"Integrity and Uprightness"
“Integrity and Uprightness”
Blessings folk!
Do you wait for the Lord?
How do you wait?
Psalm 25:21-22
21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for You.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,
Out of all his troubles.
The Psalmist states that he waits for the Lord.
The Psalmist desired to be preserved.
He wanted integrity and uprightness to preserve Him.
The integrity of the Lord.
The uprightness of the Lord.
The last verse of the Psalm is a cry for the Lord to redeem Israel.
To rescue Israel from his troubles.
The same cry comes forth today.
It is only the Lord that can redeem Israel from troubles.
He will.
But, far greater troubles lie ahead before the redemption.
Are you ready?
Walk in the integrity and uprightness of the Lord.
Wait for Him.
"Refuge from Enemies"
“Refuge from Enemies”
Blessings folk!
The Psalmist had enemies.
Those who came against him.
They were many.
They hated him...with violent hatred…
Read his response.
Psalm 25:19-20
19 Look upon my enemies, for they are many,
And they hate me with violent hatred.
20 Guard my soul and deliver me;
Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.
The Psalmist sought the Lord to deal with those who declared themselves enemies.
He asked God to look upon his enemies.
He knew that true deliverance/victory would only come through the Lord.
He asked God to guard his soul.
Guard his soul?
The “soul” is the “seat of the emotions”.
The Psalmist is asking God to control his emotions. To guard his response and way.
He asked God to deliver him.
He trusted the Lord for deliverance, not himself.
He asked the Lord to not allow shame to come upon him.
He declared that he takes refuge in the Lord.
In what/whom do you take refuge?
The Lord will guard and deliver His folk...if we allow.
Rejoice.
Take refuge in Him.
"Turn..."
“Turn…”
Blessings folk!
The Psalmist was…
- lonely
- afflicted
- troubled of heart
- distressed
- a sinner
Watch what he did.
Psalm 25:16-18
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
For I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
Bring me out of my distresses.
18 Look upon my affliction and my trouble,
And forgive all my sins.
He sought the Lord to turn to him.
He petitioned the Lord to be gracious.
He asked the Lord to bring him out of his distresses.
He desired for the Lord to look upon his affliction and trouble.
He asked the Lord to forgive all his sins.
The source of the trouble?
Sin.
The source of rescue, freedom, liberty, forgiveness?
The Lord.
The Psalmist turned to the Lord to address the emotional/physical problems.
The Psalmist did not rest in a medical labeling or in the strategies of man to address such.
He sought the Lord.
What/Whom do we seek?
"Secret..."
“Secret…”
Blessings folk!
We saw what the Lord does for the one who fears Him…
- He will instruct in the way he should choose
- Our soul will abide in prosperity
- Our descendants will inherit the land
Psalm 25:12-13
12 Who is the man who fears the LORD?
He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
13 His soul will abide in prosperity,
And his descendants will inherit the land.
Now we learn...the Lord has secrets.
Psalm 25:14-15
14 The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him,
And He will make them know His covenant.
15 My eyes are continually toward the LORD,
For He will pluck my feet out of the net.
There are things that the Lord has not chose to reveal to mankind.
Some things He reveals to those who fear Him.
He makes His secrets known to those who know His covenant.
Some things He does not make known.
Deu 29:29
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.
The Lord will make known to us the things we need to know…
If we seek Him.
If we abide in Him.
If we trust Him.
If we rest in Him.
If we keep our eyes upon Him.
The Psalmist knew that the Lord would “pluck my feet out of the net”...rescue from harm and despair...If he continually kept His eyes upon the Lord.
Do we?
Keep your eyes upon the Lord.
"Pardon...Instruct..."
“Pardon...Instruct…”
Blessings folk!
The Psalmist seeks forgiveness.
Psalm 25:11-13
11 For Your name’s sake, O LORD,
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the LORD?
He will instruct him in the way he should choose.
13 His soul will abide in prosperity,
And his descendants will inherit the land.
The Psalmist acknowledges that his iniquity...his sin...is great.
