The worst of times, (THursday)

Paul, speaking of the ends of times explains the different characteristics people might walk by.

some of these things are that men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanders, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rahter than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away.

"And from such people turn away".

To think, we have a pivotal role in our brothers and sisters lives that they would turn away from such a great God.  A lot of times in our lives were so turned off by something without even actually trying something.  God is the same thing.  He calls us to be harvesters but in the end of times which could be near we see these kinds of things in our everyday lives dont we.  Speaking to myself, i know that in my own life i am at many times these.  But through the grace that saves me i know that all is forgiven as i depend on the mercy that bore death for me on the Cross.  Knowing this FACT, it helps me want to devote my life to Christ moreso than ever.  

Needing to Run, Devotion.

Paul still being in Jail sends another letter to Timothy telling him to continue on this race as He serves the Church in Ephesus.  Timothy serves with passion and takes Pauls passion as an example as He perseveres as he gets scrutinized under the people that attack his teachings.

Timothy One;

Greetings in Grace Mercy, and Peace from God... Not himself but from the one that gives Paul strength as well as me.

Timothy's faith and Heritage

The encouragement that Paul speaks of isn't anything that he can do alone.  But it is through prayer that he reaches Timothy's heart, through the Lord as he prays night and day for his brother and fellow servant in Christ.

As well as his prayers Paul is encouraged and is said to be filled with tears as he knows the hardships that he is going through but joyful because he knows and is confident in Timothy's unfailing service to the God that saves him.

Being confident in Timothy's salvation and strength he urges Timothy to use the gifts that God has given, not through the spirit of fear but from the power and love of a sound mind

Serving cheerfully, joyfully?

God has not given us a spirit of fear, The holy spirit is the gift unto us and nowhere does it say that when the holy spirit is within you (After salvation, being a new creation) does it say to be fearful or timid.  Having this gift God desires us to use the spirit of power not fear, which power banishes fear.

The sufferings of the gospel is told through the story of our Lord Jesus.  His afflictions, his carrying of the cross, the burdens and the sins for us.  Which is the power of Christ, and the saving grace that feeds our hearts.

Paul speaks of the amazing grace that Christ had done for us, that it was God that has called us into salvation, giving a holy calling.  A calling being something that is bestowed unto us, and the calling isnt what we were to be given but what God has given to us.  A free gift, the death, and resurrection and saving grace of Jesus Christ.

To not be ashamed,

For i know whom i have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what i have committed to Him until that day.

Having appeared to Paul with the transformation he knows who he serves.  The man that had persecuted Gods people now serves him with all his strength.  And as a committment even until death, he isnt ashamed.  He isnt cowardice, but he takes on the full armor, the power  and love of a sound mind that he talks about earlier in the passage.

Be loyal to the Faith

Timothy Two;

Be strong in Grace

Strength through the grace of Christ Jesus, which Paul understands so well within his own life, and of mine. 

through grace, teach others that will be faithful men so that the knowledge and power through Christ may be known.

The metaphor of soldiers

At least when i think of soldiers i do think of brave, courageous individuals that fight for a cause that they believe in.  In the same way Paul asks timothy (and in turn he teaches this to his students) to endure like soldiers do.  The courageous acts of those individuals as they fight a war they have won.

Paul goes on to speak about Athletes playing by the rules and hard working farmers must be first to partake (Be characterized by) of the crops.  These things ... are things that Paul asks Timothy to question the Lord and try to receive understanding.

Fully engulfed in the exercise or activity that you are doing?

God may be asking us to play within his grace, and understand that we must be a part of the harvest? that we were once in the harvest until someone, or God himself plucked us out?

Paul goes on to talk about the elect, and that the elect can also receive salvation, and that he would endure all things because the word of God is not chained or bound by anything. But is free to give and free to receive.  

But who is the elect?

all things? well in Genesis it does say that all men (and women) were created in His image, so i mean it could be taken in the way that the elect are those people that do decide to partake in his body and blood but also those that havent.  Giving them an opportunity to obtain salvation, but more specifically the elect is those that do choose, without a doubt. 

