DAY # 228 – 2 PETER 1:5-11

Joel Redmon is writing the blog this week. Joel is an Elder at Church of the Valley.

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

BACKGROUND
As we go through the first two chapters of 2nd Peter it is important to understand the environment at the time of the writing. Within a generation of the death and resurrection of Christ issues surfaced in “the faith”. From a human perspective, it is not difficult to understand what started to happen. Christian’s were either in the camp that Jesus would return at anytime living a life of expectation of his return or as the years past started to cast doubt on Jesus’ return and ultimately upon the promises of God.

2nd Peter was written to get the readers focused on the truth and not all of the false teachings and doubts that had surfaced through the passage of time.

IS THIS RELEVANT TODAY?
This writing is very much relevant to us today. We are much further removed from the death and resurrection of Jesus; we have so many religions of the world with easy access to the beliefs of these religions; the false teachers have easier entry points into our day-to-day lives via the advancement of technology and television and lastly, everyone is so busy that time to study and meditate on God’s word is hard to come by.

This backdrop will be posted everyday just as a reminder of why 2nd Peter was written and the relevance to each of us as we continue our quest to live the lives that God has planned for each of us. It is in this vein that Peter wrote this passage to remind us of the foundational truths.

2 PETER 1:5-11
In today’s text, Peter is making the case of how to make one’s calling and election sure. This was much needed in this time due to the doubt that was taking root because of the false teachers. Simply put, Peter wrote that spiritual growth is the objective evidence of one’s election. The lessons we learn in this passage:
#1 SALVATION IS THE BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY NOT THE DESTINATION
This is an area where we struggle. We understand the need to have a personal relationship with Jesus; but we struggle with keeping it a growing intimate relationship. While God has called us, given us promises of eternal life and prepared a welcome into His kingdom Peter tells us that this is only the beginning. As a matter of fact, in verse 5 (‘for this reason”) he tells us that because of what God has done and provided we should be motivated to grow spiritually. This is something that we should be very active in doing as Peter tells us to ‘make every effort”.

#2 FAITH IS THE STARTING POINT OF ALL SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Faith is our belief in and personal commitment to Jesus Christ for eternal salvation. From this station in life Peter tells us we should start to grow and take on the Christian characteristics into our lives. These include goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love. Galatians 5:22 refers to this characteristics are ‘fruit of the Spirit’. Meaning that as we yield more of our life to Jesus, the evidence will be the fruit being produced in the Christian life.

This work of the Spirit is referred to as sanctification. It begins when we become a Christian and continues throughout our lives. However, the Holy Spirit will not force its way on us. It is our choice to be led by the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 records it this way…”So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature”.

#3 FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT KEEP US PRODUCTIVE AND EFFECTIVE
As we are growing spiritually we will find that we start to distance ourselves from our old nature. Our impact on others has taken a drastic change. A loving devotion to Jesus expresses itself in loving behavior. It is interesting that Scripture tells us that as we are influenced more and more by the Holy Spirit and we are loving others as we should, we come to even a greater knowledge of God.

I can say many of my learning and “aha” moments in life have been through relationships. It is either because I reacted in a way that was quite the opposite of how God treated me in a similar situation, this conviction is almost instantaneous, and out of it comes a greater understanding of God’s grace and mercy. But sometimes thankfully it has come before I react to someone. It is as though God is asking me ‘what are you going to choose’?

Colossians 1:10 says…”live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” Again we see the connection between being productive in our lives and gaining knowledge of God.

#4 CHRISTIAN CHARACTER CONFIRMS WE BELONG TO GOD
The last three verses of today’s reading are about us being assured of whose we are. They tell us that Christian virtues in our life help us to know we have been cleansed from past sins. This passage concludes with a promise. The promise is that for those who live a life of growing spiritually there is a reward in heaven that they will treasure even now. But those not growing, it does not state they will not go to heaven, however, the message is that they will sense a level of uncertainty of where they stand with God.

So in concluding this writing, Peter has made the case that Christians should not stop at salvation. They should desire to a continued life of spiritual growth. It is through this growth that one will gain a better knowledge of God and gain more confidence and certainty in belonging to Christ’s eternal kingdom.

DAY #227 - 2 Peter 1:1-4

JOEL REDMON is writing the blog this week:(Joel is an Elder at Church of the Valley)

1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, 
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

BACKGROUND
As we go through the first two chapters of 2nd Peter it is important to understand the environment at the time of the writing. Within a generation of the death and resurrection of Christ issues surfaced in “the faith”. From a human perspective, it is not difficult to understand what started to happen. Christian’s were either in the camp that Jesus would return at anytime living a life of expectation of his return or as the years past started to cast doubt on Jesus’ return and ultimately upon the promises of God.

2nd Peter was written to get the readers focused on the truth and not all of the false teachings and doubts that had surfaced through the passage of time.

IS THIS RELEVANT TODAY?
This writing is very much relevant to us today. We are much further removed from the death and resurrection of Jesus; we have so many religions of the world with easy access to the beliefs of these religions; the false teachers have easier entry points into our day-to-day lives via the advancement of technology and television and lastly, everyone is so busy that time to study and meditate on God’s word is hard to come by.

This backdrop will be posted everyday just as a reminder of why 2nd Peter was written and the relevance to each of us as we continue our quest to live the lives that God has planned for each of us. It is in this vein that Peter wrote this passage to remind us of the foundational truths.

2 Peter 1:1-4
Peter opens with a salutation that is familiar yet extremely important especially in consideration of the times. He identified himself as a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. The foundational truth for us is that each of us is a servant. But the key is whom are you serving? On a high level our choice is clear, either we serve God or man. But sometimes the subtlety of our day-to-day decisions causes conflict in clearly reflecting who we indeed serve. However, it becomes more and more clear as we grow in our spiritual journey.

Keeping the background in mind, Peter introduces to whom the writing is intended. “It is to those who through the righteous of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith” v1b.

We have to keep in mind that our relationship (salvation/faith) with Jesus was made possible not only by the love of God (grace) but the working of the Father (God) and Son (Jesus). This characterizes righteousness. This is important to understand and have clarified because many will talk about God and even talk as though we all have the same faith. But what distinguishes the Christian is the truth that our faith is through the righteousness of God and Jesus. As Ephesians 2:8 reminds us it is a gift! It is not something we have attained by our doing.

Continuing the salutation, Peter advises us that if we want to have an abundance of grace and peace we will get it through knowledge of God and of Jesus. Peter is now starting to lay the foundation for us. The foundational truth is that grace and peace will be in our lives when we truly know God and Jesus. The word knowledge used is a Greek term (epignosis) that describes a personal knowledge and relationship. This level of intimate knowledge is foundational for a life in Christ. Yet it is the one that is most difficult for us. We should not be surprised by all the demands on our time that keep us from spending time growing in our knowledge of God and Jesus. These demands are really robbing us of grace and peace in our lives!

A few things about this word knowledge:

• The focus is targeted. It is not about learning all the faiths and beliefs of the world. It is about striving to increase our knowledge of Jesus. It is reflecting Philippians 3:10…I want to know Christ.

• We are to strive to be experts, not novices, in our knowledge of Jesus.

• We are to relate this knowledge to our lives and identify who we are. After all, is not the quest for mankind is to find purpose and meaning of life. It is actually simply captured in Galatians 2:20…”I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

Concluding today’s blog, Peter takes us to our SO WHAT of all of this. Remember, just like what we face today, when this passage was written there were false teachers that caused confusion to Christians. So how do we get to the truth? As discussed above, Peter said all things start with an intimate relationship and knowledge of God and Jesus. Peter builds on this foundation with the truth that because of God’s divine power that is at work in us, believers have everything that is needed for living a Godly life. This divine power provides us what we need to understand and hold onto God’s rich promises to us. It is the holding onto God’s promises that will bring us peace. Peter is challenging us today:

• To strive to have an increasing knowledge of God and Jesus
• To spend time learning the promises of God

The benefit to us is lives influenced and directed by God evidenced by the eternal impacts on others and the lack of the world’s corruption influencing our lives.

