul writes that whoever desires to be an overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devils trap.
In the same way with deacons, they are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold up the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
Then with women, they are to be worth of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
Paul concludes those instructions with this: Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
These qualifications lead to some pretty high expectations but why would we expect any different? The creator of everything deserves our best efforts to serve and love others.
All believers even if we don't ever plan to be church leaders should strive to follow these guidelines because they are consistent with what God says is true and right. There are people out there who can effectively teach who never teach or lead at a church. Their lessons are then passed on to other people and those people become spiritual mentors. I am sure that you can think of some of those people in your lives. More is learned through living than through lectures. If you have been able to communicate your faith clearly to another person, you have demonstrated teaching at its best. In measuring our abilities to teach we should never base it on how many students we teach; instead ask how much truth you have passed to even one student.
That is the point I want to leave with you. That more is learned through living than through lectures. You spend more time during this life living than you do sitting through lectures. It's about the effectiveness of the way we live in our daily lives. Are we living as people who serve others or living to serve yourself?
Much like the qualifications for overseers and deacons, there are qualifications for you and I and those are the ways in which we need to live because those guidelines are consistent with what God says is true and right.
How many of you have ever read or seen the passages in the bible that are about either instructions or qualifications for overseers and deacons in the church? I have read those passages for years and never really thought that they applied to me. I think it was fair to think that, I am not in a position of leadership in the church so why would I think those instructions and qualifications are for me and you?
While I was reading through 1 Timothy 3, (it was a passage about qualifications for overseers and deacons) I was thinking that these qualifications would be good for everybody, not just overseers and deacons. I was then trying to think about how we as believers should live and a lot of the two things related very well. Then I thought, why would we want to live in a way that is different than overseers and deacons?
Paul writes that whoever desires to be an overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devils trap.
In the same way with deacons, they are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold up the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
Then with women, they are to be worth of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
Paul concludes those instructions with this: Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
These qualifications lead to some pretty high expectations but why would we expect any different? The creator of everything deserves our best efforts to serve and love others.
All believers even if we don't ever plan to be church leaders should strive to follow these guidelines because they are consistent with what God says is true and right. There are people out there who can effectively teach who never teach or lead at a church. Their lessons are then passed on to other people and those people become spiritual mentors. I am sure that you can think of some of those people in your lives. More is learned through living than through lectures. If you have been able to communicate your faith clearly to another person, you have demonstrated teaching at its best. In measuring our abilities to teach we should never base it on how many students we teach; instead ask how much truth you have passed to even one student.
That is the point I want to leave with you. That more is learned through living than through lectures. You spend more time during this life living than you do sitting through lectures. It's about the effectiveness of the way we live in our daily lives. Are we living as people who serve others or living to serve yourself?
Much like the qualifications for overseers and deacons, there are qualifications for you and I and those are the ways in which we need to live because those guidelines are consistent with what God says is true and right.
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