Friday :: Sept 14 :: 1 Timothy 5

As I read vv3-4 my mind flashed by the Railside nursing home that I pass on my way to work every day. They are sponsoring an ice cream social for the community soon and I thought: isn't that sad that they have to feed us ice cream to even think about coming in their doors. I hate nursing homes. I hate their smell and they depress me. But I'm reading that "God is very pleased by this" in reference to taking care of the widows (and I'm made to think of the elderly too). Hmmm ...

Paul is putting much of the responsibility on taking care of this need (supporting widows) on the families and individuals ... the church is there for those who are absolutely without anyone! Interesting ... today's culture seems to make the church the FIRST stop for issues like this.

I LOVE V17: "Elders who do their work well should be paid well, especially thouse who work hard at both preaching and teaching." AMEN! haha

Timothy must have had many belly aches ... Paul's telling him to drink up (23) ... maybe I should take that advice ... hmmmmm

Good stuff Paul. (the apostle Paul I mean)

Thursday :: Sept 13 :: 1 Timothy 4

Okay ... I got a day behind ...

"last days" - that phrase has always intrigued me. When are the last days? Will we know? How? The disciples thought they were in the last days? Were they deceived? or just dumb?

"turn away" - this is tough. In our culture, there are significant numbers of people following some pretty strange teachings on Christian lifestyle. Makes me wonder about this "last days" stuff. If you've read "Velvet Elvis" or "Blue Like Jazz" you might know what I mean by this.

I love this: "Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next." I used to use this as my excuse to NOT exercise. The problem was that I wasn't exercising in spiritual ways at that point. Both areas have improved over the years.
> I now run regularly and even in the gym by 6 AM lifting and running 3 days a week
> I now read the Word faithfully (several different ways) and I'm following God's lead better in my life.

This chapter (and entire letter) is just a great father to son type of letter. I love the language and the heritage that is being given by Paul to a young Timothy (who is just starting out in ministry). It's great advice for all believers - but it seems to hit me well.

Wednesday :: Sept 12 :: 1 Timothy 3

Good day so far: got up and ran 2 miles plus lifted some weights. Great fellowship with my new friend in the gym. Got home to help the kids get to school. Ran a little more with Tammy. Read our devotional together and prayed. Now reading God's Word. Nice! Thanks Lord!!

vv1-13 ... the leadership test. How do you measure up? How do I?
life cannot be spoken against ... I'm sure some would have issue with certain parts of my life but over all, I think I'm doing alright here.
faithful to his wife - absolutely
self-control ... with eating (could do better); with other things (doing really well these days)
live wisely ... this could be debated for quite some time.
good reputation ... I'm not sure I have one. Not sure I know my real reputation anyway ... don't we usually share how we feel about someone behind there back and not t their face?
enjoy guests in the home ... I enjoy it but we rarely have them. Too much cleaning to do. Tammy loves to have people in - I could go either way.
not a heavy drinker ... well I'm a little over weight and like to drink pop, sweet tea and chocolate milk. Is that what he's talking about?
violent ... hmmm - ya, doing fine
gentle ... as a butterfly (haha)
peace loving ... I don't hug trees but I don't like conflict
doesn't love money ... don't love it but I realize I need it. Trusting God on this one.
manage the family well ... okay, you just hit my weakness.
children respect him ... hmmm - I think so.
and obey him ... not likely. We work on this alot.

Now the conversation turns to "deacons". So, what's the difference between an elder and a deacon? ELDER: is refering to someone who is more like a pastor or bishop. The greek work can also be translated as "overseer" or manager. A DEACON is literally translated as one who serves. Their qualifications seem similar, but their responsibilities were much different - taking care of the work of the church.

I like this a lot too: "This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and support of the truth." The church is an important thing. It's not to be taken lightly. Our attendance and support of our church is critical in the developement and growth of our faith!

Tuesday :: Sept 11 :: 1 Timothy 2

It's interesting that on this day (9/11) I'm reading about peace. Paul says we are to pray for government leaders (kings and others in authority over us) so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. So much of those things have been stripped from us over these past 6 years. At least from Americans. We should be praying for our government - whether we trust them or not - whether we like them or not (I like Bush but I don't think I'm going to like the next president ... I still HAVE TO pray for them).

