Crazy Week

This comes under the banner of "sometimes I just sits" rather than the "sometimes I sits and thinks" banner.  We've had a crazy last week or so.  On Thursday (last week), we began the process of getting carpet in our house - the carpet layers arrived, took out the old and put in the new - that took till late Friday afternoon - at which time they let us know that they didn't have enough carpet to finish the job.  We called the warehouse - none of our particular carpet was in stock because it was a special order (just for us).  They would have to order more from the factory in Georgia!  A potential problem was then raised - they had died the carpet for us - if they didn't have extra of that "die lot" then there was no guarantee they could exactly match the carpet that was already laid in our house!!  A few phone calls and anxious moments later and we found that the factory still had some of the carpet from our "die lot" in the warehouse.  It was to be put on a truck and shipped Saturday - possibly arriving by Tuesday - so we live in a mostly carpeted house a few days.  At the same time, our son began tearing out our back deck and replacing old wood.  Hours of sawing and hammering going on.  He got that job to a stopping point by late Saturday and will resume the process Monday.  At the same time, the lawn mowing man came with his trailer and worked around all the debris in the yard.  At the same time, the internet went down so I called AT&T - they sent someone out.  He puttered around a while and discovered that the problem was not with anything (connections, etc.) inside so he would have to put in a work order for the "outside technician" to come.  Who would have imagined that these guys were so specifically trained that an inside technician couldn't check an outside line; and an outside technician wouldn't even come inside for a drink of water!!  So no internet on Thursday or Friday - outside technician would arrive sometime Saturday.  So now we have carpet guys, carpenter guys, lawn guys, inside internet guys, and outside internet guys buzzing around our house.  At the same time, some IHOPU students showed up at our house to get a couch and chair we are giving away.  At the same time, Debbie wants to go to Nebraska Furniture to get something to replace the furniture that was given away!  All of that in just 4 days!!  And we still have a deck to finish and more carpet to lay.  On top of all that, this week, the roofers will come to replace our roof that was damaged in a hail storm last April.  Whew, I'm tired just repeating all this.

2 Timothy: Lessons on the Word, Part 5

Today’s entry examines the 4^th problem Timothy faced and the solution the Word of God offers for that issue.

Timothy’s 4^th problem – a personal issue – was his propensity to loaf.  Apparently, Timothy constantly faced the human urge to loaf when he needed to be working.  Timothy needed to be alert to the constant need for self-discipline.  In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul’ charge to Timothy reveals much – “Be ready in season and out of season!”

The fact that Paul follows this admonition with his own testimony (2 Timothy 4:6-8) lets us know just how critical he believed it was to finish strong.  There is even convincing evidence that Paul – even in his last days, even in prison with no hope of release – continued to study. 

In 2 Timothy 4:13 Paul says, “When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.”  Paul still wanted his books and parchments!  Can you imagine that?  How much more could he learn?  What else would there be to teach?  Who would he teach?  And yet, even under the harsh and isolated conditions of prison, Paul continued to study the Word of God.  He had been marked by the Word and it would not let him rest. 

Timothy, like everyone, had a tendency to want to coast.  And that desire to coast will cause the fire to go out.  So Paul challenged Timothy (2 Timothy 3:16-17) to trust the Scriptures as being “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” NOW GET THIS, “so that the man of God may be COMPLETE, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

If Timothy would continue to search and apply the God-breathed Scriptures to his life, they would be the constant rudder or guide of his life.  The scriptures would keep his fire burning brightly all the way to the very end, ushering him into the presence of God with joy.

So what has this little study taught us?  Four Truths emerge. 

§  The Word of God will mark you and change the direction of your life. 

§  The Word of God will give you confidence and authority for your ministry. 

§  The Word of God will keep you focused so you can avoid distractions. 

§  The Word of God will make it possible for you to finish well. 

And all of that will keep the fire of the Spirit burning brightly in your life.  If we do not give ourselves completely to the Word of God, we will be in danger of being the people Paul described in Ephesians 4:14 – “… children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting …”

Some people argue that God is giving new revelation and that sometimes He will change the meaning of scripture to fit our times and needs.  They say that to keep us tied so tightly to the ancient word is to keep us from soaring to new heights.  They say that God is doing a new thing and we can’t afford to be held back by old understanding and meanings in His Word.