Day #226: Titus 3:9-15

If sound teaching and good deeds were beneficial, obviously foolish discussions were useless and a waste of time. Paul warned Titus and Timothy to not get involved in the false teachers’ debates and arguments, to not even bother to answer their pretentious positions. This did not mean that the church leaders should refuse to study, discuss, and examine different interpretations of difficult Bible passages.

Paul was warning against petty quarrels, not honest discussion that leads to wisdom. As foolish arguments develop, they should rebuke the false teaching and turn the discussion back to a helpful and profitable direction. Meanwhile, the faithful minister should continue to emphasize those truths that God wants taught.

Paul gave a similar warning at the end of Romans 16:17-20 and follows Jesus’ pattern in Matthew 18:15-17. Besides avoiding the false teachers’ debates, Titus needed to take specific action toward the false teachers themselves, as with anyone who is causing divisions among the believers. Even more than their doctrine, their church-wrecking behavior had to be stopped. While false teachers outside the church were to be avoided, a person inside the church must be warned not to cause division or threaten the unity of the church. Paul allowed for two warnings before having nothing more to do with the person because they have turned away from the truth, are sinning, and condemn themselves. A person’s refusal to stop teaching false doctrine and to stop causing division in the church (even after being lovingly admonished) evidenced severe stubbornness.

A local church cannot modify its doctrine for every new idea or accommodate every person’s viewpoint. It may be better to risk having a member leave for another church that emphasizes his or her theological “hot button” than to try to be a church that caters to every conceivable theological taste. A church cannot get to the important work of evangelism and service to others if the theological base is shaky or if the church is embroiled in theological controversy.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Continuing from yesterday:

#5. Real Christianity provides loving support.

In other words, the church provides a support network when you’re going through a tough time. In the first church they loved each other. They took care of each other. They cared for each other, because they were all being killed by the Roman Empire. Tomorrow you may be being fed to the lions because it’s illegal to be a Christian. So they banded together and they really took care of each other. They loved and they supported each other.

There’s a Bible word for that support network. It’s called fellowship. Fellowship means we care and support each other. It means we are as committed to each other as we are to Jesus Christ.

The Bible says this in Acts 2:42 “They took part in the fellowship, sharing in the fellowship meals and in praying together.” CED translation says “They were like family to each other.” Circle “family.” Over and over again the church is called a family. It’s not a business, it’s not an organization, it’s not a social club. The church is a family. In fact, the Bible tells us that you are to treat older men in the church as spiritual fathers. You are to treat the older women in our church as spiritual mothers. You are to treat other women in the church as sisters. And you are to treat other men in our church family as brothers – because we’re family. Everybody sitting on the row with you right now, you may not know them but they’re your brother and sister.

In fact for thousands of years in the church, the church members called each other “brother” and “sister.” They’d say “Brother so and so” and “Sister so and so.’ Sister Mary and Brother John. They used the term brother and sister because God says, you guys aren’t just members of an organization. You’re part of the family of God. You are to treat the other people in your church as family.

And what do you do with family? You defend them even if they’re weird. Why? You stick up for them. Everybody’s got goofy people – uncles and aunts. But they’re part of your family. So you take care of them and you defend them. They had fellowship. It says “All the believers continued together in close fellowship.” The Message paraphrase says “They lived in wonderful harmony.”

#6. Real Christianity, not phony, fake, pseudo Christianity, enjoys joyful worship.

Worship is a celebration. It’s a festival not a funeral. It’s the party for the kingdom of God. When worship is joyful, people want to be there because people are looking for joy.

Do you think church ought to be fun? I do. There’s so much bad news in the world, the last thing you need to do is come to church and hear more bad news. You don’t need to come to church for bad news. All you have to do is turn on the TV. There’s plenty of bad news in the world. I could stand up here every week and tell you everything that’s wrong in the world. So what? What we need is the gospel. “Gospel” means “good news,” not bad news. Good news. When I hear good news it makes me joyful. And worship is to be joyful. We come here to celebrate not to commiserate.

I’ve been in some of these churches that are cold – the first Church of the Frigid Air. Where people are ice skating up and down the aisles as ushers. I look up at the front to make sure there’s no casket there.


There are two reasons why unbelievers don’t become Christians. One, they’ve never met a Christian. And two, they have. Because some Christians are so cranky and so negative and so legalistic and so judgmental and no fun! The point is, they’re not fun. I want to be around joyful people. I don’t want to be around cranky, critical, negative people.

Let’s look at real Christianity. It says in verse 46 “They continued to worship together in the temple courts… [notice that’s plural] praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.”

#7. Real Christianity makes generous sacrifices.

Real Christians and real Christianity makes generous sacrifices. The Christians of the Roman Empire era were the most generous people in the empire. In fact, they were famous for their generosity. They took care of each other. They took care of the poor. They helped each other out. They literally shared everything.

Here’s what the Bible says about the first church “All the believers [That’s not just pastors. All the believers – that’s all of you] shared everything [Not just some things. It means lawnmowers. It means RVs. It means whatever.] with each other. [because they’re family.] They would sell their land and the things they owned and then give the money to anybody who needed it.” That’s pretty radical. You see how far the twenty-first century church is off from the first century church?

I’ve actually read books that talked about the first Christians that lived in community. They said the first Christians practiced communism. Wrong! Absolutely wrong. Let me explain this to you.

Capitalism says in a nutshell “What’s mine is mine, and I’m going to keep it. I’m going to keep it and I’m going to protect it. What’s mine is mine and it’s all mine.” That’s capitalism.

Communism says “What’s yours is mine and I have a right to take it. As the state I could take it away from you and I could redistribute it to everybody else.” It’s forced charity. We’re going to tax it and we’re going to redistribute it. That’s communism. That’s socialism. (sound familiar?)

Capitalism – what’s mine is mine and I’m going to keep it. Communism – what’s yours is mine and it belongs to the state, and we’re going to redistribute it the way we want to.

Christianity says “What’s mine is really God’s, but I’m sure willing to share it with you.”

See the difference? It’s voluntary. It’s not taxed. It’s not forced. It’s done, not about a law or legalism. It’s done out of love. Christianity is neither capitalism nor communism. It is saying what’s mine really belongs to God. I really don’t own anything. I’m here for eighty years; God’s given me a little bit. I’m going to use it right now and then it gets passed on to somebody else. So if you need it, let me help you out with it. Totally voluntary. Generous and sacrificial.

Notice they shared everything. Not just money! Everything. Notice it says in Acts 2:46 “They shared their meals [I like that one!] with great joy and generosity.” Circle “joy” and circle “generosity.” Then draw a line between the two, because generosity always produces joy. The more generous you are the more joyful you are. The more joy you have the more it makes you want to be generous. Generous churches are joyful.


#8. Real Christianity creates exponential growth.

Rapid, multiplying, fast, exponential growth. When you do these other seven things the eighth is automatic.

Notice it says, “People liked what they saw. So every day their number grew as God added those who were being saved.” When it said people liked what they saw, who’s it talking about there? Unbelievers. Unbelievers looked at Christians and went, those guys are weird but I like what they’re doing. They love each other. They’re happy. They’re seeing miracles and all these things are happening in their lives.

We have seen growth at COV for sure, but not this kind of growth. This is the kind of growth I am praying for and working for. I am waiting and working and trusting that God will bring that kind of growth here to COV. WHY? I don't want one person going into eternity without knowing Christ. How about you. Will you help build a church here at COV where we practice real Christianity?

I love you guys. Stay faithful. Stay the course.

Day #225: Titus 3:8

Titus 3:8 (NIV)
8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.


The things Paul wrote were true so Titus ought to constantly insist on them from his congregation. The believers must show their beliefs through their conduct. They must be careful to do good deeds all the time. Sound doctrine must manifest itself in good works. Such teaching and action profits the believers as well as the unbelievers to whom the church witnesses.

Titus should stress these things in order to promote godly behavior in his listeners. Twice before Paul had instructed Titus to teach these things in accordance with sound doctrine (Titus 2:1, 15), and this exhortation is his final reiteration of what is probably the central thrust of the entire epistle. Paul was deeply concerned that God’s people devote themselves to doing what is good because these things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Titus was to promote good works, for they go hand in hand with sound doctrine.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

This idea that our faith ought to impact our conduct is foundational. If we claim to know Christ, we must live like Him. We must be about the buisness of doing good works. Good works don't save us (Ephesians 2:8-10) but they show that we are saved.