The point of conflict our world is in right now rests on our understanding of v.5 ... "For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus." As Pastor Kip said on Sunday, there is only ONE WAY - and it's a path through Jesus Christ! No other God, no other method. Faith in Jesus!

I won't comment on Pauls words about women dressing modestly or how they are to be quiet in the church or how they are brought sin into the world or how they are going to be saved by having babies. You'll have to read that on your own ... comment at your own risk! haha

Monday :: Sept 10 :: 1 Timothy 1

Good day: woke up early to work out at BCHS, spent the day with Tammy, watched the Bengals sneak one away from the Ravens, and my fantasy team won it's first (and potentially only) game of the year. But the best moment of the day was reading Genesis 1 with Corbin at bedtime and responding to his question: "How do we know God did all of that since we don't have proof? How do we even know God is real?" It was a glimpse into his spiritual soul tonight. I had him read Hebrews 11:1 and share with him about FAITH. It was a great start. Thanks for that, Jesus!

Now to Pauls words to his young apprentice, Tim.

Right out of the gate, Paul let's Tim know how he feels about him ... "my true child in the faith." He also tells him what he needs to sustain his ministry ... "grace, mercy and peace." This past Sunday was a day I don't feel I exhibited much of any of those (at least on the inside). Paul says that these are gifts from God ... I need to start unwrapping them.

What is the answer for arguements within the church? "... that all the Christians would be filled with love that comes from a PURE HEART, A CLEAR CONSCIENCE, and SINCERE FAITH."

Are you a sinner? During commercials tonight, I flipped through the channels and Ch 8 was airing an old (and I mean old) broadcast of a Billy Graham crusade. He asked that same question. Paul admits in v16 that he was the worst of all sinners. If we ask people today, "are you a sinner?" most would be affended. But that's really where the cross works best ... when we realize that we are sinners ... even after conversion ... reminding ourselves that we are sinners. Billy Graham (a prophet of our age) responded with his own question by saying "I am. I am a sinner - saved by God's grace." When we remind ourselves that we are nothing but sinners - saved only by God - then the focus is off of us and back on the power of Christ ... right where it should be!

What does it mean to "turn them over to Satan"? I'm guessing here that Paul is referring to two men in the church who were saying one thing, but living totally different lives. In order for Paul to reveal this, he had to "kick them out of the church" or "turn them over to Satan" with the hope that they would return to their faith ... living with clear consciences and full of integrity. Otherwise, they would continue to blaspheme God ... something Paul was not interested in letting happen.

Should we deal that harshly with leaders in our church? Hmmm ...

Friday // Sept 7 :: 2 Corinthians 13

Welcome to the weekend! I ran another 3 miles last night in the dark. That was weird.

V5 is very powerful. "Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. Test yourselves. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is among you, it means you have failed the test." My mind immediately went to Psalm 139 "O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me." Then later ... "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offens you and lead me along the path of everlasting life." No one knows if your faith is genuine or not ... just YOU and the LORD. But, Paul makes a case that WE can know, too, by observing the POWER that is in your life.

Is the power of God evident in my life? Am I dependent upon that power?

Thursday // Sept 6 :: 2 Corinthians 12

What is the third heaven that Paul is speaking about? I just read one place where people think it may have been connected to the time when he was stoned in Lystra and thought to be dead. He was so convincing that the stoners drug him outside of the city to rot and for someone to bury him. He wasn't dead - he was badly beaten but he recovered, got up and went back into the very city that just tried to kill him (Acts 14:19-20). But why "the third heaven"? In Paul's day, there was a common understanding that heaven has several layers. One such thought was this: the first heaven was the earth's atmosphere (the sky), the second heaven was the stars (outer space) and the third heaven is where God dwelt (the heaven of heavens). Thought you wouldn't learn anything today?

