Resource Manager Posted May 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2016 26 May 2016 Joshua 12Isaiah 162 Timothy 2 "CALL ON THE LORD FROM A PURE HEART" Paul's final letter, the one he wrote to Timothy, is probably the most personally challenging one for believers - and that surely includes us today! He is warning and advising Timothy about some "who have swerved from the truth ..." [2 Timothy 2:18] this problem has plagued believers ever since - it is the reason why so many different churches exist. Those who 'swerved' were "upsetting the faith of some" – sadly, it continues today. We can stop our faith from swerving by diligently reading God's word and prayerfully comparing scripture with scripture, then we will see with increasing clarity how it all fits together into a harmonious message and becomes the foundation for us as we "pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." [2 Timothy 2:22] The challenge that faced Timothy was to teach and guide others to do this. How wonderfully satisfying when we, in all humility and thankfulness, are able to accomplish this. Paul told Timothy, at the start of his first letter to him; "The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." [1 Timothy 1:5] What wonderful advice he gives him, advice that we ourselves should follow, that "the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth." [2 Timothy 2:24-25] There is only one truth, the original gospel and good news that spread through the Roman Empire - and ultimately to the whole world. This is discussed - and practiced as far as is humanly possible - by all "who call on the Lord from a pure heart" [2 Timothy 2:22] as they “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace” [same verse] This is the original gospel, it is "the faith" Paul taught and kept to the end! Paul stresses “the faith” – and we note he uses this phrase 14 times in his letters to Timothy. Almost the final words he wrote as he neared the end of his life are in 2 Timothy 4. What sincerity was in his heart as he told believers, "the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." [2 Timothy 4:6-8] May the "pure heart" we are developing, lead us to "call on the Lord" every day - and so be worthy, but only by his grace, of "the crown of righteousness" that is also "laid up" for us when Jesus returns – and we see the wonder of being "blessed” to "inherit the earth" [Matthew 5:5] - How soon now! -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2016 27 May 2016 Joshua 13; Isaiah 17; 182 Timothy 3; 4 "HAVING THE APPEARANCE OF GODLINESS, BUT DENYING IT'S POWER" This comment of Paul to Timothy particularly invites our meditations today. Jesus accused the religious leaders of his day of having an “appearance of godliness”, he said "'This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me ..." [Matthew 15:8-9] They were too self-centred, they did not realize, let alone appreciate, the wonder of really having a relationship with God. What we especially note in today's third chapter of Paul's second letter to Timothy is that Paul says that this will be the situation "in the last days" [2 Timothy 3:1] The Spirit gives Paul a 'picture' of the scene, this shows it will be far worse then than when Jesus criticised the Pharisees. Paul tells Timothy (and us) that "in the last days ... people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless..." [2 Timothy 3:2-3] Furthermore they will be "without self-control … not loving good ... swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power." [2 Timothy 3:4-5] Through the centuries, an "appearance of godliness" has existed, but today it has almost faded out of existence. How much is this affecting you and I? True godliness had “power” to influence others, Paul was an outstanding example. Timothy is told, "But as for you" and we should say, 'as for us' - accepting Paul's words as essential advice for us too, "continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." [2 Timothy 3:14-15] Those sacred writings would have been the scriptures of the Old Testament so largely ignored by those who claim to be christian today. We must take the final part of this chapter fully to heart, it is the opposite of "denying it's power." Paul declares, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (and woman) of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." How is our training progressing? -------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2016 28 May 2016 Joshua 14Isaiah 19Titus 1; 2; 3 "TEACH WHAT ACCORDS WITH SOUND DOCTRINE” First, we read the words of Caleb to Joshua - in Joshua 14. Caleb was the only other ‘good’ spy among the 12 Moses sent from the wilderness to spy out the promised land – see Numbers 13. Today, we read that Caleb said to Joshua who was now the leader of the people, "You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God in Kadesh-barnea concerning you and me" [Joshua 14:6] And Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the