In light of this foundational truth, I want us to go back and look at what does it really mean to be a real believer – real Christianity.

There are the eight things. They’re all out of the book of Acts, chapter 2. We'll cover four today and four tomorrow.

#1. Real Christianity has supernatural power.

They don’t just talk about God, they experience God. This is what makes the church different from every organization. We have the Holy Spirit. Microsoft does not have the Holy Spirit. The United States government does not have the Holy Spirit. The Red Cross does not have the Holy Spirit. No other organization has the power of God in it. God has not promised his Spirit to help anybody or anything else except his church.

The background of the birth of the church is in Acts 1. “For forty days after his crucifixion, Jesus met with his followers many times [In other words, after he rose from the dead he hung around for another forty days] and he proved in many ways that he was truly alive. [One time he met with five hundred people.] He talked to them about the Kingdom of God. One time while eating a meal with them, Jesus told them, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the Spirit he promised.’”

He said I’ve got some stuff for you to do and I’m going back to heaven, but don’t dare try to do it until you’ve got the power and it’s going to come in my Spirit. I’m with you now, but I’m going back to heaven and I’m going to come back in Spirit form and I’m going to be in you, not just with you.

In Acts chapter 1 verse 8 it says this: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you… And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea, in Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” We’ve talked about this before. Jerusalem was the city they were in. So he says start in your own city. Then go to Judea – that’s like Contra Costa County. The he says go to Samaria. That’s like Northern California, the county next door with all kinds of different people. Then he says go to the whole world. You expand in increasing circles.

He said the Holy Spirit is going to give you the power you need to do what I want you to do. So for the next ten days, Jesus goes back to heaven after forty days, and for the next ten days all the people do is wait. They meet and they wait and they pray. And they wait and they pray. And they wait and they pray, for God’s Spirit to give them the power that they need for the life that he wants them to live.
Here’s the connection. There’s a direct connection in your life with power and prayer. The amount of spiritual power you have in your life is in direct proportion to the amount of time you spend in prayer. Much prayer, much power. Little prayer, little power. No prayer, no power. If you don’t ever pray, I guarantee you you’re not seeing any miracles in your life. You’re not seeing any supernatural power in your life. You don’t have the energy to get everything done that God wants you to get done. Prayer is the connection point. It is the point that you get the power.

#2. The second mark of real Christianity. It uses everybody’s language.

We see that in the next verse. Acts 2:4 “They all began to speak different languages so the Spirit gave each of them the power to express themselves.” You need to understand: this is not talking about speaking in tongues here. Speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift talked about in 1 Corinthians 12-14. It is a private prayer language that says it’s for your own edification for you to talk to God when you’re going, God, I don’t even know what to say. I can’t even think of what to say. I’m hurting so much inside and … That’s a special gift that God gives to some people.

That’s not what he’s talking about here. These are real languages. People actually heard –speaking in French, speaking in Farsi, speaking in Swahili, speaking in German, speaking in Korean. Whatever it was. This was not for growth, this was for their mission.

Verse 5 “There were religious Jews staying in Jerusalem [at this time] who had come from every country in the world.” Isn’t that convenient? God had brought them all back together at the day of Pentecost on the day he’s going to start the church. “When they heard this noise, a large crowd gathered. They were all excited, because all of them heard the believers talking in their own languages. [Like, “I’m from Ethiopia and you’re speaking Ethiopian. Why is that?] In amazement and wonder they exclaimed, ‘These people are talking like this are just Galileans! [In other words they’re Jews, they’re Hebrews. They only know Hebrew. How in the world do they know Ethiopian? How do they know that? ] How is it then that all of us hear them speaking in our own native languages? [Verse 11] All of us hear them speaking in our own languages about the great things God has done.”

What’s going on here? This is the miracle of multi-channel and multi-cultural communication. God is saying on the first day of the church, I’m going to do a miracle that shows the good news is for everybody. It’s not just for Jews. It’s not just for red or yellow, black or white; all are precious in his sight. It’s amazing grace for every race. So I’m going to give these guys a special gift on the first day of the church, and we’re going to expand by saying everybody hears the good news in their own language.

What is God doing here? He’s doing the exact opposite of what he did in Genesis 11. He reverses Genesis 11. If you go back to the Old Testament thousands of years earlier, there was a time when people said, we don’t want God to be God any more. We want to be our own God. We’re going to run our own lives. We’re going to do our own things. We don’t need God. So we’re going to build a giant tower to ourselves. It’s going to go all the way up to the heavens. We’re going to call it the Tower of Babel. The word “babbling” comes from this word. Like a baby babbles. That comes from mixing up the language.

The tower of Babel is built and God said, As long as they can all speak the same language, that’s not a good thing because nothing they do will be impossible for them. So let’s just go down and confuse their language. So God comes down and he changes Babel [by the way Babylon comes from this] he changes their names and he changes the languages.

All of a sudden he confuses all the languages. Some of the people speak a certain language – they head off for Europe. They can’t understand each other anymore. Others moved away to Africa. Others moved away to Asia. They all spread out and the languages spread out.

What God is doing thousands of years later is the exact opposite, when he starts the church. He says, Now instead of confusing languages, I’m going to clarify it. Because I want everybody to know how much I love them. I’m reversing it.

God brought you here to this church because there are people only you can reach. And there’s a language that you speak that will reach those people. You say, but wait a minute. I just speak English or Spanish or Vietnamese or Korean. I’m not talking about your international language. I’m talking about the other languages you speak.

For instance some of you speak MOPS – Mothers of Preschoolers speech. If you’ve ever been around mothers of preschoolers, they’ve got their own lingo. Jumpy jumper and baby diapers and bottles… they might as well be talking hip hop. I have no idea what they’re talking about. In fact, some of you do speak hip hop. You can talk and reach people who speak hip hop.

Some of you speak CEO. Some of you speak accounting. Some of you speak truck driving. You know mechanical terms. Some of you speak retirement because you are retired. Some of you speak the languages of art and some of you speak the language of music. And some of you have a craft or hobby and you know all the phrases and terms of that hobby. Or you speak the language of sports, or golf terms or whatever. Everybody’s got their own language.

God says real Christianity, everybody’s language gets used, whether it’s a sport or a hobby or a stage of life or whatever. You use your language to reach people only you can reach with the good news.

#3. Real Christianity uses everyone’s gifts.

It uses everybody’s gifts and we’ve all got different gifts. In Bible times, there was no such thing like what we’re doing right now, where one guy talks to a huge group. That just didn’t happen. There were no audiences; there was only an army. There were no spectators; there were only participators. There were no consumer Christians who come to church, listen, go home and do nothing about it. No consumer Christians. Everybody was a contributor. The audience was an army. The speculators were participators. One hundred percent participation. Every age group, every race, every gender, all stages of life. It was multi-cultural, multi gender church. Everybody was involved.

Verse 14 says “Then Peter [the apostle Peter,] stood up…” [and he starts to explain what’s going on. All these people have seen people speaking in languages they didn’t understand an hour ago, they’ve got these little flames over their heads and they hear this loud noise.] “Peter stood up and said ‘These people are not drunk as you might suppose. It’s only nine o’clock in the morning! [This is actually quite humorous. It’s only nine a.m. The bars aren’t open yet. These guys aren’t drunk. They may act like they’re drunk, but they’re not drunk. This is the Holy Spirit.] God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. [Circle “on everyone”] Your sons and your daughters will proclaim my message; [In other words everyone is going to be a preacher.] your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. Yes, even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will all [circle “all”] proclaim my message. [Everybody is a messenger. Everybody is a missionary. Everybody is a minister.] Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Circle some things here. Circle “sons and daughters.” He says your sons and daughters are going to proclaim my message. Circle “young and old.” Visions and dreams from the young and old. Circle “men and women.” Sons and daughters, young and old, men and women.

Question: who does that exclude? Martians. That’s about it! It includes everybody. You’re never too old to be used by God. You’re never too young to be used by God. You have gifts and abilities and talents God has put in you and everybody is going to be used.

