Christmas Season Break

Sorry for the lack of Blogs - I have taken a break from blogging and will resume January 1st. God Bless...

1 Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

Scripture - Titus 1:10-16 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons." 13 This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth. 15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.

Observation - Over and over throughout the Epistles Paul mentions the issue of those that talk against the faith. In this case he is dealing with someone that is in the faith (of the circumcision) that is not submitted to authority, not teaching the doctrine with a right spirit and speaks idle chatter. Their mouths must be stopped he says. Rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in faith. The issues of result in erroneous doctrine and an acceptance of any word as gospel. Allowing any teaching to be given to the people begins to spread spiritual disease throughout the congregation and festers until it is dealt with. What we teach, how we teach and where our inspiration comes from are all of the greatest importance. It is evident by these scriptures that someone in spiritual authority must be submitted to the leadership and willing to hold his tongue when asked.

Application - Zeal to perform for God can allow us to be to eager to place those in spiritual authority. God speaks clearly through his scriptures to his church. Opinion never reaches anyone. Gossip never builds and false doctrine must be stopped aggressively. To allow any teaching that is not sound would be to lessen the powerful message of Jesus Christ. We have one doctrine and one source of inspiration. As a pastor it becomes of paramount importance to be watchful of what is said over the congregation and who says it.

Prayer - Father - I love you and pray that all words spoken over our great church would be straight from the throne room of God. That you would bless them and anoint them abundantly. Eliminate any that would teach contrary to your word.

1 Timothy 1-4

Scripture - 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

Observation - I love that as Paul is giving instruction to the young pastor on how to act in church and how to train new leaders and what qualifications men need to have before they can serve in God's house - right in the middle of all the exhortation - he stops and says almost pointedly "Don't forget about Jesus" Paul wants to make it abundantly clear what message we are preaching. That there is one God and that Jesus is the only Mediator to reveal God to us. That Jesus does not stand and justify us to God but He stand to reveal God to us and to mediate our sins before God that we might obtain the mercy. Paul is very humbled in this passage and makes it clear that he is not worthy of what Christ has done.

Application - The more I move forward in my relationship with God the more it is pointed out to me to celebrate Jesus. Right in the middle of all of my exhortations to the church must be the understanding that Christ came, Christ lived and Christ died. To forget Christ would be to miss the point all together. There is only one way to reveal God to people and that is through the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. He is the mediator that reveals God to a world that is so desperate for change. The Man Christ Jesus could be the theme for all service. Christ is the mediator.

Prayer - Father help me to reveal Christ in all that I do. Paul says that you counted him faithful, putting him into the ministry. Father, count me faithful to be in the ministry by remembering always Christ Jesus.

Romans 13-16

Scripture - Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

Observation - Paul in this final section of Romans is encouraging the people of God to not only be law abiding citizens but to submit to the authority of the government. Not to be rebellious and obstinate as it relates to our country's leaders. The scripture admonishes that God uses those in power to help discipline those of God.

Application - I am reminded of our recent election and the massive debates and the words that have been throw so carelessly at each candidate. The views that the world was going to end with the selection of one candidate over another. I find peace in these passages today that God is ultimately in control. No matter who is leading us - God is leading them. Only things that God allows will take place in our nation and in our world. I feel an overwhelming burden to pray for those leading our country in such perilous and tumultuous times. Leading a country is not an easy task no matter what party your align with. While I am not so naive to think one side has more similar values to me than the other. God is in control and will influence those that lead us as we pray for them and seek the face of God for their lives.

Prayer - Father today I pray for our leaders. While there is still some time before the transition - as selections are made for various positions - lead our leaders and guide their decisions. Father bless them today and help me to submit to the authority placed over me. God I trust you to lead our nation and to keep us from every evil.

Romans 9-12

Scripture - Rom 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Observation - Paul's instructions to the Romans here in chapter 12 actually starting in verse 9 are fairly specific on Christian behavior. In much of the world Christians are viewed in a fairly negative light. Sometimes within the church there is less that Christian behavior. The Romans were a very advanced society and Paul was giving instruction on how their newly found faith should play out in their relationships. He tells them to love one another above all. He tells them to prefer others above themselves. He tells them to show kindly affection to on another. He says to be given to hospitality and then in the middle of his dissertation he says "Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion." There is nothing that sets people off quicker than someone who thinks they know it all. Someone who thinks they are wiser than the rest. Humble and compassionate are what win friends and influence people. Serving on another and loving them to the kingdom. Paul's instructions here are very pointed to the Romans that were a class above in their minds. Paul says to not be wise in your own opinion.

Application - There are many ways to show people your wisdom. One of the greatest is to show them how much you love them. To display a kind corrective word or compassion in the heat of battle. People are put off by self proclaimed wisdom and attitudes of super spirituality. We are here to love our brothers and sisters and to contend for the faith with them. We are co laborers with Christ as our commander. Too often we are quick to point out the "I" to those around us. I have heard it said that the word "I" is the most over used word in the English language and "I" am in agreement. I believe Romans 12:9-21 should be a study for evangelism today.

Prayer - Father - help me to take the focus off of ME. Let your wisdom shine through me and let it be a blessing to those around me not for me but for You. Amen.

Romans 5-8

Scripture - Romans 8:12-14 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.

Observation - The war between the Spirit and the flesh is a continual one. Paul is pointing out here that you can not live both lives. If you live according to the desires of your flesh you will die. Supported by the scripture that says "the wages of sin is death". There is no positive result for sin that rules a body. Paul is encouraging the Romans to look to the Spirit for life. Walking according the Spirit that has been placed in us by Christ death. That Spirit that leads us always to Christ and the desires he has for our lives. Walking according to the flesh will result in a funeral but walking according to the Spirit will lead to life eternal. I love what he says "but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body..." When you convert over the Spirit living it mortifies the deeds that were motivated by the flesh. The Spirit puts those things in you to death, breaking the addictions, the depressions and the deeds desired by the flesh.

Application - Paul goes on in Romans to say a carnal mind is enmity with God. A constant warring is taking place to claim the soul. By the flesh or by the Spirit. How shall we walk. What motivators for life do we have? We must walk in the light of the scripture that will guide us by the Spirit to eternal life. Never giving an inch to the desires of the flesh. Never giving in to the pull that is in all of us but choosing to live by the Spirit.

Prayer - Father - let today be a Spirit led day. Let everything that happen be a result of a life continually pursuing the Spirit and its light for my path. Amen