Category Archives: Faith

Advice, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Courage, Encouragement, Evangelism, Faith, Faithfulness, Obedience, Parenting, Satan, Scripture

OUT OF THE LION’S MOUTH

2 TIMOTHY 4:17

“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth.”

Do you know any lions? Boy, I do. I have encountered a few. Now, I don’t mean real lions, of course. I am referring, as Paul was, to those who wanted to destroy me. If we stand for the cause of Christ, His enemies are going to try to take us out. They do not want us proclaiming the Gospel. Why? Because it exposes their sins.

However, most of these “lions” do not see their sins as sin. How dare we call their lifestyles sinful? How dare we insinuate that they can’t live as they want and be ushered into heaven with the saints? Paul’s goal was to preach Jesus to the Gentile world which was filled with idolatry and wickedness. Guess what? Our mission is the same.

APPLICATION

Your children probably have heard the story of Daniel and the lions’ den, right. Well, read them this verse and then read them that story. Ask them what they think Paul was referring to. I mean, he wasn’t with Daniel. But he faced just as ferocious an enemy.

Ask your kids why others who don’t love Jesus would want to “eat them up.” You can make it a little funny. That’s okay. But make sure they understand that when they live a life pleasing God, those who rebel against Him, knowingly or unknowingly, are going to try to stop them, discourage them or outright fight against them. That’s to be expected. It’s okay. Just keep living for Him.

Are you in the mouth of a lion right now? Pray for deliverance. Ask the Lord to give you the boldness to stand against the enemies of the cross and proclaim Him even louder. The Lord can defang the most ferocious of lions. Ask Him for pliers.  Lol

Lord, I do not fear the fangs of the lions because You are with me. Give me strength, as You did Paul, to face them courageously and victoriously.

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Advice, Affection, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Cowardice, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Friends, Obedience, Parenting

WHEN FRIENDS DESERT

2 TIMOTHY 4:10

“for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.”

Just who was Demas? Well, Paul mentions him in the letter to the Colossians and also in his letter to Philemon. In both of these references it appears he is serving and loving the Lord. But…then we come to today’s passage. Some time has passed. Something has happened.

Paul says he has “loved this present world.” We don’t know what that means. Whatever lured him was responsible for leading him away from his faith. He abandoned Paul while he was in prison. That word “deserted” literally means to leave in a lurch, to walk away from. How sad and hurtful for Paul.

APPLICATION

Your children are going to have friends desert them. They will have friends who pretend to be friends and all of a sudden turn turn their backs on them for someone else. That is going to hurt, and there is no way to protect them from this. However, read them this verse. This has been going on for a long time. Even in this verse, Paul did not speak evil of Demas. He simply stated what he had done. Paul obviously still loved Demas.

It’s more important that we teach our children not to be a Demas. We do not want them to abandon their friends. That’s hurtful. And we sure don’t want them to walk away from their faith. That would be catastrophic. Ask your kids what they think drew Demas away. Ask them if there is anything that could draw them away. Then pray for their commitment to friends and faith.

Are you a faithful friend? Are you committed to Christ whatever may come? Don’t be like Demas who ducked and ran when things got tough. He probably knew Paul was about to die and decided he was better off back in the world. That is never true. Stay committed. The Lord will see you through any challenge you face, no matter how daunting.

O Lord, I can’t do this without You. Remind me daily of Your sustaining power. I want to represent You well.

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Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christ's Return, Direction, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Eternity, Faith, Gifts, Love, Modeling, Obedience

CROWN ME

2 TIMOTHY 4:8

“in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Do you like to play checkers? That was the first thing I thought of when I read this verse. I know, call me weird, lol, But in checkers when you reach the opponents back row with one of your checkers, they have to crown you with another checker they have taken from you, giving that checker special power from that time forward in the game.

As believers, we don’t have to wait on the righteousness to come with the crown. If we are walking and talking like Jesus, we are living righteously. The crown is simply a recognition of who we are in Him. The crown belongs to Him because we have no ability for righteousness outside of Him. It is His righteousness that makes us righteous.

APPLICATION

So, how do we explain righteousness to our children? How do we get them to understand how to live that way? Let’s tell them what the word means. It simply means doing what is approved of by God, by His judicial approval, what is right in His eyes. Now, that weeds out a lot of nonsense, doesn’t it?

I explain it this way. It’s being right (salvation), knowing right (studying His Word) and doing right (walking daily according to His Word). If our children can do that, they are living righteously. If they understand that, they will receive that crown which they will turn right around and lay at His feet.