In this comig decade at COV we’re going to - we must - mobilize every person, every age group and every gender. Every woman will be mobilized. Every man being mobilized. (every member is a minister). Your kids are ministers. Your spouse is a minister. You are a minister. Not everybody is a pastor, but the Bible says God calls everybody.

This is how the first church in Acts grew from a hundred twenty people to dominating the Roman Empire in three hundred years. Just a little group of people. Why? Because everybody was involved. Everybody was included.

#4. Real Christianity offers life changing truth.

Real Christianity offers life changing truth. That is the truths that transform people. We don’t offer pop psychology in this church. We don’t offer self help in this church. We don’t offer polite little moralisms and inspirations in this church. We offer the gospel. It is God’s Word that changes you. Jesus said “It is the truth that sets you free.”

Only the truth will set you free. Until you know the truth about you, the truth about God, the truth about life, the truth about death, the truth about what matters in life, until you know the truth in every area, you’re enslaved. You’ll be a slave to the culture, a slave to the expectations of others, a slave to people’s approval, a slave to peer pressure. You’ll be a slave to habits, addictions and all kinds of things. It is the truth that sets you free.

The church offered the truth of God, which you can’t get anywhere else. It was transforming truth. No other organization, no other group of people has the truth that says your past can be forgiven, you get a purpose for living, you get a home in heaven. Where else are you going to get that? Nowhere. No other message changes lives like the good news. No other message changes a guy from a wife beater, to being a loving, responsible husband. It’s when that truth gets in from God, he changes.

Peter in Acts 2 gives the very first Christian sermon, at the very first day of the very first church. In verses 14-40 is Peter’s sermon. I don’t have time to get into it. I could spend a couple hours just on that sermon. But let me just summarize it for you. Notice in verse 14, “Peter… addressed the crowd: [He says,] let me explain this to you... [He sees everybody talking in other languages, what’s going on here? Let me explain this to you.] Listen carefully to what I say. This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. [Joel had said this:] ‘I will show wonders in the heaven above, signs on the earth below and everybody who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Who is Joel? Joel is a prophet in the Old Testament, near the end of the Old Testament. He’s got a very short book, just a couple chapters. I want you to go home today and read the book of Joel. I want you to read it so that when you get to heaven you’re not embarrassed. I don’t want Joel to come up to you and say, how did you like my book? And you go, Mr. Joel, I didn’t even know you were in the Bible! So you need to go home and read these guys so at least when you get to heaven you’re not embarrassed. “Oh yeah, Joel! Loved the book! Loved the book. Great book.”

Joel had predicted hundreds of years earlier what was going to happen on the day of Pentecost when God sends his Holy Spirit and the church, the Christian church begins. He says there’s going to be all kinds of signs and wonders and miracles. When Peter gets up to speak he says, “You guys, you see what’s going on right now. This is that. This is that! This is what Joel was talking about a hundred years ago, predicted it was going to happen. It’s happening. This is that.”

How does this relate to your life?

You will never understand what God is doing in your life until you know how God has worked in the past. This is why we study the Bible. This is why we look at church history. You don’t have the slightest idea how God is going to work in your life until you know how he’s done it in other peoples’ lives in the past. That’s why we study the Bible. Then you go, “Oh! That’s how God does it!”

My question to you and me today - when is the last time the Word of God transformed your life? Let it start anew again today. I love you guys. Stay faithful. Stay the course.

Day #224: Titus 3:3-7

The Cretans had a reputation for certain vices, yet Paul well understood that all believers once were sinners and had lived far from God (Ephesians 4:17-24). Paul never forgot the change that God had made in his life, beginning with his experience on the Damascus road (Acts 9:1-22). Paul included himself, Titus, the believers in Crete, and all believers across the world in the list of past rebels.

Foolish is used here as it is in Proverbs for those who arrogantly rebel against God and go their own way. Instead of being submissive, obedient, and ready to do good, they were disobedient toward God because of sin, and misled by false teachers so that they became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Without God, all unbelievers are enslaved to their passions and desires. Left alone, human nature can only go from bad to worse. Instead of avoiding slander and quarrels, being peaceful, considerate, and humble, their lives were full of evil and envy. No matter how much “love” the world tries to create without God, the overriding power of sin produces a greater amount of hatred. Thus there is no hope for sinful humanity apart from the intervention of the holy God, our Creator.

Fortunately for us, God intervened. God’s kindness and love appeared in the human form of Jesus Christ. By his death, he saved us from our deserved punishment for disobeying God. He offered this salvation because of his mercy alone, not because we deserved it by doing good things. Paul summarized what God does for us when he saves us. God washed away our sins. As Paul explains the transaction, when believers receive this washing of rebirth, all sins, not merely some, are washed away. We gain new life with all its treasures. The process is complete. We can experience what we have in new ways, but we have received the whole package! We live a “new” life because of the Holy Spirit, whom he generously poured out upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did.

From Adam we inherited guilt, a sinful nature (the tendency to sin), and God’s punishment. Because Jesus took the punishment we deserved for sin and made us right before God, we can trade punishment for forgiveness. We have been declared not guilty. We can trade our sin for Jesus’ righteousness. When we do that, we know that we will inherit eternal life. Eternal life began the moment we gave our life to Christ, but there is more to come! Our experience now is only a foretaste of what God has guaranteed to us in the future!


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

The Bible says we're saved by grace, that the only way to heaven is through the doorway of Grace. If you're going to get to heaven that's the only way you're going to get there. You can't earn it, you can't work for it, you can't buy it. It's just by God's grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 says,, "For by grace you are saved through faith and even that is not of yourself it is the gift of God, not of works so no one could boast." If you could work your way to heaven, can you imagine how boring heaven would be? Everybody would be bragging about how they got there. The Bible says that we're simply saved by grace.

Not only that, we're forgiven by grace. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 43 "I forgive your sins for My own sake." We don't deserve it but God says, "I forgive you."

The Bible says we're sustained by grace. Philippians 2:13 says "God is always working in you to give you the will and the power to do what He's called you to do." God will never ask you to do anything that He doesn't give you the ability and the power to do. And that power and ability is called grace.

Then the Bible teaches that we're healed by grace. He heals our broken hearts and binds up our wounds. The Bible says we're liberated by grace. We talked about how we don't have to live under the rules and regulations of legalism. Jesus said, "Come to Me if you're tired and weary and I will give you rest." Not a bunch of chores to do but rest. If your Christian life is not a life of resting in Christ, then you're moving back into that legalistic background.

The Bible says we're given talents by grace. God has given each of us the ability to do something well and we're to use it for Him. Scripture tells us in Romans 12, "God uses us by grace."

And we're transformed by grace. The Bible says we're transformed by the renewing of our mind. We also mature by grace. The Scripture says in 2 Peter 3:18 "Grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus." The more you grow in grace, the more you're going to grow spiritually.

The bottom line really is this, it's all by grace. Everything that God does in you, for you, through you, He does by grace. Robert Louis Stephenson said, "There's nothing but God's grace. We walk upon it. We breathe it. We live it and we die by it. It makes the nails and axles of the universe."

Everything is by God's grace. We wouldn't even have our own lives if it weren't for God's grace.You say, "This sounds like a good deal. I want to be saved, forgiven, sustained, healed, liberated, given talents, used, kept saved, transformed and matured. How do I get it? How do I receive the grace of God?"

The Bible says in three simple words: By trusting Christ. God made it so simple that nobody could say it was too hard to understand. It's not 23 steps and four pathways and eight guide roads and thirty-two rituals to go through. He just says, By trusting Christ. That's it. It's just as simple as putting my faith in Him.

Day #223: Titus 3:1-2

I apologize for the lack of devotional writings the past few days. I was under the impression another was writing the blog this week. I am back on it.

Most of Titus chapter 2 covered relationships and responsibilities of believers. In Titus chapter 3, Paul discussed Christian behavior in the context of government and society. The quality of our earthly citizenship should reflect the confidence we have in our heavenly citizenship! Because we are citizens of the eternal Kingdom, we can live with hope and serve people in the earthly kingdom.

