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Gaining Perspective in Life

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Gaining Perspective 2 Timothy 1:8-14 “For this reason, I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”                   The sage in Ecclesiastes 7:2  writes words that seem strange and out of place.  As he examines all the struggles and challenges in life, he states, “It is better to go to the house of mourning  than to go to the house of feasting because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart.” We like to avoid talking about death and the sense of finality it brings. No one ever goes to a funeral because they want to.  We go because we want to be a support to the family and express our respect and appreciation for the person who passed away.   When we confront death, we gain a whole new perspective on life.  It strips away all our obsession with the insignificant and clarifies what is essential.  The certainty of death strips away the fo
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The Joy of Contentment

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The Lost Art of Contentment 1 Timothy 6:6-10 “But godliness actually is a means of great gain which is accompanied by contentment.”                   The most challenging quality to possess is contentment.  We can obtain and extol many excellent qualities, but the ability to be genuinely content is perhaps the most difficult virtue to discover. We can demonstrate love, find joy, and have patience towards others, but to be genuinely content with all that we have in the present is elusive and fleeting.  When we think we have attained it, our eyes fasten upon something we want, and we become discontent until we obtain it.                    As Paul closes out his instructions with Timothy, he reminds Timothy of a vital lesson everyone must learn, including pastors and those in ministry.   Throughout his letters, Paul challenges his readers with the importance and necessity of pursuing godliness. The word godliness refers to one who not only believes in God but is shaped by that belief so
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Maintaining our Spiritual Health

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Maintaining Our Spiritual Health 1 Timothy 4:6-10 “For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”                   The global fitness industry continues to grow at an incredible rate.  It is estimated that in  2022, the fitness industry generated a market value of 104 billion dollars and that by 2030, it is projected to grow to $202 billion.  In the United States, the fitness industry has a value of 40 billion dollars in 2023.  The millennials are specifically known as the “wellness generation” as they place health as one of their top priorities. Indeed, there is value in taking care of our physical health and well-being.  Paul himself affirms the value of physical discipline when he states that bodily discipline has some profit.                     However, Paul challenges us to move beyond our physical health and examine our spiritual health.  We spend hours each week
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Extravagant Grace

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The Wonder of Extravagant Grace 1 Timothy 1:12-17 “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.”                   It is easy to become ensnared by the past. Past mistakes and sins can become our proverbial ball and chain, dragging us down into the pit of guilt and shame. However, Scripture teaches that no sin is beyond the grace of God's forgiveness, no matter how horrific in our eyes.                   In our mental picture of Paul, we see him as the stalwart of faith. Paul remains the champion of theologians for his ability to capture into words the complexity of our understanding of God and His salvation.  Whether Paul was sharing the gospel with rough sailors or confronting intellectual giants on Mars Hill in Athens, Paul could convey the gospel with clarity and relevance. If there was ever a champion of the Christian faith, it was Paul.  However, Paul did not see himself as a
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The Dangers of Distractions

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The Danger of Distractions 1 Timothy 1:1-11                    In our quest to follow our faith, it is easy to become derailed by the distractions of the insignificant. Instead of focusing on obedience to God’s word and His moral law, we can become ensnared by people's opinions.  As Paul is writing to Timothy, his protégé and a young pastor starting in ministry, Paul warns him of the dangers of “strange doctrines and myths and endless genealogies.”  Throughout the writings of Paul, we find two different false teachings in the church. The first error is legalism, which incorporates rules and regulations not found in Scripture into the Christian life.  These are grounded in traditions and principles not found in Scripture but ones that we make essential in our faith.  The second error is liberalism.  This involves rejecting and denying the Biblical teaching of morality to conform Scripture to our views and justify our behavior rather than allow Scripture to transform us.  We see thes
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Picking Our Friends Wisely

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Who we associate with is who we will become. 2 Thess. 3:6-15 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the traditions which you received from us.”                   Throughout the scriptures, we are warned about the kind of people we associate with and the type of friends surrounding us.  The people we associate with and spend all our time with will influence how we act, think, and live our lives.  In this passage Paul is not forbidding any association with those who do not follow Christ.  This would not only be impossible, but it would also be counterproductive to our mission.  We are called to reach people with the gospel, which requires building relationships with others.  Paul warning us to be intentional and careful about who influences us and shapes our lives, values, and beliefs. In 2 Corinthians 6:17, Paul commands the church at Corinth, a city that is known for its im
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What are we to pray for?

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What are we to Pray for. 2 Thess. 3:1-5 “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified just as it did also with you and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men, for not all have faith.” When we pray, what do we pray for? Take some time and reflect upon the requests that you bring to God. Much of our prayer centers on our physical needs. We pray for God’s protection from harm. When sick, we pray for His healing touch. We pray for others who are experiencing physical problems. Certainly, this is valid and encouraged by God (James 5:13). We also rightfully pray for wisdom and strength during times of difficulty and trials (James 1:1-5). But how do we pray for our spiritual leaders, the pastor, the board, and the church's ministries? As Paul closes his letter, as he often does in all his epistles, he expresses his prayer for the people he is writing to and asks them to pray for him. In these requests, we not only discover how t
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