SEALED AS GOD'S: II Timothy 2:19

"Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."" II Timothy 2:19 

As an ex-construction worker, I know that if the foundation is good the house at least has something to build upon that will keep it level and square. And I have seen some houses built upon some pretty rough ground.  Christ is the cornerstone of our salvation. At the bottom of everything is Christ's death and resurrection. I am a sinner. Christ is my Savior. Christ is my righteousness. That is the bottom line.

The Lord knows that we are his. If we have confessed that Jesus is Lord and believed in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved (Romans 10:9). God knows us. He knows me, he know you. We are his. 

Our job is to turn away from wickedness. Wickedness will present itself. We just have to turn away from it. That may mean choosing not to do something or it may mean removing something. Whatever it is, turn from wickedness. Turn to God and trust him to fulfill you. Remember, you are God's child. 

Father, thank you that you know us, that you know we are yours. Help us to turn from wickedness and trust in you. Praise be to you in us today!

NOT A CHAINSAW OR BUTTER KNIFE: II Timothy 2:15

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that "the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword". The problem is that most of the time we use the Bible more like a chainsaw or a butter knife! Either we try to force our way by saying, "The Bible say! The Bible says!" Or we pick a quote with little or no reference to what the issue really is. 

If I see something in someone and just quote a verse and tell them to get it together or else they are in sin I could be shredding their faith. What happens if they are sincerely struggling with something, seeking God, but just having trouble? What if what they really need is someone to walk alongside them a while and instead I just condemn them? That's what I Corinthians 13 is all about, love. Think about Christ. Although he never condoned sin he was always kind to sinners (like me) when offering them a way of repentance. The only people Jesus was harsh with was with the so-called spiritual elitists, those who thought they were already righteous. 

So, apply the word of God with love and wisdom, correctly handle the word of God.

Father, help us to correctly handle your word and to dispense it with wisdom and love. Praise be to you in us today!

GOD'S APPROVAL: II Timothy 2:15

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15

This past week they had a uniform inspection at my son's Cub Scout Pack. All the scout's are checked to make sure they have the proper uniform and everything is in the proper place. It is fun to watch the boys proudly wear their uniforms and recite the Scout's oath. As a Christian I think I need to check myself sometimes and maybe even allow myself to be checked on occasion. 

Stop for just a moment and do a little check on yourself. I don't mean find a bunch of reason's to get down on yourself, or to recite all your failures. There is no need to make a vow to spend an unrealistic amount of time in prayer or Bible Study. 

What I am saying is to just ask yourself if you are seeking to be approved by God. The purpose is not to create a condemnation list, rather, it is to remind you where to focus yourself. We know God approves of taking time to read the Bible, to pray, and seeking opportunities to serve others in his Name. We do my best and pray for grace for the rest. 

Father, help us to seek your approval and not man's. Bless our efforts to live by faith. Praise be to you in us today!

REMEMBER GOD HAS PLANS...: Psalm 40:5

"Many, O LORD my God,
      are the wonders you have done.
 The things you planned for us 
     no one can recount to you
 were I to speak and tell of them,   
      they would be to many to declare." Psalm 40:5 

Sometimes when you are stuck in the moment you can't see where you really are. You forget all the God has done for you. When you forget all the times that God was faithful, when he was gracious, when he was patient and when he was merciful, and then you find it hard to believe he is Sovereign over the future. 

Take a moment a remember the times God has worked in you life...the times a crisis was averted...and most importantly remember that Jesus provided us with salvation. Remember that he is preparing a place for us in heaven. Remember that he loves you.

Father, remind us of your many workings in our lives. Thank you. Praise be to you in us today!

CHRIST'S FAITHFULNESS IS OUR STRENGTH!: II Timothy 2:11_13

"If we died with him,
     we will live with him;
 if we endure,
     we will also reign with him.
 If we disown him,
     he will also disown us;
 if we are faithless,
     he will remain faithful,
     for he cannot disown himself."
 II Timothy 2:11-13

Jesus told us that if we are to be his disciples we have to deny ourselves, take up his cross and follow him (Matthew 16:24). Paul reminds us that if we die to ourselves we live to him, which is real life, life everlasting. That death will take some enduring on our part but, the end result for us is that we will reign with him. Pretty good deal.