In addition to teaching, encouraging, and correcting, a Christian leader must also remind his congregation to submit to the government and its officers. As the believers awaited the return of Christ and living eternally with him in his government, they had to live under worldly authorities. So Paul explained how believers in Crete could best do that—by subjecting themselves to government rulers and authorities and by obeying civil laws. He did not want any trouble with the authorities that would bring the church under suspicion.

Christians understand obedience to the government in different ways. All Christians agree that we are to live at peace with the state as long as the state allows us to live by our religious convictions. For hundreds of years, however, there have been at least three interpretations of how we are to do this:

Some Christians believe that the state is so corrupt that Christians should have as little to do with it as possible. Although they should be good citizens as long as they can do so without compromising their beliefs, they should not work for the government, vote in elections, or serve in the military. Although this fulfills the principle of abstaining from evil, it prevents the Christian from being salt and light in the governmental, political, and military systems.

Others believe that Christians have a responsibility to make the state better. They can do this politically, by electing Christian or other high-principled leaders. They can also do this morally, by serving as an influence for good in society. In this view, church and state ideally work together for the good of all. This view is preferred and seems to best portray the New Testament teaching. Nowhere does Jesus call laymen to leave political or social service as a requirement for discipleship. Its inherent danger would be for the Christian to get so involved in worldly affairs that the Christian mission is lost.

These bridge-building characteristics revealed changed lives and made the gospel message attractive to unbelievers. All Christians should check their conduct against these traits. To not speak evil of anyone meant forbidding Christians to spread evil rumors or gossip (see James 3:9). Believers were not to be caught making reports about others that would prove to be untrue. We should be like Christ, who did not retaliate when he was insulted (1 Peter 2:23).

To avoid quarreling means to be peaceable. Christians were to be known as peacemakers in their relationships and within the church. There may be disagreements, but the believers should actively avoid, not the disagreement, but quarreling about it. When disagreements degenerate into quarreling, there is little possibility of preserving peace and working toward a solution.

To be gentle and show true humility follows Christ’s example. Christians should not be agitators but conciliators. Believers could show gentleness and humility to unbelievers in their neighborhoods by offering help without strings attached. When we help unbelievers, we open a door for the gospel.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Romans 13 is very clear on our responsibility to the governing authorities.

Romans 13:1-5 (NIV)
1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

The one who has a problem with authority has the biggest problem of all. There real problem is not with their parents or boss or teacher or coach - there real problem is with the authority of Jesus in their lives. Think about this one today.

I love you guys. Stay faithful. Stay the course.

Day #219: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Scriptures, affirmed Paul, were inspired by God. A translation closer to the original Greek would be, “All Scripture is God-breathed.” This tells us that every word of the Bible was breathed out from God. The words of the Bible came from God and were written by men. The apostle Peter affirmed this when he said that “it was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God” (2 Peter 1:21).

Paul’s words here reminded Timothy that because Scripture is inspired and infallible, it is also useful. The Bible is not a collection of stories, fables, myths, or merely human ideas about God. It is not a human book. Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed his person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down his message for his people. This process is known as “inspiration.” The writers wrote from their own personal, historical, and cultural contexts. Although they used their own minds, talents, language, and style, they wrote what God wanted them to write. Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing. Its words are entirely authoritative for our faith and lives.

Scripture was profitable to every aspect of Timothy’s ministry. Scripture:
can teach us what is true. The content and teaching of truth, which must flow from and be consistent with Scripture. By calling the Bible “God-breathed,” Paul was identifying its divine source; by making it the source of doctrine, he was reminding Timothy of its authority. Teaching that contradicted biblical doctrine was to be rejected, corrected, or replaced by accurate teaching.

can make us realize what is wrong in our lives. The initial impact of true doctrine involves the confrontation of false teaching and understanding. The offensiveness of some who teach biblical truth may have to be excused, but the offensiveness of biblical truth to error and evil requires no apology.

In the area of correction, the Scriptures have two roles: (1) they provide a complete presentation of the teaching, where only part of the truth has been present; and (2) they provide for a right understanding and application where true doctrine may have been taught but has not taken effect. It also teaches us to do what is right by showing us how to please and glorify God. The nature of Scripture allows us to teach it confidently to our children and to learn from it ourselves.

The Bible is not purely a record of the past—the history of the Jews and then of the church. Rather, every story, every prophecy, every teaching, every admonition, and every command points beyond to the author, God, who came to us in Jesus Christ. God confronts us in the pages of his Word—telling us how much he loves us, how we can become his children, and how we should live to please him.

Scripture’s purpose is to prepare and equip believers for every good thing God wants them to do. Timothy carried a heavy responsibility in Ephesus, but through his faith in and reliance on God’s word, he was capable and proficient—able to meet all duties and challenges. Believers should study the Bible so that they will know how to do Christ’s work in the world. Knowledge of God’s word is not useful unless it strengthens our faith and leads us to do good (Ephesians 2:10).


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

It's what we state quite frequently here at COV. For a follower of Christ to get a firm grasp upon God's Word, they must HEAR IT (worship service), READ IT (devotions), STUDY IT (word study, character study, book study, etc..) MEMORIZE IT, MEDITATE UPON IT (think deeply upon what you have heard, read, studied and memorized - asking God to show you how you can/will apply it to your life) and DO IT (live it out).

Today, ask God to birth within you a desire to know Him and His Word. NOT so you can have a "religious" or "academic" understanding of the Word, but so that you will know God's plan and purpose for your life and family. A Christian who is not reading the word daily is really and oxymoron - it's incongruous.

WHY? So God will change your life. THE PURPOSE OF THE BIBLE IS life change! Specifically to change our character and our conduct. To change our character, meaning that the man or woman of God may be perfect, mature, complete. And to change our conduct, meaning that we replace bad works with good works.

I like it the way D.L. Moody says it even better “The bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.” That is it.

THE BIBLE IS NOT a history book. IT IS a manual for life. It has history in it but that is not the purpose – to teach what happened in history. It is a manual for life. Now notice what Jesus said in John 6:63 (NIV) “The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are Life.”

Start today. Embrace God's Word. Love God's Word. Live God's Word.

Day #218: 2 Timothy 3:12-15

In this charge today, Paul was telling Timothy that people who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Paul knew that truth from his own experience. Jesus had warned his disciples: “Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you” (John 15:20).

Today, most Christians do not face outright persecution just for being Christians (although being a Christian is still against the law in some places in the world). Those who worship freely and unhindered should be deeply grateful. However, we should not assume that this verse does not apply to us. If we stand up for Christian values, we can expect opposition and hostility from the world. Based upon the testimony of countless believers who have lived before us, we can expect to meet with some form of persecution or resistance if we persist in living in obedience to Christ. Absence of persecution may not mean unfaithfulness, but if our lives as Christians never affect the world, we may have to question the depth of our commitment.

But even as believers faced persecution, evil people and imposters will flourish. These wicked people were progressing toward their wicked goal and dragging others down with them (1 Peter 4:2-5).

Besieged by false teachers and the inevitable pressures of a growing ministry, Timothy might have been tempted at times to abandon his faith or modify his doctrine. Paul counseled Timothy to look to his past and remain faithful to the things he had been taught about Jesus that he knew were eternally true. The false teachers might constantly move on to new and more exciting concepts and ideas for discussion and argument, but Timothy needed to stand secure on what he had learned and firmly believed. This did not mean that Timothy needed no further study, but that the basics that Timothy had learned from people he trusted would never change.

Timothy was one of the first second-generation Christians: he had become a Christian, not because an evangelist preached a powerful sermon, but because his mother and grandmother had taught him the Scriptures when he was a small child. For Timothy, the holy Scriptures were primarily the Old Testament—Genesis to Malachi. The sources for Timothy’s faith could provide another encouragement to continue in the faith: Paul, his mentor and friend, who provided an unmistakable example of God’s faithfulness; the inerrant Scriptures that Timothy had studied and loved since childhood; and Timothy’s dear mother and grandmother who nurtured and loved him. Scripture, God’s word, teaches about salvation; but knowing Scripture alone saves no one (many Jews had known Scripture from childhood, yet had opposed Jesus and the salvation he offered—2 Corinthians 3:15-16; Paul himself exemplified that in his early years, Acts 26:9-11). The Scriptures show people their need for salvation and show them how to get it—by trusting in Christ Jesus.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

The great theologian Mike Ditka once said that "suffering doesn't build character - it reveals it." I like that. When the pressure is on your life - when your getting squeezed like a tube of toothpaste from all corners, whatever is inside of your life comes out. Whatever comes out, fear, anger, anxiety, stress - peace, patience, kindness, self-control - whatever comes out is what's inside. You can't fake it. You can't pretend in those moments.

