Growing from a “To Do” List? Pray!

Gleaning & Growing from a  “To Do”  List?

“First of all, Pray for… so that…”  (from 1 Timothy 2)

            What could we possibly gain spiritually from someone else’s “to do” list?  Depending on the list, plenty! Paul begins his first letter to Timothy reminding him why he left him in Ephesus. He was to bring deeper health & stability to the church in Ephesus. Along with establishing elders & deacons (3:1ff) and taking care of widows (5:9ff), Timothy would need to courageously face down some erring, side-tracked teachers. There is much we can grow from by studying the “to do” list Paul gives Timothy. We can even deeply benefit from the first “to do”.

            “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”  (1 Timothy 2:1-7 -  ESV)

            “First of all, then…”? This assumes background, context:  “As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love…  This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience.”  (1 Tim. 1:3-5, 18, 19 - ESV)

“First” on the “To Do” list:  “Make Prayer”!

Make Prayers:  “produce, construct”

Ø  In all kind of ways

o   Supplications: requests based on needs

o   Prayers: regular, formal, communal, worshipful, humble praise

o   Intercessions:  for others.  “a conference or conversation; a petition”

o   Thanksgivings:  (Gk.: εὐχαριστίας – eucharist-)

Ø  For all kinds of people – all mankind

Ø  For all kinds of leaders: “kings… all in high positions” – rulers, authorities, superiors

Ø  For God-honoring lives: stable, settled, fully devout & respectful

o    “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life,

o    godly and dignified in every way.”

Such a Life of Making Prayer:

            Is good / beautiful & acceptable to God

            Is part of His gospel work 

            Recognizes and utilizes Christ’s mediator role

            Helps in the ministry of others

Life Application from Timothy’s “to do” list…  You tell me!      (a hint: “Let us pray!)  

Three More Versions for further Meditation & Study:

1 Timothy 2 (MSG)  2:1-3 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

4-7 He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.

8-10 Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.    The Message

1 Timothy 2 (NLT)   2 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For,

There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.

This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.

8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

9 And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. 10 For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.

New Living Translation

1 Timothy 2 (NASB)   2 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.

9 Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, 10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness.   New American Standard Bible

Remind God’s Forgetful Folks: Focus on Jesus!

Remind  God’s  Forgetful, Feuding People: 

Focus  on  Jesus!

2 Tim. 2:14-19

            Fess up:  what’s the dumbest argument you ever had over what later proved to be unimportant? We have all had heated, protracted debates and quarrels over things that seemed life or death. However, with a little more time, maturity and humility, we realize that “big hairy deal” was a mere trifling. Sigh…

            “Quarreling about words” can harm relationships. It can also hinder and taint our service to God and others; its impact can be catastrophic! Remembering what is truly important can help prevent harmful, silly word-spats. Thus, after telling Timothy to stay mindful of Jesus Christ and the gospel, Paul urges him to remind others to also remember and stay focused on core matters (i.e. Jesus!).

                ^“Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,  and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”   (2 Tim. 2:14-19  -  ESV)

Remind Them:  Stay Mindful of  Jesus!

2 Tim. 2:14-19

            God’s people have a long, ugly history of forgetting and feuding. We lose sight of the Lord – loving, serving Him - and we debate silliness, drifting into error and sin. Forgetting the Eternal One, temporal stuff and hurtful bickering takes over. Like Jesus observed, we neglect weightier matters; straining out gnats but swallowing camels (Matt. 23:23, 24). Gulp!  Facing martyrdom, Paul is further preparing Timothy for ongoing ministry. He reminds him to remember Jesus and then to help others keep Him in focus too.

