Category Archives: Bible

December 17

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I Timothy 3-6

I’ve often said that if I ever win the lottery the first thing I’ll do is buy an ocean front home on my favorite Georgia island. If I ever win the lottery it’ll truly be a miracle. I’ve never bought a ticket.

So many people are looking for some kind of windfall. Maybe they spend thousands of dollars on the lottery or maybe they jump from job to job expecting the next one to be the one where they’ll bring in the big bucks. Some even compromise on what they know is right in order to get ahead. How much money is enough?

Paul said if he has food and clothing he is content. He makes it plain that godliness is not a means to financial gain and anyone who says it is has a corrupt mind. (6:5) “People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap… For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil”. (6:9&10)

The Bible tells us to do everything as though we were working for God. It’s not wrong to work hard and expect compensation for our effort. It’s not wrong to work for a promotion if God can be glorified in the effort. But what is your motivation?

In chapter 6 verse 11, Paul tells Timothy to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. I don’t see anywhere where it says to pursue a six figure income. Being rich is not a sin. But if riches are your focus – that is a sin.

Can you be content with having food and clothing? Can I? Let’s not forget that there are some people in our world who would consider themselves quite rich if they had warm clothes, a place to call home, and a full stomach. So just how rich are you?

Father, I pray that my priority will always be you. Thank you for blessing me with everything I need. Forgive me if I look with envy at those who live in those million dollar condos on the beach. I don’t ever want to seem ungrateful for all you have given me. May I pursue the things that matter – righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness, and eternity with you. And, Lord, show me how I can help others who have financial struggles and may you find me faithful.

December 16

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Philippians 3&4; I Timothy 1&2

Who has never been worried or anxious about something? I know I have spent more than one sleepless night fearful of what lay ahead. My mom’s cancer diagnosis, dad’s loneliness after her death, a loved one’s rebellion, a troubled student at my school. I changed school districts early in my career and fretted about that decision for weeks. 

Someone said, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere.” It’s true. I can honestly say not one minute I spent worrying about any of these things accomplished anything good.

Paul tells the believers in Philippi to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” (4:4) He reminds them the Lord is near, then says: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4:6&7)

I’m not sure I’d go so far as to say worry is a sin. But it steals the peace and becomes a wedge between me and the God of peace. It is a symptom of my heart’s condition and a clue that I don’t really trust him like I say I do. 

So what do you do when the problems of life begin to mount up and you find yourself worrying about the future? Here is what Paul tells us:

1.  PRAY. And not just a prayer that asks God for something. Pray with THANKSGIVING. Never lose sight of all the things you have to be thankful for, even in the midst of trying times.

2.  THINK. Or maybe, change what you are thinking. As human beings we have the ability to control our minds. Use it. When I worry, my thoughts are consumed by the problem. I turn it over and over in my mind. I consider all the bad things that could happen. I toss and turn because I imagine all the possibilities. But Paul tells us to think about the following instead:

whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, things that are excellent or praiseworthy. THIINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS. (taken from 4:8)

When worry starts to creep into your thoughts, give it to God, pray and thank him for your blessings, then change your thoughts to things that glorify God. The result, according to Philippians 4:7, is that God will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. He will protect us from worry! Then in 4:9b, “And the God of peace will be with you”.

No worry there.

Dear God of Peace, thank you for wanting us to know your peace. Forgive us when we take hold of the reigns and worry about the future. May your children learn to pray about it all, thank you for your blessings, then change our thinking to things that encourage us and bring glory to you. Help us, Lord, to trust you. Really trust you with every detail of our lives. We praise you for peace in the midst of the storm.

December 15

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Philemon, Philippians 1-2

Onesimus was a runaway slave and Paul was sending him back to his former master. After spending time with Paul, Onesimus had given his heart to the Lord. And Onesimus became like a son to Paul. Paul called him “my very heart”. I am sure Paul would much rather  the young man stay with him. But the fact of the matter was Onesimus wasn’t free to do that . Philemon owned him.

