Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus)

Chicago Fire is a television show based on the everyday rescues that firemen and paramedics provide on any given shift.  These firemen run into fires while others run out.  Paramedics wait on the outside to help the injured stay alive until they can transport them to the hospital to be treated by medical professionals.  Firefighters are men and women who are typically first on the scene of traffic collisions, structure fires, or accidents on the workplace or in homes. 

Yesterday’s episode gripped my heart.  A little boy was trapped in a high-rise apartment where a fire was raging on his floor and three floors above him.  One fireman figured out where he was and went to him immediately, fully equipped, to rescue him.  The rescue was not what the boy expected.  After the fireman accessed the situation, he told him, “We are going to do something that you can tell your friends about later.”  The boy looked up at him with complete terror in his eyes.  “Just trust me, I know how to save us.”  The boy just looked at him with scared, wondering eyes.  The firefighter assured him;

“I want you to get a grip, hold on to me and don’t let go.  That’s your job.  My job will be to hold on to this rope that will get us both out of this fire.  Close your eyes if you must, but don’t let go of me.” 

The boy and the fireman were saved by a rope anchored to a unmovable object in the floor and extended out the window—of the twentieth floor.  The fireman lowered himself and the boy to the floor below them and crashed through the window of an apartment below them.  Other firefighters met him there to help complete the rescue. 

It was crucial for the boy to get a grip and hold on tight to his Resucer.

Hebrews 2, The Message

^1-4 It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we’ve heard so that we don’t drift off. If the old message delivered by the angels was valid and nobody got away with anything, do you think we can risk neglecting this latest message, this magnificent salvation? First of all, it was delivered in person by the Master, then accurately passed on to us by those who heard it from him. All the while God was validating it with gifts through the Holy Spirit, all sorts of signs and miracles, as he saw fit.

The Salvation Pioneer

^5-9 God didn’t put angels in charge of this business of salvation that we’re dealing with here. It says in Scripture,

What is man and woman that you bother with them;
    why take a second look their way?
You made them not quite as high as angels,
    bright with Eden’s dawn light;
Then you put them in charge
    of your entire handcrafted world.

When God put them in charge of everything, nothing was excluded. But we don’t see it yet, don’t see everything under human jurisdiction. What we do see is Jesus, made “not quite as high as angels,” and then, through the experience of death, crowned so much higher than any angel, with a glory “bright with Eden’s dawn light.” In that death, by God’s grace, he fully experienced death in every person’s place.

^10-13 It makes good sense that the God who got everything started and keeps everything going now completes the work by making the Salvation Pioneer perfect through suffering as he leads all these people to glory. Since the One who saves and those who are saved have a common origin, Jesus doesn’t hesitate to treat them as family, saying,

I’ll tell my good friends, my brothers and sisters, all I know
    about you;
I’ll join them in worship and praise to you.

Again, he puts himself in the same family circle when he says,

Even I live by placing my trust in God.

And yet again,

I’m here with the children God gave me.

^14-15 Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it’s logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.

^16-18 It’s obvious, of course, that he didn’t go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That’s why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people’s sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We are caught up in fiery situations but challenge our faith daily.  And we’ve got questions!

Who are we holding onto as we walk through life stuff that is beyond our control? 

Who is our Rescuer that not only saves us from hell’s fires of death forever but provides a life full of meaning and significance and leads to eternal life? 

But the most important question to ask ourselves is—

Do we really believe what God says about Himself and His Son to be really real? This needs to be the first question we asked ourselves when faced with troubles and sorrow from circumstances that overwhelm us. 

Who do we trust completely to walk us through the trouble—even if the rescue is not what we expected?

God went to a lot of trouble to save us.  Jesus went to hell and back again to redeem us from our sins.  Our job is to get a grip, hold on to God through Jesus, our solid rock and foundation—and don’t let go!

Be assured of this—Jesus will not let go of you!  

Lord,

Thank you for saving us and teaching us not to let go when troubles come but to get a grip and hang onto our faith that attaches us to you forever.  Help us to point others to you, the Rescuer of our souls. Thank you for saving my soul and making me whole daily.  Thank you for peace that comes by trusting that you know what you are doing!

In Jesus Name, Amen   

“It seems odd to have to say so, but too much religion is a bad thing.  We can’t too much of God, can’t get too much faith and obedience, can’t get too much love and worship.  But religion—the well-intentioned efforts we make to ‘get it all together’ for God—can very well get in the way of what God is doing for us.  The main and central action is everywhere and always what God has done, is doing, and will do for us.  Jesus is the revelation of that action.  Our main and central task is to live in responsive obedience to God’s action revealed in Jesus.  Our part in the action is the act of faith.”  Eugene Peterson, Introduction to Hebrews, The Message Bible

Hebrews 1, The Message

God’s Final Word: His Son

^1-3 Going through a long line of prophets, God has been addressing our ancestors in different ways for centuries. Recently he spoke to us directly through his Son. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning, and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words!

The Son Is Higher than Angels

^3-6 After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God, far higher than any angel in rank and rule. Did God ever say to an angel, “You’re my Son; today I celebrate you” or “I’m his Father, he’s my Son”? When he presents his honored Son to the world, he says, “All angels must worship him.”

⁷ Regarding angels he says,

The messengers are winds,
    the servants are tongues of fire.

^8-9 But he says to the Son,

You’re God, and on the throne for good;
    your rule makes everything right.
You love it when things are right;
    you hate it when things are wrong.
That is why God, your God,
    poured fragrant oil on your head,
Marking you out as king,
    far above your dear companions.