To that I say that the scriptures are like the string on a kite.  The kite will fly high only if it is tied to the string.  When the string is cut, the kite comes crashing to the ground – it may be free, but it isn’t able to accomplish that for which it was created.  The same is true of prophecy and dreams and visions – unless they are tethered tightly to the Word, they will never soar to the heights for which they were given, and they will cause those that have the dreams, visions, and prophetic words to crash.

The entire New Testament is filled with warnings against being tricked or deceived and the only way to guard against deception is to know the Word of Truth, and how to study it corrrectly.  As students of the Word of God, we want to know how to effectively read the Bible.

2 Timothy: Lessons on the Word, Part 4

In 2 Timothy, Paul is instructing Timothy in some of the areas of godly leadership.  One area in particular that we have been looking at is the power of God’s Word to help leaders address and overcome some specific problems.  For example, we have seen that when a person feels inadequate in any way – when they feel insecure or weak – studying the Word of God will put a mark of authority and confidence in their spirit.  Or, when a person encounters petty problems from the people he/she is called to lead, the Word of God gives clear direction and prevents being distracted by those petty problems.

That brings us to the third problem Timothy faced in keeping the fire of love and leadership burning in his heart:  outside influences.  People who are not even believers can be a distraction by attacking the internal desire to succeed. 

In 2 Timothy 2:22, Paul urges Timothy to “flee youthful lusts.” 

Now while the word “lust” may have some moral implications, what it really deals with is the youthful desire to succeed according to the world’s standards.  It deals with worldly ambition.  There are the lusts to be financially successful and not really care how that wealth is accumulated.  It deals with compromise in order to get ahead or in order to be accepted by men or to gain more creature comforts.  This is basic lawlessness.

Can’t you hear non-believers saying to Timothy, “C’mon, man – why suffer when you don’t have to?  You can go to church…you can even be a worship leader – prayer leader – Bible teacher, and enjoy life, too.  You don’t have to be like Paul!  You don’t have to go to jail.  You don’t have to suffer persecution.  You can still be a Christian and be a respectable citizen of Rome.”

Those outside voices playing on the youthful lust to succeed can quench the fire inside.  Man, we live under grace!  No rules – lawlessness.

Then there are also those on the other end of the spectrum – the rigid legalists who keep all the religious rules, but because they have no love for anyone but themselves, they have no power.

That’s what 2 Timothy 3:1-5 is talking about. 

¹But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. ² For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,⁴ treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

These are the ones who deny that which gives power to godliness – they deny the presence of God – they know the rules, but they have never had that encounter which leaves its mark on the heart.  A person who is controlled by youthful lust wants to be accepted.  They will yield to those who say, “If you don’t keep the rules the way we interpret and teach them, you can’t join our group.”

Those are the two extremes that a Christian leader must avoid – lawlessness and legalism.  Paul even explains in 3:9 that those who go in either direction don’t grow; he says that “they will not make further progress.”  They will never gain that “wisdom that leads to salvation” according to 3:15.

So what is the solution to this problem?  How did Paul instruct Timothy to overcome this problem?  Once again, according to 2 Timothy 3:15-17, the solution is found in God’s Word.

¹⁵…from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Timothy was to draw from the deep well of Scripture that was already in him.  Timothy had a deep heritage of the faith.  There was more in him than he knew. 

Now for those who are just beginning their journey into the Scriptures, this should give some incentive to learn more and more.  The Bible is the only stable source of objective truth.  The Bible is the only way to develop the stability needed to avoid the youthful lusts of lawlessness and legalism.

In 2 Timothy 3:1, Paul says, “difficult times will come.”  Since that is indeed true, now is the time to store God’s word in your heart!  You can’t put it off!

2 Timothy: Lessons on the Word, Part 3

Last time, in our brief look at 2 Timothy, we saw that Paul wanted Timothy to deal with his own insecurities and fears by allowing the Word of God to put an indelible mark on his heart.  Now, we move to a second problem Timothy faced in keeping the fire going in his spirit, that is, the responsibility of the people he was called to serve and to lead. 

According to 2 Timothy 2:10, Paul endured “all things for the sake of those who were chosen.”  Paul was challenging Timothy to do the same.  There were people in Timothy’s own sphere of influence that he was called to serve and lead.  There were people whose salvation was resting in Timothy’s calling.  Now that is a heavy call!  We learned last time that Timothy was a guy who wrestled with fears and insecurities, and because of that Timothy was not sure he wanted that kind of responsibility!  What if he did it wrong?  What if he said the wrong thing?  That kind of responsibility can throw water on your spiritual fire.  But like it or not, that was Timothy’s calling – and the reality is, it is our calling, too. 

