“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” v. 7
Fear is a powerful thing. It can keep us trapped in so many areas and even cause us to question God, ourselves, our family, and our friends. Fear can cause us physical pain as well as emotional pain. However, fear can be defeated, when we trust the Lord and turn to Him with all of our stuff, not just parts of it.
Many times our greatest fear is the unknown. When we let the fear of the unknown trap us, we limit our effectiveness to be used by God. So, we have to come to the point where we understand that fear is the opposite of faith.
God doesn’t want us to fearful, He wants us to be faithful! When we step out in faith, He gives us the power to walk through every fearful situation. Each situation will cause us to experience His love and Supernatural Power, causing us to become more self-disciplined in the process. But let me warn you, facing your fear and stepping out in faith, isn’t going to be easy! It may be one of the most difficult things you do as a believer!
Today, what fears are keeping you trapped? Will you turn that fear over to God so you can experience His Power, Love, and Self-Discipline?
“But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses.” v. 11-12 (NLT)
It’s easy to read the words pursue these things …. In fact, sometimes we want to simply add more things to our life in our pursuit of Chasing after Christ and being all that He has created us to be. However, its not by accident that Paul would tell Timothy to run from all these evil things! In fact, as we read this it’s probably a phrase that we skip to get on to the things we need to pursue so we can fight the good fight!
But what if we stopped trying to add things to our life and began to look at the things we need to get rid of? What if we began to take serious this idea of running from evil? I know in my own life I have had the thought, “If I add this discipline to my life, then I won’t …!” But that hasn’t worked so well for me and it probably hasn’t worked so well for you either.
Therefore, we have to come to the point where we say enough is enough and begin the process of running and removing the evil that tries to hide behind the good things in our life. If we don’t address them, they will stay there and keep surfacing and causing us problems. So before you add one more thing to your spiritual checklist, why don’t you eliminate something from you, secret sin list!
Today, what evil do you need to identify in your life so you can begin to run from it on a daily basis! Maybe the most spiritual thing you do today is not something you do, but something you don’t do!
“Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well,[e] especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, ‘You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, ‘Those who work deserve their pay!’” v. 17-18 (NLT)
I almost didn’t want to write on this passage, because of my role as a pastor! However, just because I am a pastor doesn’t mean that this doesn’t apply to me as a Christ Follower to the men that have been my friends and pastors.
This past year has been incredible for me as a pastor! People have loved on us in ways that we never expected. In October, several people from the church sent my wife and I to a spiritual retreat in Costa Rica that was a much needed break for us. Then in November, students, leaders, and others within our ministry surprised my wife and I with gifts. Steph got a gift card and I recieved an iPad with this passage inscribed on the back:
“As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. 14 And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you.” 2 Corinthians 9:13-14 (NLT)
Talk about being surprised, feeling humbled, and appreciated all at the same time, words really can’t explained how blessed we felt. It was encouraging to know that people cared as deeply for us as we do for them!
Now I said all of that to say this, sometimes being a pastor can be very lonely. I know, you would think that being a pastor would be easy. I mean, pastors only work 2 times a week right, Wednesday Nights and Sundays. (I don’t know how many times I have had people ask me what I do for my real Job!!!) sorry got off on a rabbit trail! Because it can be lonely, encouragement goes a long way! Knowing that my family is supported and will be taken care of, helps me focus on doing what the Lord has called me to do, Pastor.
Now I am not saying all this in hopes to get a raise, I say this because we all need to support the leaders that God has placed in our lives! We can do this in several ways here are just 5 practice ideas:
Let your pastor know you are praying for them!
Send them an encouraging letter!
Take them to lunch!
Give them a gift card so they can take their Wife on a date!
Get involved in the Vision God has given them as leaders of the Church!
These are some ideas that allow you to get involved in practical ways and let your pastor know that they are appreciated in big ways. This allows them to feel supported and in return allows them the lead the church so it can move forward and advance Gods Kingdom in bigger ways!
You would be surprised how far and an e-mail, text message, Facebook Message, or even phone call just to say thank you and I am praying for you can go!
Today, how can you encourage the leaders in your life. Will you take time now to let them know how much their ministry means to you?
“Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.” v. 16
What you believe affects how you live and how you live affects what you teach. Therefore we need to watch these things closely. We must be on constant guard against falling into sin that can so easily destroy us. Yet we must watch what we believe and teach just as closely. Wrong beliefs can quickly lead us into sin and heresy. We should be on guard against those who would persuade us that how we live is more important than what we believe. We should keep a close watch on both, staying true to the truth.
Today, think about your beliefs and how they impact you. Live and what you teach. Is your lifestyle matching up to what you believe, say, and teach?
“Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” v.13
As Christ Followers we are all called to serve. However, there are some that will be appointed to different roles within the church. Some may serve as Elders and others as Deacons. These role should not be based on social status, church attendance, or personality, but based on the persons character, integrity, and service.
However, the qualities listed don’t just pertain to these positions. These are the qualities and standards that all of us who claim to be Christ Followers should be pursuing. Because these qualities are evident in our life, we may be asked to serve in bigger ways that help advance Gods Kingdom and care for others with the love of Christ.
Today, are you developing the Character, Integrity, and a Heart to Serve that is described of here? If not, what need to change so you can begin to live life this way?
“For there is only one God & one Mediator who can reconcile God & humanity – the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave the world at just the right time.” v. 5-6 (NLT)
Today, who will you live for? Jesus gave His life for us, will we live our lives for Him? May this song be our prayer today!
“The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.” v. 5 (NLT)
Love is the central word in what Jesus says is the greatest commandment, “To love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul and strength.” He goes on to say that the second greatest command is, “To love our neighbor as ourselves!” However, somewhere in the mix we have lost sight of this very important statement by Jesus. Let’s be honest, loving others takes time, work and sometimes resources. It’s much easier to love ourselves that to love others. Loving God has some of the same characteristics as well. It requires commitment, self-discipline, and a giving heart. Let’s be honest, love requires much from us!
But, when we experience God’s love, it changes the way we love. When we understand the serious nature and high cost of sin, it causes us to see the Cross in a whole new light. The cross is a picture of both God’s wrath and God’s Love. Because God punishes sin, the Cross was the extreme punishment for sin. But, because God loves us, the Cross was the extreme expression of God’s love! The Cross stands between God’s wrath and God’s love! It reveals both a God that seeks Justice and God provides Love.
Through the cross we can be filled with the love of God and therefore love others. The level at which we love, can be measured by the purity of our heart, clearness of our conscience, and the depth of our genuine faith. This is the essence of a true Christ Follower! It requires much of us, but produces so much more in us!
Today, will your Love for God and others be seen by your purity, clear conscience, and genuine faith?
“May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” v.5
As Christmas winds down and the New Year approaches, what a great verse to focus on for today! I want this!!! I want my heart to have a full understanding and expression of the Love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ!!!! Yes Lord may this verse seep deep into my heart so I can know you more, and represent you in a way that influences the people you have placed in my life, so they will want to know you more also. That’s the desire of my heart!
Today, think about what it means to have a full understanding of God’s love and how it affects you personally.
“With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in prison and by letter.” v. 15
This is a simple reminder of the importance of knowing the truth about the things of God! We live in a day and age where words and situations are manipulated to justify actions and lifestyles. It’s becoming the norm more and more. As things get manipulated they get spun as the ‘new normal’ and beliefs of old are somewhat said to be outdated, or, even better yet, used against us in some form or another.
The Bible is clear that in the last days, believers won’t have it easy. Our faith and beliefs will be tested, possibly even to the point of death. But the truth that we hold, will last forever, and one day it will bring us into the presence of God because of our faith in Jesus Christ.
The challenge for you and I is to know the Truth so well that we don’t get caught in the manipulation of it. But it doesn’t stop there! It also means that we need to Live the Truth, and Share the Truth with the people around us so they to might be able to share in the victory we have in the Gospel and be set free from the things of this world! This is the essence of the Gospel and the mission Jesus gave all of us in Matthew 28.
“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[b] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)
Today, if you were given a test on how well you know scripture, how do you think you would do? Would you be embarrassed by what you don’t know? I want to encourage you to spend some extra time reading and praying, so you can know the Truth found in Scripture and live it out in your daily life!
“So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.” v. 11-12 (NLT)
Have you ever had good intentions? Have you ever had good intentions spiritually, like Reading the Bible, Praying more often, Sharing your Faith, Repenting of Sin in away that you don’t want to do it again, but then over time find that you have given up of fallen short? I know I have! I’ve had good intentions but then lacked the follow through, the commitment, the discipline, and ultimately the power to accomplish some of these things. Why, because I tried to do them in my own power!
One of the most challenging Spiritual Disciplines for me is prayer. Yes, I pray but I wish it was more of an instinctual natural attitude instead of an, “Oh yeah, lets pray moment.” I think sometimes this causes me to rely on myself more times than I should, causing me to have several good intentions.
Paul prays that God would enable you(us) to live a life worthy of his call. Then he goes on to say that we would have the POWER, this is supernatural God given power, to accomplish the things our faith challenges us to do. God given power!!!! What has God been challenging you to do? Are you doing that in your own power or is God given power doing that through you? This is the difference between good intentions and transformation!
Today, let’s not let our life be defined by good intentions, but let us rely on the God given power to produce in us the discipline, strength, and commitment we need to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts us to do.
Dan Gould 