^10-12 And again to the Son,

You, Master, started it all, laid earth’s foundations,
    then crafted the stars in the sky.
Earth and sky will wear out, but not you;
    they become threadbare like an old coat;
You’ll fold them up like a worn-out cloak,
    and lay them away on the shelf.
But you’ll stay the same, year after year;
    you’ll never fade, you’ll never wear out.

¹³ And did he ever say anything like this to an angel?

Sit alongside me here on my throne
Until I make your enemies a stool for your feet.

¹⁴ Isn’t it obvious that all angels are sent to help out with those lined up to receive salvation?

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus, crucified and resurrected, died to save us and set us free.  Jesus defeated death forever for all who would believe and trust that He did what God sent Him to be and do—Savior and now Lord of our lives!  It is God who gave Jesus the Name above all names as King of kings and Lord of lords!  Jesus sits next to God, who is God and is our advocate on the throne.  We take our sins and lay them at His feet.  Jesus forgives and forgets our sins.  We become children of God, joint heirs with Christ.  God’s final word.

“But the more than not we become impatiently self-important along the way and decide to improve matters with our two-cents’ worth.  We add on , we supplement, we embellish.  But instead of improving on the purity and simplicity of Jesus, we dilute the purity, clutter the simplicity.  We become fussily religious, or anxiously religious.  We get in the way.”

“That’s when it’s time to read and pray our way through the letter to the Hebrews again, written for ‘too religious’ Christians, for ‘Jesus-and’ Christians.  In the letter, it is Jesus-and-angels, or Jesus-and-Moses, or Jesus-and-priesthood.  In our time it is more likely to be Jesus-and-politics, or Jesus-and-education, or even Jesus-and-Buddha.  This letter deletes the hyphens, the add-ons.  The focus becomes clear and sharp again:  God’s action in Jesus.  And we are free once more for the act of faith, the one human action in which we don’t get IN the way but ON the Way.” –Eugene Peterson

As we read through Hebrews over the next few days, may we respond in faith— believing in God’s final Word—Jesus!  For it is in His Name we pray believing that He did indeed save us and reconcile us to God!

In Jesus Name, For Your Glory, Amen—Yes!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!

(Verse 3, O Holy Night, Translator: John S. Dwight; Author: Placide Cappeau 1847)

“O Holy Night” has become signature song of Christmas.  It is the soundtrack for shoppers.  It is the hymn of choice in church programs during the holy season of celebrating the birth of Christ. This song is also the favorite of contemporary singers in all genres and is the preferred choice to sing on their albums and portrayed as the last song to sing in their Christmas specials.   

Who wrote “O Holy Night” and why?  This is interesting…

Placide Cappeau France 1808-1877. Born at 8 p.m. On 10/25/1808, the son of a cooper (maker and restorer of barrels). He may have followed in his father’s business, but when eight years old, a playmate accidentally shot him in the hand with a gun he was playing with, and the hand had to be amputated. He followed an academic career instead. The shooter’s father paid for half his education, and he was able to attend town school and the College Royal d’Avignon.

Despite his handicap, he was awarded a first prize in drawing there. He studied literature in Nimes, and law in Paris, and was licensed to practice law in 1831. Instead, he became a merchant of wines and spirits, but his focus was really on literature. A parish priest, Father Petitjean, in Cappeau’s community, asked him to write a Christmas poem to celebrate the renovation of their organ, and he agreed to do it, despite being an avowed atheist and vocal anti-cleric.

He researched the book of Luke and wrote the lyrics to “O Holy night”. An opera singer, Emily Laurie, saw the text and asked a Jewish friend of hers to compose music for it, which he, remarkably, did. (Adolph Adam)  She sung it at a midnight mass three weeks later, and parishioners raved, but when Catholic church leaders found out it was written by an atheist, they banned it. However, its popularity only grew.

A side story: In 1906 Reginald Fessenden, a 33 year-old university professor and former chief chemist for Thomas Edison, did something thought impossible. Using a new type of generator, he spoke into a microphone and for the first time in history a voice was broadcast over the airwaves. And he read, from the book of Luke, “And it came to pass in those days, that a decree went out from Ceasar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.” He began, in a clear strong voice. Shocked radio operators on ships and wireless owners at newspapers, used to Morse code heard over tiny speakers, were interrupted by a speaking voice reading Luke and had no idea where it came from.

When the professor finished his reading, he picked up his violin and played “O Holy Night”.. the first song ever played over the air waves in the whole world. Imagine the surprise of listeners everywhere, never suspecting such a thing was possible.

When God is in it, the impossible becomes possible!  His Son, Jesus the Messiah, was sent to earth to seek and to save the lost.  We are all lost without Him.  But all who believe Him are found and redeemed and given the miraculous gift of eternal life.

“Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,

Paul is led by God’s Holy Spirit writes a letter of recommendation for Onesimus, a former slave to Philemon.  Paul is supporting Onesimus as a friend, companion, and now a brother—saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.  Everything has changed for Onesimus because of Jesus!

Philemon, The Message

^1-3 I, Paul, am a prisoner for the sake of Christ, here with my brother Timothy. I write this letter to you, Philemon, my good friend and companion in this work—also to our sister Apphia, to Archippus, a real trooper, and to the church that meets in your house. God’s best to you! Christ’s blessings on you!