Reminding  God’s  Forgetful,  Fighting  People:

First, Personally Stay Mindful of Jesus, His Gospel (vs. 1-13) 

            Keep Ministry Grace-filled & Personal – Pass it on (1, 2)

            Live to Please Your Commanding Officer  (3-7)         

            In Your Soldiering, Don’t Forget Who & Why! (8-13; 1 Cor. 2:1, 2)

            Practice godly mnemonics. Remember Jesus Christ:

God’s Savior & Messiah: “Jesus Christ” (Matt. 1) 

Master over Death! “risen from the dead” (1 Cor. 15; Rev. 1)

Fulfillment of God’s Promise: “…of David” (2 Sam. 7:12-16)

Our Message! “as preached in my gospel” (Col. 1:28, 29; 1 Cor. 15:1-8)

Our Meaning, the Why! “for which I am suffering… I endure”

He is faithful!  “for He cannot deny himself”

Then, Prompt & Warn Them to Focus on Jesus (vs 14-19)

Ø  Keep “these things” in mind:  Jesus, godly ministry… (vs. 1-13)

Ø  Solemnly Warn them: “Stop! Avoid empty word wars!”

Minutia, myths, secondary matters. Not important doctrines.

§  They hinder ministry. Are  not profitable. 

§  They hurt others – catastrophe!  ~  “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.”  (vs. 23-25)

Ø  Work Hard to be a Certified Laborer before God

§  No reasons for shame. Not distorting, cutting corners

§  “Cutting it straight” as a teacher. Proper Word Handling.

§  Avoiding Worldly Chatter & Doctrinal Ditches

            Leads to more worldliness, lack of dedication (ungodliness)

                It is spiritual Ebola! Contaminates Christ’s Body (1 Cor. 12)

                Derails & Hurts other’s Faith. Instead, edify!  Eph. 4:29

                It’s an injustice His people should turn away from! (cf. Num. 16:5)

                                   

v  Are you a reliable Paul, Timothy; pleasing the Lord? vs. 1-7

v  Are you: Undistracted, obedient, diligent, keeping Jesus in mind?

v  Do you urge others to stay Jesus-focused; true to Him, His Word?

v  Are you a word-fighter or do you fight to know & obey His Word?  

 

Glad we have each other to remind each other,

Kerry

Make the Most of Every Gospel Opportunity!

Make  the Most of  Every  Gospel  Opportunity!

Start  with  Prayer

            Opportunity, it is said, only knocks once. True or not, we are to live ready to take advantage of God-given open doors, especially to share the gospel. Paul had this mindset when he wrote the believers in Colossae. They were to be prepared to live and speak in such ways that allow them to share Jesus with all kinds of people in any settings. Such readied-lives flow from prayer.

            “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—  that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.  Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Col. 4:2-6 ~ ESV) 

To Stay Gospel-Ready, Pray! 

                Devoted to it  - an imperative.   After the many duties in Col. 3 (put on / off,  wives, husbands, dads, kids, slaves, masters),  they are told to pray.  Much needed!  

Watchful, alert, en guard!  Life with eyes open, aware (4:12, Epaphras)

Thankful:  not just solemn soldiers, but thankful sons & daughters (3:15-17)

Pray for God’s Servants & Yourself:

For Opportunities:   Onesimus - an opportunity came to him

To be Christ-Centered: cf. 1:25-29 & the mystery, Christ’s hope for all!

To Stay Bold – press on, even if in chains  (Acts 16) 

For Clarity:  if Paul needed prayer for this . . .  

ü  Do you pray throughout the day (1 Thess. 5:16, 17; Eph. 6:10-20)?

ü  Is it “battle talk” all the time, or is thanks mixed in too?  See 3:15-17

ü  Pray for other’s spiritual maturity, not just physical well-being? See 1:9-14; 4:12  

ü  Talk to God about everything, all the time! Memorize Phil. 4:6 & 7.

ü  Afraid to witness? Pray for love, boldness and God-given chances.

The Holy Spirit – A Brief Introduction

The Holy Spirit – A Brief  Introduction

He – not  it -  is the oft neglected third Member of the Trinity.  Many of us are guilty of ignorance of who He is and of what He does.  Not knowing these things makes it harder for us to properly relate to, respect, receive from and respond to Him. 