We have the responsibility to present the Gospel to people within our sphere of influence as if their salvation depended on it – and according to this – it does!!!  Look at this: 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…

Now there is much more to dig from this gold mine, but I just want to pick up a few nuggets that are lying around in plain sight.  As Timothy was commissioned to deal with people, some of them would get really picky about little things (2:14 – “…solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.”). 

Paul knew that people are prone to get involved in arguing about petty things.  He knew they would start to fight over unimportant things – things that don’t matter – things that can’t be proven – things like “the number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin.”  It really doesn’t matter!  And that reveals to us the second problem Timothy had to deal with: petty issues.

For those who would fight over little unimportant things, the solution is found in 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.

Paul taught Timothy that the solution to the problem of dealing with the petty issues of the people he was called to serve and to lead was to do everything he could to “accurately handle the Word of Truth.”

What does “accurately handle” (or “rightly divide”) mean?  Literally, it means “to cut straight.”  It’s a word that was used by road builders.  Paul was probably thinking of the Roman roads that he had spent years traveling.  Romans were noted for building roads as straight as possible so their armies could take the most direct path.  They would cut down forests, go over mountains or even through them.  They built bridges over rivers – anything necessary to go straight to their chosen destination. 

To accurately handle or rightly divide the Word of Truth, then, means to allow the Word of God to direct you in a straight path. 

It means that Timothy was to bring his life in line with the Word of Truth.  The only way to “present yourself approved of God” is to live according to the Scriptures.  All the other teachers were talking the talk – arguing – discussing – wrangling – philosophizing – but Timothy was not to get involved in any of that.  Timothy was to allow the Word to make his path straight.  And in making his path straight, he would have an authority and confidence to lead.  Then he would be able to keep others in the narrow way.

That is why we study the Bible – it marks us – it directs our paths and makes us worth following as we lead the people that God puts under our care.  It gives us authority and confidence to lead God’s people.

So, if you want to keep the fire going in your heart as you serve and lead the people to whom God has called you, it is imperative that you live according to the plain Truth of the Bible.

Remember, sound Bible teaching will mark you!  After it marks you, then it gives you authority and confidence as you apply it to your life.  That brings us to a third problem Timothy faced that threatened to put out the fire within, and I’ll deal with that next time.  Be blessed!

2 Timothy Lessons on the Word, Part 2

2 Timothy 1:6, (I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands,) is the key statement in the whole letter.  That charge given to Timothy by Paul is the window through which we should read this whole book.  Everything Paul says, from this point on, has to do with Timothy kindling afresh or stirring into flame the Gift of God within him.  The lessons Paul is teaching Timothy will help us to keep God’s gift burning brightly, also. 

It’s interesting that Paul addresses 4 problems that Timothy has.  He also gives 4 solutions and each of the solutions has to do with the Word of God.

The first problem Paul pointed out for Timothy to deal with was himself. 

Timothy had to get past his own feelings of inadequacy.  Think about it.  The first thing we observe about Timothy’s dad was probably not a believer.  If he had been a believer, Paul would have mentioned it.  Instead, Paul gives praise to Timothy’s mom and grandmother.  He had no one, In his growing up years, Timothy had no believing father to lead the way for him.

In fact, it is entirely possible that Timothy’s dad had made fun of his mom’s faith.  Might that ridicule what prompted Paul to encourage Timothy, “Don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord?”

Carrying this line of thought further, is it possible that Timothy’s dad had responded to Eunice’s friend, Paul, as “that Christian jailbird?”  Prompting Paul to challenge Timothy not to be ashamed of Paul himself? (2 Timothy 1:8 - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner.)  Is it possible that in all that, Timothy was reluctant to take on the name of Christian because of the personal suffering and humiliation that could possibly go along with it?

You see, the first problem Timothy had to face in order to keep the flame alive was himself – his doubts, fears, and inadequacies, because of all the things he had missed in his formative years.  But Paul meets him head on with the message of the Gospel.  In verses 9 & 10, and then in verse 12 Paul affirms that even though he is in prison he trusts that God will not abandon him or allow him to walk away from the faith.  “I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day" – the day that Jesus returns.