Only the Lord can pardon.
Only in His grace and mercy.
Look at what the Lord does for the one who fears Him.
- The Lord will instruct him in the way he should choose. He will guide him. He will bring revelation, enlightenment, illumination, understanding.
- The one who fears the Lord will have a soul that abides in prosperity. Sadly, believers often only think of monetary gain as prosperity. Peace, satisfaction, joy, etc. is the prosperity of the soul.
- The descendants of those who fear the Lord will inherit the land...the land promised. The promises of Covenant.
Therefore, fear the Lord.
Trust in the Lord.
Seek His forgiveness.
Live in His peace and prosperity.
"Good and Upright..."
“Good and Upright…”
Blessings folk!
Truths that we know, yet often take for granted and/or do not live in...
Psalm 25:8-10
Good and upright is the LORD;
Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in justice,
And He teaches the humble His way.
All the paths of the LORD are lovingkindness and truth
To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
Never forget.
The Lord is Good.
The Lord is Upright.
Therefore...because He is Good and Upright…
The Lord instructs sinners in the way.
He desires for the sinner to repent and turn to the way of righteousness.
He leads the humble in justice.
He teaches the humble.
Too often we forget.
The Lord desires to redeem man.
He desires for us to walk the path of lovingkindness and truth.
Look at the last sentence again.
To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies...all the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth.
Keep His covenant.
Keep His testimonies.
Walk in His paths.
Your life will be different...transformed...conformed to His likeness.
Remember, He instructs, leads, teaches and keeps.
Selah!
"Lovingkindnesses"
“Lovingkindnesses”
Blessings folk!
We trust in the Lord.
We wait upon the Lord.
We rest in the Lord.
We live boldly in the power and might of the Lord.
Such is the Believer.
Psalm 25:6-7
6 Remember, O LORD, Your compassion and Your lovingkindnesses,
For they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
According to Your lovingkindness remember me,
For Your goodness’ sake, O LORD.
The Psalmist calls on the Lord to remember him.
It is not that the Lord ever forgets.
It is a cry for the Lord to pour forth His compassion, His lovingkindnesses.
It is a cry to remember not the sins of youth, to remember not transgressions.
The Lord is faithful to do so.
To remember not.
To remember...according to His lovingkindness.
We can rest in the fact that the Lord remembers us.
He remembers, based upon His goodness.
He remembers, based upon His lovingkindness.
Rejoice.
Seek Him.
"Trust and Wait"
“Trust and Wait”
Blessings folk!
To who/what do you turn to?
To who/what do you rest?
In times of stress…
In times of distress…
In times of treachery…
In times of deceit…
In times of the soul being down…
What do you do?
Psalm 25:1-5
LORD, I turn to You.
My God, I trust in You.
Do not let me be disgraced;
do not let my enemies gloat over me.
No one who waits for You
will be disgraced;
those who act treacherously without cause
will be disgraced.
Make Your ways known to me, LORD;
teach me Your paths.
Guide me in Your truth and teach me,
for You are the God of my salvation;
I wait for You all day long.
It is to the Lord that the Psalmist turned…”lifted up my soul”.
So should we.
It is in the Lord alone in Whom we trust.
Not in man.
Not in ourselves.
In the Lord alone.
The Lord will rescue from enemies.
Wait for the Lord.
He will make His ways known.
He will teach us.
He will make clear the path.
He will guide.
He is the God of our salvation.
Therefore, wait for the Lord.
Wait.
Trust.
"Transformation, Transition..."
“Transformation, Transition…”
Blessings folk!
Transition and change is the norm in the life of the Believer.
The Word tells us.
Rom 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
2Co 3:18
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Transformation in the Spirit is constant.
Renewing of the mind is without ceasing.
If we allow.
It is by this transition and change that we are transformed into His image...from glory to glory...as the Lord…as the Spirit.
Such is usually not “comfortable”, but is blessed.
Allow the Lord to walk us through times of transition.
Allow the Lord to transform and conform us into His image...to His praise and Honor.
