2 Timothy 4

2 Timothy 4

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

Am I prepared?  Do I know my scripture enough to be ready no matter the day, time or season?  People all around me, every day are in need.  I need to be ready.

³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

This time is here.  It is now.  We have TV and radio with 100's of stations.  If you don't like it, find another station.  In politics people vote for the one that says what they want to hear, not what they need to hear.  Don't like what the preacher says, find another church.

⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Paul was sure he was about to be martyred.  He was ready.  More importantly, he knew he had accomplished the task the God had set before him.  I've had some rough spots here in the middle of my race.  I have a choice, I can quit or I can finish well.

⁹ Do your best to come to me quickly, ¹⁰ for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. ¹² I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

When you commit to helping a person or to a ministry.  Finish it.  Abandoning the work causes hardship for your brothers and sisters.  Yes God can call others and the work He want done will be completed, but you will miss out the blessings and lessons God has for you.

¹⁴ Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. ¹⁵ You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

We will face opposition.  God will repay those that hurt us. 

¹⁶ At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

We may be called upon to defend our belief.  We may even have to do it alone.  But we are never alone.  God will strengthen us and give us the words.  Use these times as an opportunity to share the gospel.

¹⁹ Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. ²¹ Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.

Personal greeting.  No commentary required.

Instead of my usual sign off from Gal 6:18, I shall allow Paul's final words from this chapter, be the final words of this blog.

²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.

2 Timothy 3:10-17

2 Timothy 3:10-17
¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³ while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

I will be persecuted if I live a Godly life. Am I ready?

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

My parents were far from perfect, but they were Godly people who brought me to church under the instruction of Godly leaders.  I grew up in the Christian life.  Recently I spoke with some guys from TEEN CHALLENGE about the things God saved me from instead of out of .  

Only the Holy Scriptures can make me wise.

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

God wrote the Bible through men.  It's not worldly wisdom.  If you or I reject any part we are rejecting God, not man.  Only through His word can we be equipped to accomplish the task he has for us.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

2 Timothy 3:1-9

2 Timothy 3:1-9
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

Sounds a lot like today.  Verse 5 has been used greatly by the Holy Spirit in my life these past few weeks.  Often temptation will come and just before I "give in" this verse comes to mind.  As those who have accepted Christ, we have a choice.  We've been set free and we do not have to sin.

6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.

There comes a time in your walk when you need to start applying and living what you have learned.  Grow up and be a man or woman of God instead of just continuing to gather knowledge.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters.  Amen.

2 Timothy 2:14-26

2 Timothy 2:14-26
¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

The first thought that entered my mind was Christian arguing about the use of words in the Bible.  Let's be realistic.  Every Bible owned today is a copy.  Most are copies of a translation.  The next thing that comes to mind is the churches that argue about which translation is correct.  This is not what we were called to do and it only tears down the church.

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

This is my goal.  I am not ashamed and I handle God's word with care.

¹⁶ Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 

I think of how horrible it would be if my conversation was to cause someone to fall away from the faith.

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.”

I am so glad that the Lord knows I belong to him.  There have been times that I've doubted, but all I need to do is look back and see how God has brought me through so much and just never let me go.
 
²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹ Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

I'd rather be the soup bowl at the masters table than the chamber pot. You?

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.

The evil desires of youth are not always just sexual.  It is anything that sets oneself above the authority of God.  Notice also it does not say stand up and fight, but FLEE.  And since life can't have a vacuum we are to fill the void with righteousness, faith, love and peace.

²³ Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

Very similar to the admonition about words.  Don't get sucked into arguments.

²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Are you able to stay calm in the face of a hostile opponent?  Our goal is not to win an argument, but to win another to Christ.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

2 Timothy 2:1-13

2 Timothy 2:1-13
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ² And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

Be strong in what I told you.  Teach it to reliable men who will teach others.  2000 years later you and I are reading these words.  Timothy did as instructed.  Will I?  Will you?

³ Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. ⁵ Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. ⁶ The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. ⁷ Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

The soldier, and the athlete work hard toward a goal and keep their eyes fixed on it.  The farmer works hard and should receive his share.  We as Christians need to stay focused on our calling and there will be a harvest.
 
