Friday, December 11, 2009

Finished

Today, we are going to finish up Paul’s second letter to Timothy (2 Timothy). I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.



2 Timothy 4

6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.

8 And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.



Finished. Over the past couple of weeks, I have had the honor of performing three funeral services. Unfortunately, we wait until moments like that to evaluate our journey. Don’t. I would encourage you to take a few moments and do it this weekend ... are you on the path or have you wondered away ... are you moving forward or have you settled into a comfort zone ... have you remained faithful? Finish the race.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Ministry

I am currently reading through 2 Timothy. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.



2 Timothy 4

5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.



Ministry. What ministry has God given to you? If you don’t know, pray ... ask God to make it clear to you how He can use you (your passions, your abilities) to bring Him the most glory. If you do know, pray ... ask God to help you be more and more effective in that ministry.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Decided

This past weekend, Jonathan began a new series entitled “Christmas Classics”. We talked about how God can help us deal with some difficult family situations. I invite you to reread the passage he referenced during the message.



Matthew 1

18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.

19 Joseph, her fiancé, was a good man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.

25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.



Decided. I love how Jonathan pointed out, this past weekend, that Joseph made his decision, to not disgrace Mary, before getting all the facts. It’s a lot easier to be the “good guy” ... the grace-giver ... after the fact. God asks us to be grace-givers ... before the fact.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Reject

I am currently reading through 2 Timothy. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.



2 Timothy 4

3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.



Reject. I may be speaking out of turn here; but I think we all struggle with this. Each of us has a certain area of life (vocational or financial or relational) in which we reject what God teaches. We don’t want to hear it because we don’t like what He has to say. One of the major challenges of this journey is learning to submit wholeheartedly, completely to what God says.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Patiently

I am currently reading through 2 Timothy. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.



2 Timothy 4

1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom:

2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.



Patiently. Last week, we read Paul’s instruction on how God uses His Word to help us live right. Today, Paul challenges Timothy (and us) to use that preparation to help others live right. If we want to help people change, we most definitely need to be prepared with understanding (teaching) that is correct (“good”); but more important than that, we have to be patient. Change doesn’t come quickly and it doesn’t come through aggression.