The next few verses speaks of the death and resurrection we experience, the life that we experience as he is our king, as we folow him.  

Its like if we do this he'll do this back to us, an eye for an eye haha.

Approved and Disapproved Workers

These workers that Paul is speaking of, wants us to not be ashamed of the Gospel, 

ungodliness comes from profane and idle bablings.

If this is done, then the message that they speak, which in a couple verses back talks about words to no profit that ruins the ears hearers.

But even with this "cancer" spreading because of profane and idle babling Paul says that the word of God stands, and like in the gospel the Lord knows who is his, like the shepard that would go search if even one of his sheep went missing and the joyful actions done if he is found. 

Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity

Definition of iniquity; immoral or grossly unfair behavior

Paul asks us to let go of the iniquity that we face.  Man, its so hard though.  I must say that even as a follower of Christ the world is so enticing.  I struggle with my sins every day, and its always the same thing.  A little lust here, a little coveting there, anger, bitterness stuff like that just rule me and it helps a cancer spread through my veins.  Paul speaking about those people not being allowed to talk is ... questionable for me.  Where are my qualification to be this, a leader.  Nowhere but through the grace of God, that justifies me and gives me salvation and a light and a second, third, fourth, FIFTH A BAJILLION chances.  But its not so that grace may abound so that sin may come more but that grace may abound so that sin may be no more.

Vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay

these vessels are used for his glory, i think paul is saying that although these pieces in Gods puzzle may be different there all used for something whether it being for honor or dishonor.

Yeah, so it says therefore if anyone cleanses himself (through the blood of the lamb, asking for forgiveness) from the latter, he willbe a vessel for honor, sanctified (Set apart or declared holy) and usedful for the master, prepared for every good work.

Flee (RUN!!!) also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

run away from these things with others, fighting together.  Even as soldiers are in platoons.  Asking us to fight this fight together, as brothers and sisters.  As Paul is being encouraged by Timothy and vice versa he asks us to do the same. 

But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing they generate strife

there are arguments that you can avoid.  Strife being, sin.  The hatred or bitterness towards another brother :/ oh man.

it also affects the churhc.

and a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition (To Christ)

and in this God wants to grant them repentence so that they may know the truth, at time using us as gateways, so that we may act according to the knowledge of the grace that saves us.

and they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

these are the things taht are hoped.  I was once snared, my senses captured and unable to see out of dark covered Eyes.  but that good day, oh that good day. knowing his grace, feeling his love and embrace.  His will is on the tip of my tongue, the edge of my heart, i need to fight.  I need to run.

Treatment and Honoring.

1st Timothy Five

Timothy begins to tell more of the conduct that is expected in the church, for the hopes that the people in the Church of Ephesus would follow these rules? commands? to bring glory to God and edify one another so that Christ in them could be glorified.

Dont rebuke an older man, but Exhort (Strongly Encourage or Urge to do something) him as a father, younger men as brothers, Older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

The Definition of "Honor"ing

The Dictionary tells us ... that the Ten Commandments instruct us to "Honor thy father and mother."  But what does honor entail?  While all of these nouns describe the respect or esteem that one shows to another, honor implies acknowledgement of a person's right to such respect (Honor ones ancestors; honor the dead).

Timothy writes and says to Honor True widows

A true widow is one that is left alone and trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

This kind of thing, the widow could be applied to those that are not married and have a spouse as I do not.  As i read this passage i think of the promise of one flesh that God has for his people.  That "one flesh" brings a man and woman together but at one point in time one is left and the other has gone to live with God in heaven.  Afterwards, being sinful in nature we are left alone and every time, not a lot of times we succumb to our sins and eat and drink the longings of our hearts.  When we are alone, we cant just sit there and be alone we need to go up to someone and tlak to them, be with them or just have someone in their presence.  But Timothy asks true widows as well as us to trust in God, and when i think of trust it hink of that game when i played as a young kid.  Falling back and "trusting" that someone would catch me.  If i was to play with someone i didnt trust i would never fall back but in this game with Christ, hes already caught me and given me in a metaphoric sense a place to lie on with green green grass and flowers and etc.  Trusting, trusting which is in supplications and prayers night and day.