"My power works best in your weakness" (v9) That's not something that many Christian leaders understand today very well (me included). I think it's true but my actions would tell me that His power works best in my strengths. I don't really want to use my weaknesses or even acknowledge I have them. Paul concludes that thought with "For when I am weak, then I am strong." Well said - now on to practicing that one ... now that's tougher.

Sarcasm rules again with Paul: "The only thing I didn't do, which I do in the other churches, was to become a burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!" That makes me chuckle.

Here's a list of things to stay away from: quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selflessness, backstabbing, gossip, conceit and disorderly behavior.

Wednesday // Sept 5 :: 2 Corinthians 11

Ran 3 miles last night ... slept like a baby - it's like running zaps me of all energy for a while. I had a great chat with Jeff and Brennan while running (while I stopped to chat with them). I'm not sure about their faith position ...

V3 - Is a "pure and simple devotion to Christ" not enough? Paul's worried about people who believe everything they hear without screening that against the truth they've already been given. How true this is for us today ... we are like wind, being blown around by every new thought and trend that seems right - even though it could be completely wrong. We need to be committed to filtering everything against God's Word and against His Spirit's leading!

How much do I like v.6: "I may not be a trained speaker, but I know what I am talking about."

If Paul were alive today, the 21-century prophet would be a "rock star" - he'd have security guards, travel in an entourage, private jet and all. That's what most highly influential people are like today, right? Reading this list of things that Paul endured is amazing. To imagine how many times he should have died is scary ... but he survived them all - the shipwrecks, the beatings, stonings and cold nights. Believers today are so weak in their faith - me included - that we would have quit long ago if following Jesus looked like this. Paul's faith only got stronger. In the end, what does he boast about? The hundreds of churches he started? The thousands he's led to faith in Jesus? The numbers of babies he's baptized or dedicated? Nope - how many times he's cheated death in the name of Jesus. Wow!

Tuesday // Sept 4 :: 2 Corinthians 10

Paul gives us a glimpse of his humaness here - "some say I'm bod in my letters but timid as a person." I so identify. I can be bold in some ways and timid in others - when I ponder the Church and the Lord's ministry I think boldly - I even share thoughts and ideas about how things should be boldly ... but often when it comes to being active about that boldness, I feel timid and weak. That's my own doing - and it's not good.

I like that Paul is one that can sit back and see what needs to be done but then when it comes to being a friend, he stretches out the hand. (that's how I interpret what he he is saying here).

Paul is definately on the "offensive" in today's reading. We can understand this with our current state of war dominating our news and politics. Even the Iraq conflict is a "religious war" in my opinion - Muslims seem to have taken up "human plans and methods" while Paul urges Believers here to use "God's mighty weapons." It's with God's weapons that all things will be knocked down - and built back up. V7 hits the nail on the head : "The trouble with you is that you make your decisions on the basis of appearance" (or TB paraphrase - you decide things with human logic). That is so true of the Church today (and most Believers) - we are living in what "makes sense" vs. what God is calling us to do.

I wish there was a "Paul" alive today. Someone who spoke the Truth in boldness and challenged the Church to get back on track. At times, I'm so afraid of what the Church is becoming.

Monday // Sept. 3 :: 2 Corinthians 9

I think Paul has a "mother-in-law" sense of humor ... He spends some time today reminding the Corinthian Church about their promise to receive an offering for the Church in Jerusalem. He reminds them in the way a "m-i-l" might ... with the back door: "just to be sure you really are ready," "I don't want it to turn out I was wrong," "I would be humiliated," ... then he says, "But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given under pressure." I'm laughing - all that guilt before hand and then Paul says don't give under pressure! Boy do I identify with this! Maybe you don't get my humor!

Back to serious stuff: Paul is talking about giving generously. That's been tough lately. I never thought I'd be in my 30's and wondering about finances. I desire to give generously but I also worry a ton about living ... Paul says that we should be able to do both and I agree. Makes be think about ways we should cut back in order to give more ... hmmm

When we give, several things happen:
1 the need is met (v12)
2 the receipients will praise the Lord (v12)
3 the giver glorifies God by their actions (v13)
4 the giver will be prayed for by the receiver (v14)
== it all comes full circle within the Body of Christ!