^4-7 Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, “Oh, thank you, God!” I keep hearing of the love and faith you have for the Master Jesus, which brims over to other believers. And I keep praying that this faith we hold in common keeps showing up in the good things we do, and that people recognize Christ in all of it. Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.

To Call the Slave Your Friend

^8-9 In line with all this I have a favor to ask of you. As Christ’s ambassador and now a prisoner for him, I wouldn’t hesitate to command this if I thought it necessary, but I’d rather make it a personal request.

^10-14 While here in jail, I’ve fathered a child, so to speak. And here he is, hand-carrying this letter—Onesimus! He was useless to you before; now he’s useful to both of us. I’m sending him back to you, but it feels like I’m cutting off my right arm in doing so. I wanted in the worst way to keep him here as your stand-in to help out while I’m in jail for the Message. But I didn’t want to do anything behind your back, make you do a good deed that you hadn’t willingly agreed to.

^15-16 Maybe it’s all for the best that you lost him for a while. You’re getting him back now for good—and no mere slave this time, but a true Christian brother! That’s what he was to me—he’ll be even more than that to you.

^17-20 So if you still consider me a comrade-in-arms, welcome him back as you would me. If he damaged anything or owes you anything, chalk it up to my account. This is my personal signature—Paul—and I stand behind it. (I don’t need to remind you, do I, that you owe your very life to me?) Do me this big favor, friend. You’ll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.

^21-22 I know you well enough to know you will. You’ll probably go far beyond what I’ve written. And by the way, get a room ready for me. Because of your prayers, I fully expect to be your guest again.

^23-25 Epaphras, my cellmate in the cause of Christ, says hello. Also my coworkers Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke. All the best to you from the Master, Jesus Christ!

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

It is we humans who rank and evaluate each other. God does not play favorites.  We are all equal to Jesus.  All have sinned and all are forgiven in Jesus Name! But we humans still insist on labeling for life, putting each other in boxes where we will reside unless a miracle happens.  These human labels judged categorically, critically based only on human criteria.  The labels stick until we come into the holy presence of Jesus who changes everything about us and gives us Hope, meaning, and value.  However, all our labels given to us by our community because of what we do suddenly melt away when we meet Jesus who calls us by name and receives us for who we are and will become in Him.    

O holy night! the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope- the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Jesus came down from the throne of heaven and moved into the neighborhood of humanity.  Jesus’ mission was to call us by name while bringing us out of oppression caused by our sins and the sins of others.  He forgives all sins and removes all human labels and give us a new identity: “Child of God, brothers and sisters and joint hears with Jesus”—for eternity!

Paul’s message to Philemon about his former slave, Onesimus, is meant to explain this miracle Jesus provided of redeeming grace.  May we all treat each other with grace.

Lord,

Transform our thinking until we no longer judge and label each other but lean on your understanding and wisdom as we learn to love each other like you love us—without human categories and ranking.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the Wise Men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend.
He knows our need— to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend!

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Chorus

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

This familiar hymn of my youth plays in the background of my mind this morning as I read the wisdom of Paul to his apprentice of the faith with how to fine tune his skills for living in God’s ways—all because of what Jesus did for us!

We obey the laws of the land but worship the One and Only God who sits on the throne of heaven forever!  We seek forgiveness of our sins by bringing all to Jesus with complete surrender.  We believe and are committed to the One who washed us clean from the inside out and put our lives together by His love, mercy, and grace.  God gave his Son so that whoever believes would be saved for a life of eternity in paradise—a life that is hard to imagine while living here on earth—but it will happen.  God promised and God does not and cannot lie.

When God steps in, everything changes for all who believe—really believe! “Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives,” Paul proclaims to Titus—and to all who seek Him now!

Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the Crucified?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Titus 3, The Message

He Put Our Lives Together

^1-2 Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous.

^3-8 It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, easy marks for sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.

^8-11 I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere. Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him. It’s obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself off.

* * *

^12-13 As soon as I send either Artemas or Tychicus to you, come immediately and meet me in Nicopolis. I’ve decided to spend the winter there. Give Zenas the lawyer and Apollos a hearty send-off. Take good care of them.

¹⁴ Our people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don’t end up with nothing to show for their lives.

¹⁵ All here want to be remembered to you. Say hello to our friends in the faith. Grace to all of you.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

When the Bridegroom comes will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Once we’ve been washed in the blood of the Lamb, we are made spotless before Him—without even a trace of sins’ stains.  Only Jesus can do this for us.  We cannot remove our own sins or the sins of others no matter how hard we scrub or try to “act nice” with deeds of goodness.  We must be washed by the blood of the Lamb to begin a new life with Him.  So, why put back on the old dirty clothes that you wore before the great Bath? Instead, let us put on God’s holy garments.  Paul told everyone “how to dress! 

“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Romans 13:11-14

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”  Colossians 3:12-15

PAUSE TO REFLECT…

Jesus IS coming back.  When that Day comes, how will you and I be dressed?

Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
O be washed in the blood of the Lamb!

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

And now a few words from Jesus through John and Matthew—

“If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1 John 1:6-7

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’  Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” –Jesus, Matthew 26:26-28 

And on that great Day—

“And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore,

“they are before the throne of God
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
    will shelter them with his presence.
‘Never again will they hunger;
    never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’^[a]
    nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne
    will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
    ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” Revelation 7:14-17

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

It’s my prayer that you choose to put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, the Son of God, who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead on the 3rd day!  In Jesus Name, Amen, Yes!