⁸ Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal.

Jesus Christ.  All God, yet all man too.

 But God’s word is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Paul willingly suffered for you and for me.  We read these letters because of his faithfulness to his calling and Timothy's faithfulness to his calling and the faithful men who followed them.  We need to be faithful to our calling for the generations that follow us.

¹¹ Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,
    we will also live with him;
¹² if we endure,
    we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
    he will also disown us;
¹³ if we are faithless,
    he remains faithful,
    for he cannot disown himself.

Our actions will effect our relationship with God.  However, God cannot change who he is.  His character will never change.  His attributes are forever.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

2 Timothy 1

2 Timothy 1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

² To Timothy, my dear son:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

³ I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. ⁴ Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. ⁵ I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

Can you feel the love expressed by Paul?  Timothy was dearly loved, like a son by Paul.  Though he was away from him he took an active interest in his life.  Most importantly he prayed.  I am convicted at my lack of prayer for my children.

⁶ 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. ⁷ For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

More conviction.  Why do I hold back?  The Holy Spirit is one of "power, love and self-discipline".  I need to stop thinking of doing it and just do it.

  ⁸ So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. ⁹ He 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, ¹⁰ but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. ¹¹ And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. ¹² That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

Not only have I not had a loved one in jail, but I've not had one say "join me".  Yet Paul's imprisonment is from sharing the gospel.  The grace of Jesus is so great that Paul was wiling to suffer for his calling to share it.  He was doing what was right before God and was not ashamed.

¹³ What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴ Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

I hope to be a pattern my children can follow. Not just my physical children, but those with whom I share Christ.  I also need to value grace and the gospel more.  I confess I do not honor them as highly as I should.

¹⁵ You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
¹⁶ May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. ¹⁷ On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. ¹⁸ May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

Here are examples of one who did it wrong and one who did it right.  I hope that when I am remembered it will be for doing it right.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sister. Amen.

1 Timothy 6:2b-21

1 Timothy 6:2b-21
These are the things you are to teach and insist on. ³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

When we teach the word of God and we teach these lessons and people don't agree, it is God they disagree with.  Read what he says they are.

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸ But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ⁹ Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

There was a time last year that I learned to be content with almost nothing.  Chasing after stuff has once again cause me grief.  I need to go back to being content with God.

¹¹ But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹² 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.

Pursue the things in verse 11.  These will last forever.  I confess to follow Christ, I must take hold and actually follow him.

  ¹³ In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Jesus made his confession before Pilate but more importantly in the sight of God.  We too made our confession before God.  Keep it.

¹⁷ Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸ Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹ 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.
  
Don't put your hope in wealth.  Just as important, enjoy what God has given you and be generous with it.

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

Hold on to your faith and don't turn away.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

1 Timothy 5:17-6:2a

1 Timothy 5:17-6:2a
¹⁷ The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” ¹⁹ Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. ²⁰ But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. ²¹ I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

The leaders of our churches deserve honor.  When accusations come we must consider the source and there must be more than one witness.  People who do not get their way or are offended may lie to get revenge.  But with this consideration comes the reality that their sin will become public should the charges prove true. Show no favoritism take every charge seriously.

²² Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands,

These are personal instructions for Timothy.  The laying of hands was a recognition of God's call to ministry.  Timothy as the leader of this church was to be careful of his choices.  So are we when we chose leaders.

and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

I can hear my mother saying, "If all your friends were jumping off a bridge would you do it too?".  Just because others are doing it does not mean it is OK for you to do it.  Keep yourself pure.

²³ Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

Many illnesses in Bible times were water born.  Because of the process of wine making the germs would be killed.  Therefore wine was safer to drink than the water.  That's it.  There is nothing else meant or implied by this passage.  However many people, especially teens, have used this as a reason to drink as a reaction to some churches over reaction to drinking.  Let's clear the air.

No where in scripture is any Christian forbidden to drink.  Period.  Scripture is very clear on drunkenness.  Scripture is very clear on the foolishness of the abuse of beer and wine.  We are forbidden to do it. It's a sin.  Period.