Pray today especially for those that are going through accelerated times of transition…
- a pastor friend leaving to a new work in the Kingdom
- a worship leader friend that is leaving behind a beloved congregation
- congregations of the Body seeking leadership
- leaders seeking the Lord’s placement
- those remaining as loved ones gain glory
Embrace the transforming Life of the Lord.
"Blessed..."
“Blessed…”
Blessings folk!
Jesus sends them forth as witnesses.
He does the same with True Believers today.
Note what He does next.
Luke 24:48-53
48 “You are witnesses of these things.
49 “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.
52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising God.
He led them...to Bethany.
He lifted up His hands...to heaven? Likely over them…
He blessed them.
He parted from them...while He was blessing them.
He was carried up to heaven.
The disciples response?
They worshipped Him.
They returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
They were continually…again, continually...day-by-day...in the temple praising God.
We are blessed of God.
Are we praising Him continually without ceasing?
"Clothed With Power..."
“Clothed With Power…”
Blessings folk!
Jesus had opened the minds of the disciples to the Scripture.
He does the same for us.
He is the only way to know and understand the Scripture.
Jesus specifically speaks of what was written of the Christ...His suffering, His rising from the dead on the third day, repentance for forgiveness of sins to all the nations in Jesus.
Jesus then declares.
“You are witnesses of these things”
Luke 24:48-53
48 “You are witnesses of these things.
49 “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.
52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising God.
They were witnesses.
Jesus told them to stay in the city until they were clothed with power from high.
They would received the Promise of Father.
The Holy Spirit.
Some had already received the Spirit.
John 20:19-23
So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be with you.”
And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
And when He had said this, He breathed on them and *said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
“If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”
Many within the church today are the same.
They are saved, indwelled by the Spirit.
But, they are not empowered by the Spirit.
We must be empowered by the Spirit of the Lord.
Seek, ask, tarry.
We as True Believers are also witnesses.
Witnesses of what the Lord did.
Witnesses of what He did in our lives.
Witnesses of what He is doing in our lives.
Remember, the most powerful witness you can give is your life.
Speak of what the Lord has done and is doing in you.
Live holy as the manifest Presence of the Lord.
Endued with Power from the Most High.
"My Words"
“My Words”
Blessings folk!
The Lord is speaking to His disciples.
He is about to depart.
We continue...
Luke 24:44-47
44 Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
Jesus spoke much to the disciples while He was with them.
He did so to fulfill Scripture...what we call the “Old Testament”.
The Law of Moses (Gen-Due), the Prophets and the Psalms all spoke much of the coming Messiah.
Jesus fulfilled these things.
Jesus now opens their minds to understand the Scripture.
He does the same for us.
We will not understand the Scripture without the Lord revealing.
Then the Lord says “thus”...in light of what He had just said…with the understanding of the Scripture….
It is written:
- the Christ would suffer
- the Christ would rise again from the dead the third day
- repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning with Jerusalem.
It happened.
Just as the Scriptures declared.
It will happen.
Just as the Scriptures declare.
Are you ready?
"Joy, Amazement"
“Joy, Amazement”
Blessings folk!
Luke 24:36-53
36 While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be to you.”
37 But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit.
38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
40 And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
41 While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”
42 They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish;
43 and He took it and ate it before them.
The disciples were dumbfounded.
Jesus simply appeared in their midst.
He calmed them…”peace be to you”.
Yet, they were still startled and frightened…as all of us would be.
They were uncertain as to what they were seeing...a spirit?
Jesus asks why they were troubled...why they doubted in their hearts.
He then proved that He was flesh...see My hand, My feet, touch.
Jesus has flesh and bones.
They still could not believe.
He ate to prove that He was a real body.
Joy.
Amazement.
This is the Lord Who redeems the world.
Why are we ever startled?
Why are we ever frightened?
Why are we ever troubled?
Why do we ever doubt?
Live in the joy and amazement of the resurrected Lord.
"Open Minds..."
“Open Minds…”
Blessings folk!
