Read 2 Timothy 3:1-17
Paul writes his second letter to Timothy and we see some very strong words written to this young pastor and what will be faced as the end times come. He writes there will be times, terrible times in the last days when people will put themselves first, love money, show pride and be abusive, ungrateful and unholy. He says they will be unforgiving, slanderous, not lovers of the good and having a form of godliness but in reality they will be denying its power. Then he says - have nothing to do with them.
How does this work? How can we tell when to say enough or to press on and continue trying to reach this lost world. I believe Paul wants Timothy to understand when facing such opposition to the truth you can tell when you're just wasting your time because there's this on-going denial of God and His truth.
Approach passages like this with caution - be sure we're studying it to make sure we're not operating on what we think is truth but instead on what God says is true. Read passages like this with prayer and ask God to reveal how He wants you to respond. Verse 17 says God wants us to be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Read, study, pray and live the words of God.
Hebrews 4:3 warns the message we hear may be of no value if we do not combine it with faith. Combine the word of God with the life God wants you to live by faith and tough times will be managed with the Holy Spirit's direction. Tough times are a part of life, but God's word will last so lean into His truth to deal with whatever you're facing today.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sunday, July 22, 2012
God is...Healer
Read Psalm 91
Ever face such a tough time that you were in real need of a pick me up? Sure we all have right. Well, what does it for you? Is it time spent with an encouraging friend, trip to the local Friendly's for some comfort dessert or is it time alone to reflect on what's going on? Whatever it is - all of us are faced with tough times, when things don't go as we would prefer. So it's in these times I believe God wants us coming to Him and receiving the assurance that He and He alone is all we need.
The other week while serving in ministry we worshiped God together in song and the song Healer was one of those songs that just gave that peace that surpasses all understanding. It hit my heart and reminded me it's all in God's hands. Ever need that kind of reminder?
If you find yourself recently, maybe even today in one of those places we're talking about here, listen to this song HEALER and see if God's peace can encourage and comfort you.
Ever face such a tough time that you were in real need of a pick me up? Sure we all have right. Well, what does it for you? Is it time spent with an encouraging friend, trip to the local Friendly's for some comfort dessert or is it time alone to reflect on what's going on? Whatever it is - all of us are faced with tough times, when things don't go as we would prefer. So it's in these times I believe God wants us coming to Him and receiving the assurance that He and He alone is all we need.
The other week while serving in ministry we worshiped God together in song and the song Healer was one of those songs that just gave that peace that surpasses all understanding. It hit my heart and reminded me it's all in God's hands. Ever need that kind of reminder?
If you find yourself recently, maybe even today in one of those places we're talking about here, listen to this song HEALER and see if God's peace can encourage and comfort you.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
God is...Higher
Read Isaiah 55
We don't like to admit it, but our way isn't always the best way. Some might say they know the way but when you follow their "short-cut", their directions you wind up lost and off-course for awhile. Some might say they have a better way to finish that home improvement project but you know someone who's tried it their way before and wound up running into more problems than anticipate. And some of us might say we have a better way to handle that relationship, our finances, even our life's purpose, but Isaiah tells us God's ways, His thoughts are higher, better than ours.
So we have this battle within us to fight our way versus God's way. And what gets in my way is my way. Think about that for a moment; we are called as Christians to be Christ followers. But so often we think, feel and act as if it's God who should be the one following.
Let's remember Isaiah's words that as far as the heavens are above the earth so are God's ways higher than our ways.
We don't like to admit it, but our way isn't always the best way. Some might say they know the way but when you follow their "short-cut", their directions you wind up lost and off-course for awhile. Some might say they have a better way to finish that home improvement project but you know someone who's tried it their way before and wound up running into more problems than anticipate. And some of us might say we have a better way to handle that relationship, our finances, even our life's purpose, but Isaiah tells us God's ways, His thoughts are higher, better than ours.