Some people have decided that because of potential abuse they will not drink.  That is great...for THEM.  The problem arises when they being to elevate their personal convictions to the level of scripture.  I've attended churches where not drinking was part of their doctrinal statement.  Like the Pharisees they have added rules to protect their flock from sin.  Though well intended, it does not address personal growth and personal conviction before God.  It's just another "don't" added to the list.

The principles for how we are to treat this area can be found in 1 Corinthians 8.  Paul is discussing meat sacrificed to idols, but you can substitute any activity and apply the point Paul is making.

My personal take on alcohol.  I drink, just not to excess.  Should I be entertaining a brother or sister in Christ who's position on alcohol I do not know, I willing and freely abstain for the good of him/her.  I do not wish to be a stumbling block.  It's easy if you love them.  If you as a Christian can't have a meal without drinking then the alcohol is controlling you and not the other way around.

²⁴ The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. ²⁵ In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

Your actions for good or bad will be exposed. Think your getting away with somthing?  Wait.  You will be busted someday.  Even if it's by God himself at the judgement.  Think your work is going unnoticed?  Be patient. It will be rewarded.  Even if it's by God at the judgement.  In truth even better if you have to wait till then because any reward from God will last FOREVER.

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. ² Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.

Do your work for God and for his glory.  Serve your boss as if serving God.  If you have a Christian boss do not abuse that relationship.  Serve him even better.

May the grace of or Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters.  Amen.

1 Timothy 5:1-16

1 Timothy 5:1-16
Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

Bear in mind that Timothy was a younger man.  I am not sure of his exact age, but I'm going to say younger than 30.  Here Paul begins to teach him, and us, how we should interact and treat others in the church.   As a guy I especially take note of the treatment of younger women.
 
³ Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. ⁴ But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.

When mom, dad and my two younger sisters moved to TN, I called up my Gram and told her that I would take her shopping.  I was the closest living relative and I made sense.  Many times Gram felt like a burden.  I'd remind her of the life she'd lived and then tell her to "reap the benefits of the life she had lived."  The last two years have flown by and now she lives with her daughter.  The blessings I received loving my Gram far outweighed the "work".

⁵ The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. ⁶ But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. ⁷ Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. ⁸ Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Read verse 8 again...and again.  Take care of you family.

⁹ No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, ¹⁰ and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.
¹¹ As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. ¹² Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. ¹³ Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. ¹⁴ So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. ¹⁵ Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

This list of widows was comprised of women who were cared for by the church.  Verses 11 and 12 makes me feel they would also have to make a personal commitment to the church as well.

¹⁶ If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

If God has put someone in your care, continue to take care of them.  Do not burden the church with the ministry you have been given.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

1 Timothy 4

1 Timothy 4
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. ² Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

Paul thought he was living in the end times.  I REALLY think we are living in the end times.  This world we live in has people following some pretty evil stuff.  When people get caught doing wrong today they really have no sorrow...except that they got caught.

³ They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴ For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵ because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 
⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

Let's know what we believe.  This way when these false teachers say their lies we will be able to point it out to other and help them from falling away.

⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. ¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Getting physically fit has some value.  My blood pressure is down and my blood work came back with things in the normal range.  However these benefits are short lived and have limited application.  Godliness applies everywhere and lasts for ever. 

¹¹ Command and teach these things. ¹² Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Be an example no matter what your age.  Don't let others decide what you are.

  ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
¹⁵ Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

 Do what you are supposed to be doing, but more than that show care that gets noticed.  Anyone can "do" a job, but we should approach ours with care.  We are also to be watchful of what we believe and continue in it no matter what.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit brothers and sisters. Amen.

1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.

It's not wrong to want to lead.  There are qualities you must have if you wish to lead in God's church.

² Now the overseer is to be above reproach, 

Your life and reputation must be in such a way that people will not disapprove of your position. 

faithful to his wife,
  
Nothing hurts a ministry more than a leader who can't keep his zipper shut.
 
temperate, 

Keeping within ones limits.  This can be food or alcohol or any other desires one may have.
 
self-controlled, 

Similar to temperate in that he sets his own limits.

respectable,

How many leaders that we prayed for the other day do we have zero respect for?  That can't be in the church.

hospitable, 

Welcoming.  The elder David Dore at my church greets everyone at the door with a warm smile and a word of encouragement.  LOVE that.  He's a blessing and an example of what a church leader should be.

able to teach,

No commentary required.


