WHO ME? EVANGELIST?: II Timothy 4:5

"But, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." 
II Timothy 4:5

Although my dad is the master of small talk (he once talked to a guy 20 minutes on the phone before realizing it was a wrong number) he was always intimidated by the thought of witnessing to someone. But God, being both amazing and humorous, still wanted to use him. I remember after he first gave his life to Christ, he would come home and in utter shock and tell mom how he ended up sharing with someone about Christ. Basically, the Holy Spirit would lead the other person to pretty much say, "What must I do to be saved?" Then my dad we have to tell them about the saving work of Jesus Christ. What would happen is that men who knew my father saw a change in his behavior and would ask him why he changed. He would tell them the truth. Christ was changing him. 

As normal people, not evangelists, sometimes we do the work of an evangelist however the Spirit of God opens the conversation. Don't be afraid. Let God work in you and someone will eventually ask why you live like you do. 

Father, in this world of darkness, living by faith in Christ, obedient to your commands, will make us stand in contrast to the world around us, in the world but definitely not of it. Help us to shine with your love, mercy, forgiveness and grace. Praise be to us in you today! 

KEEP YOUR HEAD: II Timothy 4:5

"But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardships, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry."   II Timothy 4:5

What is your primary ministry? Your primary ministry is first to your spouse and then your family. Think about that for a second or two...If there is ever a place where you might not "keep you head" it is usually with your family. Sometimes we come home after holding everything in all day at work and we sort of vent or just sort of relax and then ,"BAM", a little drama, a little or not so little family crisis slams us right in the face! It can be hard to "keep your head" when all you want is just fifteen minutes of peace. 

I think the key is to still remember the grace of God and to let him reign. We can never let down our guard and never give up the reign of Christ in our hearts and minds. The day is not over until I lay my head on the pillow and that is not when I forget about God but when I thank God for bringing me through another day on planet earth. 

Father, bring us through this day and help us to keep our heads in all situations! Praise be to you in us today!

THE AGAINESS OF GRACE: II Timothy 4:2

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction." II Timothy 4:2

Last night my youngest son had a baseball game. It did not go well. In contrast to our last game where we almost played error free, this game was a complete error fest. One of the other father/coaches looked at me in complete frustration and said that for this time in the year we just shouldn't be having these kind of problems. As the manager (and father) I'm trying to figure out what I need to do to help the boys learn to get over a mistake, refocus and make the next play. Most importantly, I need to do it with great patience and careful instruction. 

Think of how many situations in life this truth applies. As a supervisor, manager or trainer you must be patient and skillfully instruct someone on how to do something. Even as a co-worker we need to patiently "teach". 

Spiritually speaking, we all struggle sometimes to grasp the simple truth that God's love applies to us. We all fall short. We all sin. That is not an excuse. Sometimes we struggle to grab hold of the grace of God in Christ Jesus. You might call it the againess of grace.

When we are given the opportunity to help someone live by faith we need to "teach" with great patience and careful instruction. Remember the amazing patience that God's is displaying toward you at this very moment. As Christ is patient with us, we need to be patient with others. Teach with the againess of grace. 

Father, thank you for your great patience with me! Praise be to you in us today!

YOU ARE THE TEACHER : II Timothy 4:2

• "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction." II Timothy 4:2

As a parent and a teacher I find myself saying a lot of things trying to get my children and students to continue to work hard and not give up, to persevere. I just never know when a truly teachable moment will actually come. 

I need to have the word of God as my guide, my reason for doing not only what I do but, how I do what I do, because my actions will leave their imprints upon my children's lives. 

Sometimes we find ourselves in positions where we need to correct people, maybe even rebuke them (in love and humility), but, we should always try to encourage people. Leading your family can be tough because you have to face each other in the aftermath of a confrontation. But, love leaves away out and a way in. Discipline is not rejection. So lead in truth, which is the Word of God, and lead with love, like Christ. 

Father, help us to lead with love, like Christ. Praise be to you in us today. 

REGARD FOR THE WEAK;Psalm 41:1-3 and Happy Mother's Day!

"Blessed is he who has regard for the weak;
     the LORD delivers him in times of trouble.
 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life;
     he will bless him in the land
     and not surrender him to the desires of his foes.
 The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed
     and restore him from his bed of illness." Psalm 41:1-3

So many truths in Scripture are a two edged sword. Repent and be saved. Forgive and be forgiven. Die to yourself and live. And here in Psalms we are reminded that we are to have regard for the poor. 

What kind of person are you? Do you consider that state that someone else is in with any sense of compassion and empathy? You may not be able to rescue a person from the circumstances in their life, but, do you have any regard for them? 

I have a good friend who has been struggling for a few years trying to get a job. So, many times I wanted to help, but, was unable to help (financially). But, I prayed with him and tried to empathize with him. After a lot of prayer together (and I am sure not just by me) a door seems to be opening, he has had work these last two months. Sometimes we are reminded that we are not God and only he can act Sovereignly and provide for the needs of his people. (Yes if you can give, give.)

This is no formula. We are not talking about a universal law of karma. We are simply remembering that God wants us to have regard for the weak. He will take care of us.

Father, thank you that you know are needs even before we do. Praise be to you in us today!

*By-the-way, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to my mom, my lovely wife (an awesome mom), and and the mom's who love their children like only a mom can!

FEEL NEED? SEEK GOD: Psalm 40:17

"Yet I am poor and needy;
    may the Lord think of me.
 You are my help and my deliverer;
    O my God, do not delay." Psalm 40:17

How you feeling? Do you feel poor and needy? Didn't Jesus say, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven"? Yes, he did. I know this isn't usually what we want to hear, but, sometimes it is good to feel poor and needy. A few days ago, something happened to me and I was very upset. I called out to God. I felt very poor and needy. God answered my prayer. Thank you, Lord. 

Frankly, it is good to seek God. It is good to seek God when things are well. It is good to seek God when things are not well. Just seek God. God is our help. God is our deliverer. 

Father, thank you that we can seek you whatever the circumstances. Praise be to you in us today!

IT'S NOT ABOUT WARM FUZZIES: 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

You know what the problem with most idea's about having a daily devotional time is? In my opinion the problem is that most people are just looking for a warm fuzzy. You just want to read a verse or two, feel good about yourself and go on with your day.

The problem with all that is that sometimes a life of faith is spent enduring trials, hardships and persecution.  Sometimes we are simply blowing it, we are in sin. There are times when I wake up in the morning and I need the Bible to rebuke me and to correct me otherwise I am going to step into some serious problems. 

Last night I watched a bit of Sports Center on ESPN before I went to bed. Mano Ginobli of the San Antonio Spurs was talking about why they lost to the Memphis Grizzlies. He basically say they played poorly. He didn't sugar coat it and he said that if they didn't improve they would lose again. I think that is one of the reasons the Spurs are always good, they look at themselves honestly. Spiritually we need to look at ourselves honestly. Because sometimes the issue is we just are not obeying Christ. 

Seeking God on a daily basis is a start. Knowing that it is not always about just feeling good is a mature thing. Submitting to the discipline of the Spirit as we read the Scriptures is where growth happens.

Father, help us to not just read the Scriptures to feel good but to listen honestly and grow. Praise be to you in us today!