Eager To Do Good

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Titus 2:11-15

The grace of God has appeared…
It brings salvation to all men.
It teaches us to say ‘no’ to ungodliness and worldly passions.
It teaches us to say ‘yes’ to a self-controlled, upright and godly life!
… while we wait for Jesus, our Savior, to appear.
Jesus gave Himself for us!
He redeemed us from all wickedness (That’s past tense! Redemption happened at the cross.)
He gave Himself on the cross to purify us, a people belonging to Him (the cross is powerful in its message, it purifies us…)
While in this process of being purified by the powerful message of the cross, we are eager to do good!

Lord Jesus, thank You for this Good Message, delivered through Your blood shed on the cross. Thank You that I am right now redeemed from every wicked thing and am being purified from them at the same time. The redemption is done… the purifying continues… and I am eager to do good today!

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CaRE

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Paul's final charge to Timothy gets to the point. Preach the Word. Be ready all the time. CaRE: correct, rebuke, encourage...

I am thinking about each of these in my ministry. How ready am I to correct? Rebuke? Encourage? It also strikes me that Paul says to do this 'with great patience and careful instruction.' Patience - courageous endurance without quitting. If you're going to Preach the Word, you need a GREAT amount of patience. 'Careful instruction' makes me think of time investment. It's not instant potatoes... you don't just add water.

Lord, help me to keep my head in all situations and, with great patience and careful instruction, preach Your Word. Give me the discernment to know when correction, rebuke or encouragement is needed. Speak through me today.

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From Bad To Worse

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:12-13

Reading through Kings these days it is striking how hard it was for the Kings of Judah and Israel to do what was pleasing to the Lord. Things haven’t changed, really. It is still difficult for people to do good. Evil is prevalent. Paul writes to Timothy that “there will be terrible times in the last days” (2 Timothy 3:1). We know from Revelation that things will go from bad to worse to horrific before god makes everything right and Jesus reigns completely over the universe in both the physical and spiritual realms.

For the man of God, he is to continue in the teaching that he has received. In spite of the times, the Word of God is capable of equipping him for whatever days he is living in.

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

2 Timothy 3:16-17

While it is true that everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before (great song!), it is also true that evil is prevalent and will continue to be. I need to engage God’s Word everyday to be equipped for this life that is lived in conflict with the world around me. One day God is going to make everything right and there will be no conflict! That’s called Heaven!

Lord Jesus, help me to engage the conflict around me with Your grace and by the power of Your Spirit. May Your Word do its job and equip me for every good work as I read and study it – following hard after You each day. You are the Savior! Save us, please. We are lost in the dark without You. I live for the glory of Your Name today.

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A Friend Sent This To Me... Come on!

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Go Willow Creek, Go!

I have always appreciated Willow Creek Community Church and their zeal to extend the Kingdom of Heaven. There will be people in heaven for-ever because of them. I have enjoyed a handful of Leadership Summits through the years and the Preaching/Teaching Conference in October 2003 continues to be a source of inspiration for me.

What I discovered last Fall is there are are Christians in the world who are 'Willow-bashers.' I almost couldn't believe it. Christianity Today's blog wrote the infamous "Willow Creek Repents?" post and the junk started flying. I even wrote H.B. London of Focus on the Family when he misrepresented Willow and their Reveal project in his weekly pastor's email. I got a 'nice' reply from H.B.

So I am very happy this morning to read this Out of Ur post! Thank you! Can we please get on with it? In 40 years I'll be dead probably. Maybe sooner. I don't have time to waste on completing the mission that Jesus has given the church.

By the way, REVEAL is an amazing read. 75 pages... lots of pictures and colorful graphs! (love that!) If you're vested in developing mature disciples for Jesus through the local church, it's a must read.

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Strong In Grace

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.

2 Timothy 2:1-4

Strength. Faithfulness. Men want these, but they don’t happen naturally. Fear and infidelity come naturally. Paul encourages Timothy toward strength and faithfulness. He is appealing to the heart’s desire for those things, but they must be encouraged! They don’t just happen.

The encouragement comes to be ‘strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.’ Being strong in grace… what does that look like? How can a guy like Timothy (or a guy like me) be faithful to the gospel of grace? It takes strength, to be sure! It takes the determination that other things will not preempt the truth of God’s Word or the power of His grace that is found in Jesus.

This Gospel is also reproducible. Not by chance but by design. It has a witness to the hearts of people. God is using this Gospel of grace to draw people to Himself, offer them hope and healing and to build His family. These things ‘entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.’ And so within this generation and from generation to generation the Gospel is delivered to the hearts of people.

