Listening to the Word

Amos 7-9; Psalms 104; Titus 2   “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women…to be self-controlled and pure…Similarly, teach the young men to be self-controlled.” Titus 2:1-4, 6 The grace of God which saves us teaches us to say “no” to temptation and to live with self-control. Sound doctrine that doesn’t lead to self-control in our habits of eating, drinking, entertainment, and lifestyle is probably incomplete teaching. Why is self-control one of the key discipleship and training outcomes for both genders at any age? If the enemy of our souls can find a foothold in our habits and encourage an addiction, it will undermine all we believe and the ministry of the gospel through our lives. Self-control is strengthened through regular fasting as we abstain from food to seek the Lord. Self-control established in one area of our li...

Amos 4-6; Psalms 86; Titus 1   “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth, give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalm 86:11 “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Christ Jesus for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness – a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life…” Titus 1:1, 2 Both David and Paul knew the Lord God personally and with undivided hearts. Their writings were inspired by the Spirit of God to help us also walk in the knowledge of God’s truth. In a world of relativism where truth is subjective, God invites us to live by his truth so that we are transformed. Our knowledge of God’s truth leads to godliness as we submit our will to the Lord and obey the truth. In a world of many paths, we choose to walk in the way of God’s truth.   In what area of our lives today do we need to know and follow God’s truth with renewed humility and diligence? Truth and knowledge are not just rel...

Amos 1-3; Psalms 80; 2 Timothy 4   “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.” 2 Timothy 4:16, 17 Paul’s defense before Caesar’s court was an unprecedented opportunity for the Gospel to be proclaimed to the leaders of the Roman Empire. Jesus, as the Lord of the harvest, took particular interest in standing beside and supporting his servants in those gospel assignments. It was the message, not the messenger which Paul, an ambassador for Christ, was focused on.   In our mission contexts at work, school, our community, or a global assignment, are we, too, focused on the message of the gospel, on or our challenges as the messenger? Are we aware of Jesus by our side as we live and share the gospel? We, too, are not alone! “Lord Jesu...

2 Kings 13-14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3   “…continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:14, 15 When our path becomes dark and we are looking for guideposts to help us navigate, Paul’s words remind us that the lives of those who have mentored us, taught us, and shaped us, are before us on the path of discipleship in mission. We also have the Scriptures, the revelation of God’s truth, and the lives of many others who have gone before us, the great “cloud of witnesses”. Both the testimony of our mentors and Scripture points us to Jesus, our Savior, Shepherd, and friend. Jesus will guide us with his Spirit in our contribution to the bigger salvation story he is writing. Jesus will be our guide to the very end. “Lord Jesus, I trust you and see your hand through my mentor...

  Jonah 1-4; 2 Timothy 2 “’…I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity…But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people…Should I not be concerned about that great city?’” Jonah 4:2, 11 God’s nature was known to Jonah because he had experienced God’s grace, compassion, love, and mercy in his own relationship with God. Why was Jonah not willing to share with Nineveh what he knew about God? As an enemy people, the Ninevites had been objectified in Jonah’s mind. They were no longer fathers, mothers, and children created in the image of God and in need of salvation; but rather, they were enemy combatants who had plundered Israel. Do we view peoples that our nation is at war with the same way? What does God need to do in our hearts so we too, love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us? “Lord Jesus, fill me with your love and mercy toward my neighbors and those who have hurt m...

Joel 1-3; 2 Timothy 1 “…Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day…Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2 Timothy 1:12, 14 What was the good deposit that Paul was warning Timothy to guard in his life? It’s the pattern of sound teaching combined with faith and love in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 1:13). As Paul’s earthly race came to an end, he was reminding Timothy, his son in the faith and a disciple, what that baton of faith and sound teaching can’t be taken for granted. We guard them because there is an enemy of our soul who is interested in stealing our faith and distorting the teaching of the truth of God’s Word. We guard this deposit with the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit who reminds us of the truth and convicts us of temptation and sin. Paul knew who he believed in. He trusted that Jesus within was stronger ...

2 Kings 11-12; 2 Chronicles 24; 1 Timothy 6 “…who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” 1 Timothy 6:5-7 When spiritual ministry becomes a means for self-enrichment it distorts ministry strategy, relationships, and most importantly, our relationship with the Lord. Contentment is evidence that Jesus is enough. To be content is to live within the provision of the Lord with our eyes firmly on his face and not his hand of provision. Paul’s reminder that we brought nothing into the world, and we will take nothing out of it also reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven. We express godliness when we evidence qualities that God himself has. Faith, hope, and love will remain; but, by pursuing that which will remain we also allow the Lord to use our tests and challenges to transform us into his image. Where, or in what ways has pursuing financial gain become a ...