So we have this battle within us to fight our way versus God's way. And what gets in my way is my way. Think about that for a moment; we are called as Christians to be Christ followers. But so often we think, feel and act as if it's God who should be the one following.
Let's remember Isaiah's words that as far as the heavens are above the earth so are God's ways higher than our ways.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
God is...Holy
Read 1 Peter 1:13-14
This idea that God is Holy - how do you initiallly resond to this thought? Is it something easy to believe and accept, difficult or kind of a little bit of both?
Sometimes this thought of holiness is tough to take because when we come to understand God's standard we see that God is perfect in every way. And we realize that's impossible for us. Most of us, when we read this can feel defeated thinking the best we can do progress not perfection. But look at 1 Peter again. There's a strong contrast between verse 13 and 14. Peter's saying our cooperation, that's obedience, should no longer conform to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance, that is separated and not knowing God. But now that we have come into a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ, now live holy lives using His example as our guide and allowing His Spirit to provide the power to live holy lives.
Be holy, because I m holy. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. It's not impossible because God calls us to live holy lives and empowers us to live holy lives. God never asks what He doesn't provide us with the ability to accomplish. He is a good, loving, and holy God.
This idea that God is Holy - how do you initiallly resond to this thought? Is it something easy to believe and accept, difficult or kind of a little bit of both?
Sometimes this thought of holiness is tough to take because when we come to understand God's standard we see that God is perfect in every way. And we realize that's impossible for us. Most of us, when we read this can feel defeated thinking the best we can do progress not perfection. But look at 1 Peter again. There's a strong contrast between verse 13 and 14. Peter's saying our cooperation, that's obedience, should no longer conform to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance, that is separated and not knowing God. But now that we have come into a relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ, now live holy lives using His example as our guide and allowing His Spirit to provide the power to live holy lives.
Be holy, because I m holy. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? No. It's not impossible because God calls us to live holy lives and empowers us to live holy lives. God never asks what He doesn't provide us with the ability to accomplish. He is a good, loving, and holy God.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Got Cush?
Read Psalm 7
While on vacation we visited Coastal Christian church in Ocean City, NJ. A great way to spend time on vacation is not vacationing from God but with God.
So the pastor preaches this message he titled Got Cush? It's based on David's reaction to Cush a Benjamite who was assaulting David's character and reputation. David talks with God about this bad relationship and it's a great first step. Take that Cush relationship in your life to God; trust God can walk you through it. But the interesting thing to consider is how David never said anything like this (that we know of) about the attacks that he experienced in his battle with Goliath.
Isn't that true? How we can take the physical battles but the verbal abuses really are the gut-wrenching, sleep-depriving, and anxiety-driven battles that eat our lunch?!
Read Psalm 7 and notice how David begins and ends this Psalm. He starts by saying the LORD his God is the One he takes refuge in and who saves and delivers him. He ends with giving thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness. So David will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Friends, never forget this is why we are here to give praise, honor and glory to God. To Him be the glory, honor and praise in our lives as we live in relationship with Him and one another.
While on vacation we visited Coastal Christian church in Ocean City, NJ. A great way to spend time on vacation is not vacationing from God but with God.
So the pastor preaches this message he titled Got Cush? It's based on David's reaction to Cush a Benjamite who was assaulting David's character and reputation. David talks with God about this bad relationship and it's a great first step. Take that Cush relationship in your life to God; trust God can walk you through it. But the interesting thing to consider is how David never said anything like this (that we know of) about the attacks that he experienced in his battle with Goliath.
Isn't that true? How we can take the physical battles but the verbal abuses really are the gut-wrenching, sleep-depriving, and anxiety-driven battles that eat our lunch?!
Read Psalm 7 and notice how David begins and ends this Psalm. He starts by saying the LORD his God is the One he takes refuge in and who saves and delivers him. He ends with giving thanks to the LORD because of His righteousness. So David will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High. Friends, never forget this is why we are here to give praise, honor and glory to God. To Him be the glory, honor and praise in our lives as we live in relationship with Him and one another.
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