Strength and faithfulness is required because there will be difficult days. “Endure hardship with us” Paul writes to Timothy, “like a good soldier.”

I am encouraged by these words and am taking them to heart! I need to be a reliable man who entrusts the Gospel to other reliable men. I need to not be surprised by hardship, but endure it like the soldier for Christ that I am. I intend to please my Commander! It all begins with being strong in His grace. This is what makes this life in Christ so different. It is not confidence in my own strength and resources, but confidence in His grace.

Lord Jesus – You are Lord and I respond to You and Your grace today. Teach me, Lord, what it means to be strong in Your grace. I know that You want me to engage the battle for the hearts of people. This requires more than I have… so thank you for the strength You provide! Thank You for Your Presence. Fill me with Your Spirit and increase my strength in Your grace today. Lead me to the battles You have for me and be victorious today.

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Oh, To Be A Man of God

9 Then he sent to Elijah a captain with his company of fifty men. The captain went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of a hill, and said to him, "Man of God, the king says, 'Come down!' "

10 Elijah answered the captain, "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men.

2 Kings 1:9-10

The prophets (especially Elijah) heard from God and did exactly what He told them to do and say. If I do exactly what God tells me to do and say... can I do what Elijah did here in 2 Kings 1?? "If I am a man of God..."

It's probably better that I not have that ability...

Still, I want to hear from God and do what He says to do. If I speak for Him, I want the words to be His Words!

Lord Jesus, speak to me and speak through me is my prayer today.

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Encouraging Hearts

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

Colossians 4:7-8

Monday I journaled that Paul’s ministry was to encourage the hearts of people and to promote unity in the Body of Christ. In today’s reading Paul describes Tychicus whom he is sending to encourage the hearts of the Colossians. Through his presence and by sharing news of Paul’s circumstances, Tychicus would encourage their hearts. Hearts need to be filled with courage to continue living for Jesus in this discouraging world. Encouragement comes through one another.

Paul describes Tychicus as
1. A dear brother
2. A faithful minister
3. A fellow servant of the Lord

These credentials make him a fantastic choice to encourage the hearts of the saints. By describing him as a dear brother, Paul indicates the relational connectedness they have. There is love and partnership between them! Tychicus is also a faithful minister. He has a competence in ministry – he is faithful in the tasks of building the Kingdom of Heaven. Tychicus also has the identity as a servant of Christ. Just as Paul understood and described himself as a bond-slave to Christ (Philippians 1:1), so Tychicus had this same position in this world. He served Jesus! Christ was His Lord, which made him a great choice to encourage the hearts of the saints.

I would aspire to be like Tychicus. I would be blessed and encouraged myself if people described me as Paul described him. As I become more like Jesus, may this be true of me and may I be deployed to encourage the hearts of the saints.

Lord I am Your servant today. Send me where You will to encourage the hearts of people. Please give me wisdom, clarity and strength these days as we try to establish some things that will help people take their next steps with You. Thank You for this life that can be lived in Your service… a life that never grows old as we dive deep into the richness of who You are. You are awesome and I serve You today.

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Jesus Is My Life

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature…

Colossians 2:1-3

Jesus is how holy living is realized. It’s not through will power… it’s not lucky chance… it’s not that some personalities can be holy and others never will… it’s because of Jesus, the Son of God, has come. He brings new life and is Himself life.

To have the understanding that Christ is my life changes me. He is not a part of my life or One who enhances my life – He is my life. Jesus is life. When this is my frame of reference and how I understand myself, holy living comes to be. Everything that is not my life… that is not of Jesus… is jettisoned. I let it go, putting on the attributes of Jesus who is my life.

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 whatever grievances you may have against one another. 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. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:12-17

Lord Jesus, You are Lord of the universe and Lord over me. You created all life (Col. 1:16) and You are my life. Thank You for the grace You’ve given to me when I’ve taken my eyes off of You and been enticed by the things of this world that are not life! Help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me. Lord Jesus, be my Vision today. Be all that I see! Be so large in my sight that nothing else compares to You and live Your life through me. May everything I do today be done in Your Name, bringing You the honor that You deserve. In this day I worship You.

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Optional No Longer

I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:1-3

Paul understood Jesus Christ to be the mystery of the ages – the knowledge and wisdom of God. His ministry was to make Christ known to people. Here in Colossians 2 he states his purpose: to encourage the hearts of people and to see them united in love with one another. It is then that the mystery of Christ can be known.