2 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 22-23; 1 Timothy 5 “Do not rebuke an older man harshly but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.’ 1 Timothy 5:1, 2 Paul’s counsel on relationships in the church was to correspond to a family. The church is composed of spiritual fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, and daughters. In the shame/honor culture to which Paul was speaking, the family relationships were of the highest order. Paul was saying to treat the members of the church with the same high value you treat your family. As we interpret those instructions in our context, we too, need to see the church as more than an auditorium of religious consumers. Going deeper in relationships takes effort, risk, and is costly. However, as we become known by others, the benefits strengthen our faith and discipleship. We were meant to know and follow Jesus as disciples in community, the family of God. Ho...

  2 Kings 8-9; 2 Chronicles 21; 1 Timothy 4 “He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab…His mother’s name was Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri king of Israel. He walked in the ways of the house of Ahab and did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was related by marriage to Ahab’s family.” 2 Kings 8:18, 26, 27 Who we covenant with affects both our values and our spiritual covering. Ahab’s house covenanted with spiritual powers that then influenced all who covenanted with his family. The son of Jehosophat married a daughter of Ahab, which then influenced and turned Judah away from the Lord. Jehosophat’s revival, incredible deliverance in battle, and testimony were all undermined by his alliance with Ahab. About which alliances and covenants is the Lord cautioning us for our spiritual protection and that of those who come after us? “Lord, deliver us and our children from evil, for your ...

2 Kings 6-7; 2 Chronicles 20; 1 Timothy 3 “…’Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s…You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’” 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17 “Stand firm, having done all to stand, stand therefore…” Ephesians 6:13 Standing firm in our faith in the Lord, no matter what our circumstances are, is in itself a battle strategy. The enemy of our souls uses fear or discouragement to take our eyes off of the Lord so that we would begin to rely on our own strength and plans. Not only is the battle the Lord’s, but he has already won the decisive victory through his death and resurrection. Our enemy has been defeated! We stand firm in the finished work of Christ on the cross, the authority in his name, and the power of the Spiri...

2 Kings 4-5; Psalms 83; 1 Timothy 2 “Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, ‘My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.’” 2 Kings 5:20 In relationships, motives matter and are of critical importance when finances are involved. Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, exploited the gratitude of Naaman to enrich himself. Gehazi reasoned that Elisha was missing an opportunity and forgot that it was Jehovah Jireh and not Elisha who had graciously healed Naaman. When we become the focus of our ministry story, we too, will lose the plot. Our purpose is to give glory to God as he accomplishes his purposes through us. Telling God’s story points others as well as ourselves toward full dependence on the Lord for our provision. Are we men and women of God, or hirelings looking for well-paying, religious employment? Are we running after generous donors, or seeking ...

2 Kings 1-3; Psalms 82; 1 Timothy 1 “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” 1 Timothy 1:1, 2 The introduction and greeting in Paul’s letter to Timothy described the new identity, relationships, and reality of life in the kingdom of God. Paul was a tentmaker and later a prisoner for the gospel; but in the kingdom of God, he was an apostle of Christ Jesus. God himself had delivered Paul from spiritual darkness and given him an eternal hope. Although unmarried, in the kingdom of God, Paul had spiritual sons in the faith. Timothy was Paul’s true son in the faith. Have we discovered the privilege of training spiritual sons and daughters in the faith? Paul’s blessing over Timothy in the kingdom of God was not financial, but grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father. Paul and Timothy shared the same Father as do all of us who ar...

1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18-19; Colossians 4 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains…Epaphras,…He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” Colossians 4:2, 3, 12 Living on mission with Jesus is a battle against the spiritual forces of darkness. We wrestle in prayer, not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. The enemy of our souls opposes the glory of God and the mission of God. Paul’s prayer was for open doors for the gospel, not for himself. Even in prison chains, Paul’s writings and intercession were advancing the gospel. Are we agreeing with the lies of the enemy, or the Lord of the harvest? Are we wrestling in prayer, or are we waiting in fear? In devoted prayer, we set aside time and energy to listen to the Lord and join the “wrestl...

1 Kings 20-21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…” Colossians 3:15, 16 Whoever rules our hearts, leads our life. The evidence of Christ Jesus as Lord of our lives is peace. The battle of our sinful nature against God and his ways has been won. The inner rule of Christ’s peace transforms how we engage conflict with others, significant tests, and our faith-journey with God. Our one body, the body of Christ, has one head whose name is Jesus. This mutual surrender and submission to Christ is the heart of peace with one another. Our words of thanksgiving are the overflow of a heart at peace with Christ and filled with the peace of Christ. Our “Listening to the Word” of Christ and our choice to obey that Word give that Word life within us and also within others. What is the Word of Ch...

