Monthly Archives: October 2019

Career, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Direction, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Lies, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting

OUT OF LINE

2 TIMOTHY 2:18

“men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.”

Have you ever known someone who was just out of line? I mean, someone who deliberately said something or did something that everyone could see was not right. Maybe you have done that. Well, the phrase “have gone astray” in today’s verse carries that meaning. It is only used three times in Scripture (here, 1 Timothy 1:6; 6:21), each time by Paul writing to Timothy.

Now, listen to this definition. It means to be out of step with God, to be off target. But it’s more than that. The word has the understanding that this person has purposely walked off the line with God. They didn’t get pushed off. In fact, this word also emphasizes God’s disapproval due to their walking off.

APPLICATION

Raising children isn’t for the weak of heart. Can I get an “Amen”? I’ve said it many times, “We are not raising children. We are raising child raisers.” And there is nothing more important than to teach our children to walk with God. So, when a parent comes to me, heartbroken, because their son or daughter have decided to walk away from the faith, I can feel their pain.

Walking is simple. It’s just putting one foot in front of another. Walking with God can be just as simple – if – we let Him do all the walking. All we have to do is hold His hand. Better yet, all we have to do is place our hand in His. He will hold onto us.

Have you deliberately walked off? Are you walking hand in hand? Take a moment and make sure that every step you take is in sync with the Lord. Don’t take one step without knowing your walk is His walk. His direction will always be right.

I can’t begin to know where You are leading me, Lord. So, I will stay on the path You have laid out before me. Lead me, Lord.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Deception, Parenting, Purity, Sanctification, Satan, Scripture

GANGRENE

2 TIMOTHY 2:17

“and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,”

What is a gangrene? Medically, it is a condition where an infection gets so bad that it begins to destroy surrounding tissue and bone. The body literally starts to kill itself. So, how does this apply to us in today’s verse. Oh beloved, look closely. When the body of Christ allows the poison of the world (look at verse 16) to remain in its midst, that poison, that infection, will begin to destroy it from within.

The only cure for gangrene is extreme purification of the area. It can lead to actual amputation of toes, fingers or even whole limbs. All the dead tissue must go. It is full of poison. The same goes for the body of Christ. Those who are poisoning the body can’t remain. They have no desire for healing, only killing. They are NOT a part of the healthy body. Ouch! That’s hard.

APPLICATION

I bet your little boy or girl has at some point gotten an infection. Perhaps they have gotten something stuck in their finger or toe which led to an infection. They could see the splinter in there but couldn’t get to it. What a perfect way to explain this verse. That splinter has to come out for healing to occur. That foreign object, which has no purpose in their body, must be removed.

Explain to them that there will be people who will shove themselves into their lives who have one motive – to harm them. Once your child becomes a child of God (and I pray they have all done that) Satan cannot stand that. He can’t “unsave” them, but he will certainly do all he can to try to make them useless to the kingdom. That includes sending that “splinter” into their lives to produce infection. The remedy? Stay purified through the Word of God, remaining watchful for those whose words do not line up with it.

Are you suffering from gangrene right now? Do you have a Hymenaeus and Philetus in your life? These were two individuals who were in the church but were not part of it. They produced gangrene, not life. If you find yourself in the presence of such people, remove yourself. “Amputate” yourself from the surrounding infection. You cannot live for Christ in the midst of it. Choose healing and health.

I want to purify my body, soul and spirit, Lord, daily through You. Help me cut out all the infection in my life so I can stay strong and healthy spiritually. Today I choose to excise anything that reeks of infection.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Direction, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faithfulness, Gossip, Holy Spirit, Modeling, Parenting, Scripture, Thanksgiving, Witnessing

STOP TALKING LIKE THAT

2 TIMOTHY 2:16

“But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,”

I just love the way the Holy Spirit led the writers of Scripture to use certain words. Take for instance the Greek word “worldly” in today’s verse. It is only used five times in the New Testament. Four of those times it is used by Paul writing to Timothy in his two letters to him. It means unauthorized access to something. It refers to people who are not fit to know God because they approach Him without faith. That was the kind of place Timothy was living. Sounds familiar.

And then we have the phrase “empty chatter” which is one Greek word and means babble or just hollow or empty talk. It’s only used here. Paul is telling Timothy to stay away from that kind of useless talk. It’s meaningless and just wastes time. Are you guilty of doing that?

