12/17/2020 0 Comments Remain SteadfastIt is no surprise that Paul’s last writing admonishes Timothy to remain faithful to what he had learned and had firmly believed, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Paul was being held up in a Roman prison with no chance of release, he sought to encourage Timothy to contend for the faith and to use the Scripture in a manner in which God had intended it. (v.16-17) As Paul had shown in the beginning of Chapter 3, Godlessness was increasing and would continue to increase. In verse 12, he speaks directly to the heart of the issue as he states “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Any questions?
Questions for further thought: 1. How have I experienced persecution because of my faith in Jesus Christ? 2. If I was in a court of law and was being tried for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict me? Challenge: Persevere and hold fast to the promises of Scripture. Be encouraged if you are God’s child as He is for you.
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12/16/2020 0 Comments Half-Hearted CommitmentThis passage discusses the church in Laodicea and its lukewarm stance toward God. The believers didn’t stand for anything as their indifference had led to idleness. In verse 15, Jesus said, “I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were one or the other.” You would think that lukewarm would be more acceptable to Him, because it is somewhat close to hot. But, how often do you ask the lady behind the counter for a lukewarm cup of coffee? Never, because it is distasteful and unsatisfying. Jesus was saying “I don’t want lukewarm or halfhearted commitments. I want you to decide. I want you in, or I would rather you were out.” If you’re on fire, if you’re walking with the Lord, then you are where he wants you to be. If you’re cold, hopefully you will realize your need for the Savior and come to him. However, the lukewarm person is riding the fence, sometimes in and sometimes out, a self-deceiving prophecy with eternal ramifications. What is your spiritual temperature today?
Questions for further thought: 1. What is my spiritual temperature? Have I been guilty of halfhearted commitment? 2. What are some steps that I can take to make sure my commitment to God is wholehearted? Challenge: Resolve to let Christ fire up your faith and get you into the action. Pray for God’s strength as His Spirit works through you. 12/15/2020 0 Comments CaughtThis story is of the woman caught in adultery. It seems as if the scribes and Pharisees were looking for a way to indict and bring a charge against Jesus by asking Him a trick question. If Jesus would reject the law of Moses, His credibility would be gone. If He held to the Mosaic law, His reputation for compassion and forgiveness would have been compromised. But amazingly, Jesus, being perfectly full of grace and truth (John 1:14), uttered the statement “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone.” (v.7) Jesus was calling them to a man in the mirror experience as He was charging them to examine their own sinfulness first before pronouncing judgment on another. What happened next is profound as one by one they all went away until Jesus was left alone with the woman. It seems as if no one was left to condemn her. Full of grace, Jesus also does not condemn her. However, full of truth, He calls her to commit to “Sin no more” by leaving her life of sin.
Questions for further thought: 1. Would I characterize myself as more of a grace person or a truth person? 2. Who could I ask to see if my characterization is correct? Challenge: Seek to exhibit both grace and truth in your relationships this week. 12/14/2020 0 Comments ImmediatelyHave you ever read the first few chapters of Mark and been amazed at how many times Mark utilizes the word “immediately?” This was brought to my attention as I was reading the story of when Jesus called the first disciples. Just a few verses earlier marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry as He proclaims to all people the gospel of God and for all people to “repent and believe in the gospel” (v.15). He then calls the first disciples, Peter and Andrew. He charges them to follow Him and He will make them “fishers of men.” It then says that they “immediately” dropped their nets and followed. He then calls James and John and they also “immediately” followed Him. I mean if I told you that your lights are on in your car, how would I know if you were listening and obedient? Sure, by your action in getting up and shutting off the lights and providing a remedy for the situation. It appears the disciples were fully obedient to Jesus’ command “right now.” Not next week, not just when I get around to it, but directly when asked. I wonder if we might take this to heart and act when Christ asks us to do something.