As I read this account this morning I was reminded of a terrible time in recent church history when Christians were pressured into standing before congregations and publicly confessing sin. Someone had taken a verse and started a movement that destroyed lives in the name of Jesus.

I was in such a service where a daughter-in-law “confessed” hatred for her husband’s mother. The older woman was a much loved member of the church family in which this service was held. It came as quite a shock to everyone, including the husband and the mother-in-law. The marriage ended in divorce. 

In a chapel service in college, a professor “confessed” an affair with a colleague. Many people were hurt by that one, too. As a result of that movement marriages, friendships, and churches were destroyed.

When we accept Christ as our Savior our sins are forgiven and God forgets we ever committed them. But we remember. In this life we often carry the consequences for our sins. Sometimes it is loss of relationships, sometimes guilt. Just because Onesimus was saved, it didn’t mean his slavery was voided. As hard as it was, he had to go back and confess to Philemon and ask for forgiveness.

The daughter-in-law I mentioned probably needed to confess her sin of hatred to her mother-in-law. But privately. And with the intention of letting go of the hate. The professor certainly needed to repent of his sin, too. But dropping that bombshell in the middle of 1,000 students and faculty (including the other person involved in the affair) was just wrong.

Friend, if you are living with hard feelings toward someone or the guilt from some past sin, ask God what he would have you do. He may want you to speak to the person you’ve wronged in order for them to see how Christ has changed you. But I guess I would caution you to check your motives and consider what your confession would do to the other person.

During this time of massive confessions I received a letter from someone I had gone to college with. In the two page letter was a list of reasons why this person (who I had considered a close friend) despised me – her words. At the end of her letter the confession went something like – “God has told me I’ll never have peace until I tell you how I feel. I hope now I’ll be able to sleep at night.”

I hope she slept well. I didn’t for quite some time. 

Just remember that if going to someone in order to ask for forgiveness is all about you, think again. Onesimus didn’t go back to Philemon so he could sleep at night. Onesimus went back for Philemon’s sake, not his. 

Dearest God, thank you for forgiving us and forgetting out past sins when we allow you to come into our lives. But, God we remember. And sometimes those memories are painful. Lord, if those memories are keeping us from a closer walk with you, if what we have done to someone may me keeping them back from enjoying a close relationship with you, then give us the courage to do the right thing. Give us the courage even if it means keeping quiet. Or if it means humbling ourselves before them. But may all we do have one purpose, and that is your will be done.

 

December 14

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Colossians 

I grew up singing and loving A.B. Simpson hymns. Yes, I know the melodies are often difficult to sing and, as a church organist, I also know chord progressions are tricky. But Dr. Simpson packed so much truth into those hymns.

One of those hymns is based on Colossians 1:27 where Paul is once again writing about the mystery that had been kept hidden for ages. The inclusion of Gentiles into what had been a Jewish religion was accomplished because of Jesus. And because Jesus lives, he lives inside believers of every nationality.

Do you believe Jesus is able to do that? Paul identifies Jesus as God in the flesh. Look at the first chapter of Colossians and meet Jesus. In 2:9 Paul tells us “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form”. Yes, Jesus is God and in 3:4 Paul calls Christ “your life”. Not just a part of my life. My life, my existence, my everything.

Here is what Dr. Simpson wrote in his hymn, “Christ in Me”:

This is my wonderful story – Christ to my heart has come;
Jesus, the King of glory, Finds in my heart a home.

I am so glad I received Him, Jesus, my heart’s dear King;
I who so often have grieved Him, All to His feet would bring.

Now in His bosom confiding, This my glad song shall be:
I am in Jesus abiding. Jesus abides in me.

Christ in me, Christ in me. Christ in me – Oh, wonderful story.
Christ in me, Christ in me. Christ in me, the hope of glory.

I am so grateful that the God of Creation lives in me. My prayer is that as one of his chosen, I will clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (3:12) I will forgive as the Lord forgave me. (3:13) And over all, put on love. (3:14)

“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”. (3:17)

December 13

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Ephesians 4-6

Are you superstitious? If you are you will probably stay in bed today. It’s Friday the 13th. To some that is a bad luck day.