Notice that there is a difference between disowning Christ and being faithless. To disown Christ is to take yourself out of the family. You know, if you say you are no longer a Christian... To be honest, that scares me. Not that I have said that, but, I know there are times when I certainly don't act like a Christian. And I think that is the difference between denying Christ is your Lord and Savior and sinning. We will sin. We will. There are times when our faith falters, yet, Christ remains faithful! That is the good news! Because Christ cannot disown himself, he will remain faithful even when we struggle and that is our strength, his faithfulness!

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your faithfulness, even when we are not. Praise be to you in us today!

GO BACK TO THE CROSS: II Timothy 2:8

"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel." II Timothy 2:8

Many moons ago I was talking with a graduate student who was a Muslim. I was just out of high school. The conversation had begun to spin out of control. My mom had told me that whenever you get into a discussion with someone, particularly from another "faith" (or cult) to just keep going back to the cross. He kept wanting to say that Jesus was just a prophet, I would remind him that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. Mohammed did not. If he did not understand something he would say something about leaving it to the prophets. The central issue which he wanted to avoid at all costs was that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, the gospel. 

You know, that are a lot of things to learn from the Bible. There is a lot you can benefit from studying apologetics, yet, it is always going to boil down to this: Jesus died for our sins and rose again from the dead.

Father, thank you for Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Praise be to you in us today!

STRONG IN GRACE: II Timothy 2:1

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." 
II Timothy 2:1

Where do I find my strength? In the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

I think of David and in the moments of his deepest need he turned to God and reminded himself of God's gracious love toward him. When his boss (Saul) whom he faithfully served to take his life he turned to God's gracious love toward him. When his enemies surrounded him and attacked him, he turned and found his strength in God's gracious love toward him. When his own son turned against him, he found strength in God's gracious love toward him.

So, turn to God and find strength in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 

Father, hear our cry and show your grace toward us. Praise be to you for your grace in us today!

GOD IS ABLE: II Timothy 1:12

"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." II Timothy 1:12 

God is faithful. God is Sovereign. God is loving. God's will will be done. 

What did Paul entrust to God? Besides his own salvation, Paul was deeply concerned with Timothy and all the churches he had planted in his missionary journeys. In an amazing way Paul trusted God with everything that God had entrusted to him. 

God has given us our spouses and children, friends and co-workers. He died for all of us. To pray and ask God to bless my marriage is really just agreeing with God. I just have to be obedient and love my wife. 

Father, help us to trust you because you love us and ever live to intercede for us. Praise be to you in us today!

I KNOW WHO I BELIEVE: II Timothy 1:12

"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." II Timothy 1:12

That are a lot of things that are important but knowing God has got to be at the top of the list. To say that you are a Christian and yet not know Christ is a contradiction in terms. Knowing Christ is all about believing that what he said is true and acting like it. 

This is not about feeling warm fuzzies and spending your day in spiritual bliss. Knowing Christ is believing he is Sovereign Lord and has unfailing love for you when life is a blessing and life is a bummer. 

Knowing Christ as your Savior and Lord is more than a mere repetition of words. Knowing Christ is acting according to the truth in Christ. If Christ says to seek first his kingdom, I need to seek first his kingdom. My faith determines how I act with my wife and children. My faith determines how I go about my job and how I treat others at my job. My faith determines how a manage my son's baseball team and lead his Cub Scout Pack. My faith is to love as Christ loved me. 

To know Christ is to know his love. To live by faith is to share his love. 

Father, thank you for your love for us in Christ. Help us to walk by faith. Praise be to you in us today!

MAKE THE LORD YOUR TRUST AND BE BLESSED: Psalm 40:4

"Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,
     who does not look to the proud,
     to those who turn aside to false gods." Psalm 40:4

There is a simple truth here and it is that if trust in the LORD you are blessed. In comparison, if you look to the proud, you won't be blessed. 

What is it about proud people that is negative? They look to themselves. They use personal pronouns a lot when referencing how they became successful. I read the book "Good to Great" (by Jim Collins) and one of the characteristics of a great leader was they took very little credit for success themselves. They were humble. The idea of a humble leader is astounding to the world. But, to Christians, not so. Christ humbled himself. 

We must humbly make the Lord our trust. Whatever the circumstances, whatever the issues, look to God. wait upon the Lord. When we make the Lord our trust, we are blessed.

Father, you are our trust. We look to you and not the proud. Bless us. Bless us today! Praise be to you in us today!