³ not given to drunkenness,

Do I really need to explain this?  

not violent but gentle, 

One of my heroes is John Wayne.  Another is Clint Eastwood.  I am speaking of their westerns.  Most every character they played was violent when pushed.  So much of the "American way" has seeped into our faith or we've tried to stuff Christ into our mold.  This ought not to be.

not quarrelsome,

I know a guy who will pick the opposite side even if he agrees with you just because he likes to debate.  He actually thrives off making someone squirm.  There is no place for that in church leadership.

not a lover of money.

There is nothing wrong with being rich.  There are many rich people in my church.  However their goal is the service of Christ, not their personal wealth.


⁴ He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. ⁵ (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

Makes sense.

⁶ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. ⁷ He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

Some recent converts may have friends form their past that are not aware of the new found faith.  Therefore they may mock or try to drag down the new believer.  Let knew believer grow and establish a new rep before placing them in charge.
 
⁸ In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

The role of deacon is one that can be held by a man or a woman.  A deacon is one whom is charged with a special task.  Sunday school teachers could be called deacons.

⁹ They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰ They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

Know who you are getting.  There are nice people out there that are just playing church and do not really believe as we do.

¹¹ In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

No commentary required.

¹² A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.

No commentary required.

¹³ Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

This is a saying that has proved true for me.   As I walk with the Spirit and do things God's way may assurance in my own beliefs become stronger.

¹⁴ Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. ¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:
He appeared in the flesh,
    was vindicated by the Spirit,
was seen by angels,
    was preached among the nations,
was believed on in the world,
    was taken up in glory.
Now as Paul instructed Timothy how the Church is to be run, we too know.  And the power to run it comes from Jesus Christ.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. ⁷ And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
⁸ Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.

What a breath of fresh air.  Last night I watched TV for the first time in a long time and I saw all the political banter going on between the commercials.  It was horrible and it made me sick.  God wants us as Christians to pray for ALL our leaders.  Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians and all the rest.  Why?  He wants "all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of truth".

Paul, a Jew, was preaching Christ to the Gentiles or non-Jews.  Jews were God's chosen people to bring His message to the world.  They kind got messed up and wanted to keep God to themselves.  If you wanted to get to God you had to convert.  Now access to God is being offered to all through Jesus.

⁹ I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰ but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

Let me speak personally to the women.  You dress to impress and then you get mad when you catch a guy looking.  It's not fair.  Now if that guy is lusting he will answer to God for his sin, but I ask you not to advertise your bodies as a buffet table.  True beauty comes form within.

¹¹ A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. ¹² I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. ¹³ For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴ And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. ¹⁵ But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Now it's at a time like this that I speak with fear and trembling.  Here the scripture clearly is NOT speaking to me.  However it is the word of God so I will share it. These verses are why I do not believe women should be preachers.  Period.  Can a guy learn the things of God from a woman?  ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!!!  Think of the Godly women throughout history who lead their husbands to Christ.  However an official position within the church women should not hold positions over men. 

Now remember the first verses in 1Timothy.  These are the words of Paul the he was commanded by God to pass on to Timothy.  God made the man first and set him up as the head.  Men throughout history have blown it.  Don't use their failure as a reason to disobey the word of God.  I don't care what our culture says.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters.  Amen.

1 Timothy 1:12-20

1 Timothy 1:12-20
¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

As I read Paul's testimony I think of my past.  I think of the grace the God pour out on me.  God will give me the strength to accomplish the task he has for me when I rely on him.  Thank you go for calling me to you service.  I ask you to make me a better servant.

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶ But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷ Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Some may ask the question: "How could God save an evil person?".  What we fail to realize is that before salvation all of us are evil and capable of anything.  However God will save anyone and his calling and saving someone horrible by our human standards, is just one more proof of his mercy and grace.  They are God's example to us of his patience.