The final words of our Lord recounted in the gospel of Luke reveal much.
We will look at them the next few days.
For today, read the extended passage.
Note...the “they” in verse 36 are the two disciples that had just returned from the trip to Emmaus. They had encountered the risen Lord along the way.
Give heed to verse 45.
Luke 24:36-53
36 While they were telling these things, He Himself stood in their midst and *said to them, “Peace be to you.”
37 But they were startled and frightened and thought that they were seeing a spirit.
38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
40 And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
41 While they still could not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?”
42 They gave Him a piece of a broiled fish;
43 and He took it and ate it before them.
44 Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
45 Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,
46 and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed fnin His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 “You are witnesses of these things.
49 “And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.
52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising God.
The Lord opened their minds to the Scriptures.
This is a great truth that is rarely preached or taught.
It is the Lord that opens our minds to the truths of His Word.
It is the Lord that give enlightenment, illumination, revelation, understanding and insight into/from His Word.
Not man.
The Lord.
Seek Him and He will open your mind to His Word...if you are a True Believer.
"In My Name..."
“In My Name…”
Blessings folk!
We are to go and preach the gospel to all creation.
As we do so, signs will accompany those who have believed…
Mark 16:15-18
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
“He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
What are the signs?
In My Name…
- they will cast out demons
- they will speak with new tongues
- they will pickup serpent
- if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them
- they will lay hands on the sick and they will recover
Many say that such does not apply to the Believer today.
Not true.
Has such been perverted?
Certainly.
But, that does not make it untrue.
The Lord is revealing that Believers have power over demons and are protected by the Most High.
Rejoice!
Believe and do as the Lord instructs.
"Believe+Baptize=Saved"
“Believe+Baptize=Saved”
Blessings folk!
We have been examining the Lord’s instruction/command/commission unto believers to “go”.
Read the passage from Mark.
Mark 16:15-18
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
“He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
We are to go.
The Lord commanded His disciples to do so.
Some will say that this command only applies to the ones who heard it from the Lord.
Such is not so.
It is a command for all believers.
Note the details…
- We are to go.
- We are to go into all the world.
- We are to preach the gospel to all creation.
Then, these details.
- He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved.
True salvation is through faith...believing.
Baptism is the outward declaration that one believes.
If someone says “I believe” and yet refuses to be baptized, then they are not truly saved.
(I speak of the baptism associated with salvation/faith. Not the “organization baptism” required by man.)
Believe...be baptized=saved.
Disbelieve the gospel=condemnation.
The Word tells us to examine ourselves to see if we are of the faith.
Are you?
"Teach Them"
“Teach Them”
Blessings folk!
Mat 28:18-20
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
We are to go...therefore...by the authority giving to the Lord Jesus.
We are to make disciples of all nations...Jew/Gentile.
To make a disciple consist of repentance, confession that Jesus is Lord.
It consist of teaching and training in righteousness.
We are to baptized them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Godhead.
What do we teach them?
To observe what Jesus commanded.
We must know the command and instructions of the Lord.
These are found in the Word.
Again, are we doing this?
Or, are we building the kingdoms of man rather than the Kingdom of God?
Reject the kingdoms of this world.
Embrace the Kingdom of God.
"Go, Baptize, Make, Teach, Remember"
“Go, Baptize, Make, Teach, Remember”
Blessings folk!
All authority has been given to the Lord.
Authority in heaven and on earth.
Jesus gives his disciples His authority.
He then tells them to “go”.
“Go” and what?
Mat 28:18-20
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
We are instructed to “go therefore”.
Therefore?
Remember, always look to see what the “therefore” is related to.
We, True Believers, are told to “go therefore” in the might and power of the authority that the Lord has been granted.
This is profound.
We are to “go”…
- not in our abilities
- not in our skills
- not in our power
But, as we are going, we are living in the authority granted by the Lord.
What are we to do as we “go”?
We are to make disciples.
- disciples from all nations
- not just “converts”
We are to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. A public declaration of true faith.