1 Kings 17-19; Colossians 2   “…in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom…” Colossians 2:2, 3, 23 The world’s wisdom uses cause and effect, predictability, and human effort to guide choices and offer answers to life. The discovery of God’s wisdom requires the surrender of our lives to him. God’s wisdom is most fully expressed in Jesus Christ, who lived and died in full surrender to the will of his Father. In Christ, we, too, discover the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Paul’s prison cell did not prevent him from growing in the knowledge and wisdom of Christ, and neither will our location or station in life. Wisdom is learned through a relationship with Jesus, who embodies the fullest expression of God’s wisdom, and knowledge. What precious truths is Jesus teaching us today? “Lord Jesus, you are the treasure I seek and the wisdom I need, for your ...

1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 15-16; Colossians 1   “…he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:18-20 Jesus is our reconciler, both with God and with each other. As the body of Christ, the Church is the visible expression in the world of God’s mission of reconciliation, but only as we remain fully surrendered to Jesus, our Head. It is Jesus who must have the supremacy in all things. God’s mission of reconciliation extends to all things alienated from God and each other by the curse of sin. While this lofty language extends to creation at every level, the most basic place it extends is to the Body of Christ as we work together in the kingdom of God. The blood of...

1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13-14; Philippians 4   “…that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel…” Philippians 4:1-3 Disputes and differences between committed followers of Jesus happened in the early Church and in our Churches today. Paul’s discipleship approach was always focused on Jesus. He is our foundation.   In conflict, what is Jesus calling us to do? Are we standing firm in Christ? Are we working to agree with each other, and then in the Lord? With a common commitment to surrender to the Lord, there is grace to both listen well to each other and to repent for our sin. Our accountability is not just to each other as those contending for the gospel, but to the Lord who called us to serve together. Sometimes we need a “loyal yokefellow” to help us reconcile relatio...

1 Kings 13-14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3   “…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus…But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:13, 14, 20 Our lifegoals define us and shape us. For some it is career recognition, or a home in a desirable neighborhood. For Paul, it was heaven. Heaven was Paul’s home address. Heaven meant union with Christ who had first called Paul on the Damascus Road many years earlier. What are we straining toward as our life goal? Why? What big vision has captured our lives and is it enough? Paul’s earthly life ended in martyrdom after imprisonment in the Mamertine prison by the Roman Forum. In this rock pit, he lived in darkness until his welcome into the arms of Jesus. Paul’s letters from prison have grounded the theology of the Church for thousands of years and pointe...

1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10-11; Philippians 2 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…” Philippians 2:14-16 Light always dispels darkness. Those who hold out or share the word of life found in Jesus with the world around them, shine like the stars in the universe. Our value for the word of life is expressed by how we obey it and share it. Collecting Bibles doesn’t transform us or the world around us. The intensity of our light is affected by our sanctification, as those becoming “blameless and pure”. Paul went deeper and instructed the young Church to “do everything without complaining or arguing”. The humility required to not defend ourselves and to not compare or compete affects the brightness of our witness. Is our life-witness to the reality of Jesus, the Word, getting brighter or dimmer?...

Song 5-8; Philippians 1 “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:20, 21 Is Christ being exalted in our bodies? Paul’s context was imprisonment for the Gospel and the threat of death. Our western context is frequently a consumer church model and a culture of self-indulgence and entertainment. In Paul’s test, he testified that in either his death or life, Christ would be exalted. In saying that, Paul was declaring that he lived dead-to-self and alive-to-Christ. The shame that Paul referred to was the temptation to in any way deny Christ to alleviate his suffering or sentence. Instead, Paul was choosing to deny self and willingly offer his body as a living sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. This capacity for martyrdom marked the early Church and explosively expanded their witness. What m...

Song 1-4; Ephesians 6   “Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.” Song of Songs [Solomon] 2:3, 4 When Jesus becomes our first love, we, too, delight to sit in his presence. We delight in the love of the Lord, and we are known for it. In his banquet hall his banner over us is love. Others can see that we live under the love, attention, and affection of Jesus, and he wants them to see it! To be an honored guest of the Host of the banquet with the public display of his love for us evident to everyone else in the room is an amazing experience!   Are we aware of Christ’s love for us; and is this love noticed by those around us? Can they see the banner over us called love? In our life, are there rival lovers to Jesus? “Lord Jesus, you are my first love. I offer myself to you, for your glory.”

Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalms 94; Ephesians 5   “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” Psalm 94:19 “Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19, 20 God’s consolation and comfort are available to us through the Comforter, or Counselor, the Holy Spirit. Anxiety is debilitating, robbing us of sleep, health, joy, and strength. Rather than just medicate the symptoms, God invites us to freedom at the core of our being by releasing our anxiety to him and inviting his consolation and inner joy. Worship and thanksgiving are the disciplines which God uses to replace our anxiety with freedom and joy. We can choose to make music in our hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything. Attending to the inner garden of our soul requires regularly pulling out weeds of anxiety, fear, pride, and self-indulgence and replacing them...