Category Archives: Love

Affection, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Conceit, Disciplemaking, Family, Forgiveness, Gentleness, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Love, Mentoring, Parenting, Passion, Scripture, Testimony

NOT A NICE PERSON

2 TIMOTHY 3:3

“unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,”

Paul is describing those who are not lovers of God. These words paint a picture of a not very nice person. And (at least to me) it’s interesting that four of these six words in today’s verse are only used right here. Remember, the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write only what the Father wanted him to write. So, these words were saved for right here.

The saddest word of this verse is the first one, “unloving.” It refers to not having any kind of natural affection. Actually, it can describe family affection. So, these people don’t even love their own families. Now, that’s sad. Who doesn’t love their momma? Who doesn’t love their little sis? But these individuals only think of self, no one else.

APPLICATION

Go through this list of words in today’s verse with your little ones. Ask them how they can do the opposite. Instead of not loving their family, how can they show love? Instead of being irreconcilable and hard to get along with, how can they get along? You can go through each of these words this way. Your children will understand, if you will take the time to cover each word.

The important thing to point out is these words in today’s verse describe someone who does not love Jesus. We want to draw a sharp contrast, as Paul does, of the difference in our lives. Everything we teach our children should point them to Christ. There is no aspect of their life in which He is not concerned.

How loving are you today? How agreeable? Do you control your tongue and behaviors? Would someone call you brutal? Take a look at the descriptors used to describe you by others. If any of them resemble these, you may need to have a “come to Jesus” meeting with yourself. We want others to only see Jesus in us. Amen?

I am so guilty, O God, of putting myself ahead of others. Forgive me for being so selfish. I repent of that today.

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Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Christianity, Comfort, Commands, Contentment, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, Gentleness, God's Will, Holy Spirit, Love, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture

GENTLENESS

2 TIMOTHY 2:25

“with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,”

When I think of gentleness I think of someone who understands their strength and how to use it correctly. It is not weakness. The Greek word here, prautes, means strength with reserve. This only comes through the Lord. He sends His Holy Spirit into our lives to give us this ability to show gentleness even to those who are opposing us.

Now, wait a minute. It’s one thing to be gentle to those we love. How can you do that to people who are opposing you, who are hostile to you? Well, the beauty of it is, you don’t have to. Jesus will live through you to accomplish that gentle response. He will guard your tongue. He will… Get the picture?

APPLICATION

Okay, Mom and Dad, here’s the hard part. YOU have to live out this gentleness with your children. “But Carl, you don’t know my kid.” That’s true, but God does. There is nothing your child can say or do which can remove your authority and obvious power. But far too many parents think they have to show that power. No! Gentleness is the answer.

So, what do I mean by that. I mean when you are having to deal with an out of control child, Jesus can and will give you the gentleness you need. Soothing words rather screams. Soft touches rather than harsh grabs. I know, I know! You are still saying, “Not with my kid.” Well, don’t believe me. Believe God. His Word is true.

Are you a gentle person? Do you exude gentleness to those around you? Jesus had the power of God (He was and is God) in His fingertips. He could have destroyed His enemies with the breath of His mouth. He chose gentleness. Imitate Him. Let Jesus be your gentle spirit.

O God, thank You for giving me a gentle spirit when I need it most. Let me be a reflection of You to others.

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Glory, Love, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture, Service

WAITING TABLES

2 TIMOTHY 1:18 

“the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.” 

Onesiphorus was a servant. How do I know that? By this verse. Paul continues to describe this saint by reminding Timothy how Onesiphorus served so willingly in Ephesus. The phrase “services he rendered” is one Greek word that literally means to wait tables. And the form of the verb means he did this himself. He wasn’t forced to do it.  

Whom are you willing to serve? Do you pick and choose whom you will serve so that they notice? That’s not what Paul is describing here. True service is serving for the joy of serving. When you willingly serve, you do it for the joy of the Lord. After all, it is He who gets all the glory for it. 