Some early converts faced persecution. They had converted to Christianity from Judaism. The pressure to come back to the synagogue was palpable. The ultimatum came down - either come back to the synagogues and your Jewish faith or be excommunicated.
Read how they responded -

John 12:42-43 (NIV)
Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

How do you respond when the pressures of life hit? What's inside of you? Ponder these things today. I love you guys. Stay faithful. Stay the course.

Day #217: 2 Timothy 3:10-11

Paul laced his letters with encouragement, challenges, hopes, and affirmations for Timothy. In this last section before his closing remarks, Paul reflected on the significance of his and Timothy’s life together. Paul gave the consistency of his own example and the trustworthiness of Scripture as two dependable guides for Timothy’s future. Paul’s words and actions created a seamless pattern for the younger man.

After strongly denouncing the false teachers and their foolishness, Paul turned his attention back to Timothy, who could look at Paul as an example of living out the opposite characteristics of those described in verses 2-9. That Timothy “knew” about all the activities and characteristics listed here and in verse 11 does not necessarily mean he was an eyewitness. Some of the persecutions mentioned in verse 11 happened before Paul had met Timothy. But Timothy had heard about some of these situations; however, undoubtedly he knew others from personal experience. Paul’s words here are not proud; rather, they are a testimony to the truth of the gospel and God’s faithfulness, meant to encourage young Timothy. Paul was also using himself as a model for what Timothy should be doing in his leadership role in Ephesus.

Timothy knew the content of Paul’s teaching; it was the truth as opposed to the false teachers’ lies, myths, and godless arguments. Timothy had been privileged to hear Paul teach many times, to many audiences, on a variety of topics. Paul’s teaching would be of no value if it did not impact his life—but it did, as the following characteristics reveal.

Timothy knew Paul’s purpose in life, his central mission, his chief aim. Traveling with the tireless missionary must have quickly convinced Timothy of Paul’s single-minded focus on his mission. Paul never took that calling lightly.
Timothy knew Paul’s faith, love, and patient endurance. Paul called on Timothy to exhibit these qualities, for they are basic Christian virtues (1 Timothy 6:11). The word endurance can also be translated “steadfastness,” referring to a person’s ability to remain strong under pressure. Paul expected Timothy to model these same character traits in Ephesus.

Paul mentioned persecution and suffering to contrast his experience with that of the pleasure-seeking false teachers. These persecutions occurred during the first missionary journey. Paul had met Timothy at the beginning of his second missionary journey, but Timothy certainly had heard about these experiences. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-33, Paul had summarized his lifetime of persecutions and sufferings for the sake of the gospel.

In Antioch (in Pisidia), the Jews stirred up some people and Paul was driven out (Acts 13:50). In Iconium, they were mistreated and stoned (Acts 14:4-6). In Lystra, Timothy’s hometown, Paul had been stoned, dragged out of the city, and left for dead (Acts 14:19). At times, Paul had been miraculously delivered (Acts 16:25-26); at other times, Paul had to suffer through the persecution (as with the stoning in Lystra). To be delivered through persecution and suffering does not necessarily mean escaping from it; Paul knew that God would deliver him as often as needed until Paul’s work on earth was done. Indeed, Paul suffered in prison and certainly realized that he would be called on to face the ultimate persecution—death. Paul trusted God that his time had come, that his work was completed, and that he would see his Savior face-to-face.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

I read this passage today and I am humbled. I ask myself, what is it really costing me to serve our Lord. What price am I paying? What am I sacrificing? What am I doing without so others can have? I remember the words of David in 1 Chronicles 21:23-24 (NIV)

"Araunah said to David, "Take it! Let my lord the king do whatever pleases him. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt offerings, the threshing sledges for the wood, and the wheat for the grain offering. I will give all this." But King David replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing."

Are you paying the full price? For each of us that "Full Price" looks a little different, but the principles is the same - am I serving? Am I sharing? Am i tithing? Am I sacrificing? OR, as life gotten to comfortable? Am I on easy street? Do I give out of my abundance or does it cost me - really cost me when I give or serve the Lord and others? Ponder these things today in your heart and mind?

Day #216: 2 Timothy 3:8-9

According to Jewish legend, Jannes and Jambres were two of the magicians who counterfeited Moses’ miracles before Pharaoh (Exodus 7:11-12). Paul explained that just as Moses exposed and defeated them (Exodus 8:18-19), God would overthrow the false teachers who were plaguing the Ephesian church. While the false teachers’ threat to the church was very real both across the Roman world and in our world today (hence, Paul’s advice about dealing with them in this and many other letters), the threat will never be fatal to the gospel. Just as Jannes and Jambres’s fake power was eventually revealed by God’s power through Moses (Exodus 8:18-19; 9:11), so what fools they are would eventually become clear to everyone. Whatever the temporary success of the false teachers, eventually they would be completely humiliated.

Paul did not specify how that would happen. Perhaps it would not be until Christ’s return; or perhaps God would ensure that discerning believers will see through the deception; or perhaps God would work behind the scenes in such a way that the false teachers will be unmasked for who they really are.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Here's the take away for us today - just as false teachers will be exposed some day for what they truly are - so will our sin be exposed as well as our true motives be exposed. Scary thought huh?

Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

My point? Let's make sure that whatever we do, wherever we serve, wherever we work - our career, our families, church - we seek to serve not for the praise from men, but we seek to serve and work for God's praise and for God's glory.

Colossians 3:22-24 (NIV)
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Day #215: 2 Timothy 3:6-7

Because of their cultural background, women in the Ephesian church had no formal religious training. They enjoyed their new freedom to study Christian truths, but their eagerness to learn made them a target for false teachers. At this time in history, there were almost no opportunities for women to be employed. Also, the church at Ephesus had a significantly large group of widows (1 Timothy 5:3-16). Thus, there were many women who may not have been fully occupied during the day. They became targets for the false teachers.

The expression, work their way into people’s homes, indicates the insidious methods of the false teachers. They targeted vulnerable women. Then with all their intellectual-sounding talk, the false teachers captivated these women and won their confidence. These women were especially vulnerable because they were burdened with the guilt of sin (that is, their consciences were laden with guilt) and controlled by many desires (their personal appetites and aspirations, remnants from their pagan days, were so strong as to still cause them problems, probably leading to their overwhelmed consciences!). Their weakness combined with their guilt made them easy targets for the “cures” that the false teachers brought. Paul warned Timothy to watch out for men who would take advantage of these women.

These women were forever following new teachings, making them easy targets for the false teachers. But without basic knowledge of the faith that leads to repentance and forgiveness of their sins, these women would only get confused and never be able to recognize and understand the truth. Churches that have little or no biblical and theological content in their teaching program fall right into this error. People who attend this kind of church are easy targets for false teachers. It is possible to be a perpetual student and never graduate to accepting the truth and putting it into practice. But honest seekers and true students look for answers and, when they find them, continue in their study and application of that truth. The accumulation of seminars, classes, Bible studies, and books without specific application in our daily lives can easily become our own version of what Paul was describing here. Remember this as you study God’s word. Seek to find God’s truth and will for your life.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

How do we guard against false teachers? We must know the Word - God's Word - the Bible. But more than that - we must live the Word. Put it into practice.

James 1:22-25 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.

When we live out God's Word - applying it to our lives, we gain a far deeper understanding of God's will and truth that we ever would by just garnering an academic understanding.

Let me ask you today - what has God already taught you from His Word that you are NOT doing right now? Why? What's holding you back?

When we fail to apply God's Word, our heart gets a little bit harder - a little bit more rigid - and just a little bit more prone to being susceptible to false teaching.