We are to teach them to observe all that Jesus has commanded us.
We are to remember that the Lord is always with us...to the end of the age.
Therefore…
Go.
Baptize.
Make.
Teach.
Remember.
"Go In His Authority..."
“Go in His Authority…”
Blessings folk!
Do you seek the Lord for the moments that He presents before you?
True Believers are Kingdom vessels.
The Kingdom of God is present wherever we are.
Often we say we are “going to church”.
Understood.
Never forget that we are the Church.
The Lord has told us to “go forth”...to speak the Gospel...to live the Kingdom.
We often point to selected Scripture that speak of such…
Mat 28:18-20
And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Mar 16:15-18
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
“He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Many things here...we will look at some.
For today, note what the Lord instructs us to do.
Note from what “position” He does so.
Jesus us tells us to “go”.
The idea is “as we are going”...as we live life...we are to make disciples (more later).
Jesus us tells us to go from His position of authority.
All authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and earth.
Authority from Father.
Given to Jesus.
Manifest in/through us.
We live not in a position of weakness.
We live in the Authority of the Lord.
Go forth!
"Day by Day"
“Day by Day”
Blessings folk!
What did the group of Believers, the Church, do at the beginning?
How did they behave?
Act 2:42
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Act 2:46-7
Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
- They devoted themselves to the apostles’s teaching. They gave heed to the Word.
- They devoted themselves to fellowship.
- They broke bread...had meals together...house to house
- They devoted themselves to prayer.
They did this day by day.
They were of one mind.
They were glad.
They were sincere of heart.
They praised God.
They had favor with all people.
The Lord added to their number day by day.
Do we live this way?
Is this the “church” of today?
I think not.
Why not?
What must we do?
"Closing..."
“Closing…”
Blessings folk!
Paul is closing his letter to Timothy.
This is the last writing we have of Paul before his death.
Read.
Give heed.
Make not the error of glancing through greetings, etc.
There is much truth to be gleaned.
2Ti 4:19-22
Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus.
Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren.
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
Paul sends greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.
We see all of them in other portions of the Word. Key people in the life of Paul.
Paul then gives an update on some folk.
Erastus remained in Corinth.
Trophimus was left sick at Miletus.
This is important.
Often, religionists will be rather snarky related to the healing of the Lord. They will say something along the line of “well, if you have the gift of healing, why don’t you lay hands on everyone and heal them?”
Here is an example.
We know from the Word that the Lord used Paul to heal.
Yet, we see that Paul had to leave Trophimus behind sick.
Yes, I am assuming that Paul prayed for Trophimus.
Yet, he remained sick.
We are called to pray.
It is the Lord Who does what He desires.
Paul again encouraged Timothy to arrive before winter.
The cloak was needed.
The parchments were desired.
Greetings from the brethren were communicated.
Grace imparted.
A reminder that the Lord is with our spirit.
In Paul we have an example of how to live...how to speak to one another...how to live the Kingdom.
May we live likewise.
"But the Lord..."
“But the Lord…”
Blessings folk!
We learned earlier that no on came to Paul’s defense.
Yet, Paul was not alone.
2Ti 4:16-18
At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
But…
The Lord stood with Paul.
The Lord strengthened Paul.
The Lord rescued Paul...out of the lion’s mouth.
The Lord brought (will bring) Paul safely to His heavenly kingdom.
The Lord enabled Paul to proclaim the full gospel message.
The proclamation was fully accomplished.
The purpose?
That the Gentiles might hear.
Remember…
The Lord will stand with you.
The Lord will strengthen you.
The Lord will rescue you.
The Lord will bring True Believers into His heavenly Kingdom.
Give Him glory today, forever and ever.
"May It Not Be Counted Against Them"
“May It Not Be Counted Against Them”
Blessings folk!
Paul gives a poignant insight into his life.
He had to defend himself before the “powers that be”...
2Ti 4:16
At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
At his first defense, no one supported him.
He was deserted by all.
We are uncertain as to who “all” is.