Timothy, don’t be ashamed of telling people you are a Christian, don’t be ashamed of telling people you are my friend and student, and don’t be ashamed of taking the same kind of suffering on yourself.

Problem # 1, personal Inadequacy opens the door for solution # 1: Let the Word MARK you.

To go along with the first problem, Paul points Timothy to the first solution that has to do with the Word of God.  Verse 13 says, “Hold fast the standard of sound words which you have heard from me.” 

Once again, there is a wealth of gold to be mined out of just one word – standard.  Some translations use the word “pattern,” or “outline.”  And in English all those are pretty pail words.  A standard or pattern is something to go by – an outline is a simple, shallow, expression of something much more profound and detailed.  For example, when you “outline” a book of the Bible, you aren’t giving the whole thing – just a few of the major points.

But here the word “standard,” “pattern” or “outline” is a metal worker’s word.  It describes the impression left when a piece of metal is struck with a hammer or some kind of etching tool.  It also describes the imprint left when the face is struck with a fist – or even a fist wearing a heavy signet ring. 

So what Paul tells Timothy is this, “Timothy, in order to get past your own issues – in order to get past your shame – in order to get past your fears – in order to get past your own feelings of inadequacy and failure, you need to remember the impact that came to you when I taught you the Word of God.  You need to remember the marks that were left on your spirit when the Word of God was taught to you.”

And that is the same thing that will help us get past our feelings of inferiority – our fears – our inadequacies – our failures.  Any time we have thoughts of backing down – any time we feel like we don’t want to pay the price  – any time we sense shame welling up inside because of something an unbeliever says or does – we must remember the mark that has been left on our spirits by sound Bible teaching and hang on to it! 

Sound Bible teaching will mark us and make it possible for us to face your own fears and inadequacies. 

Fanning the Flames of God's Gift, part 1

As we come closer to the time of Christ’s return, there will be more and more perversion of the Truth.  In Matthew 24:4-5 Jesus warns us, “See to it that no one deceives you…”

We seem to be living in an age when everything Christians do is under the microscope.  I'm not complaining about that - we should have the kind of life in Christ that stands up to close scrutiny.  However, even if we can stand up to the closest examination of people, the world will give us trouble just because we do stay true to the text of scripture.  That's why we don’t need to bring more trouble on ourselves by re-writing the ancient text and making it say things it never intended to say.  I cannot stress enough how important it is for us to rightly divide the word of truth!

Getting back to Matthew 24:4-5.  Jesus warns us, “Take heed that no one deceives you…” 

You see, anyone can say,

●      “I am the Christ” or

●      “I have a new revelation” or

●      “I have a new revelation on how to interpret a certain passage of scripture.” 

In the charismatic/pentecostal world, we are very prone to subjective understanding – experiential understanding of the Word of Truth.  We must be very careful.  Jesus concludes his teaching here by saying, “Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”

Later (Matthew 24:24) Jesus warns, “For false christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” 

Think about it – who draws the crowds in crusades today?  Those who are performing signs and wonders!  Why?  Because the people think they might see or receive a sign or a wonder.  It has been demonstrated over and over – even in Jesus’ life – that people follow and are impressed by signs and wonders.  I”m not saying we should avoid or deny signs and wonders.  That's not my point at all. 

But if a person can do something spectacular – no matter what they teach – lots of people will be swayed by them.  They will win a following.  So when you get into a situation like that, how will you react – how will you even know if someone that appears to be good – if they perform great miracles – healings, etc. – miracles that YOU are not walking in – how will you know if they are true or false?  What will keep you from being one of the elect that is deceived?

The answer is in 2 Timothy 1:6.  “For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”  That which will keep you from being deceived is the same thing that Paul tells Timothy to do in 2 Timothy.  He tells him to “kindle afresh the gift of God” that is in him. 

Now that word, anazopurein, translated “kindle afresh” is found only here in the New Testament and it is a very descriptive word – made of 3 different words. 

Ana = again

zoe = life

puros = fire

So the word literally means to “put life into the fire once again.”  

It talks about a resurrection of flames, but it also does not imply that the flames are completely gone – in fact, it carries with it a meaning of continuous action.  That means we should always assume that the fire of the Spirit within us is in need of new life.  We should never just let our fire burn.  We should never be satisfied with the level of fire we currently have.  We must always be about the business of making our fire hotter and brighter and stronger and more all-consuming.

More later - be blessed!

Tom