LORD my God." [Joshua 14:9] What a comparison is in this - for us - may this be said of us - as we receive our inheritance. Our Isaiah chapter [isaiah 19] uses the phrase "In that day" 5 times! It is a day which is yet to happen! It is about Israel - and Egypt and Assyria. It says "there will be a highway" between them. [isaiah 19:23] The chapter ends, "In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance." It is clear that in the era of God's world-wide kingdom there will be individual people from these nations whom God will raise and count as "worthy" to be blessed in Egypt and Assyria - because of their personal reaction to the power they witnessed and the words they heard about the God of Israel. This leads us to ponder the picture 'painted' in the 11th chapter of Hebrews, of those who are to be counted as worthy - from Abel onwards. These, Hebrews tells us, were people "of whom the world was not worthy" [Hebrews 11:38] Those who seek to be "worthy" people in our world today - receive whatever honour they can now; they are unaware of "what accords with sound doctrine" which is what Paul told Titus to “teach” [Titus 2:1]. This was the main reason, Paul tells him, "why I left you in Crete" [Titus 1:5] "Sound doctrine" refers to ways of living as well as ways of believing, Paul's 2nd chapter makes this very clear. Titus is told to "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned" [Titus 2:2,8] The Cretans are to "renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives ... waiting for our blessed hope ..." [Titus 2:12-13] Our ways of living today are an essential part of "what accords with sound doctrine." Let us "teach" this to each other - being fully aware of the need to “teach … sound doctrine” – and also - as we read 5 days ago in Paul's first letter to Timothy, how he told him (and us) to "set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." [1 Timothy 4:12]-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2016 29 May 2016 Joshua 15Isaiah 20; 21Philemon 1 “I REMEMBER YOU” Today, we read the short 25 verse letter of Paul to Philemon. Paul wrote this about Onesimus, an escaped slave; he had escaped from the 'ownership' of Philemon many years before. Onesimus had come to believe in Christ after his escape and this had changed the situation completely. His name means “useful” and he had become very useful to Paul, who is now “an old man” [Philemon 9] and in prison. He writes, “I appeal to you (Philemon) for my child Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.” What we particularly notice in this letter - is how they prayed for one another. The message of Christ had now spread far and wide - as a result of Paul’s efforts and of others such as Apollos. Prayer was an essential part of the life of believers. There was, of course, no instant communication between believers, their communications could take years! Imagine it! We remember what Peter said about those converted on the day of Pentecost; “they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayers.” [Acts 2:42] Prayer was thus one of the essential pillars on which the church was built. The church was not a building – it was, as Paul told the Romans that those who take on the name of Christ "though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another" [Romans 12:5]. This was much more than coming together to give praise and thanksgiving to God. Paul writes, “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers” [Philemon 4] What is he thanking God for? The answer: “because I hear of your love and the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints.” [Philemon 5] A “saint” is anyone set apart (which is what the word means) from the world to serve Christ. Paul tells Philemon, “I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.” [Philemon 7] What a wonderful attitude that reveals! If all true saints had the same attitude, what a powerful spiritual community would exist; but these are “the last days.” In those days prayer was the hidden power force that motivated true believers and kept God’s eyes upon them through his spirit. Paul is praying for his release from prison and knows they are praying for him, “for I am hoping, through your prayers, I will be graciously given to you.” [Philemon 22]. Who have we remembered in prayer today and last week? And intend to remember in the week now beginning?