GET LIFE TO THE FULL: II Timothy 1:10

"But it has now been revealed through the appearance of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." II Timothy 1:10

Jesus proclaimed, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). 

Here is the bottom line: to be truly alive you have to be in Christ, everything else is just prolonged death. All joy, all sorrow, all life finds its' reality in Christ. From the fellowship of his sufferings to the hope of the place he is preparing for us in heaven, there is life, true life. If you think you understand suffering, think about the cross. If you think you understand being let down by your closest friends, think about all the disciples deserting Christ. If you want to know giving, Christ gave his very life. If you want to know life, it is found in Christ.

Father, open our eyes to see life, life to the full, that you have given us in Christ! Praise be to you in us today!

THE GRACE OF HOLINESS: II Timothy 1:9

"Who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time". II Timothy 1:9

God didn't call you or me because we were particularly special or anything. He just saved us because he is gracious and we really need his grace. And he called us for a purpose. He called us to be holy. 

The problem I have with being holy is that I often confuse holiness with perfectionism, what some might call sinless perfectionism. I know I am not perfect and I sometimes can get down on myself because I know that I am but a man. I know that I John 1:8 says, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." Yet, sometimes I can't believe I still struggle with some things! It seems that God is not surprised or taken aback, just me. The point is that being holy is more about reliance upon the finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross than me not being perfect. That is good news!

Father, thank you for the finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross. Thank you that your grace stretches this far. Praise be to you in us today!

JOIN THE FIGHT: II Timothy 1:8

"So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God," II Timothy 1:8 

Sometimes we forget that being a Christian is to be an enemy of the world. Everything around us is designed to destroy belief in Christ. There is no pretty way to say it. To believe in Christ is to be a fool in the eyes of the world. 

Think about it.  The world teaches that Christianity as a religion is what produces bigotry and hatred of those who don't agree. Take for example what is taught about the Crusades. The Muslims are portrayed as the victims while the truth about the Jihad is left out. Why was Christianity virtually wiped out of the middle east? Because if you refused to be a Muslim, they killed you. Pretty much same deal today. Christian missionaries don't kill those who chose not to believe. 

What about the whole abortion, pro-choice versus pro-life battle? People who seek to defend children in the womb are depicted by the media as narrow minded people who deny women the right to choose what to do with their own bodies. That is of course opposite of what we believe. But, the world seeks to destroy the influence of Christianity even if millions of lives our lost and destroyed.

Paul was deeply concerned for Timothy because he apparently was susceptible to outward influence. Well, I think we all at times can fall victim to the overwhelming pressure of the world. But, we are given a spirit of power and we need to tap into that power by faith and stand. We may suffer here on earth, but, we will enjoy salvation for eternity with Christ. 

Father, help us to daily stand in Christ by faith. Praise be to you in us today!  

REJECT PASSIVITY: II Timothy 1:7

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." II Timothy 1:7

When I think of the Apostle Paul I never picture a sort of passive, meek, super sweet and gentle guy. If ever there was a type A personality, Paul the Apostle definitely was. 

For Paul, being a Christian and being a leader entails a certain amount of boldness. The rejection of passivity might be another way of putting it. As a man, a husband and a father, I can not afford to just let things influence my family. It does not matter about my level of spirituality, I am called to lead my family. I should be the one that prays with my kids at night. I share a verse with my family at dinner. I make sure we go to church. I am called to love my wife and children and that means I must be self disciplined enough to be make sure those things happen.

I encourage you to lead your family. You don't have to be a great Apostle or a great student of the Bible. You just have to trust God. 

Father, help us to act in faith and to lead our families before you. Praise be to you in us today!

FAN YOUR GIFT INTO A FLAME: II Timothy 1:6

I really like to watch "Dual Survivor". In almost every episode they will need to make fire to survive. Cody Lundin is a master at starting a fire. He will make a spark and then start blowing on it to get it to flame up. It starts small and then grows as he adds fuel to the fire. In the same way, we need to take whatever the spark of the Spirit God has given us and let it mature.

"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." II Timothy 1:6

If you are a Christian you have a gift. That is part of the grace of God. We are not just saved from sin and sort of stockpiled until Christ comes again. No, we are each given a gift to build up the church (I Corinthians 12). Think about that. God has make each of us a necessary and functioning part of the body of Christ. You have a gift, a necessary function, that is a valuable part of the body of Christ. 