Where’s your crown? Do you have that coming? Remember, it’s His righteousness, not yours, that earns you that crown as a believer. Let me encourage you today to be, know and do right in God’s eyes. That is His definition of righteousness. If I am pleasing the Father, if you are pleasing the Father, that’s all that matters.

I will live to please You today, O God. Righteous living is godly living. Righteous living will be rewarded and for that I am grateful.

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Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Completeness, Direction, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Eternity, Faith, Faithfulness, Fighting, Holy Spirit, Obedience, Parenting, Testimony

THREE GOOD F’S

2 TIMOTHY 4:7

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith;”

Most of the time when you hear someone has three F’s you think failure. But not this time. Paul has “fought,” “finished,” and remained “faithful.” Those are three awesome F’s. First, he fought the good fight. Both the verb “fought,” and the noun “fight” come from the same Greek word from which we get the word “agony.” It means to strive as if in an athletic contest or a battle.

He finished the course. The word for “finished” has the word picture of the old pirate’s scope that unfolds to complete it for use. It reaches an end. And “course” is a race. Paul has come to the end of his race. Finally, he kept the faith. He has guarded and protected the faith he has proclaimed. The most important thing about these three F’s is they are all in the perfect tense which means the action has lasting results. That’s cool.

APPLICATION

Ask your children if they think it’s okay to fight. If you have taught them well, they will probably say it isn’t. Then read them this verse and explain some fights are worth fighting. We have to be ready to defend our faith. Have they ever run a race? If so, they know the fulfillment of completing that course. All the energy expelled is worth it when they cross the finish line. One day they will experience that, if they are a believer, when they finish the race we are in as Christians. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

And how do we teach them to guard the faith? By teaching them the truth of God’s Word. It’s not just a Sunday, feel-good book we read. It guides every decision they make. It is the truth above all truths. When they understand that, they will eagerly defend it against all attacks, thus defending their faith. The three F’s are still worth pursuing.

How’s your report card? Are you fighting, finishing and staying faithful? Sometimes we get tired in the fight. Don’t stop. The Lord is there to lift your hands. We get weary in the Christian race. Don’t throw in the towel. Keep your eyes on the finish line. And keep defending your faith against the enemy. Don’t give him an inch.

I will pursue these three F’s today. Above all I want to please You, O Lord my God. I know my efforts are strengthened through Your Spirit who indwells me, making all things possible.

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Affection, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Contentment, Death, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Eternity, Faith, Heaven, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting

FACING DEATH

2 TIMOTHY 4:6

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.”

What would you do and what would you say if you knew your death was imminent? Paul knew this. He had been in prison for a while now and knew he would die for the faith soon. But look at how he describes that. He doesn’t say, “I’m about to die.” Neither does he say, “They are about to kill me.” He says, “I am pouring my life out as a sacrifice.”

The Greek word for “being poured out as a drink offering” is one word. It occurs here and also in Philippians 2:17. Paul wrote Philippians about four years earlier during his first imprisonment. But even then he saw his life as a sacrifice for Jesus. He didn’t fear death. He was pouring his own life out for Him. No one could take what he freely gave.

APPLICATION

Test this with your children. Ask them if there is something they really value they are willing to give away. Perhaps it is a special toy or gift they have received. They may know someone who would really love it, maybe more than they do. If they are willing to give it up, let them. This could be a huge learning opportunity.

Now, go to this verse and explain that just as Paul willingly gave up his life for Jesus, nothing they are willing to give away can be taken from them. It doesn’t matter how it leaves their hands once they have decided to give it away. It’s the giving up that matters. The same holds true for their life. Is it fully given up to Jesus?

How about you? Is your life being poured out as an offering? Does your heart fully belong to Jesus? Until you are willing to give up your life for Him you will never fully know what Paul is referring to here in this verse. If we are holding on to our life, we are holding back full allegiance. Now, Jesus probably will never ask you to die for Him. But if He did, would you? That’s a hard question.

Father, my life is Yours to do with as You choose. To live is Christ and to die is gain. I pour out myself for You today.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Commands, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, Following, God's Will, Inspirational, Mentoring, Obedience, Parenting, Rules, Scripture

SELECTIVE HEARING

2 TIMOTHY 4:4

“and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”

I get accused sometime of selective hearing. What does that mean? It means I choose to hear what I want to hear. I guess there is some truth to that. That’s probably true of most of us, though. We choose what we want to listen to or whom we want to listen to. If I am in the presence of someone I don’t want to hear, I can tune them out or leave the room. It’s my choice.