I confess, I don’t always follow a recipe as written. I like to experiment.  Sometimes I mix in what I think will make a recipe better. Sometimes I leave out what I don’t have on hand or substitute with another ingredient and hope for the best.  Most times this works for the experienced cook, but there are times when it doesn’t and the final results are inedible.  I have learned over the years that some ingredients work well together while others do not.  Trial and error cooking is not for all people.  My mom, for example, would follow a recipe as written or it would not be made!  Dad, on the other hand, loved mixing it up.

Over the years, I have learned there is one recipe that nonnegotiable—The recipe for a God-filled life that satisfies the hunger of our hearts, minds, and soul.  This recipe cannot be altered or other ingredients mixed in.  Following this recipe prepares us now for life eternal with God.  The main and only ingredient in this recipe is Jesus. 

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” –Jesus, John 14:6

Jesus is the one and only way to God.  Believing who He is, what He has done for us, then following what He says is the recipe for a forever relationship with God and opens the door to very throne of God!  Repenting of our sins in Jesus Name is the process that begins this intimate, loving relationship.  God then feeds us daily, allowing His Holy Spirit to live within us so He can continually fill our souls with Truth. Our lives transform as we learn to rely on God, the Father, who can be trusted to do what He says He will do!  Through Jesus, we are served a meal of love, mercy, and grace, poured out as a sacrifice for our sins, that is perfectly good, saves our souls, and satisfies our hunger. 

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8, NIV

Titus 2, The Message

A God-Filled Life

^1-6 Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.

^7-8 But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, trustworthy in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around.

^9-10 Guide slaves into being loyal workers, a bonus to their masters—no back talk, no petty thievery. Then their good character will shine through their actions, adding luster to the teaching of our Savior God.

^11-14 God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.

¹⁵ Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You’re in charge. Don’t let anyone put you down.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus sacrificed his life for ours so that our sins would not be held against us.  He came to seek and to save the lost.  At the Lord’s Tables, Jesus said, “Take and eat, this is my Body broken for you” as he served the Bread of Life, blessed by God.  He also took the Cup and said, “This is my blood shed for you, drink all of it.”  How beautiful is our Lord who gave us the recipe for life eternal!

Jesus gave us the recipe for living a God-filled life on earth.  He became a friend of the sinner and brother of the poor. He touched their sores, brought sight to the blind, and hearing to the deaf.  Jesus felt their tears and paid for their mistakes. He welcomed children and blessed them. Then Jesus who had power to stop the insanity of dying on a cross of excruciating pain, stayed there because of His love for each one of us.  He died for our sins—all of them.  Jesus was put into a tomb but came out three days later, scars and all, to declare the glory of God while defeating death.  He promised we’d do the same if we believe in Him.

When fear overcomes us, Jesus shared the message. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me . . . I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am,” John 14:1,3.

“Tell them all this,” says Paul to Titus.

How do we respond?

Some pretend Jesus didn’t and doesn’t exist. Some occupy themselves with a study of Him but ask nothing from Him.  Others hear him, and are impressed by Him, but don’t really believe in him. It’s not easy for some to believe that God would go this far to sacrifice His Son to save us and take us home.

But then, a few decide to give this recipe for life a try. They venture out to “taste and see—and be filled.” Each day they look toward the sky. They look for and are waiting for the day Christ comes.  Paul teaches Titus this recipe for a God-filled life—

“This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears.”  Paul tells Titus to tell others to be ready for that Day. 

Don’t mess with the recipe!  Follow Jesus who knows how it will all turn out in the end!  Don’t substitute or mix in other ingredients.  Don’t leave out anything that is absolutely necessary to live a God-filled life in Jesus.

“The Lord will rescue his servants; no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.” Psalm 34:22

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

Lord,

Thank you for the recipe for life eternal! Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  Lead us not into the temptations to altar the recipe for life but instead deliver us from evil.  For you have all power, to you be all glory!

In Jesus Name, Amen

Real, authentic behaving, helpful people who influence others are learners.  As a young adult believer who was learning and striving to grow in the ways Jesus taught us, I watched as those I once admired as a leader stopped learning and growing. I was saddened when their lives fell apart spiritually while making excuses.  It broke my heart when people worshiped being the busiest as a measure of their “good work” while promoted themselves as working the hardest in the Kingdom.

Looking back over the years of service to God and His church, I learned and experienced the destructive, distasteful, heartbreaking outcomes of ceasing to learn.  I confess I fell for it myself as a leader and as a follower.  It’s easy to fall for this attitude when you grow weary in the demanding work placed on your shoulders—by others.  Fortunately, God stepped in and gave me mentors to pull me back to my spiritual senses; reminding me that the “yoke” of Jesus is lighter and that pleasing God is who centers us in HIS work!  I praise God for these loving, caring people who put me back on the learner’s track of being with God before doing anything for God!  Just like Jesus did! 

Falling to our knees before Jesus daily helps to avoid falling for evil’s schemes that distract us.  Listen to Him!

God-led leaders are humble learners for life.  They know they don’t know it all.  They know their weaknesses and their God-given strengths.  They know their only confidence is in Christ, not in themselves or their own meager abilities, but in God’s power and might.  People are drawn to people who know truth. But when arrogance and pride seeps in, because of popularity—look out! Evil uses these human weaknesses to get a foothold into our being and doing.

Paul’s letters to Timothy boldly and passionately warned him to “watch out, keep the faith, guard your heart, avoid mindless chatter.”  These and other directives were passed on from a caring, compassionate mentor who learned about Jesus from his mentors as well as from Jesus, Himself!  This style of passing it on comes from the way Jesus taught His disciples!  This mentor to apprentice form of teaching other upcoming leaders is at very heart of one who hopes to teach others to believe and follow Jesus, God helping us, by the power of His Holy Spirit, while avoiding the enemy.

