Scripture:
2Tim 3:10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.
Observation:
Here Paul tells Timothy "you know what my purpose in life is". What a remarkable statement. Today authors write best selling books and overbook conferences having to do with any one person finding their life's purpose. Here Paul says a crazy statement. "Tim, purpose should be clear enough for even others to see in me" perhaps we have this whole purpose thing all messed up. What if our life's purpose has nothing to do with what i get out of the deal? What if our life's purpose has more to do with living a crucified life then a glorified one?
Application:
I want my life purpose to be clear for all to see. I think the moment my life's purpose becomes unclear to others it has long since been unclear to me! I want to keep my life's purpose clear and visible.
Prayer:
Lord would you simplify my life. I want to live for you. I want the very reason I breath to be to bring you glory and there in fulfill my life's purpose - I love you Jesus
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Honorable use to the Lord
Scripture:
2Tim 2:20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
Observation:
Keeping myself pure. Some how I think that purity or impurity will only have an impact on my individual life. We read here that purity or lack there of, actually qualifies you or disqualifies you for the work of "honor" in the work of the Lord. We live such a selfish existence. when will we realize that the Lord wants us all to be honorable and useful to Him. He intended us to all be of special use to Him. Purity therefore, must not be an option. our purity must be motivated out of a love for him and his availability not our of my emotions or feelings on the subject
Application:
My ability or desire for purity needs to be established in a willingness to be obedient to Him. Simply put. I want to be pure therefore like it says in the following verses "run from youthful lusts". My life is to be lived out of a love for whats right not out of the fear of reproof or the lack of fulfilling a youthful lust. I want purity simply because i love Jesus and want to be of special use to Him
Prayer:
Lord help me to run in a way that pleases you. I don't want to flee sin only to not get hurt. I want to flee sin because it is then that i am of special, and honorable use to you. - I love you my Jesus
2Tim 2:20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.
Observation:
Keeping myself pure. Some how I think that purity or impurity will only have an impact on my individual life. We read here that purity or lack there of, actually qualifies you or disqualifies you for the work of "honor" in the work of the Lord. We live such a selfish existence. when will we realize that the Lord wants us all to be honorable and useful to Him. He intended us to all be of special use to Him. Purity therefore, must not be an option. our purity must be motivated out of a love for him and his availability not our of my emotions or feelings on the subject
Application:
My ability or desire for purity needs to be established in a willingness to be obedient to Him. Simply put. I want to be pure therefore like it says in the following verses "run from youthful lusts". My life is to be lived out of a love for whats right not out of the fear of reproof or the lack of fulfilling a youthful lust. I want purity simply because i love Jesus and want to be of special use to Him
Prayer:
Lord help me to run in a way that pleases you. I don't want to flee sin only to not get hurt. I want to flee sin because it is then that i am of special, and honorable use to you. - I love you my Jesus
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Fan into flames
Scripture:
2Tim 1: 5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Observation:
I love here that the gift was given by the Lord. What an awesome thing that is. I also love the fact that he has levt it to us to "fan" into maturity the gift given. How is it that we are to "fan" into flames our gift? I think it is when we begin to mature in it. When we finally begin to say. "i have a gift" and start doing something to grow it into a useful part of the life God gave to you. IOW: I have been given the gift of being a Shepherd (pastor). it is now my obligation to learn how to be the best pastor i can be. (leader, disciple, father, husband). When I begin to grow in my gifting, I "fan" the flames. Paul here says to "fan" them in to flames" i love that.
Application:
In order for me to be the best pastor I can be, I need to be a life-long learner. I need to position my heart to always be able to learn from any person or circumstance I find myself. Like David being trained in the sheep fields of Isarael for Kingship, I must learn from the places He places me
Prayer:
Lord, help me to learn from you in any way I can. I know you are so intrested in me. I know your love for me so goes before me in all I do. Will you lead me into being a great leader in your eyes? I want to fan into flames all that you gave me in hopes that one day you say to me "well done Lance" that is what i live for - I love you Jesus
2Tim 1: 5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Observation:
I love here that the gift was given by the Lord. What an awesome thing that is. I also love the fact that he has levt it to us to "fan" into maturity the gift given. How is it that we are to "fan" into flames our gift? I think it is when we begin to mature in it. When we finally begin to say. "i have a gift" and start doing something to grow it into a useful part of the life God gave to you. IOW: I have been given the gift of being a Shepherd (pastor). it is now my obligation to learn how to be the best pastor i can be. (leader, disciple, father, husband). When I begin to grow in my gifting, I "fan" the flames. Paul here says to "fan" them in to flames" i love that.
Application:
In order for me to be the best pastor I can be, I need to be a life-long learner. I need to position my heart to always be able to learn from any person or circumstance I find myself. Like David being trained in the sheep fields of Isarael for Kingship, I must learn from the places He places me
Prayer:
Lord, help me to learn from you in any way I can. I know you are so intrested in me. I know your love for me so goes before me in all I do. Will you lead me into being a great leader in your eyes? I want to fan into flames all that you gave me in hopes that one day you say to me "well done Lance" that is what i live for - I love you Jesus
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
contentment with godliness
Scripture:
1Timothy 6:6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
Observation:
So often we want to define great wealth by standards that seem so temporary. bigger house, larger income or even great family's. All these age nice and even almost necessary. So what does the Lord mean having Paul write here that true godliness with contentment is great wealth? My heart tells me that true contentment is the greatest thing on earth. the cessation of striving for anything other than godliness is an awesome goal
Application:
i want to strive for contentment with where the Lord has me today. i can still have plans and even goals. the real problem with my discontentment is when i look too far into the future and try living my life into it. If however, i live today, in today I find it easier to live a contented life
Prayer:
Lord, help me live in today. contented, but in today - i love you Lord
1Timothy 6:6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
Observation:
So often we want to define great wealth by standards that seem so temporary. bigger house, larger income or even great family's. All these age nice and even almost necessary. So what does the Lord mean having Paul write here that true godliness with contentment is great wealth? My heart tells me that true contentment is the greatest thing on earth. the cessation of striving for anything other than godliness is an awesome goal
Application:
i want to strive for contentment with where the Lord has me today. i can still have plans and even goals. the real problem with my discontentment is when i look too far into the future and try living my life into it. If however, i live today, in today I find it easier to live a contented life
Prayer:
Lord, help me live in today. contented, but in today - i love you Lord
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