-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2016 30 May 2016 Joshua 16Isaiah 22Hebrews 1; 2 “WE MUST PAY MUCH CLOSER ATTENTION” Today we started reading the intensely thought challenging letter to the Hebrews. The author is anonymous but it is often thought that Paul wrote it but because he had become so unpopular among the Jews, he did not reveal his authorship. Our first two chapters today contain at least 14 quotations from the Old Testament, mainly from the Psalms which Jewish readers would have been familiar with, these all pointed forward to the work of Jesus. Hebrews 1:5 quotes Psalm 2, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you" - God’s son was to be “begotten”! Hebrews 2 starts, "Therefore” - therefore what? The last 2 verses of Hebrews 1 tells of the “ministering” work of God’s angels! This is a thought-challenging subject in its’ own right! “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?" The Jews were in danger of neglecting it, so many were jealous of the Gentiles who had become believers in Christ. We ourselves need to "pay much closer attention" to God's word so that we have "no need to be ashamed” because we are “rightly handling the word of truth." We read Paul's words 4 days ago in 2 Timothy 2:15. Many of the Jews were failing to do this - failing to see the full nature of the work their Saviour would perform. Over the centuries many christians have done the same, arriving at a belief that Jesus is God and equal with his Father. They read God's word seeking to find apparent evidence for this belief - and there seems to be a little, such as Hebrews 1:8, where we read, "of the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever ..." Does this prove the human theory of the Trinity? No - as we read in the next verse, God says because "you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness ..." After his resurrection, Jesus told Mary Magdalene, "'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" [John 20:17] So Jesus was "anointed ... with the oil of gladness." And those who truly believe in him having understood the truth about him and having heeded the advice that "we must pay much closer attention" to God's word, will also, one day, be similarly “anointed” so let us not " neglect such a great salvation" [Hebrews 2:3] Finally, looking ahead to tomorrow's Hebrews 4, may we recognize - from our hearts, that " the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword ... discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all .. (is).. exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account." [Hebrews 4:12-13] And that giving “of account” will be when Jesus returns! How soon now?-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Resource Manager Posted May 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2016 31 May 2016 Joshua 17Isaiah 23Hebrews 3; 4; 5 "... AND FIND GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED" We continue our heart challenging reading of the letter to the Hebrews 3; 4; 5. Hebrews 3 draws a contrast – between Moses and Christ. ‘Grace’ is not an Old Testament word: in contrast, says God, the people he brought out of Egypt and who “saw my works for forty years” … hardened their hearts. “Today” this letter to the Jews tells them "do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers put me to the test..." [Hebrews 3:8-9] What is a ‘hardened’ heart? We only have to look at the attitude of the religious leaders to Jesus to understand the answer! The writer (Paul?) takes his readers to a quotation from Psalm 95; his quotation begins, "Today, if you hear his voice" [Hebrews 3:7] We can - and must - see this as a message preserved for us! 'Today, if you read his words.'! Our world, especially now in the 21st Century, is full of hardened hearts, nearly all have closed their eyes to his word - to any realization that an all-seeing all-knowing Creator exists. This Psalm is further quoted as saying, "they have not known my ways.' ... They shall not enter my rest.' [Hebrews 3:10-11]. Then in Hebrews 3:15 this Psalm is quoted again, " "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." And the writer (Paul?) adds, For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses?" [Hebrews 3:16] What wonders they witnessed! What wonders we are able to witness today – especially the many varied wonders of creation in all parts of the world. Are we in danger of rebelling? How many are doing so? May we do the opposite, instead, as we read at the end of Hebrews 4 "Let us...with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." What a wonderful - encouraging - inspiring word - the word "grace" is. It is often defined as the 'unmerited forgiveness of God’ toward genuinely repentant sinners. Sadly, some live as though grace is 'endless' - unlimited! How dangerous that attitude can be - it can lead us to being overcome by evil! Paul told the Romans "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." [Romans 12:21] When we have overcome - we have had heart-felt thankfulness that there is "grace to help in time of need." We must be 'overcomers' in this godless world, our faith must be a 'living' faith’ - not just an intellectual one! Virtually the last words of the Apostle John who appears to have outlived all the other disciples - is "everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith." [1 John 5:4] Let us make sure we have a heartfelt active faith which we put to use every day.-------- DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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