Hebrews 3:7-8 (NIV)
So, as the Holy Spirit says: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts..."

Day #214: 2 Timothy 3:2-5

When people misdirect their love—toward themselves and money—there can be no love left to direct toward others. Moral corruption naturally results. The extent of moral degeneration can be seen in the rejection of the most intimate human ties with many blatantly disobedient to their parents. This behavior willfully breaks the fifth commandment to honor one’s father and mother (see Exodus 20:12).

The commandment was given because God understood the importance of strong families. To “honor” parents means speaking well of them and politely to them. It also means acting in a way that shows them courtesy and respect. People are in a sad state when they are ungrateful and cannot appreciate anything. In Romans 1:21, Paul noted that ingratitude was second only to dishonoring God as a just cause for God’s judgment on humanity. This leads them to consider nothing sacred. People who set aside God in order to live only to please themselves can only go one direction—toward wickedness. They instinctively resist anyone or any ideas that would force them to measure themselves by God’s standards.

People will be unloving. The same word is used in only one other place in the New Testament (Romans 1:31), in a passage where Paul listed the characteristics of people who refuse God and follow their own inclinations. Indeed, because these people love only themselves and their money (possessions), as Paul noted in verse 2, they are unloving toward everyone and everything else.

Unforgiving people cannot allow for other people’s mistakes or weaknesses. They are unyielding, unrelenting, and often are filled with extreme bitterness and anger over their own hurts. They simply refuse to forgive, even if presented with the opportunity. Eventually, they become unable to forgive, even when they might acknowledge the need to do so.

People who slander others are quick to spread falsehoods. Slanderers enjoy spreading gossip and malicious reports about others. Destroying another’s good reputation gives them perverse pleasure. Without self-control, they cannot restrain their actions, their feelings, or their words.Cruel people (“brutes”) are like untamed animals, or “uncivilized” people. They are insensitive and crude, even savage. People will be so evil that they actually have no interest in what is good.

To betray one’s friends is to be treacherous. In some cases, betrayal of another might enhance a person’s standing or enrich him or her; at other times, the betrayal could be a vengeful act. Combined with slander (3:3), truth goes by the wayside.
Being reckless can also be translated “headstrong” and “rash.” Such people act foolishly and carelessly, completely unconcerned about the consequences for themselves or others. They are determined to have their own way, regardless of advice to the contrary.

Often these evil characteristics appear in a context of respectability. Religion is not gone; in fact, these character qualities are frequently exhibited by people known for their “religiousness.” However, as Paul wrote, they act as if they are religious, using godliness as a cloak of respectability. But they will reject the power that could make them godly, denying God’s power over their lives. The “act” could include going to church, knowing Christian doctrine, using Christian clichés, and following a community’s Christian traditions. Such practices can make a person outwardly look good, but if the inner attitudes of belief, love, and worship are lacking, the public appearance is hollow, meaningless.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)

Evalute yourself today on the things mentioned in today's passage.

2 Timothy 3:2-5 (MSG)
As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They'll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they're animals. Stay clear of these people.

Is there any trace of these negative traits in your life? What will you do about it?

DAY #227

No blog today. Rather, I'd like to hear from those of you who have been reading the devotionals. Please email me at pastormike@covsanramon.org and let me know what God has been doing in your life through this devotional blog.

Day #226: 1 Timothy 4:11-16

So What? (What will you do with what you read today?)

Timothy, as a young man with perhaps a nonassertive personality, was evidently given to timidity and fear. Thus Paul exhorted him to command and teach these things. Paul was prodding Timothy to be firm and courageous in his ministry. At first Paul’s instruction that Timothy should not let anyone “despise” his youth might seem impossible to fulfill since Timothy could not control the attitudes of others. Yet when combined with the latter part of the verse, the thrust of Paul’s instruction becomes clear. Timothy must not be intimidated by his relative youthfulness or what others might think of it. Instead he was to demonstrate his maturity by living such a godly life that he would become a pattern for other Christians in every area of his life: speech, life, love, faith, and purity. Paul is very clear to Timothy, he says, “set the example”. Paul moves on to exhort Timothy to attend to his public ministry as well as his private life. This public ministry was to consist of at least three elements.

1.) Public reading of Scripture

2.) Preaching

3.) Teaching

Timothy’s image of himself as a minister was evidently deficient, so Paul reminded him of the fact that God had given him the ability for service. Timothy must not ignore or neglect this basic factor. If others were not to look down on Timothy, neither was he to look down on himself. Timothy was to give his careful attention to Paul’s instructions. As he would do so his progress would be evident to all observers and his problem of low credibility, implied throughout this section, would be alleviated. He was to keep a sharp
eye on both, persevering in the instructions Paul had offered in his private life as well as his public ministry. In so doing, said Paul, you will save both yourself and your hearers. Ultimately only God can save, of course; yet in a secondary sense the New Testament speaks of a person “saving” himself (Phil. 2:12) and others (James 5:19-20; Jude 23). Paul’s words are a pointed reminder of the awesome burden of responsibility that pastors carry.

Here is the truth, verse 12 applies to all of us. If you read today’s portion of scripture and thought to yourself, “I’m old, it doesn’t apply to me.” then your wrong. Unless you are the oldest person still alive on this planet there will always be someone older than you. Paul says don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young but set the example in 5 key areas.

Examine yourselves in those 5 areas. Are you setting the example to believers in your speech? Do the words that come out of your mouth build up others or tear them down. How is your life? Does your life, your conduct set the example to others to follow Christ? How about your love? Do you love others? Examine yourselves. Does your faith set the pace for others? How about your purity? Paul gives us these areas to lead the way.



Make it Happen!

Day #225: 1 Timothy 4:6-10

So What? (What will you do with what you read?)

Since Timothy was to share God’s truth to others, he was to have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales. The godless and the worthless go hand in hand and should be shunned. Instead, Timothy was to devote himself to much more manly pursuits. Paul introduced an athletic image with the words train yourself. The verb here is gymnaze, from which comes the English “gymnasium.” But Timothy’s training was to be for godliness, not physical fitness. Paul often used athletic analogies to drive home the need for spiritual discipline. As valuable as physical fitness may be and Paul did not disparage it, spiritual fitness, or godliness, is much more valuable. Physical fitness is profitable only, literally, “for a little.” But godliness is profitable for all things, not merely in this present transient life but in the life to come, that is, for eternity. Godliness colors all aspects of temporal and eternal life, bestowing its blessing on all it touches. To this end, said Paul, we labor and strive—that is, to develop the godliness of verse 8. Paul knew his struggle was worth it because his hope was set, not on himself, some philosophy of life, other men, or nonexistent gods—but in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. Paul stated that God is the Savior of “all men” since He desires that all be saved and He provided Christ as the ransom to make that salvation possible.

The truth about training became especially personal this week. I have worked out everyday this week. As I sit here this morning, writing this blog, I can feel those workouts. Every muscle in my body is sore. Because of that soreness, I have to examine myself spiritual fitness. Do I train in godliness as hard as I do to get into shape? When I am working out I monitor my diet, sleep and activity. Do I pay that close attention to what I feed my heart, my soul. Listen to what Proverbs 4 says,

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

How well do you guard your heart? Jesus said that what comes out of mouth and life is the overflow of our hearts. That is focus of our spiritual training! So let me ask you a question, how is your training?

Make it Happen!

Day #224: 1 Timothy 4:1-5

So What? (What will you do with what you read today?)

As the guardian of the truth, the church must be aware of the strategies of the truth’s enemies. It is crucial then for the church to understand what God has revealed about these enemies. According to this teaching the situation will degenerate as Christ’s return approaches. In later times which Paul viewed as still future though casting their shadow already, some people will abandon the faith to follow after the false teaching of deceiving spirits and… demons. Spiritual error is seldom due to innocent mistakes. It is more often due to the conscious strategies of God’s spiritual enemies. But God’s spiritual enemies do not directly confront their victims with error. Instead they work through hypocritical liars. This is Satan’s standard operating procedure. He selects likely representatives and renders their consciences beyond feeling, seared as with a hot iron. In this condition they are ready to do Satan’s bidding. The false teachers plaguing the Ephesian church were the forerunners of the Gnostics of the second century. Even at this relatively incipient stage, the strong dualism of the Gnostics is clear: spirit is good; matter is evil. They believed all appetites relating to the body are therefore evil and should be rooted out, including normal desires for sex and food. Thus the false teachers forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods. But Paul went to the heart of the dualistic error by stating that matter is not inherently evil; it is rather part of what God created. Now those who believe and who know the truth can gratefully receive and use the things God created, which were designed to be received. Contrary to the false teaching, everything God created is good. Here Paul echoed God’s own verdict.

