Rep Our Set Right!

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. – Titus 3:4-8

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 27-29; Titus 3

Unfortunately us Christians have a bad reputation in many circles. We are often called hypocrites, judgmental, mean, or a slew of other things. I have heard many people respond to that by saying that of course Christians are people too. We have the same faults and limitations that everyone else has.

Well… that’s a pretty wack excuse.

An Afternoon with my Stepdad

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Titus 2:2

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 24-26; Titus 2

Have you ever tried to teach someone older than you something important or correct them when they are wrong? Let me tell you something… that is NOT easy work.

Case in point my stepdad.

Respect Yo' Elders!

Not the best mentor/mentee relationship

An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. – Titus 1:6-9

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 22-23; Titus 1

Amongst my close group of friends I have one named Larry. He is the oldest of us, and by oldest I mean that he is merely a few months older than the rest of us. This of course does not prevent him from referring to himself as our elder.

(In related news he wore a cowboy hat

Scriptural Gynmastics

Life

For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. – 2 Tim 4:3

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 20-21; 2 Timothy 4

Have you ever read the Bible and found some random scripture that seems like a get out of jail free card?

The Potter's Wheel

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

 Then the word of the LORD came to me. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. – Jeremiah 18:1-6

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 18-19; 2 Timothy 3

Often times when we make mistakes in life we wonder how we can possibly bounce back from them. Sometimes the road to recovery is clear. We saw quickly the error of our ways and quickly changed course to get back on track.

But what about those other times where it took us a long while to see where we were going wrong?

Searching for Straight Answers

Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. – 2 Timothy 2:3-7

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 15-17; 2 Timothy 2

Have you ever sought out advice on something and received an answer that didn’t seem like an answer? Maybe the person answered your question with another question. Maybe they answered your question with a riddle or metaphor like Paul did above.

This may seem frustrating. You may have felt this frustration when you read Jesus parables for the first time. Why not just give me the instructions simple and plain instead of making me figure it out?

I know I have been in that place many times but there is a reason for the riddle. Truth cannot be reached through words alone. The best we can do is try to get as close as we can to the universal by tucking it away in a story that everyone can relate to.

Rarely is there ever a thing that we should do 100% of the time in every single situation. Sure, life by be simple but it is never without its nuance. It is up to each and every one of us to examine our lives and ourselves to determine the right course of action.

Only you, with the help of God, can chart out your path.

It seem easier to just follow the direction of someone that you admire but if you did so then you really wouldn’t be walking your path. You’d be walking the path that they have determined for you. 

Redemption is for Everyone

Babylon

This is what the LORD says: “As for all my wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave my people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands and I will uproot the people of Judah from among them. But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to their own inheritance and their own country. And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’—even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people. – Jeremiah 12:14-16

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 12-14; 1 Timothy 1

I can’t imagine what it must have been like to hear this message from God. Jeremiah asked God why is it that He allows the unjust to prosper and then He responds by telling him not only that this injustice is why Judah will fall but also that if those who take over Judah follow him then he will establish them among his people!

That must have seemed unfair. Aren’t the people of Israel the chosen ones? Why would he do something so special for those who conquer his people?

The idea that God causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, has always perplexed me. How is this fair? How is it just? I don’t quite understand it. Perhaps this reveals the limits of my understanding of justice and fairness.

But what is clear to me is how loving this notion is. God loves everyone the same whether they do good or bad, no matter who they are. This may seem wrong. Why wouldn’t God have more love for those who do good and less for those who do bad? It’s because no one is perfect; but also, no one is beyond redemption. This is true with his people the Israelites just as much as it is true with all of the rest of us.

God has given all of us an inheritance. He has bestowed a purpose on the lives of each and every person who inhabits this earth. Some choose to walk along that path and some do not.

The choice is ours.

Even when we do bad God may continue to bless us. This gives us another day, another opportunity to realize the folly of our ways and to turn away from them and into the light. As long as we are still breathing we have an opportunity to make a change.

I know that I spent my fair share of time in the dark. I’m just thankful that He gave me a chance to come back into the light. 

For The Love of Money

AMagill

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. – 1 Timothy 6:6-10

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 9-11; 1 Timothy 6

I remember hearing when I was growing up that money was the root of all evil. You hear it in movies and music and all kinds of media. It’s one of those catch phrases that has latched itself onto certain elements of our culture.

But if you read carefully, the origin of it is slightly, but significantly, different.

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Therefore this is what the LORD Almighty says:

   “See, I will refine and test them, 
   for what else can I do 
   because of the sin of my people? 
Their tongue is a deadly arrow; 
   it speaks deceitfully. 
With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors, 
   but in their hearts they set traps for them. 
Should I not punish them for this?” 
   declares the LORD. 
“Should I not avenge myself 
   on such a nation as this?” – Jeremiah 9:7-9

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 9-11; 1Timothy 6

I was talking to a buddy of mine on Google Chat the other day and he told me about this woman he met. They went on one date and it was fantastic. She was beautiful, smart and funny and had the wit and sarcasm that he enjoys. It seemed like a good fit until…

She dropped the N-Word via text the next day.

Not the best look.       

The Ancient Paths

This is what the LORD says:

   “Stand at the crossroads and look;
   ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
   and you will find rest for your souls.
   But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ – Jeremiah 6:16

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 6-8; 1Timothy 5

Sometimes it is hard to see where you are going. In the famous Psalm 23 David talks about walking in the valley of the shadow of death. But then he said that he will fear no evil because God is with him.

God As The Jilted Groom?

During the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high hill and under every spreading tree and has committed adultery there. I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it. I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery. Because Israel’s immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. Jeremiah 3:6-9

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 3-5; 1 Timothy 4

Whoa whoa whoa!

God is none too pleased obviously.

Learning from Children

The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
   before you were born I set you apart;
   I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

“Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. – Jeremiah 1:4-8

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 1-2; 1 Timothy 3

When you want to learn something new how do you seek out information? Maybe you go to the library and get some books (if you’re old school like me), or perhaps you just google the topic on your phone or computer. Maybe you ask your friends and mentors? All of these seem like very logical options.

But I’d like you to consider another source of knowledge that could be more powerful than all of those combined.

Children

When I was in Brazil back in 2001 I learned so much from the kids that I met. 

Why Are You Praying For Me?

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 65-66; 1 Timothy 2

Have you ever had someone pray for you? If you weren’t Christian at the time then I bet it felt really weird. This person puts their hand on you and then starts talking to some God that you think is probably a figment of their imagination. Then depending on the person they might have been extra reverent and solemn or they may have erupt into some extra sanctified version of hyphy behavior. You feel trapped! You’re looking for an exit. How do I get out of here?

A People Divided

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 1 Timothy 1:3-6

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 62-64; 1 Timothy 1

It really is sad how divided we are. We tend to look at ourselves as belonging to specific affiliations. We are black or white, male or female, republican or democrat, liberal or conservative. Some of us are for gay marriage and others against, some will tolerate abortion others will not. Some of us feel a duty to help the poor while still others want to find ways for the poor to help themselves.

You Better Put Some Water On That...

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:6-10

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 59-61; 2 Thessalonians 3

Lazy folks are not allowed.

Friday is one of my favorite movies of all time. The movie starts out with the main character Craig excitedly making a huge bowl of cereal. He sits down and starts to pour the milk in the bowl and only a trickle comes out.

Drats…