First, we need to understand that He is a PERSON.  He is no mere force or power of the Divine.  His personality is seen in the way He relates to others and the way we are to relate to Him.  We see in Scripture that He can be grieved and lied to. He prays for us, and guides us.  See

John 14:26, 16:13; Acts 5:1-5; Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 4:30.

Next, we need to realize that He is DIVINE.  He is fully a member of the Trinity.  He is God just as much as the Father and the Son are God.  Irrefutable evidence of this is seen in the things He can do and the freedoms He has.  For instance, we see that He has all knowledge, and power, and is ever present.  See 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Psalm 139:7; John 14:17; Matthew 28:19.

         Seeing some of who He is, let us examine what He does, His roles.  This is seen to be different in two distinct periods.  The dividing point is the Day of Pentecost seen in Acts 2.  Prior to His coming to all that trust in Christ, He operated in a much different way.  Scripture tells us He was present in Creation and in all life giving.  We also see that He dwelt or came upon people as opposed to in people.  This was a temporal ministry for some special task or job that needed to be done.

          Remember the case of Saul and David in 1 Samuel 16?  Here we see God's Spirit leave Saul and then come upon the newly anointed King David.  The Spirit is referred to prophetically in the Old Testament and in the Gospels prior to Jesus' ascension.  Joel 2 gives an example of the promise of the general outpouring of the Holy Spirit to be given.  Peter later shows this is fulfilled in the Day of Pentecost.  See Genesis 1:2, 26, 6:3; Judges 3:10, 11:29, 16:20; Psalm 51:11; John 7:39; Luke 1:15, 41, 57; Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:1-21; John 13-16. 

What is the present role of the Holy Spirit?  The fact that He is continually called the HOLY Spirit is another clear indication of His deity.  Who alone is inherently holy but God?  His present role is quite different from what we have already seen.  We see that He now comes INTO, not upon, ALL who trust in Jesus alone for salvation, and brings about the new birth.  He dwells in us from the very moment we receive Jesus, and is completely present.  

 He makes us part of the Body of Christ, the Church, and gifts us to serve.  He seals and secures us until Jesus comes for us or we go to be with Him at death.  He longs to control, guide and teach us truth from God's word, which He had written by committed men.  He is ever present in all believers and seeks to develop Christ-likeness in us.  See John 3:5-6, 14:16-17, 26, 16:12-13; 1 Corinthians 2:4-16, 12:13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30, 5:18-21; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Corinthian 12-14; Ephesians 4-5.

The Holy Spirit – A  Biblical Investigation

Man and machine differ greatly! Living Beings can do many things inanimate (lifeless) machines cannot do. Read each of these passages and list the things you see the Holy Spirit doing that no machine or mere force could do (no, not even a Mac or PC)? Which attributes or characteristics of person-hood are seen?

v  Ephesians 4:30

v  Acts 5:3-4

v  Romans 8:26-27

v  John 14:26

v  John 16:13

v  1 Corinthians 2:9-12

 

What are some of the things the Holy Spirit does according to these verses?

v  John 16:8

v  John 3:5-6

v  John 14:16-17

v  1 Corinthians 12:13

v  John 14:26

v  John 16:12-13

v  Acts 1:8

Note how we are to relate to the Spirit:

v  He is to continually ___________________________________________.  (Ephesians 5:18)

v  We are to allow his ________________________ to be developed and seen in our lives,

and to __________________________ by His power. (Galatians 5:22-23, 25)

Kerry S. Doyal - Pastor

      Christ
           Community
               Fellowship  (an EFCA)
Sarver, PA   - http://www.ccffriends.org/

N.B.: A Reminder to Be Mindful of God

An oldie...