APPLICATION

How do we teach our children this? The Lord doesn’t expect us to spend all our time speaking King James English and quoting verses. That is not what Paul is saying here. But our minds should be focused on the eternal. When we allow our minds to be cluttered with useless, trivial, worldly pursuits, we forget about the Lord and His purpose in our lives.

That’s why we teach our children to memorize His Word. That’s why we may ask, “What would Jesus do?” When we teach our children to keep that focus in our conversations, always running in the back of our mind, our thoughts are on Him. When we surrender our tongues to Him, He will give us the words to say.

I had to have my trucked towed recently, twice within about a two-hour span. I had the same tow truck driver the second time. When he got in the cab of his truck after loading my truck, he turned to me and jokingly said, “I bet you are ready to cuss this time.” Fortunately, I allowed the Spirit to speak and said, “This is just a temporal thing, brother. That truck’s not eternal. No biggie.” He was shocked, and I was able to share why I could say that with him. Watch your focus. Temporal or eternal?

Lord, You are my focus. I will not waste my time on empty, worldly conversations. I will approach You boldly because I am known by You and I know You.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Modeling, Parenting, Scripture

AWANA

2 TIMOTHY 2:15 

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 

AWANA is a great children’s program designed to teach children to love God’s Word and hide it in their heart. Today’s verse is the AWANA theme verse. Oh, by the way, AWANA stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed. I think it is very interesting that the Greek word “ashamed” is only used right here in this verse. I wonder if AWANA knows that. 

The word means that you are not ashamed because you have taken care of any responsibilities that accomplishes what God has told you to do. In other words, you are obedient. Obedient to do what? To accurately handle the Word. And that Greek word “handling” is only used once right here. It means to cut straight. Wow! What an awesome verse. 

APPLICATION 

Take your child out to the garage or shop. Grab a board and a saw and let them whack on it a while. Tell them to cut it in half. Give them some safety tips but let them do it. Unless they have seen you do this, that board is going to be a little messed up when they get through. I seriously doubt it will be cut straight. 

Now, show them how to do it correctly. Get your angle square and draw a straight line on the board. Take your saw and cut it on the line. Then take some sandpaper and smooth of the cut edges. That’s a board you can be proud of and not ashamed. That’s how we handle the Word – with care, precision and skill. 

Do you throw out verses to just fit the occasion or do you ensure you are using them in context? You can make a verse fit just about anywhere if you shove it hard enough. That’s not how you apply Scripture. Study to show yourself approved, so you can accurately handle the Word. When you do that, our Lord is pleased. After all, it is His Word. 

Thank You, Lord, for giving me Your Word to study and learn. Help me use it in the way and manner You attend. I know it is powerful and must be handled with honor and respect. 

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Fighting, Mentoring, Modeling, Parenting

WRANGLING

2 TIMOTHY 2:14 

 “Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.” 

Don’t you just love that word “wrangle”? There’s just something about the picture it gives me when I see it. I can see the struggle in the word. I can envision tossing and turning. Did you know (I didn’t until I looked it up) that the Greek word here is only used one time in the New Testament?   

The word comes from two Greek words, logos, and macheo. Logos means words. But get this. Macheo means to fight or strive as in hand-to-hand combat. So, Paul is telling us to stop arguing and fighting over words. Stop quarreling. Some of us just can’t seem to help ourselves. It is time to stop it. 

APPLICATION 

The next time you hear your children quarreling go in the room and say, “Okay, you wranglers, cut it out!” I bet they look at you like a calf at a new gate. “Mom has lost her mind! What did she call us?” LOL. Then take them to this verse and explain yourself. 

Children can get very good at arguing and fighting with words. And they learn that from us, their parents or the other adults in their lives. We teach them so many bad things without even knowing it. How do you think they would respond to other people if all they ever saw was forgiveness and love? What if all they ever observed was compassion and harmony? I don’t think you would see many wranglers running around. 

Are you a wrangler or a peacemaker? Do you enjoy fighting with words? Are you really into that hand-to-hand squabble with whom everyone you disagree? Why not try focusing on the big picture. It’s not about what you think. The only thing that is important is what God says. Let Him speak for you. He can handle it without the wrangling. Because when He speaks, that settles it. 