Questions for further thought: 1. How can the disciples’ willingness to act encourage me as I seek to follow Christ? 2. What spiritual disciplines could I pursue in order to follow Jesus more closely? Challenge: Commit to one spiritual discipline (prayer, Bible reading etc...) and follow through with it every day this week. 12/11/2020 0 Comments Daily RenewalHave you ever said that you believe in what Jesus has done for you and immediately thought, "Wow, that sounds so unbelievable!" That is probably what the boy's father was thinking as Jesus drove out the demon from his son. "I believe, but --WOW. We can begin to form the beginnings of faith, but only God can give us the full, complete and real true faith. Without daily connection with Jesus, we risk suffering from an unbelieving, doubting spirit.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you suffer from unbelief? 2. How can you bolster your faith? Challenge: Being in the Word daily is probably the first step in learning to connect with Jesus. Trusting in Jesus and growing in our faith requires daily renewal in His Word and in His promises. Plan to set aside time each day to read and pray over scripture. Find a daily devotional to help you. 12/10/2020 0 Comments RememberWhen John was in prison, he began to have doubts. How did Jesus respond to those doubts? Probably not as we would have expected. He told John's disciples to go tell him of the miracles they had witnessed and that John would be blessed if he would just believe it. That's it. In essence, Jesus was reminding John that He is the one the prophets were speaking of. Jesus knew that John had possession of God's Word, and by reminding him of what the prophet's said, Jesus gave John the power to defeat doubt.
Questions for further thought: 1. Do you possess God's Word? 2. Do you trust in that Word? Challenge: God's Word contains all you need to understand and connect with God. In it are all His promises. Those who love God seek Him in His word "But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night." Psalm1:2 12/9/2020 0 Comments God's Got ThisGod sometimes speaks to His people to reassure them that He is truly in control. It would not be a far stretch to think that Mary and Joseph, with their Jewish upbringings, would be very familiar with Old Testament prophecy. With these angelic visitations, God is reassuring these frightened young people that He is in control of the situation. That what is to happen He has been telling them about all along through His prophets.
Questions for further thought: 1. Have you ever heard the voice of God speaking to you? 2. In what manner or form did He approach you? Challenge: God uses many avenues to get our attention. Angelic visitations, dreams, focused study of His Word, and prayer. Sometimes we don't hear Him or are unaware of His voice because we are too distracted. We don't take the time to be quiet and listen. Pray for the discipline to take the time to wait on Him – to listen. 12/8/2020 0 Comments Pointing to JesusHundreds of years before Jesus was born, the prophets of Israel were telling people about His coming. They foretold who He was, why He was coming, His mother would be a virgin, and where He would be born. You can't make this stuff up! God is faithful. He can accomplish anything He wills. Jesus, provided by God for our salvation, is proof of that.
Questions for further thought: 1. Has God provided for you in a time of need? 2. How did He accomplish that? Challenge: When God calls you to action, He will provide the means and the protection for you to work if you are in His will. Examples are the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22:1-14) and the story of Moses (Exodus 4:15-17). Read these stories and thank God for His provisions for you. 12/7/2020 0 Comments DoubtThere are numerous stories in the Bible that deal with doubt and unbelief. Eve was tempted to doubt when Satan said "Did God really say that you shall not eat of any tree in the Garden"? When visited by the Angel of the Lord and told that he would have a son in his old age, Zechariah doubted the news given to him by God. Doubt is a tool of Satan to entice us to lack confidence in the truth of God's Word.
Questions for further thought: 1. Are you prone to doubt? 2. Do you have a plan to deal with doubt? Challenge: Thomas is possibly best known for his doubt that Jesus was resurrected and would not believe until he saw for himself. Doubt robs us of God's peace. Read John 20:24-29 and pray for the faith that Jesus speaks of. 12/4/2020 0 Comments Christ's Represent-ativeWhen people interact with the world, most realize that their words and actions will reflect, whether positively or negatively, on their family, company, or organization. We, as Christians, even more so must remember our roles as Christ’s representatives on earth. How we live can give people a glimpse of our Lord’s character. Notice that many virtuous attributes of a believer are described in this passage, but thankfulness is the only one mentioned three times!
Questions for further thought: 1. Think of a Christian you feel is worthy of emulating. What Christ-like qualities have you observed in his/her life? 2. What would have to change in your life for “thankful” or “grateful” to be words people use to describe you? Challenge: Go forth into this world where discontentment reigns supreme and shock people with your gratitude! See if you can work something you’re thankful for into every conversation. Who knows – someone might even ask why you have such a grateful attitude! Then you’ll have the perfect opportunity to tell them about the One you represent. |
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