Those who live in pleasure are dead while they live.

Timothy like Paul tells us to be blameless so that we can burn with the fire from the spirit.

But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

WHAT!

Caring is loving.  Loving is serving.  Serving is dying.  Simple concepts but a lot of times i just want to stop at caring, sometimes a little before that.  At this point in my life, in this season God expects of me, he expects of me to provide.  Whether it is through leading them in the spirit to worship his name or teaching, praying, encouraging it is all provisions for His people.  The household at this point is yes, my home, but also my chruch.  Vision, Cornerstone, and other churchs and people that i have met in the past.  As i read this, and think about the verses from before i think of the trust thing.  If you dont trust in something you are very unlikely to share about it, regardless of how knowledgable you are.  If we dont share, you aren't believing because what we have faith in is that eternal life.  Households, arent just churchs, and believers but this grace extends to all people because everyone is essentially created in Gods image. 

Once again timothy speaks of the qualifications of being a true widow;

dont let a widow under 60 be taken into the number  and the wife of one man.

Well reported for good works

Brought up children

lodged strangers

washed saints feet,

relieved the afflicted

diligently followed every good work

Transitions intowhat widows should not be.

Honoring elders

Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, 

Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, not share in other peoples sins; keep yourself pure

Those that take the faith seriously need to stand tall in the face of sin.  The question becomes when you do sin.  But then as a follower of Christ we can think of grace, the undeserving grace of the blood of the lamb.  We should not dwell because we are sin, but through our weaknesses Christ is to be our strength evermore.  

1st Timothy Six

Timothy continues on the conduct of the church people.  Honoring God means honoring his people and also those he puts into authority.

Honoring Masters,

those that have a master, honor their masters as they are under there yoke (Connected).   Honor the master so that when others see you you do not make a mockery out of God.

As a servant of the master, Serve them not despising them because of the conditions but serve because you are a believer and Christ came to serve not be served.

Error and Greed

Wholesome (Conducive to or promoting moral well being) words should be used when teaching so the way you live your life should be lived accordingly to the scripture.

Money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greedinees, and pierced themsevles through with many sorrows.

The good confession

Speaks to the men of God, the followers of Christ.

Dont follow them but pursue the things that please God which are... righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness.  

These are some fruits of the spirit.

As a follower of Christ these should be your nature.  Living and bearing fruits is a life that is lived to be glorified to Christ.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confseed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses

on that glorious day, when i gave my life to Christ it was pretty awesome.  When i confessed i guess that i needed Christ more than i needed myself was eyeopening, jawdropping, and it made my heart feel soooo good.  That eternal life with Christ and his people is what im longing for, my home is not here. ITs with Christ. and tahts what im waiting for.  But while im here i cant complain but i need to work my butt off so the kingdom may come and that in the end God might not say to me, i never knew you but that he woudl say welcome my good and faithful servant.

Sundays

1^st Timothy Three

            Defintion of a Bishop;

 

            Qualifications of an Overseer.

In this chapter it timothy speaks to men about the qualifications of a “position”.

Being this Bishop

It is good to want this position, but you must be blameless, husband of one wife, termperate, sober minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gently, not quarrelsome, not covetous.

                        Having these qualities are necessary

                        To serve these are necessary.

Timothy explains how if you don’t have the control of your own household how you can be expected to tend the sheep of Gods church.

                        A lot of these qualifications may seem legalistic to some, but for those that represent the church of God must go about their lives in a way that is glorifying to him.  That brings him glory, not being drunk with wine, being temperate and sober minded.  These things will allow the follower of Christ to be blameless.

 

 

1^st Timothy Four

            Definition of Apostasy;

I don’t really know the definition of apostasy, but judging from the first few verses it seems like its talking about those that proclaim the name of Jesus but don’t express it in the ways that God has intended it to be.