Do you carry a rabbit’s foot or glue a statue of a saint on your dashboard? Are you a self-talker who readies himself each day by repeating words that tell you how strong you are, how capable and good you are? Why do you pray in the morning? Is it so God will turn all the lights green on your way to work?

Many of us will face challenges today And all of us will be tempted to sin. Paul reminds us our enemy is not flesh and blood. It’s Satan. And Satan is going to give us his best shot today. How ready are you?

Being ready is why Paul tell us to put on the full armor of God. We need to be armed with God’s truth and his righteousness. We need to have the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, God’s Word, and prayer. We need to protect our hearts and minds, our feet and bodies from Satan’s attacks.

Christianity is not a good-luck charm. It’s an army ready for battle. If you want good luck then stay away from ladders and black cats. But if you want a relationship with God and the ability to be the person he wants you to be, put on the full armor of God. Then you will be able to stand against the devil’s schemes… even on Friday the 13th.

Dear God, I pray for your people today. May we intentionally put on your armor before we go out into our day. May we be ready to stand against Satan, against temptation. And, Father, I pray that others will recognize that we are able to stand because of you. May people want you in their lives because they recognize you in us.

December 12

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Acts 28:11-31; Ephesians 1:1-3:21

The mystery of Christ “… is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus”. (Acts 3:4,6) Verses like these thrill me. And there are many verses that affirm that truth. God, who chose the Jewish people to reveal Himself to the Old Testament world and to be the family into which Christ was born, has chosen me to reveal Himself to my world in 2013. 

I was, by nature, an object of God’s wrath. “But because of his great love for (me), God, who is rich in mercy, made (me) alive with Christ even when (I was) dead in transgressions – it is by grace (I) have been saved”. (2:4-5)

Why does God save us? Read on in verses 6&7. “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

We who know Christ are chosen to continue the work of showing unsaved people who God is, what Christ has done for mankind, and the incomparable riches that come from knowing Him as Savior and Lord. We are like one body doing a job. And it doesn’t matter if you are Jewish born or not. You are a member of the body if you you know Jesus.

What kind of love brought Jesus into this world? How much love did it take for him to leave heaven and put on flesh and blood, to walk with men and women for 33 years, to be loved and hated, accepted and rejected. And to die a horrible death in order for all of us to have the opportunity to know him. Paul prayed that we would be rooted and established in that love and to grasp “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (3:17-19)

That’s a love worth knowing. And it’s a love worth sharing.

Jesus, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your great work. Thank you for your grace that enables me to stand before you no longer an object of your wrath. Thank you for bringing me into your body and may I be your hands and feet, your arms and your voice to introduce someone to you today. May I know that love Paul talked about and may others see that love in me. It’s an honor to serve you today. Lord.

December 11

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Acts 25:23-28:10

I’ve never been on a cruise. It’s something I’d like to do some day but right now the biggest boat I’ve been on is a show boat in Nashville.

Dad used to tell us that, as a Marine in WWII, they would be transported to and from the Pacific Islands onboard huge Navy ships. He said they were almost like little, dark cities on the water. But, he said, no matter how large and sturdy were those ships, out in the middle of the ocean you realized how small you were and how enormous is our world. To give us perspective, he’d point to a fly on the ceiling and tell us that huge ship with thousands of men on board was like that fly and the room we were in was like the ocean below. 

So when Paul told the sailors who were taking him to Rome that God told him the ship was going to be destroyed in the storm, I am pretty sure they felt not a little panic. They knew what was outside the battered sides of the ship. Paul warned them that if they jumped ship, if they tried to make it in life boats, they would die. Their only hope of salvation was right there inside the ship. And God promised everyone in the ship would be saved. 

Sound familiar? God has provided the ship in our stormy world. It’s Jesus. And our only hope of getting out of this life alive is in Him. If we try to make it on our own, if we think we can get to God by some other means, we will perish. Jesus is our Savior and there is just no other way.