Father, forgive me of my wranglings. Help me shut my mouth and listen. I know you gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. 

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Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Family, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture, Trust

ALWAYS FAITHFUL

2 TIMOTHY 2:13 

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” 

Boy, isn’t that comforting? Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful. Why? Because he cannot deny Himself. The very definition of God is faithful. To turn His back on us when we lose faith would mean He ceases to be who He is. He is forever faithful. Just like us, huh? 

That’s funny. We drop our faithfulness with people. Sometimes we do that the very first time they hurt us. You’ve heard the expression, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” But Jesus tells us to forgive seventy times seven, right? Our faithfulness to the Lord should never depend on us. It should always be a reflection of His love and faithfulness towards us. And it should come out in our relationships. 

APPLICATION 

In today’s marriages, many of our children never see faithfulness. Parents divorce over almost nothing. There is no “stick-to-itness” in the marriage relationship. There is no faithfulness. So, how can the children see that lived out. Parents, our marriage relationships are a reflection of our eternal relationship with the Father. Our children need to see that. 

When all they see is mistrust and deceit, they are confused. Every relationship we exhibit before them should be showing them our faith in Jesus. After all, He is the one that makes every relationship possible. As we have faith in Him to help us live each day, we are showing them faith in action, faith in daily decisions, faith in relationships.  

Are you showing that today? Are you being faithless or faithful? He will always be faithful to you. He cannot do anything else. It’s His nature. If He lives in you, then let His faithful nature drive you. Let His faithfulness be your faithfulness. Do not deny the Father. Do not deny the Son. Do not deny the Spirit.  

O Lord, today I choose to be faithful. I bow before Your faithfulness and ask that You fill me with faith in every situation. I may not understand why, but I will follow. 

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Advice, Alone, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Confession, Contentment, Creation, Death, Denial, Encouragement, Eternity, Faith, Family, God's Will, Godliness, Heaven, Holy Spirit, Life, Light, Mentoring, Ministry, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Suffering

SORRY, DON’T KNOW YOU

2 TIMOTHY 2:12 

 “If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;” 

I have become more honest as I get older. Now, I am not saying I used to lie, but I wouldn’t quite be honest sometimes. Like when someone comes up to you, calls you by name and begins this long conversation, but you have no idea who this person is. In the past I would say, “Hey bud, how are you doing?” Now I say, “Hey, I’ve forgotten your name. Forgive me.” 

Jesus knows our name, whether we accept Him or not. But He promises us reigning power or powerlessnes, based on our response to Him. Paul tells us here that if we will endure with Christ, we will reign with Him. If we turn our backs and run, He will also deny us before the Father. 

APPLICATION 

Children like to be recognized. They love hearing their name called when they see you. What they don’t like is to be ignored. Try it for a day with your kids. Go through your normal routine, but each time a child calls your name, ignore them. (If they have an emergency make an exception). 

At the end of the day explain what you did and why. Read today’s verse. Ask them how they think the Lord feels when we do that. When we deny Him before men, He will deny us before the Father. And I really want to meet the Father, don’t you? Make a point to call your child by his/her name. Their name means something, and your child should know it.  

Are you being called to serve specifically in this area – the area of name calling? It’s a gift. It is so good to see the look on the other person (adult or child) when they hear their name. God loves you and has you surrounded by His love this evening. 

I know right now You are calling out my name before the Father. One day, I will see You face to face. One day, I will meet the Father. 

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Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Comfort, Contentment, Death, Faith, Forgiveness, Life, Parenting, Resurrection

DIE TO LIVE

2 TIMOTHY 2:11 

“It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;” 

Huh? How is that possible? If you die, you die. Right? And if you live, you live. But Paul says, “For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him.” Logically, that makes no sense at all. But there we go. It’s not about logic. It’s about faith. 

At the cross, the moment Christ died, He died a death for all who would believe in Him. His death was for everyone. Our sins were nailed to that old rugged cross right along with Him. And then, when He walked out of that tomb, we also walked out with Him as resurrected creatures.  

APPLICATION 

Let me explain this concretely so your kids can understand. My brother-in-law described this as being “biscuits for Jesus.” Get all the ingredients to make biscuits (flour, buttermilk, butter, salt, oil, etc) and mix them all together. They are “with” each other but are still able to be separated. But once you cook those biscuits, something happens. Those ingredients are now “with” each other in a whole new way which can’t be separated. 