APPLICATION 

Okay, I have to let you off the hook today (kind of). You can’t teach this kind of service to your kids. You can’t make them want to serve. That comes from within. However, you can model this behavior for them with the hopes they will want to do it. True service is a heart thing. The desire only comes after encountering the King of kings and Lord of lords. 

Oh, the joy of watching our children serve. You can always tell when they are doing it out of love. The smile gives it away. When your child sees you smiling as you serve, they notice that. You can be doing the most mundane thing, but when you do it willingly and sacrificially, you can’t help but smile. 

Has the Lord burdened your heart to serve? Perhaps He has asked you a hard one. The person He is directing you to serve is someone you don’t like. That really doesn’t matter. Do it any way. God is the one you are honoring. He is the one who will get all the glory.  

I may not want to serve today, but Lord I choose to serve because of Your love for me. I choose to serve in order to show others. I choose to serve to honor You. 

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Comfort, Contentment, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, Family, Love, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Shame, Suffering, Trust

SHAMELESS

2 TIMOTHY 1:12 

“For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”  

“Shameless” may seem like a strange title for this verse today, but when I looked at the whole verse it made sense to me. Paul is not ashamed to suffer because he knows and is convinced of two things. He knows in whom he believes (Jesus Christ) and he is convinced Jesus is able – period. 

And when I read this verse, an old hymn popped into my head, “I Know Whom I Have Believed.” Here’s the link to the lyrics 

https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/I_Know_Whom_I_Have_Believed/. What a wonderful hymn reminding us of what we don’t know but also of what we do know. Just like Paul we know He is able. For that I will shamelessly suffer for Him. 

APPLICATION 

Children need assurances. They don’t do well when things are uncertain and unsettled. How do you assure your children that they are safe and secure in your home? You love them! Hugs, kisses and words of love are the bedrock of assurance for a child. Complete acceptance for who they are gives them that secure feeling they all desire. 

But as much as your love and affection does for them, it is NOT eternal. One day you will not be around. So, your job is to instill in them the love of the One whose love goes way past yours. Read them God’s Word and show them stories of faith. Let them see you trust the Lord in difficult times and explain to them how you completely rely on Him to protect you.  

Are you exemplifying the kind of shameless faith Paul is talking about in today’s verse? As someone has said, “Do you know that you know that you know?” Are you convinced He is able? Why? Then pass it on. Tell everyone why. Live it out. And the next time someone questions why you are willing to suffer for Jesus, tell them simply because He is able. 

“For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” 

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Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Family, Grace, Light, Love

PREACHER MAN

2 TIMOTHY 1:11 

“for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.”  

I’ve got a friend who calls me “Preacher Man.” He says it with love, and I receive it that way. I cherish that title. Do you know why? Because of what it means. The Greek word for “preacher” used here in today’s verse is only used three times in the New Testament. Isn’t that amazing? You would think “preacher” would be used a lot more. Paul uses it in 1 Timothy 2:7, here and it is used again in 2 Peter 2:5 where it refers to Noah as a preacher of righteousness. 

But what does the word mean? It means someone who proclaims Christ with passion and authority. Not too shabby, huh? So, I love being known as a preacher man. You could be one too. In fact, we should all be preachers, telling the world with passion and excitement about Christ. 

APPLICATION 

What are your children excited about? Will your son talk for days about the newest video game? How about your daughter? Is she enthralled with the latest fashions? Get them talking about their favorite stuff and see how jacked up they get. That’s passion! They are so glad to talk about the stuff that demands their time and attention. 

Now, ask them how excited they are about sharing their faith. Cold water! Most kids don’t get excited about witnessing. I understand that. It can be intimidating. But the Lord wants us just as excited sharing about Him as we are about our interests. Help your children get that passion to “preach” Jesus. There is big world out there that needs a Savior.  

Are you committed to “preach”? Are you sold out on loving Jesus and telling everyone you know about it? God surely smiles down on His children who are busy about His business. Ask the Lord for the opportunity to pass on the best story ever told AND watch what God does in and through you. 

Father, You are worthy of all my praise. Help me spread Your story everywhere I go.  