¹⁸ Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, ¹⁹ holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. ²⁰ Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Some of us doubt our calling at times.  Timothy had been prophesied about.  Based on this encouragement from Paul we can see that there were days he doubted they were true.  He was encouraged to hold onto his faith. Faith is not based on feelings, but on what we know to be true.  When our emotions run us they toss and turn like the sea and no wonder Paul used the imagery of a shipwreck.  Lives get ruined.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:1-11

1 Timothy 1:1-11
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

I am struck by the the strong language here.  Paul was an apostle by the command of God.  Not the request or urging of God. Not the suggestion or leading of God.  He was an apostle by command.  He was given a direct order. 

Following through on the military theme, a corporal has no authority on his own.  Any orders he give would have come from the Sargent or the Lieutenant.  They in turn received their orders from above.  Paul's orders were from God himself.  God receives no orders from anyone.  Therefore Paul's words that follow are to be followed.  They are from God.
 

² To Timothy my true son in the faith:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Timothy was a convert from Paul's ministry.  He was also young.

³ As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer ⁴ or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith.

Timothy was handed authority to command others to stop teaching falsely and to stop getting involved in para church activities that cause controversy in the church.

We to have a responsibility if there is false teaching in our churches.  We must know what we believe and how to defend it too. 

I also want  to address the issue of controversy. Even today issues come up that cause controversy among God's people.  Are we the ones who quell the controversy or a are the ones who START  the controversy?

⁵ The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. ⁶ Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. ⁷ They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Timothy's authority was not given to him so he could hold sway over people and be in charge.  It was given to him to restore brothers and sisters to the faith.  Some just like to here their own voice.  They wanted to teach, not because they had something to impart, (because the did not really know their subject matter), but they just wanted to be up front and noticed.

When a brother or sister in Christ confronts you, I courage you to look beyond you pride and accept the love being given.  It's not easy, but it must happen for both of you to grow.

⁸ We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. ⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine ¹¹ that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

The law was put here to serve to serve the people.  It pointed out to people their need for a Savior.  It was to bring them to repentance.  

My the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18
⁶ In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. ⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. ¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

Oh that verse 10 were to be put to instituted as part of receiving welfare benefits.  I have been unemployed for almost a year now and I would gladly like a job that will allow me to pay my own bills and feed my family.  But these verses are not speaking of the unemployed through no fault of their own.  These verses speak of the moochers within the church.  The early church met every day.  They shared a meal.  Those that had brought food to share.  Some people showed up at these meals with nothing but an appetite.  Not because they had nothing or could not do something, but because they took advantage of the loving care of their brothers and sisters.  We are commanded to stay away from them.  I think one could also infer that churches that run a food pantry should turn these freeloaders away.

¹¹ We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. ¹² Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.

When one has nothing to do, it's amazing how critical they become of the ones doing the work.  Get busy.  Earn you keep.

¹³ And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

When in school I could not stand teachers that punished the entire class for the actions of a few.  Rarely if ever were that correct actions of students recognized.  Here Paul takes time to do just that.  If you are doing good, continue.  Don't quit because of what you see failing around you.  Do what is right because it is right.

¹⁴ Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. ¹⁵ Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.
  
This is not easy.  But some church shunning aides in bringing fellow believers to repentance.  When a brother or sister in Christ refuses to follow the Word of God, we should warn them.  And then refuse to associate with them until they repent.  This does not mean we kick them our to church, but I think it does mean we don't have them over for football.  I'd encourage all of you to earnestly pray for God's guidance as you apply this.

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
¹⁷ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Paul wrote this letter himself.  I've been taught that he usually dictated his letters. It believed he had poor eyesight.  I just sent verse 16 to a friend who is having a very busy weekend and potentially an emotional one.  I encourage you as you find verses that bless you to share them with someone else.  Who knows, you too may end up writing a blog. ;-)

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen

2 Thessalonians 2:13 - 3:5

2 Thessalonians 2:13 - 3:5
¹³ But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you a believer in the saving grace of Jesus Christ? You too were called. It is not accident that you are here.

¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

Don't let emotions, politics, fear, family, job or anything else persuade you to walk away.  You were called of God, heard the truth, believed and accepted the truth.  Keep it.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Another great prayer in the Bible. In fact I just texted this to someone telling them it is my prayer for them today.

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

I've just been convicted that I don't pray that the gospel will spread.  That will change.

² And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.

Pray that God will protect you leaders as they share the gospel.  Pray he will protect the missionaries we send out.