Genesis 1:31 (NIV)
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good…

Where the false teachers were intent on “forbidding” and “abstaining”, Paul said that nothing is to be rejected—nothing, that is, that God created. Man can abuse what God has created, as adultery is an abuse of the marital sexual relationship, and gluttony is an abuse of a normal appetite for food. Such abuses should certainly be rejected. But God’s creations themselves are all good and should be received with thanksgiving, not with taboos. All the seemingly “ordinary” things of life can then become extraordinary as
they are consecrated by the Word of God and prayer. In the light of the Scriptures a
Christian recognizes God’s good hand behind the things provided, and offers
thanksgiving to the Lord. In this way the ordinary things so easily taken for granted become sanctified as occasions for worship and praise.

As you move forward today remember this verse from the Apostle Paul.

1 Cor. 10:31 (NIV)
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Make It Happen!

Day #223: 1 Timothy 3:13-16

So What? (What will you do with what you read today?)

Paul concludes his instruction about deacons in verse 13. Though the position of deacon seems by worldly standards to be menial and unattractive, to close followers of Jesus Christ it looks quite different. Those who fulfill their servant roles faithfully gain two things.

1.) An excellent standing before fellow Christians who understand and appreciate the beauty of humble, selfless, Christlike service

2.) Great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Humble service, which lacks all the rewards the world deems important, becomes a true test of one’s motives. Here one discovers for himself whether or not his efforts are truly prompted by a Christlike spirit of selfless service. When a deacon has indeed “served well” his ministry builds confidence in the sincerity of his own faith in Christ.

In verse 14, Paul moves on from the instructions and qualifications for elders and deacons and moves on to more instruction for the church. The clearly stated purpose of these instructions is to inform the Ephesian congregation how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household. Again Paul used the analogy of the “household” to refer to the church. This merges into an architectural image involving the church as pillar and
foundation of the truth. Paul had been discussing proper godly conduct in the church, behavior which is in every way consistent with the truth, rather than contrary to the sound doctrine. In 3:16 he expressed a simple idea which becomes difficult due only to its
compactness. This truth about godliness being a mystery means that it was hidden but
now is revealed. Paul cited the content of this truth in the form of an excerpt from an early hymn about Christ, who is the essence of the “mystery”. There are six elements of
the excerpt.

1) Appeared in a body
This refers to the Incarnation of Christ.

2) Was vindicated by the Spirit
This refers to God’s demonstration through the Resurrection, by the Holy Spirit, that the crucified Jesus is Lord and Messiah.

3) Was seen by angels
This refers to His exaltation before the heavenly realm

4) Was preached among the nations

5) Was believed on in the world
This refers to the progressive fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through His preordained means

6) Was taken up in glory
This refers to the Ascension.

Day #222: 1 Timothy 3:8-12

So What? (What are you going to do with what you read today?)

Like overseers, deacons must also be men of quality, even though their function in the congregation is significantly different. The word translated “deacon” (diakonos) means literally a “humble servant.” The role of the deacons is to carry out, under the elders’ oversight, some of the more menial tasks of the church so that the elders can give their attention to more important things.
In Acts 6 we find the origin of what later became the role of a deacon in the church.

Acts 6:1-6
In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, "It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word." This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

The qualifications for the office of deacon are almost as stringent as for elder because of their public profile in the church and because the servant nature of their work requires strong qualities of maturity. Deacons must therefore be men worthy of respect—that is, serious men of dignity, not clowns. They must be sincere in the sense of being honest and unhypocritical. Like the overseers, deacons must not be heavy wine drinkers or greedy chasers after dishonest gain. Most important of all, deacons must be men of spiritual depth. Specifically they should be men who understand and hold fast the deep truths of the faith. By the phrase with a clear conscience Paul meant that there must be nothing in the conduct of these men that was glaringly inconsistent with their professed beliefs. In other words they must not profess one thing but practice another.

Again, like the overseers, who are to demonstrate their maturity before being placed in a position of responsibility, deacons must also first be tested. Paul’s intent here was not to require some formal testing procedure, but rather that these men “prove” their quality over time in the ordinary activities of life and ministry. After they showed themselves “irreproachable,” then let them serve as deacons. Christlike conduct is required of deacons.

Similarly the gynaikas (“women” or wives) are to be worthy of respect, that is, dignified, not slanderers of others, but temperate, and trustworthy in everything. Who are these gynaikas Paul addressed? They were almost certainly not the women of the congregation generally. They were most likely either the wives of the deacons or a group of female deacons. Like the elders, deacons must be “one-women men” and capable managers of their own families.

Deacons are vital to the function of the church. Deacons care for the sick and those who need help in the church. In our church today Deacons visit members and attenders in the hospital, take meals to those who are homebound or in need of help. Deacons serve! The truth is you don't have be a deacon to serve your church family. You can take meals to those whom are close to you and are in need. It is right in the eyes of the Lord to have a servant's heart. Next time you see a need, go and meet that need. Serve!

Make it Happen!

Day #221: 1 Timothy 3:2-7

So What? (What will you do with what you read today?)

More is required of an overseer than mere willingness to serve. In verses 2-7 Paul listed 15 requirements for a church leader. This is not a partial list but a full list. Any elder of a church must exemplify all of these qualifications. Many of these qualifications are self-explanatory.

1) Above Reproach.
He must be blameless in his behavior. This Greek word anepilēmpton, “above reproach,” is used in the New Testament only in this epistle (v. 2; 5:7; 6:14). It means to have nothing in one’s conduct on which someone could ground a charge or accusation.

2) Husband of but One Wife
This literally means, a “one-woman man.” This phrase prohibits both polygamy and promiscuity, which are unthinkable for spiritual leaders in the church. The words a “one-woman man” are saying that the affections of an elder must be centered exclusively on his wife.

3) Temperate
This can be translated as “well-balanced”.

4) Self-Controlled

5) Respectable

6) Hospitable

7) Able to Teach
This speaks of a leader’s ability to handle the Scriptures. He must be able both to understand and to communicate the truth to others, as well as to refute those who mishandle it. Not all must necessarily do this publicly, of course; some may conduct this aspect of their ministries more informally in private settings. Yet all leaders must possess an aptitude for handling the Word with skill.

8) Not Given to Much Wine

9) Not Violent

10) Gentle, or Forbearing
Making room for others.

11) Not Quarrelsome

12) Not a Lover of Money
He never pursues his ministry for personal gain

13) Manage his Own Family Well
Paul’s specific focus here was on the children. The most reliable (though not infallible) means of determining the quality of one’s potential leadership is by examining the behavior of his children. Paul made an analogy between leadership or management of a home and that in a church. Many of the same skills and qualifications are needed for both. Success in a family may well indicate success in a church; likewise, failure in a home raises a red flag about one’s ability to lead in a congregation.

14) Not Be a Recent Convert
This prevents a rapid advancement to leadership. It will fill him with pride and conceit, and he will experience the same kind of judgment that the devil incurred for his pride.

15) Have a Good Reputation with Outsiders
Paul’s thought here seems to be that church leaders, as representatives of the congregation, are constantly susceptible to the snares of the devil. Satan likes nothing better than to disgrace God’s work and God’s people by trapping church leaders in sin before a watching world. It is important therefore that overseers achieve and maintain a good reputation before unbelievers.

The truth is that Paul sets the bar extremely high. The privilege of being an elder is reserved for the man whose walk with God is intimate and genuine. His unwavering faith maintains each of these qualifications out of obedience to the Lord. For those of you aspire to be an elder Paul gives you fifteen qualification to strive for.

Make it Happen!