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Child Raising, Child Rearing, Comfort, Encouragement, Faith, Family, God's Will, Grace, Heaven, Light, Love, Parenting, Testimony

SPOTLIGHT

2 TIMOTHY 1:10 

“but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,”  

I don’t know why, but every time I see the Greek word phaneroo in the New Testament I think of a spotlight. The phrase “has been revealed” in today’s verse is that word. It can be translated “manifested” as well. It means to make visible with light. 

People spotlight stuff all the time. They spotlight the preacher on the stage. They spotlight the front door at Christmas to show off the wreath or welcome sign. Some people spotlight their whole house. Whatever they decide to spotlight, it is to make sure others see it without a problem. You don’t spotlight something you are trying to hide. 

APPLICATION 

So, I said to myself, “Self, what is Paul telling us in this verse? What is God spotlighting?” I believe it is His grace. His grace is spotlighted through the resurrection of Jesus, which “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”  How do you explain this to your children? 

Go into their room with a flashlight. Ask them to pick out something in their room which everyone needs to see to get out of that room (door, door handle). Now cut off the lights and look around the room with the flashlight until you see it. Turn on the lights and ask them if they think God wants everyone to find the door to heaven. That’s why He sent Jesus to die and rise again. He is the spotlighted door that leads to heaven. 

Now, that may sound super simplistic, but children need concrete, visible illustrations sometimes. I am sure someone could take that illustration and destroy it theologically if they tried. That’s okay. The truth still stands – God is not trying to hide the way to heaven. He has manifested it (spotlighted) for everyone to see. Will you shine for Him? 

I proudly shine my testimony which is a direct result of Your manifested power of grace in and through Jesus Christ. Help me to always get out of the way of that door to glory and let others see it clearly in You. 

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Child Raising, Child Rearing, Family, Friends, Heaven, Love, Ministry, Parenting

SAD FAREWELLS, SWEET REUNIONS

2 TIMOTHY 1:4 

“longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.”  

Paul loved Timothy. Timothy loved Paul. If there was any doubt to that just look at today’s verse. At their last parting, Paul recalls Timothy’s tears when he left. They had spent many years together ministering and sharing the Gospel of Christ. I am sure they shared countless meals and walked hundreds of miles together. All those memories! 

So, now Paul is hoping to see Timothy again. We don’t know if he did or not. This letter and Paul’s letter to Titus are probably the last two letters Paul wrote before being martyred for Christ. True brothers in Christ, however, will never be separated by death. They live together forever in eternity. 

APPLICATION 

This may sound strange, but we need to teach our children how to say goodbye and hello properly. Yeah, I know. You are saying, “Carl, all parents do that. We teach them to blow kisses and wave.” That’s not what I am talking about. I am talking about understanding separation and reunion. 

The next time you travel to visit family, talk about how happy you are going to be to see them when you get there. Ask your children what’s the first thing they are going to do when they see Grandma or Grandpa. I bet they say, “Ask for candy.” Lol, maybe not. But I bet the answer involves hugs and kisses. Then ask them why. Because they love them, right. And when they leave, hugs and kisses are involved again.  

You see, the bond of family, blood or spiritual, involves tears, hugs, kisses and love. Whom do you want to see as much as Paul wanted to see Timothy? Why? Are they bound to you for eternity? Will you see them there? If not, why not invite them into your permanent family with Christ? 

Father, I want to invite all my loved ones to join me one day in heaven. Help me love them enough to make sure they are going. Loving them here is just not enough. 

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Disciplemaking, Faith, Fatherhood, Love, Mentoring, Modeling, Motherhood, Obedience, Parenting, Passion, Scripture

RELATIONSHIPS

2 TIMOTHY 1:2 

“To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

This verse is almost the same words as 1 Timothy 1:2. He changes his description of Timothy slightly from “my true child in the faith” to “my beloved son.” I think I like this one better. There is just something about calling someone beloved that speaks of intimacy. 