³ But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. ⁴ We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. ⁵ May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

Do you have a relationship, with the leaders in your church, that they could say this about you?  I realize some pastors are distant or just busy and can't be close with everyone, but I do encourage you to form a relationship with an elder or deacon and build that closeness so that you too can encourage the leadership of you church with you life.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Today we deal with a bit of prophesy.  I approach this with caution and with humility.  I want God's truth not my opinion here.  If I don't know, there will be no commentary.  I will let God's word stand on it's own...not that His word ever needed my help.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, ² not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. ³ Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. ⁴ He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.

In those days teaching was going around that they had "missed the boat".  Paul is assuring them it is not true.  The "man of lawlessness" is the anti-christ.  I heard this of Hitler, and others through out history and I've even heard it spoken of concerning men alive and in power today.  The point is this man will oppose anything and everything that has anything to do with God.  It will be the worst time in history for believers everywhere, all over the world.
 
⁵ Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? ⁶ And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. ⁷ For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. ⁸ And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.

God is holding it back.  Yes Satan is at work, but God is limiting his work.  And when God let's him go, Jesus is going to destroy him.  Notice it won't be a battle.  Jesus will do it by "the breath of his mouth" and "the splendor of his coming".  

⁹ The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, ¹⁰ and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹ For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie ¹² and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Signs and wonder will be performed to deceive, however heed the warning for the people in verse 10.  They refuse to believe, so God himself will deluded them.  In other words, they will reach a point where they will not be able to change their minds because God will not let them.  Don't be like them.  Believe the truth now.

My the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

2 Thessalonians 1

2 Thessalonians 1
Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

² Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. ⁴ Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

This is Paul's second letter and the church is growing in faith and love.  I don't know the time frame between the two letters so I will randomly pic a year.  One year from now will your faith and love increase to a point that people notice?  Are you improved in you faith from last year? 

⁵ All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. ⁶ God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you ⁷ and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. ⁸ He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. ⁹ They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might ¹⁰ on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

These people lived their entire lives and did not see this happen.  This is a future promise.  All of us who suffer for Christ will receive a reward...just not here on earth.  The wicked will be punished for their evil...it just may take till after they are dead.  

Remember folks we are talking about eternity. This life is a vapor in comparison.  God is long suffering and patient.  He gives people every chance to repent and come to him.  So many wicked men and women are rich and powerful right now.  It won't last and they will spend eternity in punishment if they do not believe in Christ's payment for their sin.

¹¹ With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. ¹² We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you aware of someone who loves the Lord and is suffering? Pray for them as Paul prayed.  Change the "you" in these verses to the name of the person you are praying for.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

There are people in our churches that work behind the scenes every Sunday and all during the week that make a service run smooth.  Seek them out and thank them.  Remember the person who cleans the toilet is just as important to a Sunday worship as the pastor.  

Our leaders also at times need to call us to task.  We screw up and step outside of scripture and these leaders, in love, have to correct our actions.  These men are doing the work of God.  I'd rather clean the toilet.  Respect these leaders and don't get bitter when they have to tell you, you're wrong.

¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Look around.  You are not the only one in church.  See what needs to be done.  Some sit on their butt and only need a nudge to get working.  Some are disruptive and I have found that putting them to work gives them the attention they crave.  Some need us to come along side and encourage them.

Get your head up and LOOK.

¹⁵ Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Encourage forgiveness.  It's so easy to plot revenge.

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

How does one rejoice always?  Pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances.  When I am grateful and keep in contact with God, my attitude is much better than when I don't.  Rejoicing comes easy when I walk in the Spirit.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. 

When you receive conviction or instruction that you know is from God, do it.  Do not let it go.

 ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.

Someone claims to have a word from God, test it. 

²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

It is God who sanctifies us, God who keeps us and God who is faithful.  It's not about us.  It's about God.

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us.

Take a moment right now and pray for you pastors and elders and deacons.

²⁶ Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss.

Loved this verse as a teen.  Lot's of "holy" kissing greetings going on.

²⁷ I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

In this time most people could not read so this letter would be read aloud.  Today we can share God's word as most of our society can read.

May the grace or our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.