Apparently he had believers in his midst that did not stand beside him.
They left him alone.
This does not mean they left the faith.
They simply were not with him at his first defense.
Note Paul’s heart.
It is the same as the Lord’s.
It is the same as Stephen’s.
May the desertion not be counted against them.
Can we say the same of those who have deserted us?
...who have harmed us?
...who have disappointed us?
May the Lord not count it against them.
May we never hold it against them.
"Alexander..."
“Alexander…”
Blessings folk!
Paul had enemies.
Many resisted the gospel message.
Some aggressively so.
Read about one.
1 Timothy 4:14-15
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.
15 Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.
Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to Paul.
He opposed Paul’s teachings...vigorously.
Paul knew that the Lord would avenge.
Paul warned Timothy to be on guard against Alexander.
We encounter “Alexanders” day in and day out.
Be forewarned.
Be aware.
The Lord will provide what is needed to stand firm against such.
Know the Truth and stand firm.
"Bring the Books and Parchments..."
“Bring the Books and Parchments…”
Blessings folk!
Yesterday we saw that Paul was encouraging Timothy to come quickly.
He spoke of how one had abandoned them to this present world.
He spoke of how others had been sent forth to varied areas with the gospel.
2Ti 4:9-12
9 Make every effort to come to me soon;
10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
Note the next requests…
2Ti 4:13
When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.
Bring the cloak.
Winter was coming.
Paul needed protection and warmth.
We cannot imagine such...writing a letter that would take weeks to travel/communicate.
Hoping to have a cloak brought to us.
Bring the books, especially the parchments.
The parchments are likely the Word of God.
Even though by his testimony Paul was about to die, He still wanted the Word of God.
He wanted to study.
He wanted his resources to know more of the Lord.
He was press’n on to the end.
Are we?
"Come..."
“Come…”
Blessings folk!
Paul is closing his letter to Timothy.
He had requests.
He gave Timothy an update on his situation and what had occurred
2Ti 4:9-12
9 Make every effort to come to me soon;
10 for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.
12 But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
Paul desired for Timothy to visit...soon.
Paul knew that his time was drawing to an end.
He wanted to see Timothy.
Luke was with Paul, but Luke was the only remaining.
Demas had abandoned Paul, and apparently the faith, by loving this present world.
He went to Thessalonica.
Crecens had gone to Galatia.
Titus had gone to Dalmatia.
Tychicus had been sent by Paul to Ephesus.
Paul’s requests?
- Come to me soon
- Pick up Mark...John Mark...and bring him. He is useful to me for service. The same John Mark that Paul refused to take on a trip. A refusal which separated Barnabas and Paul.
Act 15:37-41
Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also.
But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them fn Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.
And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.
But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.
And he was traveling through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Paul had reconciled with John Mark.
Paul knew the end was near, yet he was doing things in the present...and for the future...as we will see tomorrow.
Are we?
"His Appearing..."
“His Appearing…”
Blessings folk!
Do you love the appearing of the Lord?
Do you anticipate His return?
Most religionist would give some acquiescence to the truth of the Lord returning, yet they deny the reality in their deeds.
True Believers greatly anticipated the return of the Lord, yet many know not the truths thereof.
In our area and in my background the statement is made that the Lord “can return at any moment”.
The Word does not teach such.
There are many things which are to occur before the Lord’s return.
Many have occurred.
Some are yet future.
Luke 21:25-28
25 “There will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
26 men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 “Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN A CLOUD with power and great glory.
28 “But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
When you see these things take place, then, straighten up (the idea being that Believers are “hunkering down”?) and lift up your head. Your redemption is drawing near.
Paul knew much about the coming of the Lord.
We are experiencing much related to it.
All that is happening in the middle east is related to it.
Yes, even the Netanyahu speech this week.
The Word is clear.
Be not surprised.
All nations...again, all nations… will turn against Israel.
This includes the united States.
We are seeing happen.
Much will occur between now and the return of the Lord.
Fear not, things will be worse.
But, those who know their God will shine as the stars in the firmament and lead many to righteousness.