Paul is saying in today’s verse that these individuals have chosen to turn their hearing away from the truth and to turn instead to myths. Both of these verbs imply it’s their choice. No one has forced them. They have deliberately chosen this. How sad! But before you judge to quickly, we do the same. We love God’s Word until it says something we disagree with. Now, that’s really sad.

APPLICATION

Try this with your kids. Sit down and make a list of your house rules. Hopefully, you don’t have a lot. But make a list. Now, ask them which ones they like and which ones they don’t like. Ask them which ones they won’t to do away with. I bet bedtime guidelines will be the first to go, lol. Another might be eating their vegetables. What kid likes that one?

But do your children understand the reasons behind these rules? That’s your responsibility. Rules without reasons are ridiculous. Of course, you have bedtime rules. They have to get their rest. Of course, they have to eat vegetables. They need a good diet. If you let them pick and choose which rules to listen to their little lives would be a mess in no time.

Are you a rule follower or a rule breaker? Do you follow God’s guidelines until they go against what you want to do? You must trust that He knows what is best for you. You may not understand why and that’s okay. You don’t have to. Just trust Him. He’s been guiding His saints a long time. Will you do that today?

I will trust You even when I don’t understand why. I know You always have my best interest in mind and want to make me more like Christ. Help me die to myself today and trust Your direction.

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Child Raising, Child Rearing, Contentment, Encouragement, Faith, Holy Spirit, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Testimony, Trust

PERSUADED

2 TIMOTHY 3:14

“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,”

What does it take for someone or something to convince you? How much information, how many facts until you know that you know that you know? Paul is encouraging Timothy (and us) to continue or to remain persuaded of the things he has learned. Don’t let anyone change his mind or sway his thoughts. He knows the truth, so hold on to it.

The Greek word for “convinced” in this verse is only used right here and it has a spelling that carries a bigger meaning. The Greek word ends in “-oo” which points to the result of the action of the verb rather than just the action. Confused? Think about it. It’s one thing to be convinced, but what is the result of the convincing? You are sure! You are adamant. You are confident. That’s what the Lord wants us to be.

APPLICATION

Don’t you want confident children? Then teach them over and over the truths of God’s Word. Don’t let a day go by without sharing at least one verse with them. Tie every decision you make to His Word. Let them know you are convinced of its truth. There is no other source for truth that can be depended upon.

When they hear this and see this over and over, they will start to understand. Now, they still have to embrace it as their own. Simply reading it to them and telling them won’t make it theirs. They, too, must be persuaded. And that comes through the power of the Holy Spirit. Have you prayed that for them today? Have you prayed that the Holy Spirit would convince your child of the reality of the Word? Have you prayed the Holy Spirit would reveal Himself so powerfully in their lives that all of a sudden they are hit with majestic greatness of God?

Are you living persuaded? Are you walking your walk each day with full confidence in what you have learned? All the truths of Scripture are there for our benefit. Walk in them. Ask the Lord to show you ways to live out His Word each day. Ask Him to allow you to be a “persuader” to others. As you live convincingly, others are watching and being drawn to the Master.

I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed against that day. I know in whom I have believed and rest in full confidence in Him.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Conceit, Contentment, Demons, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, God's Will, Mentoring, Obedience, Parenting, Sanctification, Satan, Scripture, Surrender, Truth

TOO SMART TO LEARN

2 TIMOTHY 3:7

“always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

There are two different Greek words for “learning” and “knowledge.” In English we commonly equate the two. But not in the Greek. The word “learning” refers to fact knowledge or book sense. “Knowledge” is an intensified word for experiential knowledge. In other words, these people have the knowledge to do what it is right but have chosen to do it their way, refusing the truth that stares them in the face.

I bet you have NEVER done that, lol. How many times have you done something you knew was wrong, thinking this time it won’t be so bad? You had the head knowledge, but you refused the truth of the situation and forged ahead, only to pay the price later. So, don’t be too quick to judge these people Paul is referring to here. I believe Paul knew these people he is referring to. We just don’t have their names. When you get out of line, don’t you want God to call your name?

APPLICATION

When I was little, my brother and I would save our money and buy model cars and ships. We spent hours gluing and painting, only in the end blowing them up with M80’s. What fun! But I hated the instructions. My brother, Tim, he followed them. For some reason, his models were always more stable and looked more like the box.