Paul’s letter to Titus, his “son in the faith”, is delivered to him in Crete.  The same Kingdom of God thinking and behaving traits are given to Titus so he also can pass these leadership traits to others who seek to grow in their faith in Jesus.

Titus 1, The Message

^1-4 I, Paul, am God’s slave and Christ’s agent for promoting the faith among God’s chosen people, getting out the accurate word on God and how to respond rightly to it. My aim is to raise hopes by pointing the way to life without end. This is the life God promised long ago—and he doesn’t break promises! And then when the time was ripe, he went public with his truth. I’ve been entrusted to proclaim this Message by order of our Savior, God himself. Dear Titus, legitimate son in the faith: Receive everything God our Father and Jesus our Savior give you!

A Good Grip on the Message

^5-9 I left you in charge in Crete so you could complete what I left half-done. Appoint leaders in every town according to my instructions. As you select them, ask, “Is this man well-thought-of? Is he committed to his wife? Are his children believers? Do they respect him and stay out of trouble?” It’s important that a church leader, responsible for the affairs in God’s house, be looked up to—not pushy, not short-tempered, not a drunk, not a bully, not money-hungry. He must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on himself, and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it.

^10-16 For there are a lot of rebels out there, full of loose, confusing, and deceiving talk. Those who were brought up religious and ought to know better are the worst. They’ve got to be shut up. They’re disrupting entire families with their teaching, and all for the sake of a fast buck. One of their own prophets said it best:

The Cretans are liars from the womb,
    barking dogs, lazy bellies.

He certainly spoke the truth. Get on them right away. Stop that diseased talk of Jewish make-believe and made-up rules so they can recover a robust faith. Everything is clean to the clean-minded; nothing is clean to dirty-minded unbelievers. They leave their dirty fingerprints on every thought and act. They say they know God, but their actions speak louder than their words. They’re real creeps, disobedient good-for-nothings.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Those who were brought up religious and ought to know better are the worst.”

Sometimes we who were brought up into the “culture” of churchgoing can be the worst judges of those who did not.  We all sin with all kinds of sins that must be repented to God.  Believers, who are leaders and followers, who tell new believers in Jesus that they must dress, talk, and act like exactly like them to please God actually impedes, discourages and confuses the spiritual growth of a new believer who hears from the platform we must become like Jesus.

Remember only Jesus saves and reconciles us to God. God’s Holy Spirit comes to live in us and begins His work to transform our thinking and behaving.  Our work is to pray for His Kingdom come, His Will be done in each of us.  We are all at various stages and phases of growing in our love and lifestyle in Jesus. Even when the flock of sheep are openly attacked by the Deceiver, God will call His leaders to protect and lead the flock with His wisdom and give direction.  Seek God first.

“Christians are quite serious in believing that when they gather together for worship and work, God is present and sovereign, really present and absolutely sovereigns.  God creates and guides, God saves and heals. God corrects and blesses, God calls and judges. With such comprehensive and personal leadership from God, what is the place of HUMAN leadership?”

“Quite obviously, it has to be second place.  It must not elbow its way to the front, it must not bossily take over.  Ego-centered, ego-prominent leadership betrays the Master.  The best leadership in spiritual communities formed in the name of Jesus, the Messiah, is inconspicuous, not calling attention to itself but not sacrificing anything in the way of conviction and firmness either.”

“What he learned so thoroughly himself, he was now passing on, and showing them, in turn, how to develop a similar leadership in local congregations. This is essential reading because ill-directed and badly formed spiritual leadership causes much damage in souls.   Paul in both his life and his letters show us how to do it right.”—Eugene Peterson, Introduction to Timothy and Titus, The Message Bible

Paul is showing and developing servant leadership, the kind of leadership that mirrors our Master, Jesus.  (Philippians 2)

Lord,

We are all called to seek Your first in all we think, say, and do.  We know enough to know to call on your Name for help in all circumstances.  May your Kingdom of God thinking come to dwell in our hearts as followers and leaders.  May your Will be done in every detail of our lives on earth as it is in heaven.  YOU are first. We are second.  Give us this day eyes to see you at work and give you praise consistently as you reveal Yourself to us.  Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  Lead us not into the temptations to please self and others. Deliver us from this evil.  Help us, by your power flowing through us, to seek You first with a desire to please you alone.  To YOU be all the glory, honor, and praise forever!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen

What will be our final words to the ones we love the most?  What will we say that will encourage them to stay and cling to what they were taught of God, Jesus who laid down His life for ours, along with realizing we will always have help from His Holy Spirit?  We can only pass on what we know, read, studied, believe and have experienced ourselves in our relationship with God.  We not only pass on what we believe but how we lived our lives.  What will be those final words they our loved ones might cling to as much has the memories that will reflect who we are in Christ? 

Paul is at the end of his physical life on earth.  This second letter to Timothy has been known to be the last letter written among all the letters he wrote to the churches and to certain apprentices such as Timothy and Titus.  Timothy is the one who will carry on the work in Ephesus when Paul takes his last breath on earth.  What is Timothy thinking as he reads this letter and makes his way to Paul’s side?  Let us put ourselves in the story and think from Timothy’s perspective as he reads— “Proclaim the Message with intensity, don’t quit, just keep it simple.” 