Remember...
2 Timothy 4:8
8 in the future 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.
"I Am Already..."
“I Am Already...”
Blessings folk!
Paul knew that his time on earth in this corporeal existence was drawing to an end.
He wanted Timothy to know.
He wanted Timothy to hurry...we will see why later.
He wanted Timothy to receive a self-evaluation.
Read what Paul says…
2Ti 4:6-8
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;
8 in the future 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.
Paul was being poured out as a drink offering. What was occurring presently in his life would lead to his death. He knew this. His time of departure has come.
Paul reflects upon his life of faith...past, present, future.
- He had fought the good fight
- He had finished the course
- He had kept the faith
Paul knows that the present would shortly end.
Paul knows that he has been faithful in the past and in the present.
This is not bragging hubris of the flesh of man.
This is a declaration of the truth spoken in humility.
Paul then points to the future.
- He has a crown of righteousness laid up for him
- the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award the crown “on that day”!
- this awarding was not just for Paul, but for all who love His appearing...his coming again.
Is this your attitude.
Have you/are you…
- fighting the fight
- keeping the course
- keeping the faith
If the Lord required you before Him at this moment, would you be able to state what Paul did?
If so, rejoice!
If not, why?
"But You..."
“Guards and the Tale”
Blessings Folk!
Today’s reading:
Matthew 28:11-15
pastedGraphic
The Religionists had a problem.
They had placed their guards over the tomb.
Yet, the body of Jesus was gone.
The tomb was open, exposed as empty.
The guards had reported what had happened - the earthquake, the stone rolling away, the empty tomb, the angels.
The Religionists cared not.
They had to keep the “narrative” alive.
Therefore, the chief priests and elders consulted together and agreed to bribe the guards.
The story/lie would be that which the chief priests had already planted before Pilate - Jesus’ disciples had stolen the body to support a resurrection tale.
The guards would be paid.
They would be protected from any response of the governor - shows us the power the Religionists had over Pilate.
The guards took the money and told the story.
They likely had little choice.
The story is widely spread...in the day that Matthew recounted it...and today.
Yet, the lie could not overcome the Truth.
"Ears Turned Toward Myths..."
“Ears Turned Toward Myths…”
Blessings folk!
Oh, people love to have their ears tickled.
Especially religious people.
They love the pride of words structured to “build up self”.
They love the hubris and arrogance of “being in control”.
They love the teachers they accumulated unto themselves.
They love the “truths” that they have bought.
They do not love sound doctrine.
2Ti 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
True Believers long for sound doctrine.
They want to learn.
They want to be taught.
The Spirit has placed the desire within.
Yet, the organizational church today is dying due to the lack of sound doctrine.
Hos 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,...
They have...
2Ti 4:4
and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
May we turn our ears toward the Truth.
May we turn away and reject the myths of man.
May we stand strong in His Word and the power of His might.
May we make not the mistake of the Sadducees...Jesus told them…
Mat 22:29
But Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures nor the power of God.
May we understand the Scripture.
May we understand the power of God.
May we live the Scripture.
May we manifest the power of God.
"Ticklers"
“Ticklers”
Blessings folk!
The Lord has told us in His Word.
The day would come.
We are there.
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
Man will not endure sound doctrine.
Remember, this is in the context of the “church”...the organization.
Such profess to be believers, yet, they will not endure sound doctrine.
Why not?
What do they want?
You just read it.
They want their ears tickled.
They want to be entertained in what they hear.
They want to hear something pleasant.
They want to “feel good”.
They do not want conviction of the Spirit.
They do not want exhortation of the Lord.
Because of this, they will “accumulate for themselves”...what a great phrase...teacher.
These teachers will be in accordance with the desires of the people.
The teachers are more than willing to tickle.
We see it today.
It is the norm.
Ticklers of ears.
They look the part expected.
They sound wonderful.
They speak a mixture of truth and corruption.
Beware of such.
Know the Word.
Be ready.
Do not be deceived.
In season.
Out of season.