Encouragement and unity are important we know, but do we realize just how important? Without them people will not know the mystery of God, namely Christ. Discouragement of heart and disunity in the church block people from having ‘the full riches of complete understanding.’ In Jesus are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, but discouragement and divided people will never know Him fully as He wants to be known.

So Paul’s ministry was to encourage the hearts of people and promote unity in the Body of Christ. This is so valuable, vital and crucial! Too often I have considered encouragement and unity as added blessings… nice if you can have them… but not absolutely necessary. These are not optional for ministry – they’re must-haves! Encouragement of people’s hearts and unity in the church must be promoted, protected and expected! Otherwise the gospel will not take root and people will not know Jesus.

Thank You, Father for raising the value of these in my heart and mind this morning. Raise me up and strengthen my heart that I might be a champion for ‘encouragement of hearts’ and ‘unity in the church’ for Your Kingdom today.

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His Eyes Are On Someone Like Me

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
even as we put our hope in you.

Psalm 33:18-22

The Lord God is awesome and worthy of my worship!

From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;

from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-

he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

vs. 13-15

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

vs. 1

Who is like God? He has created all that we see and can’t see. He has formed our hearts. He sees everything that is done and knows the motivations of every person… who is like God?

So I fear Him! Not the cowering, shaking, scared kind of fear (although if I were to see Him face to face, I know I’d be afraid!) – but the ultimate kind of respect, reverence and awe kind of fear. Who else is like the Creator? No one.

My hope is in His unfailing love. The Psalm says that ‘His eyes are on’ someone like me! This is not scary, but encouraging to me. He is mindful of me. He knows who I am… He knows where I am… He understands what I’m going through! He will provide, lead and protect me because I fear Him and have placed my hope in who He is – the everlasting, eternal, all-loving God.

So Father, I wait in hope on You. You are my help and my shield. In You my heart rejoices, for I trust in Your Holy Name. May Your unfailing love rest upon me, Lord, even as I put my hope in You. (Ps. 33:20-22)

Father, I ask for a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that I may know You better. Would You enlighten the eyes of my heart so that I can know the hope to which You have called me, the riches of Your glorious inheritance and Your incomparably great power for me? Thank you… (Eph. 1:17-19)

You see me today, Father. Use me for Your purposes… my trust and hope are in You. I know that You will provide all that I need along the way. You are powerful, awesome and worthy of worship.

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Pleasing To God

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

Romans 14:17-18

Serving Jesus today in righteousness, peace and with a joyful heart is pleasing to Him. If being pleasing to God is important to those who follow, then these are important verses of Scripture! The way we serve Him… the demeanor, the spirit or the heart we have matters. Paul also says that men will approve too. Nobody complains about such a heart! Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit is attractive to people.

There are ‘heart assassins’ in my life that want to remove these qualities from my service to Christ. These situations, dynamics and choices I make can virtually steal the peace and joy I should have. When peace and joy are absent, unrighteousness of heart, soul and mind usually show up in their place! If serving God in His Kingdom is a matter of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit – and these things are pleasing to God – then actively defending against these ‘heart assassins’ is more than just optional for me. I want God to be pleased with me! I want to hear those words “Well done, good and faithful servant!” And somehow I don’t think the amount of tasks accomplished is a part of that faithfulness.

So the ‘heart assassin’ of overwork, for instance, needs to be neutralized. Why do I bite off more than I can chew? Why does doing the workload of 3 people seem doable and right to me so often? Is it because I’ve done it before? Sure, I’ve mostly done it, but peace and joy easily go out the window. I become driven. Then what does the church have? A pastor who is a ‘goal accomplishment animal’ but has little peace and a scarcity of joy. Is that what God would have me model? But I’m getting a lot done! Yeah, yeah.

I am also struck by how much I am drawn to this ‘heart assassin.’ I invite him in… I enjoy his presence… (I do?). Pleasing God must be more important to me than goal accomplishment. It’s the chief goal! If I serve Christ with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit – Jesus will be pleased and people will approve. People will be fine… they’ll be OK… they’ll be applauding even. The last person I will have to convince that this is right is that guy I shave with in the mirror.

Lord Jesus – search my heart today. Know my heart and motivations and lead me in the way You would have me go. I want to please You above all else, so be the Lord of my calendar today. Reign over my task list. Be the King of my heart and infuse me with righteousness, peace and joy in Your Spirit – for Your Name and glory. May my life be appealing to others, that they may be drawn into Your sweet Presence. Use me this day, I pray.

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