We teach our kids to follow the instructions (God’s Word) for a reason. We will have to apply them. When we do, God carries us through. But when we allow our children to make up their own rules and ignore truth, things get sloppy. They stop looking like the rest of the world and insist their normal is normal. A return to the pure instruction manual is the only remedy for our children and the children of the world.

Do you follow or make it up as you go along? Being in Children’s Ministry, I can’t “wing it.” Kids know it when you are winging it. They will bring down the house. Satan knows when you are winging it. He will bring all he can against you to try to make you miserable and unfit for ministry. Don’t let him. Cling to the truth. With it, you are able and to have the knowledge.

I only know what is useful to the kingdom or me because of You, Lord. I celebrate the freedom we have in Jesus to think, but also under constraint.

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Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Cowardice, Deception, Demons, Direction, Encouragement, Evil, Faith, Family, Fighting, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Perseverance, Satan

PREDATORS

2 TIMOTHY 3:6

“For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses,”

The first word that came to mind when I read this verse was “predator.” A predator is someone or something that preys on a weaker species. They take advantage of their weaknesses and use them to their advantage. That’s what these people Paul is describing in chapter 3 do. They only think of self, of satisfying their own appetites. They have no regard for the emotional, physical or spiritual well-being of anyone else. So, they leave a wake of human tragedy behind them.

You need to know that the Greek word for “enter” here means to creep in. It doesn’t mean to knock and announce yourself. These people don’t do that. They are sneaky. And then they take you captive. You are led away as if you are a defeated enemy captured in war. But don’t be fooled. It is war.

APPLICATION

Oh, this is a fun verse to act out with your children. Have you ever played “Battle” or “War” with your kids? You’ve got to take the time to do this. You will need to get some more players and set up some battle lines, but trust me, it will be worth the effort. Kids love acting out scenarios. And when we can teach a Biblical truth at the same time – Bam!

Choose sides and start the war with the goal of capturing the other team’s flag at their headquarters. People miss the fact that stealth, covert (sneaky) tactics are usually much more effective than blatant frontal assaults. Once the game is over, talk about that and apply this verse. Satan is on the attack against us every day. The difference is the game you just played is temporal. Satan is playing an eternal game.

Are you prepared to defend yourself against the onslaught of the devil or his minions? Don’t just look for the obvious. Watch for the subtle things that distract you. Keep a look out for the things that don’t quite match up with the truth you’ve been taught. Above all, hold to your battle plan – follow the Master.

Lord, I will follow You in the deepest, darkest battle line knowing You will never lead me where You do not want me to go. And whatever comes my way in the battle, I will give You all the glory.

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Advice, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, Family, Godliness, Mentoring, Modeling, Parenting, Religion, Testimony

BUT I’M RELIGIOUS

2 TIMOTHY 3:5

“holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”

Have you ever known someone who was very religious, but also very ungodly? They keep all the holidays and are careful to do all the “right” things, but their daily life shows no sign of Jesus at all. These people relish the idea of following religious principles, but when it comes to treating people like Jesus would, they fall way short.

Religion allows us to work out something. We can achieve religion. We can count our points until we think we have measured up. Oh, but we are missing it by doing that. It’s all about surrender, not what we do. Paul is once again warning Timothy to be careful of those who seem so religious. Watch their motives. Watch their actions. The truth will come out.

APPLICATION

Moms and dads, don’t make your children religious. Teach them to be faithful. Religion is just something we can say we are a part of, like a club. But our faith…well…that’s the real thing. I was told once that Christianity isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship. Do you want your children to have a relationship with Christ? Then teach them your faith, not your religion.

For your children to discover the real power of Christ in their life, they will have to understand this difference. Between you and other godly adults in their life living this out, they will see it. Real faith is lived out daily in our relationships. We allow the Lord to speak through us, love through us, disagree through us, just do life through us. But all of it reflects Jesus. Your kids will get that.

Are you religious or godly? Stop trying to please the Father by what you are doing. He loves you unconditionally and wants an intimate relationship with you. He doesn’t really care if you have perfect attendance at church if you are treating your family like dirt. He doesn’t care how much you give to the church if you are also cheating on your taxes. Relationships matter and the most important one in your life today is with the God of the universe who sent His Son to die for you. Embrace Him.

I love You, Lord. I want to know You more. I want that deep, intimate, personal relationship that only comes by spending time with You.

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