1 Timothy - 05.18.23
SCRIPTURE: 1 Timothy 1:5 Amp
“But the goal of our instruction is love [which springs] from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
OBSERVATION:
Paul had apparently been released from the prison in Rome for some period and able to continue his ministry before he was martyred. Here we encounter a letter sent to Timothy that seems to imply they were traveling together as Paul asked Timothy to stay on at Ephesus while he continued on to Macedonia. Paul hears of some trouble that Timothy is encountering with “certain individuals” who want to focus their teaching on-fables, myths, speculations, and meaningless arguments (vs 4)—So Paul reminds Timothy to not get distracted with foolish arguments but to stay focused on the Primary “Goal”.
Paul explains there is ONE Primary Goal in mind:
The Instruction of LOVE—which is springing from a Pure Heart and a Good Conscience and a Sincere Faith.
This is the Gospel Message. The only way we can truly Love others is to have our own hearts cleansed by God THROUGH the Cross of Christ where God’s sacrificial Love was supremely demonstrated. And—To Love from a Pure Heart means we daily learn what it means to take up the Cross to Follow Jesus—dealing with our sin of selfishness and pride—seeking the highest good for others.
APPLICATION:
Love God and Love others—
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 ESV)
“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.” (Romans 13:8 NLT)
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8 ESV)
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus,
You said two commandments would fulfill ALL the Law—Love God with ALL my heart, soul, and strength, and to Love my neighbor as I Love myself. Teach me Lord how to Live this out in a way that is honoring and pleasing to You. I pray my faith shows a sincerity and strength that draws others to You. And give me greater courage and boldness to share the stories of all You have done for me. In Jesus Name I pray, amen.
Tina L Kudelka
Jeremiah 3 - 5.17.23
Scripture:
Jeremiah 3:14 NIV
“Return, faithless people,” declares the Lord, “for I am your husband. I will choose you—one from a town and two from a clan—and bring you to Zion.”
Observation:
Jeremiah compares the faithlessness of Israel to an adulterous woman who had chosen to give herself to every other man, except for her husband. In this chapter, the Lord is urging her (the nation of Israel) to return to Him.
Application:
Return to the Lord. He wants us back!
Take some quiet time right now to humble your heart and confess (or ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you) any ways that you have been rebellious against the Lord, either in the past and/or currently. I recently did that last week where I acknowledged a past sin as rebellion against God and asked for His forgiveness and cleansing. It did a world of healing for my heart AND for our relationship too!
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God.” -Joel 2:12-14 NIV
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I do not want to be an adulterous wife in my relationship with You. Thank You for being such a faithful God, even through the times that I have broken Your heart. When the enemy tempts me to be wayward and rebellious, help me Holy Spirit to always choose You alone, since You continue to choose me first. Amen.
-Michelle Gaddi
2 Thessalonians 2 - 5.16.23
SCRIPTURE: 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4 "Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming to be God Himself."
OBSERVATION: Paul wrote to the Thessalonians regarding Jesus' return, and how He would bring deliverance from persecution for the believers and judgement on the persecutors. Just before Christ's second coming, "the man of lawlessness" will arise. He will be Satan's tool; the anti-Christ. Paul told them what to look for before Jesus returns: Evil will grow worse and a man will emerge who will represent Satan, actually working "false miracles, signs, and wonders.” (verse9).
The secret power of lawlessness is already at work, but the man of lawlessness has not been revealed. God will allow this to happen in order to show people and nations their sinfulness, and to show them by bitter experience the true alternative to the lordship of Christ. (footnotes: NIV Life Application Bible). This lawless one will use many displays of power through signs and wonders to deceive many, and his powers will come from Satan. He will use his power to lead people away from God and toward himself. The believers in Christ don't need to fear the evil times because God has given us everything we need to be able to stand firm in our faith, starting with the awesome power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us, and the protection that comes from applying the armor of God, which He gives to every follower of Christ.
When Paul wrote to the Church in Thessalonica about this, he did not foresee that there would be at least another two thousand years before these end time events would take place.
APPLICATION: Paul was not just writing to instruct the church at Thessalonica. The letters he wrote are also preparing us today, and are reminding us about the importance of standing firm in our faith, and being ready at any moment. God has positioned each and every one of us here today for such a time as this. We have heard the Good News and have accepted God's gift of salvation, and now it is our duty as Christ followers to share that Good News. Paul's letter is a call to continued courage and consistent conduct. We are able to stand strong, even if we are persecuted for our faith because we know that God will vindicate the righteous who endure, reward our endurance, and punish the wicked. (1 Thessalonians 1:5-12).
PRAYER: Since Paul wrote those letters, we are now 2,000 years closer to the time of Jesus' return, and I pray as we wait that we will remain strong in our faith. I pray we will not be afraid when we see evil increase because we know that God is in control, no matter how evil the world becomes. I pray the Lord will guard us from Satan's attacks.
I pray we will rely on God's strength and endurance, and that we will never give up wanting to do what's right in His eyes, and that we will have the will and the desire to live responsibly before Him until that glorious Day Jesus returns.
- Robin Orefice