Both of the verbs in today’s verse have that second “with” attached. It’s a little Greek pronoun “syn.” That’s us in Christ. We die with Him, and we live with Him. We cannot be separated. We are bound together with Him for eternity. That’s death to life.  

Are you bound with Christ? Do you know that nothing can separate you from the presence of Christ in your life, if you are a believer. You may feel distant at times, but His life courses through your veins as a Christian. You are just choosing not to walk in victory. Choose life today! 

Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul. Thank You, Lord, for making me whole. Thank You, Lord, for giving to me, life more abundant. 

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Affection, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Passion, Righteousness, Suffering

FOR OTHERS

2 TIMOTHY 2:10 

“For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.” 

Paul’s thoughts always seemed to be on two things – the Lord Jesus and others. His passion and drive was to share the gospel of Jesus with as many as he could before leaving this world. Even now, in prison, his mind is on this. He is reflecting on his current situation (prison) and glorifying God that even this is working to bring others to Jesus. 

That Greek word for “endure” means to bear up under and is only possible through the power of God in someone’s life. Paul knew the only way he could endure all the things he had endured was the supernatural empowering of the Holy Spirit. But with Him, there was nothing that he couldn’t endure.  

APPLICATION 

How do we teach our children to “endure”? How do we teach them to do it for others? Endurance can be taught through physical exercise. You work and work and eventually get stronger. You push through the pain day after day. Then you notice you can run a little further or lift a little more weight. It is through the daily struggle that you gain more and more endurance. 

But why would we do that for others? Simple! Because of what Christ endured for us. When we teach our children about Jesus, we need to make sure to teach them what He gave up for us. He took all our sins on Himself. He became sin so that we could take on His righteousness. Now, He asks us to share that with others, no matter what it takes. We must be willing to endure sufferings in order to bring a lost world into a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 

Are you? Are you willing to endure whatever the Lord allows in your life for the purpose of showing others how to believe and trust in Him? You are called to this purpose at salvation. Now, you may never suffer a day in your walk or you may be the one who suffers constantly. Whichever it is, endure. Do it all for His glory. 

Father God, I accept Your will in my life today and gladly endure the cross of suffering. I desire to see others come to Jesus, and if my suffering can bring that, then use me. 

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Advice, Affection, Child Raising, Child Rearing, God's Will, Ministry, Modeling, Parenting, Service

PRISON BARS

2 TIMOTHY 2:9 

“for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.” 

When you think about serving Jesus, you don’t normally think about prison, do you? I mean, the first thought you have is preaching in a church or singing in the choir. Maybe it’s serving in the nursery or going overseas as a missionary. But you don’t think, at least in the beginning, that it could land you in jail. Paul spent a lot of time in prison and eventually died in his last imprisonment. 

He was okay with that. Why? Because the message of the cross continued to spread. Look what he said in the last part of today’s verse – “but the word of God is not imprisoned.” Others picked up the mantle and continued the preaching. Paul had an audience of soldiers guarding him who we know from other letters received the gospel. Prison bars can’t hold the message inside. 

APPLICATION 

Has your child ever visited a jail? Have they ever seen inside a cell? I pray they haven’t, but it can be a great lesson. There is something about the click of the key when you are on the other side of those bars that brings it to life. Find a story about someone who is imprisoned right now for serving Jesus. We see that a lot lately overseas. Then ask your child if they would be willing to go to prison for serving Jesus. They will probably say “no.” 

That’s okay. Would you? Many of us may say “yes” until it gets real. I guess we don’t know what we will really do unless we are presented with the actual circumstance. My point today is how far would you go to serve Him, knowing if you go to jail God may just broaden your ministry in an area you could have never dreamed of. Just a thought! 

What’s your limit on serving Jesus? Is there one? “Well Carl, let’s don’t get crazy here.” I know, I know. Chances are this would never present itself to you, but if it did, I pray you would be ready, willing and able to go the distance. Why? Because God’s got this, and He is allowing it for His glory. Serve beyond your limits, but God’s Word has none. 

Lord, today I abandon myself to share. I want to serve You whenever and wherever You please. Use me how You desire. 

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