           

Verse four and Five; For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Earlier it talks about forbidding to marry, restrcitions from someone, and the commanding to abstain from foods.  So someone or some organization will restrict the people of God to not eat or not have the blessings that the Lord has given, but what Timothy says is that everything in this world, even the bad things in life “ “ are supposed to be for the good of his people.  Wine for instance, was meant not to be drunk but to drink.  I think because wine long ago was much cleaner then water and had to be the beverage of choice because there was nothing cleaner.  But now, that has all changed.  And it is about the motive that you go in every situation.

            Exercising yourself towards godliness

The profit you receive from physical exercise is a little but from godliness you receive the promise of life, from now and forever. 

Timothy speaks of the acceptance to that challenge, godliness…

For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

Afterwards it is said to teach these commands, because its worth it.

 

            Let no one despise your youth,

                        He says that because Timothy was sent to the church in Ephesus,

                        But even as a young boy he strived to be an example to believers in

word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and in purity.

 

As an older member in your church you should pray and prophecy for those that serve, younger, or anything. 

                        Reference to Chapter 2; praying for all men.

A living for the Rule.

Set your hearts on things above, 

for you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

put to death; sexul immorality, impurity, lust ... 

you use to walk in these ways in the life you once lived. 

YOU MUST RID YOURSELVES of all such things.

take off your old self.

clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

forgive as the Lord forgave you.

be thankful.

wheter in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

In the Last chapter of collosions all these things really struck me?  I dont really know why i wrote it like this this time.  Maybe because these are the things i felt God was speaking to me about.  Is this the life that i live, have i died? am i living?  Needing to put on the clothing of the characteristics of the Lord is a good thing, we need to always cltohe ourselves with things that are better than us so that we can improve.  

and in all things be thankful. 

The Remains, of Something

Looking into Romans; 11

God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew.  Dont you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah - how he appealed to God against Israel: "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I  am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"? And what was Gods answer to him?  "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal."  So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.  And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it wer, grace would no longer be grace.

The remnants that God saw, or reserved is something that amazes me.  At this time, Baal being an idol or another God was worshipped amongst the Israelites.  But God saw them.  Even throughout the sacrifices that were being sacrificed among the believers of the Lord God, God saw them.  As Paul says in the scripture about Gods answer being, i have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal gives me encouragement to keep on fighting.  Steadfast, this is what i want, to remain in the grace of God.  I often times forget so quickly the grace of God, learning about grace first was sort of a double edged sword for me.  I LOVED the fact that God loved me, sort of selfish in a way.  But my heart had untangled more and more my heart became a fortress of darkness.  Grace was something i took for granted, and feared that when I went to live on with the Lord for eternity he would say to me before I entered, I never knew you is a fear of mine.  But i'm pretty sure those are the devils words.

=)Sacrifice is what i need in my life, if not my life is worth nothing because this life is nothing except a fragrance to the Lord.

God, i need you.

Because of This

Romans Chapter One; Verses 24-26

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.  They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator - who is forever praise.  Amen.  Because of this,  God gave them over to shameful lusts.  EVen their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.

Becuase of this, sinful desires, sexual impurities ... these things that perverse and invade our minds take us away from the very truth that God has given us, Himself.  Everyday, and i mean EVERYDAY i sin, and on my heart its tough.  Thinking that ive exchanged the best for the worst not saying that when the time comes it will be right but thinking of it now, God needs to be my first priority.  When i look at this chapter and the heading for these particular verses it says Gods wrath against mankind.  When i read that and think of wrath at the smae time i imagine like an unbelievable pain, maybe a pain that involves bloodshed and millions of people.  But in a way the wrath that Paul talks about in this chapter is the wrath that God gave them over to their sinful desires.  We have control, and we have screwed it up.  We have fallen into a trap and we cant get out.  I know that in my life ive fallen into so many traps, even now ive fallen into a trap, maybe one that i cant get out of bceause of my own pride, selfishness but in some way i know that as i grow closer to the heart of the Lord, i know that i wont live to please myself or put mysefl up but to raise him up through the relationships we have etc.

Application; let go of my own pride, who needs it. WOrk it.

Sigh,