Paul was transformed by Jesus.  He lived his life fully committed to Jesus.  He wanted to know Jesus, become like him, and share in his suffering. (Philippians 3) Paul had no regrets for running the only race worth running. “I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way.” 

2 Timothy 4, The Message

^1-2 I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.

^3-5 You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.

^6-8 You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.

* * *

^9-13 Get here as fast as you can. Demas, chasing fads, went off to Thessalonica and left me here. Crescens is in Galatia province, Titus in Dalmatia. Luke is the only one here with me. Bring Mark with you; he’ll be my right-hand man since I’m sending Tychicus to Ephesus. Bring the winter coat I left in Troas with Carpus; also the books and parchment notebooks.

^14-15 Watch out for Alexander the coppersmith. Fiercely opposed to our Message, he caused no end of trouble. God will give him what he’s got coming.

^16-18 At my preliminary hearing no one stood by me. They all ran like scared rabbits. But it doesn’t matter—the Master stood by me and helped me spread the Message loud and clear to those who had never heard it. I was snatched from the jaws of the lion! God’s looking after me, keeping me safe in the kingdom of heaven. All praise to him, praise forever! Oh, yes!

^19-20 Say hello to Priscilla and Aquila; also, the family of Onesiphorus. Erastus stayed behind in Corinth. I had to leave Trophimus sick in Miletus.

²¹ Try hard to get here before winter.

Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all your friends here send greetings.

²² God be with you. Grace be with you.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

May our lives reflect the glory of God!  May Jesus be seen on our faces.  May we “sing and shout the victory” because of our God whom we have believed and know intimately because of Jesus.  Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed
He’ll prepare for us a place.

Refrain:  When we all get to heaven,
what a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
we’ll sing and shout the victory!

2 While we walk the pilgrim pathway
Clouds will overspread the sky;
But when trav’ling days are over
Not a shadow, not a sigh. [Refrain]

3 Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving ev’ry day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay. [Refrain]

4 Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open–
We shall tread the streets of gold. [Refrain]

This familiar hymn to those of us who grew up in the church was written by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt, 1898.  Hewitt was born in Philadelphia June 28, 1851. She was educated in the public schools and after graduation from high school became a teacher.

However, she developed a spinal malady which cut short her career and made her a shut-in for many years. During her convalescence, she studied English literature. She felt a need to be useful to her church and began writing poems for the primary department. She went on to teach Sunday school, take an active part in the Philadelphia Elementary Union and become Superintendent of the primary department of Calvin Presbyterian Church.

Eliza—Just another committed believer who ran the race and won the prize!  In her weakness, God made her strong.  Sound familiar? Paul writes of his weakness that God did not heal or take from him but instead made Paul an even greater believer that solidified his faith forever!  “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)  

Like Paul we have “not arrived, or obtained all this” on this earth; so we learn, grow, and mature until we see Jesus.  We know without a doubt, that it will worth it all when we see Him.

Lord,

Thank you for the faith stories of those who have gone before us. Thank you for the giants of faith who poured themselves into me so that I would grow and mature in my  love and commitment to you.  Thank you for Paul who simply loved you with all his heart, mind, and soul and never gave on telling Your story for Your glory and our redemption.  Help us all to proclaim the Message with intensity; keeping on our watch to challenge, warn, and urge others about you and your salvation. May we run the race, without giving up.  Help us to keep it simple, pure, and holy.

In Jesus Name, Amen

If we know a rain storm is coming, we might carry an umbrella.  If we know strong winds will blow cold, we put on a coat before going outside to face the elements.  If I know an ice storm is in the forecast, we will put our vehicle in the garage and put ice melt on the sidewalks and drive. 

If we know a great expense will occur in the maintenance of our home, we save funds to pay for the expense.  If we know a surgery has been scheduled to repair what ails us, we do what the doctor says to prepare us for the surgery before going to the hospital.  If we know our vehicle needs repair work, we will get the work done as soon as possible so we won’t have a breakdown on the road.

If we know someone special to our lives is going to visit, we prepare our homes to accommodate their visit so they will feel welcomed and comfortable.  We serve them by putting them first in our lives because we love them.

Yes, we all feel more able to handle life when we are “in the know.”  Life is good when good things are happening.  But what happens when people who don’t know God challenge and attack our faith?  What happens when we discover that we are not in control of all circumstances?  What happens if we live a naïve life thinking no real preparation is needed? 

Most quickly learn that evil is prepared to never give up in his efforts to distract, deceive, with attempts to deconstruct our faith even though he lost the war with Jesus when Jesus rose again from death in victory!  Life for us will get dicey and difficult in this imperfect world. This is when the enemy explodes on our horizons—in our weakest hour.  So, how do we prepare for these difficult times?  Paul teaches Timothy; “Don’t’ be naive.”  We can prepare for the unknown by staying in touch with the Known.

2 Timothy 3, The Message

Difficult Times Ahead

^1-5 Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. 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.

^6-9 These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.” They get exploited every time and never really learn. These men are like those old Egyptian frauds Jannes and Jambres, who challenged Moses. They were rejects from the faith, twisted in their thinking, defying truth itself. But nothing will come of these latest impostors. Everyone will see through them, just as people saw through that Egyptian hoax.

Keep the Message Alive

^10-13 You’ve been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings—suffering along with me in all the grief I had to put up with in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. And you also well know that God rescued me! Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse.