I think that if you ask God to give you a least one person to bless, and/or one thing to do everytime you go to church, you will find that gift. I think if you pray each day for one opportunity (or more) for a redemptive conversation or act, God will provide. Sometimes I think it is just doing things as unto Christ. Every interaction with co-workers is a spark. 

What spark is in your life? Who will you come into contact with today? 

Father, help us to fan into flame the gifts that are in us. Open our eyes to see the opportunities to be used by you, even today! We also pray for all those injured and the families of those who lost a loved one yesterday at the Boston Marathon bombing. Comfort them. Protect or country. Praise be to you in us today! 

YOU ARE THE GUARDIAN: I Timothy 6:20-21

"Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you." I Timothy 6:20-21

Paul was of course writing to Timothy, a young pastor entrusted with teaching and shepherding of the body of Christ. Paul exhorts him to guard them because they have been entrusted to his care. Timothy knew well what the Apostle meant because he had seen first hand the passion and conviction that Paul shepherded the churches entrusted to his care. 

The question now for us is, what has God entrusted to our care?  We, of course, have our spouses and children. I don't know about you but when I hear most people talk about their marriages it is mostly about their own needs being met. I think we are called to build each other up. We are called to protect our spouses. Does my love for my wife guard her? What about your children?  Are you guarding them? I don't mean being over protective. I mean are you teaching them to live by faith?

I also think it is important to remember that we have been entrusted with God's reputation. Whether I am working or volunteering I am a Christian. I am entrusted with God's reputation in that sphere. 

I actually think it is amazing that God has entrusted me with anything, let alone a marriage, children, the little league families and Scouting groups I am blessed to volunteer with. I can't forget that I represent Christ everywhere I go. Opportunities to see God work will present themselves we just need to remember to be ready. 

Father, help us to guard what you have entrusted to our care. Thank you for counting us worthy of your grace in our lives. Praise be to you in us today! 

SET YOUR FEET ON THE ROCK: Psalm 40:1-3

"I waited patiently for the LORD;
     he turned to me and heard my cry.
 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
     out of the mud and mire;
 he set my feet on a rock
     and gave me a firm place to stand.
 He put a new song in my mouth,
     a hymn of praise to our God. 
 Many will see and fear
     and put their trust in the LORD." 
 Psalm 40:1-3

It is hard to be patient when you are feeling the pressure of a serious trial. But, it is very important to remind ourselves about the truth of God's Sovereignty and unfailing love. When all is said and done, God's will will stand. 

Wherever you are at, whatever you are going through, God has a firm place for you to stand. That place is in Christ. Christ reigns, Christ rules. When we trust him, we can trust that he has us where he wants us and can move us to where he wants us. 

Father, show us your unfailing love and help us to stand in you. Praise be to you in us today!

FEEL FORSAKEN? CALL ON GOD/ Psalm 38:21-22

"O LORD, do not forsake me;

     be not far from me, O my God.

 Come quickly to help me,

     O LORD my Savior."

 Psalm 38:21-22

Sometimes we find ourselves in a fix. Sometimes we deserve it. Sometimes we are the problem. It doesn't matter the circumstances, God is still our Savior. 

Where are you right now? Do you feel forsaken? Does God feel distant? Here is the truth: "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you" Psalm 9:10. 

Father, help us to trust in you and humble ourselves and pray. Praise be to you in us today!

GRAB SOME LIFE THAT IS TRULY LIFE: I Timothy 6:19

True story: A general contractor had just finished the foundation on the house he was building and was starting on the first floor. I gentlemen drove up and told him, "That looks real good but that's not where I want my house." The contractor looked at him and asked, "Who are you?" The gentleman said, "The owner of the lot you're building on!" 

"In this way they will lay up for treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." I Timothy 6:19

In the same way that the contractor started to build a house on the wrong lot, many people invest a great deal of their resources in things that will turn out to be off-target at best.

What is essential as far as God is concerned is what should guide our decisions. Taking hold of Christ. Living by faith. Trusting God with all that he has given us and seeking to be a servant of all, that is where life, life that is truly life will be found.  

So, if you find yourself sort of grasping at air, seeking fulfillment for you life, seek it where it is truly found. Life that is life, eternal life is found in Christ. Seek him. 

