THE BIBLE, IT'S ALL GOOD: II Timothy 3:16-17

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16-17

Why do we need to read the Bible? Why should we take the time to try to study the Scriptures? Because we need to be taught, sometimes rebuked, corrected and and constantly trained in righteousness. If we truly want to live the abundant life, we need to live by faith in Christ and the Scriptures tell us how to do that.

It's sort of funny because there is a bit of an issue going on with a "loophole" in a rule for my son's little league about the pitch count. What is telling is that you can violate the spirit of the rule, which is to safeguard kids arms, by taking advantage of the loophole. As a parent I am disturbed that the board is more concerned with taking advantage of the loophole rather than the protection of 8-11 year olds arms. What's my point? My point is that we should read the word seeking the simplicity of faith, not the complexity of legalism. I think that is why some people like the question (which my mother always said to me long before the bracelets), "What would Jesus do?" or "Would Jesus hit his brother?" 

Obedience may not always be easy, but it usually is pretty simple. 

Father, help us to not just read the Bible but to do what it says. Praise be to you in us today. 

KNOW SCRIPTURE, BECOME WISE: II Timothy 3:14-15

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." II Timothy 3:14-15

I few years ago I was greeting people as they entered the church and there was one man who was in bad shape. His clothes were worn and dirty. His face was unshaven. He looked like someone living on the street. I began to see him attending regularly and he committed his life to Christ. He began to change. He is now on staff at that church! He wasn't a street person but his life was a wreck and knowing Christ changed him into a productive person. He has a great wife and family. Living his life by faith in Christ Jesus has given him the wisdom to live a godly life.

Sometimes we forget that wisdom comes from following the truth taught us in Scripture. I am blessed that my mother and grandmother always made sure we went to church. I can not remember a time when going to church was not a part of my life. I can not remember a time when acting like Christ and obeying the Scriptures was not part of the conversation concerning how I lived my life. Really, if there is any success to my life it is when I have tried to live my life in a godly manner by faith in Christ Jesus. 

I encourage and exhort you to continue to seek Christ and live by faith in him. We know he tells us in the Bible to love as he has loved us. So, how will you do that today?

Father, help us to live through faith in Christ Jesus today! Praise be to you in us today!

IT IS TIME TO JUST SERVE: I Corinthians 12:7

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." I Corinthians 12:7

I confess, I have a little inner conflict going on within me. My family and I have been attending a particular church for a few years now. Our daughter is involved with the youth group, which is one of the main reasons we began attending the church. I have been enjoying the mens study on  Wednesday mornings before work and getting to know a few men. But, I know I need to truly serve.

Our pastor has been teaching on the gifts and being involved. I have almost met with him twice since we started attending. I really want to be more involved but I came from a church that was all about jumping through hoops. If for whatever reason you had to take a season (like getting married or having a baby) to readjust your time, you would have to go through this whole hoop jumping process to get to where you felt called. So, I am not into looking good for anyone, I just want to serve. Put me in coach, I'm ready to play.

I know my new pastor really doesn't know me, so, I don't have any issue's with the church not mystically knowing  my gifts and asking me to use them. I just need to do something, whatever I sense God might be putting before me. 

Maybe, you are attending a church but are not really involved. Maybe you sense it is time to step up and just plain serve. Ok, let's pray that God opens our eyes to see the needs right before us and help us to just serve. 

Father, open our eyes and stretch out our hands to serve in your Name. Praise be to you in us today. 

SURROUNDED, TIME TO CALL ON GOD!: Psalm 40:11-12

"Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord;
     may your love and your truth always protect me.
 For troubles without number surround me;
     my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. 
 They are more than the hairs of my head,
     and my heart fails within me." Psalm 40:11-12

I love David! What does he do when he totally blows it? He calls on God! He cries out for mercy and asks that God's love and truth would protect him. The enemy, the accuser, would have us wallow in sin, guilt and condemnation. But, why David was called a man after God's own heart was because when he things were at there worst, even due to his own sinful choices, he sought God. 

Are you surrounded by troubles? Do you feel overtaken? Time to seek God. It's past time to try to get yourself together. It's time to seek God. Time to call ask for mercy. Time to let God's love and truth protect you. 

Father, we call out for your mercy! May your love and truth protect us. We are surrounded, overtaken and can't see a way out. We call on you! Thank you that you hear our prayer! Thank you Jesus for being our righteousness! Praise be to you in us today!

YOU CAN'T ARGUE SOMEONE INTO THE KINGDOM: II Timothy 2:23

"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." II Timothy 2:23

When I first started teaching there was a group of guys who started teaching couple years after me. They were all atheists and liberals. When they found out I was a Christian and not a liberal they just couldn't believe it and would ask all kinds of questions. I would ask them a few. The discussion would usually turn into a full on argument brawl. After a while I just told them that if they really wanted to know why I believe what I believe, just ask. They did and in the end about three guys found their way to Christ. 

I also notice that I have become a bit more tactful myself. I found that you need to always allow someone a way out, because, if you back someone into a corner (even verbally) they usually will try to fight their way out. Francis Schaeffer said that he once debated an atheist and when he got home his wife asked him if he won the debate. He said yes, but he'd never do it again because he felt that he beat the guy up so bad that he would never come to Christ. Truth without love can just be a battering ram. 

You can't quarrel/ argue someone into the kingdom. You may give an answer to your beliefs and that may be an opening to share the gospel. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us that, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Remember, the goal is to turn people to Christ, not away from him. 

Father, give us grace to gently answer those question or challenge our beliefs. May we turn people to you, not away from you. Praise be to you in us today!

DON'T PANIC, SEEK THESE FOUR: II Timothy 2:21-22

"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." II Timothy 2:22

Only one thought on fleeing. Notice Paul does not say to think, pray, or resist. He just says, "Flee". Don't think, just flee. 

I once was at a situation where someone threw a military grade tear-gas canister into a high school basketball game. People just ran out in complete panic, knocking each other down and running every which way. It was mayhem. Sometimes I think that is what our attempts at repentance look like. We're all over the place, knocking into things, just doing anything. Paul gives a four specific spiritual points to seek.

First he tells us to seek righteousness, then faith, love and peace. The opposite of evil desires is righteousness, acting Christ like. Acting Christlike is faith in action. Remember in I Timothy 5:1-2 Paul had exhorted Timothy to treat others, and specifically younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. To act righteously is to love as Christ loved us. Faith in action is manifested in love. When you act righteously, by faith, in love, you will be at peace with God and others. Seeking God this way with others who call on the Lord out of pure hearts is what church is all about. That's Christianity. 

Father, help us to seek righteousness, faith, love and peace together in Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

A PRAYER TO BE NOBLE: II Timothy 2:20-21

"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the later, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." II Timothy 2:20-21

Father, I am thankful to be part of your family and part of your house. Cleanse me from that which is ignoble. Give me a heart for you, your word and your people. Teach me your ways and lead me in your paths of righteousness. Thank you, my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, for being my righteousness! Make me useful and prepared for any good work. Praise be to you in me today!