Dear God, thank you for your perfect plan of salvation. May we stay in that ship, holding on to the truth of Scripture and Jesus as our Savior. May we not be tempted to jump ship in the middle of the storms of life. And may we reach out to others who are drowning. Father, I know that inside your ship of salvation, in Jesus,  is everything we need for life in this world and for eternity. Thank you. We praise you. We love you.

December 10

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Acts 23:12-25:22

Paul’s enemies wanted him dead. They lied and schemed and even vowed not to eat anything until they killed him. And the only reason they hated Paul was because they believed something different than he did about Scripture.

Have we changed so much since then? I know wars have been fought in the name of God. Planes have been flown into buildings in the name of God. Even denominational differences within Christianity can produce heated arguments. To what degree are we to fight against people who disagree with us?

I believe sometimes we have to go to war with nations who threaten our safety. But I wish we didn’t have to. I hate abortion, the murder of innocent children. But I also hate it when I hear an abortion clinic has been bombed or an abortion doctor has been shot to death in the name of God. I know that homosexuality is a sin and, in the Old Testament, punishable by death. But I was saddened to read this morning that a church known for helping the needy reportedly believe gay people should die. Whether or not they truly believe that, I don’t know. But I find it interesting the media put it out there now when charitable given is typically high.

Friend, let’s remember that our enemy is not flesh and blood. God sent Jesus to die for all of us. He wants the atheist, the abortion doctor, the drug dealer, the homosexual, the liar and the glutton to accept his Son as Savior. Satan is the enemy. But we are commanded to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to everyone! 

Father, I pray for your people today. May we stand up for the truth of Scripture, may our lives reflect Jesus’ love, and may we love even those who disagree with us. I know that’s not to say we should ignore or tolerate sin. But help us to show a lost world that what we have with you is so much better than what they have without you in their lives. May they be drawn to you because of us. Then, we’ll let you handle the sin in their lives!

December 9

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Acts 21:1-23:11

Paul wasn’t one to take the easy way out. If God wanted him to go to Jerusalem he’d go to Jerusalem no matter how many people warned him of the danger awaiting him there. Thrown in prison, he still preached the Gospel. Beaten, insulted, lied about, and he refused to compromise. Paul knew the Truth. And nothing – not even the threat of death – would stop him from holding to that Truth and obeying God.

It’s easier to keep our faith to ourselves for fear of offending someone, looking like fools, rejection, even breaking the law. But as Christians we are commanded to get out there and preach the Gospel. I believe God would have us be as determined as Paul was to obey that command.

The last verse we read today is amazing. Listen to what is written in 23:11:

The following night the Lord stood near to Paul and said, “Take courage…”

The same God who stood with Paul stands with us today. I believe he is saying the same thing to us in 2013. “Take courage! Talk about me to your family and friends. Then be amazed at what happens next.”

Dear God, may your people be as determined as Paul was to share you with a lost world. May we obey you when you nudge us toward someone whose heart you are readying to accept you. Give us the boldness to share you, regardless of our fear. Thank you for standing with us as we obey you today.

December 8

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Romans 15&16; Acts 20:7-38

Some of the people Paul greeted are people we only meet here at the end of his letter to the Romans. I love how he attached a description next to each name.

Phoebe, a servant of the church. Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives. Epenetus was the fist convert in Asia. Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis all worked hard. Paul loved Ampliatus and said Rufus’ mother was like his own mother. There are others. I hope you read the list.

Then there is poor Eutychus whose claim to fame is falling asleep in church (see Acts 20). Well, that and the fact that Paul raised him from the dead.

Once again I am reminded that we all leave a mark on the hearts of people we meet. I wonder how I am described. God is asking me to look at my life and consider the impact I have. Is it for good? Am I pointing people to the Savior?

Acts 20:24 spoke to me as I read this morning. May Paul’s desire be my heart’s desire as well:

‘However, I consider my life worth nothing to me if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace”.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you that Paul’s words to the Romans can speak to me so clearly thousands of years later. I want to be as focused as Paul was. I want to be as burdened for the lost. And I want my life to leave an impression of your grace on everyone I meet. Help me to be a hardworking woman for your kingdom.