Father, help us to take hold of life in Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

RICH IN GIVING: I Timothy 6:18-19

What do you have to give? Time or money. Maybe both. Who gives you time and money? God. 

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." I Timothy 6:18-19

The point is that God gives us life (time) and he gives us money (resources). The question is whether we use them to glorify God or not. I am not going to be sanctimonious and act like I balance this well. I try. I am learning. But, it is not always easy. 

A few years ago I was a bit convicted about my time. I found myself being inwardly upset when opportunities to help others came up. I found that I was missing chances to serve. The opportunities were all around me, at home, at work, with my children's activities and just random situations. What I didn't like about myself was that I was unwilling to step out in faith. I just wanted to be left alone. That had to change. 

I find that opportunities to serve, to give, to be generous with my time or money are scattered throughout my day, camouflaged by circumstances. I just need to remember that God wants me to be a giving person. 

Father, open our eyes to see the opportunities to share you love with others throughout the day. Praise be to you in us today!

HOPE IN GOD, NOT WEALTH: I Timothy 6:17

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." I Timothy 6:17

OK, folks, this is a very straightforward thought today. Trust in God, not money. 

Are you trusting in your money or in God? 

Are you thankful for all you have? Are you enjoying all that God has provided for you? 

Are you humble about your wealth? Remember, God gives and God can take it away. 

Father, thank you for all you have given me. Help me to enjoy all you have provided. Praise be to you in us today!

THE FIGHT IS ON! / I Timothy 6:12

The media portrays love as some kind of idyllic emotionally fulfilling experience where every need is met. Reality is not always so kind. Sometimes it is a dogfight and the fight is not with your spouse, it's with life and the world we live in! Christianity is sometimes sold as some kind of blissful state of peace and calm. The truth is that a lot of times faith is war. 

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." I Timothy 6:12

Jesus told us the world would hate us in John 15:19. Faith in Christ is diametrically opposed to the way of the world. The world is all about self. We are told to love ourselves, to look out for ourselves and to be ourselves. "I got to be me!" "I did it my way!" The world blames God, religion and those who believe for much of the hatred in the world. A study by the Department of Homeland Security lists Christians as terrorists! 

We are in a fight! We are in a war! We are the enemy of the world! We can not be passive in our faith. We must take hold of the eternal life to which we were called. The truth found in the Bible about the value of life, the place of self and the need we all have to be forgiven is what we hold on to. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst." 

Father, thank you that you sent your One and Only Son to die for my sins. Take hold of me as I seek to take hold of you! Praise be to you in us today!

THE VALUE OF GODLINESS: I Timothy 6:11

You can pursue a lot of things in life. We all want the best for our families, especially our children. My daughter just completed a class at our church and at the end there was a nice ceremony where the girls all dressed up and the fathers sort of blessed them publicly. My wife and my daughter took a bit of time finding the right dress for the occasion and she (of course) looked beautiful. But, it is not the dress that I value. Rather, it is the looked in her eyes, welling up with tears, as I spoke about the woman of God I see her becoming, that I treasure. 

"But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." I Timothy 6:11

You can pursue money or things that cost a lot of money, but that does not produce the godly contentment that Paul encourages Timothy, and us, to seek. What does hold value is the pursuit of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Striving to be righteous and godly in our actions, acting in faith shone in love, enduring trials and responding with gentleness, this is the pursuit that produces the riches of godly contentment. 

Father, help us to seek to please you and by faith to live content knowing you will supply us our every need in Christ Jesus. Praise be to you in us today!

Thank you for deliverance / Psalm 37:40

"The LORD helps them and delivers them;
     he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,  
 because they take refuge in him." Psalm 37:40

Thank you, Lord, that you help me and deliver me from those who seek to harm me. Thank you for delivering me from sin by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I take refuge in you and look for your deliverance. Praise be to you in me today!

A-TYPE CONTENTMENT: I Timothy 6:6

I would have to say that contentment is not easy for me. I have kind of an A-type personality so, I am a bit restless. But, I think the Apostle Paul was an extremely driven person. Maybe it was during the time he spent in prison, unable to go to all the churches he was deeply concerned for, where he learned the value of resting in the truth that God is Sovereign.  

"But godliness with contentment is great gain."                  I Timothy 6:6

Godliness with contentment is knowing you are where God wants you to be and what you have is what you need. If you need to be someplace else, God can move you. If you need something else, God can provide it. 