There is no doubt Paul loved Timothy. He doesn’t call any of his other companions “beloved.” Timothy was special to him. He had invested years in his life to prepare him to lead. Even today when men mentor other men, it is often referred to as a Paul/Timothy relationship.  

APPLICATION 

As parents, we have the responsibility to see our children as a Timothy. We have approximately 18-20 years to prepare our children to face life. There is no better preparation than turning them into disciplemakers. If our children grow with the passion of Matthew 28:19-20 (look it up), they will have an entirely different worldview than the rest of the world. 

It is all about relationships. It begins with ours with the Lord. Then it goes to our family (spouse, children, grandchildren). As we invest our energy in the next generation, they learn to do the same. Will they always do that? No. Everyone has their free will and can choose to accept or deny. Our job is to try. 

In whom are you investing today? Do you have a Timothy? Are you being a Paul? Don’t let your faith experiences go left unshared. Don’t ignore that plea from another believer who wants to be mentored and taught how to face life challenges. Who knows, you may have a part in discipling the next great voice of the kingdom. 

I want to share my faith with others in order to help them walk with You. Show me those around me who need a Paul. Give me the courage to approach them and invite them into a disciplemaking relationship. 

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Direction, Disciplemaking, Faith, Gentleness, Godliness, Love, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Perseverance, Righteousness

CHASE THIS!

1 TIMOTHY 6:11

“But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”

You need to read verses 3 though 11 of this chapter in 1 Timothy to remind yourself what Paul is telling Timothy to flee. That word “flee” means to escape or to run away. In other words, run as hard as you can away from this stuff. In contrast, Paul tells Timothy to chase as hard as he can “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.”

You see, running is okay as long as you are running from or running towards the right thing. Of course, we know if you pursue the Lord will all your heart, you will find “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.” How? Because He is all those things.

APPLICATION

Do you want to teach your children to chase after the right stuff? Of course, you do. Why not show them what to chase yourself? If you are seeking righteousness, they will see it in you. If you are striving to be godly in your behaviors, they will imitate you. If your faith is tested and you rely on the Lord, your children will remember that.

Are you getting the picture here? These pursuits are best taught to your children by you modeling these to them. These are not things you can tell them to do and then not do yourself. In fact, words are not even necessary. Just pursue them yourself time after time. They will see it and learn. When they ask you why you are doing what you are doing, then you have the perfect opportunity to tell them.

What are you running from and towards? Make sure you are chasing after God. Only He can provide “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.” There is no other source. Do you want to be more Christlike? Then run!

I want to be seen as righteous, godly, faithful, loving, persevering and gentle. I know all these are in You, Lord. Help me pursue them with all my strength.

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Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Encouragement, Love, Mentoring, Money, Parenting

MISQUOTED

1 TIMOTHY 6:10

“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

While John 3:16 is probably the most quoted verse in the Bible, this verse today is probably the most MISquoted verse. People leave off “the love of” and talk about how evil money is. What you can’t tell from the English translation is “the love of money” is one Greek word which means lover of silver. It’s someone who is literally in love with personal gain or having money. How sad?

Have you ever known anyone who was like that? All they think about is making more money. Again, money is not the evil thing. Their motive for making money is. They don’t want more so they can share more. They want more so they can keep it all to themselves. God can use our wealth in a myriad of ways to further His kingdom if we let loose of it.

APPLICATION

Read this verse to your children and ask them what they think it means. Then make a list with them of the things they could do with money to help others. Most children are quick to do that. They haven’t become as selfish as adults yet. But help them make that list.

Now, as much as possible, do some of those things. How about sponsoring a child through some ministry? So many children around the world are not able to eat or go to school without some sponsor supporting them. Here is just one opportunity you can look into (https://amginternational.org/product-category/sponsor-a-child/).

Evaluate your view of money today. Is it your pursuit or just a means by which you live? Does it consume your thoughts all day or is just a passing thought? Focus on what you can do for Jesus through what He has blessed you with. It will change your attitude and mission in life.

You have blessed me so richly, Lord. Show me where to give. Show me how to give. I want only to please You.

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