^14-17 But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed, sure of the integrity of your teachers—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk! There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

I had a wise seminary professor who taught us what to strive to know:

Know God—Be with God before doing anything for God. Jesus did as Son of Man.  (Psalm 46)

Know Ourselves—In relationship and commitment to Jesus who is the Way to God. (John 3:16-17)

Know Our Audience—Study with understanding what they know before telling them who they need to know, namely Jesus who is Truth—the Way to redemption of all their sins with the bonus of eternal life!  (See Acts 17)

Know the Enemy—We will have opposition. Know and accept this fact.  Satan the fallen angel, kicked out of heaven because he wanted to be God, opposes all that is God.  Prepare for his tricks and lies by knowing the Word of God.  Jesus was tempted for forty days and nights in the wilderness.  He combated the enemy with the Word of God.  Jesus then began the mission God had sent Him to be and do.  Satan is the chief among liars, Jesus warns us, don’t listen to him—flee from him!  To know the enemy’s tactics is to suit up and prepare for the attacks that will come.  (See Ephesians 6)

Know Our Message

AND as Paul teaches Timothy;

“There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.”

When all else fails, read the Instructions!  We all have many stories of failed construction projects when we don’t read the instructions of how to build first.

Consider this:  God’s Holy Spirit convicts us of what we have been doing that is not working to bring out God’s best in and through us.  Jesus is One and Only who forgives and redeems us when we repent of our sins.  Sin and guilt are then removed from our being— “as far as the east is from the west.”  God’s Word corrects us as we live our lives in Jesus, shaped by His love, mercy, and grace.    

Lord,

Thank you for not giving up on us.  We are undeserving and so unworthy of all you have done for us.  You gave so that we may live with you for eternity in Your holy presence.  You are with us now, putting us together and shaping us for what you created us to be and do.  Thank you, thank you, thank you! To you be the glory!  Thank you for all the course corrections you guide to make from Your Word.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.

(Hymn written by Howard Grose)

As I look back over the years of ministry, working alongside some wonderful servants of God, I think of all the traits they exhibited in their lives.  As God led me to mentor many young adults, I watched as God got their attention, invited them into His work in a certain way, and then to their amazement equipped them to do what God asked.  God gave me a front row seat to observed in others what He did in me.  For that, I am eternally grateful to God.  As a leader in my younger years, I know I didn’t do everything right, especially in the eyes of onlookers; but my heart was in the right place, wanting to be and do all that God created me to accomplish for Him.  I have no regrets for all the lessons learned—only thanksgiving for all the opportunities God gave me and still gives me to do while trying to be all He wants me to be in Him.  All for His glory, Amen! 

To mentor young adults where they lived or on mission fields was the delight of my heart.  All leaders must realize that our time as people of influence is brief, so as Paul says, we must make the most of every opportunity.  Our doctrine (who we are) is teaching others to find what we found in Christ—redemption and new life!  Our demeanor (what we do) is to pass on the character traits necessary to hear God and do what He has planned for each one of us.  All are called of God as His instruments of helping others believe and follow Jesus, His Son and be redeemed from sin for eternity!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Our hope and future is in Jesus!

As God-led leaders who train others to pass on God’s work of salvation, we receive more joy in seeing other committed believers do what we did—better than the way we did it!  We praise God when they continue to be and do what God asks of us with whole-hearted commitment in the Name of Jesus for His glory!  Yes, friends, I “feel” Paul as he speaks of the great joy he has in hearing how Timothy is leading the church in Ephesus, a difficult task.  We feel the love, joy, and peace oozing from every pore of Timothy’s mentor, Paul. We must recall that Paul is sitting in a jail cell awaiting his death as he writes these final words to his beloved Timothy.

2 Timothy 2, The Message

Doing Your Best for God

^1-7 So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen! —to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It’s the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.

^8-13 Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. It’s what you’ve heard from me all along. It’s what I’m sitting in jail for right now—but God’s Word isn’t in jail! That’s why I stick it out here—so that everyone God calls will get in on the salvation of Christ in all its glory. This is a sure thing:

If we die with him, we’ll live with him;
If we stick it out with him, we’ll rule with him;
If we turn our backs on him, he’ll turn his back on us;
If we give up on him, he does not give up—
    for there’s no way he can be false to himself.

^14-18 Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God’s people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won’t be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they’re not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples, throwing believers off stride and missing the truth by a mile by saying the resurrection is over and done with.

¹⁹ Meanwhile, God’s firm foundation is as firm as ever, these sentences engraved on the stones:

God knows who belongs to him.
steer clear of evil, all you who name God as God.

^20-21 In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.

^22-26 Run away from childish indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil’s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

“Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!—to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others.” –Paul to Timothy (v.2)

Paul urgently and passionately tells Timothy that our doctrine (what we believe) comes from Jesus—

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”     –Jesus, Matthew 28:19-20

AND must match our demeanor (how we live to serve each day)—

“My son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen! —to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did.”

“Run away from childish indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God.”

God’s Holy Spirit is still meeting the needs of Paul while working through him to lead others to Christ— “God’s Word isn’t in jail!” Paul circumstances do not dictate what God is still doing in and through Paul, God’s instrument of grace!  Wow, can I get an amen?

Pause prayerfully to reflect…

• How am I allowing God right now to use me for His redemptive work?
• Am I repeating the “basic essentials” to others of God’s redemption through Jesus so they will know Him and follow Him?
• Am I concentrating on doing my best for God? Is Jesus truly my Master?
• Is what I say I believe as the doctrine of my life matching my demeanor as I relate to others?