Just a few questions to ponder: 

Where are you now? 

What is it you need? 

If you are where God wants you to be, what is it he wants you to be doing? 

Father, show us yourself where we are, in what we are doing today. Praise be to you in us today!

WORK HARD FOR WHO? / I Timothy 6:1-2

I have worked for and under a lot of different people, some who were Christians and some who were not. My witness is all about my visable respect for them, whether they are saved or not.

"All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them." I Timothy 6:1-2 

Of course Paul was teaching about actual slaves and we are not slaves. But, the principle of matter still holds. Work as unto the Lord. Do the best you can. Whatever you do you do as a representative of Christ. 

I once was a food server at a Mimi's Cafe. There was this one man and his son who would come in after church on Sunday nights. He would have coffee and maybe a dessert. He would leave maybe $0.50 and a tract for a tip. And he was a bit rude, too. Of course all the food servers thought he was a jerk for stiffing them on the tip and then leaving a tract. They would always complain to me because they knew I was a Christian. Finally, I told the guy that if he wanted any of the food servers to read the tract he needed to leave a bigger tip. 

Here's the deal: If you are a Christian you represent Christ. What will you be remembered for being? Will your integrity and honesty  be the impression you leave? 

Father, help us to work hard, even as working for you. Praise be to you in us today!

BE CAREFUL WHO YOU SUPPORT/ I Timothy 5:22

"Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure." I Timothy 5:22 

I think these are pretty stiff words of advice. Don't just jump on any bandwagon of support. Don't rush people into leadership. I have seen many a good person put into leadership before they were ready soon encountered circumstances they were not spiritually mature enough to deal with and down they went. Not always trapped by sin. Sometimes they just caught up in a teaching that wasn't quite right. In my mind the leadership that put them there shared the guilt because they were too quick to call them pastor and send them out to sink or swim.  

Be careful who you align yourself with. If they are caught in sin, you may end up with them. I have been asked many a time to go places with people and I knew that it was not right. Every time I am glad I say no. Keep yourself pure.

Father, help us to be wise in our support and strengthen us to remain pure in you. Praise be to you in us today!

WHO DESERVES HONOR?/ I Timothy 5:17

As a teacher I see it all the time. Students who have no respect for anyone. Then I meet their parents and it is apparent why. The idea of teaching your children to honor and respect their elders is long gone from our society. In a real sense I believe that much of the current generation does not know what an honorable person is, does and looks like. So, it is easy for them to be misled by someone with a strong personality. In all of life, including the church, it is very important to know who to honor as a leader.

"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." I Timothy 5:17

In the church it should be pretty easy to tell who the leaders are. Who is serving, preaching and teaching? Notice that Paul goes beyond simply serving and says, "direct the affairs of the church well". He emphasizes that some minister "well". Who should be honored in the church? Those who serve well. 

What does this tell me? It tells me that I need to be an honorable man by serving well, not just serving to say I did it, but, serving well. It also encourages me to do all things well, as unto the Lord. As I go to work today, I need to bring honor to God by doing the tasks set before me well. 

So, I encourage you  to honor those who serve well in your church and also to serve well yourself, in all your life.

Father, help us to serve well in all we do and bring honor and praise to you today! Praise be to you in us today!

HOW TO TREAT OTHERS: I Timothy 5:1-2

When I first started teaching I was single and my approach and perspective toward my students was sort of as an older brother. After I got married and had children my point of view changed. I began to see them through the eyes of a parent. Now, part of my philosophy as an educator is that I try to treat each student like I would like my children to be treated. As a Christian and a leader Paul gave these words of direction to Timothy and they still hold good for us today.

"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."        I Timothy 5:1-2

Paul's basic message is to treat each other like family, like a godly family, because we are the family of God. If something needs to be said, say it, but say it with respect and love. I have been in several situations as an administrator where I needed to "correct" someone. Delivery is everything. Sometimes teachers had much more experience than I did, but, they still needed "guidance". I tried my best to be respectful yet truthful. I even wrote up one of our long time security guards once. I did not do it with anger and gave him opportunities to do what was being asked by the district mandate. Just recently our school got a new principal (I recommend him and think he was a great choice). The security guard came up and said he wished I was the principal. 

So, I encourage you to treat others, no matter who they may be, in a godly manner. God will bless that and use you. 

Father, help us to treat others with love because you first loved us. Praise be to you in us today!