A Reminder to Be Mindful of God
 Kerry S. Doyal

You never know when or where God will remind you of an important truth. A recent chance encounter at a hotel continental breakfast bar reminded me of God's passion to teach us. It reminded me of the need to be mindful of Him.

Our family was traveling back to Kingsport recently when my son and I met a kind retiree from Oklahoma. Coincidentally, she too who was on her way to Kingsport, to visit a daughter and family.

By the way, it is said that a "coincidence" is when God chooses to work anonymously. Lucky for us - yes, that was a joke - He does this often.

Having noticed that she looked Hispanic or Native American and that she had on a shirt saying "Mexico," I asked if she was Mexican or Cherokee. She was in fact first generation Mexican American and she then relayed an interesting life development.

Our new friend told how she used to think in Spanish as well as she could in English. But, in the past few years, she has noticed that skill slipping. At a recent reception, she was able to speak to someone in Spanish. Yet, much to her chagrin, she got stuck in efforts to communicate.

Having no one to speak Spanish to on a regular basis has made it harder to think in Spanish as easily as she used to. What used to be natural to her now takes effort due to lack of practice, less use.

Hmmm... With a long drive ahead and being a person prone to parabolize, apt to allegorize, this got me to thinking about my thinking. (I will not be offended if you need to re read that sentence.) How fluent do I stay in thinking about God, His word, His truths, His will and ways?

Can I, with Willie Nelson, sing to my sweet Lord, "You were always on my mind?" Being on the road again, I could not outlaw that line of thinking.

How consistently do I meditate on Him, His word, mulling Him over? How well do I think biblically? Have my skills and habits of thinking in God's language - the Bible - stayed strong or have they slipped?

We are to love God with all our minds, as well as our hearts, soul and strength. A lack of use of our language of re-birth can lead to one dimensional living and thinking - a life that is too earthy (see Psalm 1).

To my new friend, I say "mucho gusto, mucho gracias mi amiga y Dios Te bendaga." "Good to meet you, thank you very much my friend and God bless you!" I hope you are duly impressed, that is half of my Spanish. And, yes, I had it double checked!

To my Lord, who has provided cleaner, clearer thoughts for us to think, I say thank you for the reminder. Feel free to keep me mindful to keep you in mind.

"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power. Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth. For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3 (NLT)

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)

Head to you local grocery store...

So many options

So many choices - too many!

Guys, if you don't know what you are looking for
(i.e. the wife didn't send you with a specific list),
many things look like viable options:

  All brands of toilet paper are in play.
  Detergents - what's the difference?
  Shampoo, soups & salad dressings: seen one, seen 'em all.

~ NOT HARDLY SO! ~
Don't do it Bucky!

Stick to the approved items on the list.

HORRIBLE analogy, but when has that stooped me? 

God's list of Saviors is short: 

1. His Son. Period!

His pick of paths away from perdition is particular. 

Thus despite all the choices - faith paths, philosophies -
that parade themselves, clamoring for our allegiance,
we must hear what Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-15:

"Enter through the narrow gate.
For wide is the gate and broad is the road
that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life,
and only a few find it.
Watch out for false prophets.
They come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ferocious wolves..."

"Narrow, small, few"
Sounds selective, specific...

Glad He warns & informs us!

He further warns us in vs. 21-23:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,'
will enter the kingdom of heaven,
but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day,
'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name,
and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'
Then I will tell them plainly,
'I never knew you.
Away from me, you evildoers!'  (Matt. 7:21-23 - NIV)


The point of distinction?
  Those who Know Him. 
  They live differently.
  They do His Father's will.
  They are entering God's gate, on His narrow path.
  Their fruit is evident (see vs. 16-21).

Do you know HIM?
Jesus is  the only way,
         the true truth,
         the proper path

Know Him?
See John 14:6; 3:16, 36
1 John 5:11-13

Thank You Lord for making the choices obvious.
May I, having chosen YOU by your grace, 

keep choosing You daily.
Help me stay on the straight and narrow.
Amen!