Lord,

I haven’t arrived at all this, but I know you will help me.  Cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh my soul with your new mercies, and restore the joy of your salvation at work in me.  I love you.  I love how you work in me and in others for your glory and for the salvation for lost people without you.

In Jesus Name, Amen

In the “old days,” (yes, I’m going there), we used to write letters to friends who moved away or were on a trip that took many days away from us.  If fact, as soon as we said our last goodbyes and returned home from seeing them take off on their trip; we were writing a letter in our minds.  “I’ll write to you!” were the last promised words said as their journey began! Good friends who love each other deeply fulfill the promise to write—maybe more than once!

I remember the letters I wrote to a dear friend who moved a thousand miles away to live with her brother and his wife for the summer months.  I missed her so much.  I wrote to her and she wrote to me.  Yes, these were the days before email and quick texting!  Let me help you imagine this if you are of a certain younger age.  Imagine sitting down and handwriting a letter on paper with a pen or pencil; telling all that has been happening with how you feel about it to your friend.  Imagine putting your letter in an envelope, sealing it, addressing it, putting a stamp on it, then taking it to the post office or putting it in your mailbox with the hope of it reaching your person in a few days!  By the way, phones were invented but it was much too costly to call long distance, a topic for another time.  Your mind is probably already blown at just the letter writing!  Now, imagine, if you can, the excitement of receiving a letter written from your dear friend who misses you as much as you miss them!

Receiving the first letter with all the news from home with all the heart-felt words of love and encouragement is awesome.  But imagine getting the SECOND letter!  Getting a second letter of fulfilling your promise to write solidifies the depth of love you have as a friend.  The words mean even more as you read them.  Tears come as you pour over every word.  You know with confidence that you can rely on this person as a dear friend.  This is a relationship that will last a lifetime!  (We are still friends!)

As Paul writes his second letter to Timothy; he is facing his final days on earth sitting in a jail cell for his faith in Jesus.  Paul’s final words gave hope and encouragement to Timothy.  Beyond the words on parchment, we can easily feel the love Paul has for Timothy.

2 Timothy 1, The Message

^1-2 I, Paul, am on special assignment for Christ, carrying out God’s plan laid out in the Message of Life by Jesus. I write this to you, Timothy, the son I love so much. All the best from our God and Christ be yours!

To Be Bold with God’s Gifts

^3-4 Every time I say your name in prayer—which is practically all the time—I thank God for you, the God I worship with my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors. I miss you a lot, especially when I remember that last tearful good-bye, and I look forward to a joy-packed reunion.

^5-7 That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.

^8-10 So don’t be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it. But we know it now. Since the appearance of our Savior, nothing could be plainer: death defeated, life vindicated in a steady blaze of light, all through the work of Jesus.

^11-12 This is the Message I’ve been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It’s also the cause of all this trouble I’m in. But I have no regrets. I couldn’t be more sure of my ground—the One I’ve trusted in can take care of what he’s trusted me to do right to the end.

^13-14 So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.

^15-18 I’m sure you know by now that everyone in the province of Asia deserted me, even Phygelus and Hermogenes. But God bless Onesiphorus and his family! Many’s the time I’ve been refreshed in that house. And he wasn’t embarrassed a bit that I was in jail. The first thing he did when he got to Rome was look me up. May God on the Last Day treat him as well as he treated me. And then there was all the help he provided in Ephesus—but you know that better than I.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

In his second letter, Paul spoke of finding comfort and strength in God’s grace through Jesus.  Paul’s words, reminding Timothy of the promise of eternal life through Jesus becomes our letter of love from God to us today.  Once we have given our lives to Jesus, we too can be confident that we will receive God’s grace for eternity.  We just can’t walk away from a gift like that!

Signed, Sealed and Delivered!

Even more, God stakes his claim on us. “Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach…” 2 Corinthians 1:22.  Paul reiterates this Truth to Timothy in his second letter.  Stamping or sealing declares ownership. Through his Spirit, God stamps us. Would-be takers are repelled by the presence of his name. Satan is driven back by the declaration: Hands off. This child is mine! Eternally, God.  What a glorious stamp of approval, acceptance, and love beyond what we can imagine!

Take the words of Paul’s second letter to Timothy to heart.  In fact, allow God’s Holy Spirit led words permeate our hearts.  Grace creates a confident soul who declares, “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” 2 Timothy 1:12, NIV.

Our response—Write a letter, then a second, and a third to God who delights to hear from us.  You will soon realize the depth of love God has for us.  We will discover your heart becoming more full of gratitude, your mind less filled with worries and overthinking while His Spirit molds and shapes your soul.  This intimate act of talking to God creates  humbled, yielding heart.  Our love grows and matures with God in the lead in Jesus Name! 

Writing has now become typing on a keyboard and tucking it away in my computer files. These letters to God help me to stay focused and attentive to God as I learn His ways.  I don’t understand all God wrote to me but I can work on what I do understand by His Spirit’s power, wisdom, and strength helping me.  I can thank God for who God is and what He has done for me which centers my gratitude to God.  Writing a letter to God each day is spiritually therapeutic for me, builds the muscles of my faith in God, while daily renewing the confidence of Christ living in me.

Lord,

Thank you for the message of truth that gives us confidence of faith to put one foot in front of the other one in good times as well as in challenging times.  All glory goes to you who saved us and set us free from the bondage that the enemy uses to tie us down.  I know whom I have believed!  I trust you with my life because you are Life! May this be my love letter back to you.

In Jesus Name, Amen