Be Equipped

Why do we read? Why do we study? Why do we watch the news? Why do we ask questions? There might be a wide variety of answers to the questions I’ve just asked. But the general answer is…we want to know.

Why did God see fit to have men write the books of the Bible? For one thing, God wants us to know about Him. But as Paul writes to Timothy in today’s passage, it is also to equip us to do the good works God has planned in advance for us to do.

Paul states Scripture is useful for teaching. In other words, we learn by reading it. We also dig deeper into the meaning of it. We use it to teach our children and those who are new to Christianity. We use it to train one another in the ways of God, to grow closer to Him, and be prepared to answer for our faith.

We don’t typically like to think about it being used to rebuke someone or be rebuked by it. Yet, it is written for that reason…and we need to be rebuked when we get off the path God desires us to be on. Correcting is very similar. We do not like being corrected, but when we are in the wrong, we need the correction. Especially when we have gone chasing after worldly pursuits that are leading us to destruction.

As we are taught, rebuked, corrected, and trained, we are prepared for the doing good works for God. It is important we go about doing those good works, most importantly teaching others about Jesus. If we are unwilling to teach others about Jesus, what does that say about us? It says we are not really secure in our faith, or we haven’t truly learned the lessons we need to learn. After all, why wouldn’t we want to tell everyone we meet about the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ?

I pray we all read the Bible to learn more about God. I pray we correct our ways based on the teaching of the Bible. I pray each one of us use our knowledge of God to do good works. Read the Bible. Learn about God. Accept rebuking when needed. Be willing to be corrected. Be trained in righteousness. Be equipped to do good works.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Choose Wisely

Who are your close friends? Who do you hang out with, do things with? Where are you looking for a partner? What are you looking for in a spouse? Are you looking for key components in their personality? Are you looking for them to have like beliefs?

When I was younger, I didn’t really pay much attention to who I became friends with. It just kind of happened. Perhaps I worked with them, and our personalities clicked. I may have been introduced to them by someone else. But I didn’t evaluate them to make a conscience decision to befriend them.

Take a look at what the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Corinth in today’s passage. He warns against being yoked to unbelievers. We may think that warning is irrelevant, it doesn’t apply to us. We may think it means we never associate with someone who is an unbeliever. Both thoughts are incorrect.

We must associate with unbelievers if we are to tell them about Jesus. If we do not interact with unbelievers, we will never bring anyone new to Christ. But that doesn’t mean we need to become close friends, even if we are being friendly toward them. At least, not until they have committed their life to Christ.

The same is true for marriage. Though it happens, it is extremely rare that a person who is a believer in Christ and one who is not make a marriage last a lifetime. They have opposing interests that eventually pull them apart, unless one or the other make a significant change. Too often, the believer gets pulled away to their own destruction.

This also applies to business partnerships. Unless you hold the same values, the partnership will be rocky and likely fall apart. There will be disagreements on how to conduct business. One is concerned solely with making money, while the other is concerned about providing a quality service. Opposing viewpoints will be the genesis of a split.

I pray we all evaluate our close friends and partners. I pray we decide to partner with fellow believers. I pray each one of us commits to Christ and following wise advice in all our relationships. Be committed to Christ. Be friendly to others. Listen to wise advice. Choose your close friends wisely. Choose your partner wisely.

2 Corinthians 6:14-15 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

Promises In Context

Do you look for guarantees? Do you purchase the additional warranty on electronic items or vehicles? Do you desire promises to be kept? Do you always keep the promises you make? Do you know there are promises that are always kept?

We do want guarantees, warranties, and promises kept. If fact, if a business attempts to find a loophole in a warranty, we get upset and fight to hold them accountable. We believe certain people or things should be dependable, something we can count on.

There is someone we can count on—God. He always keeps His promises. For instance, looking at today’s passage, Jesus tells us that where two or three gather, He is there with them. He also states, if we agree with one another, God will grant it. Unfortunately, we often take this promise out of context.

Let’s say we were to promise to buy our kids ice cream on our way home from a baseball game. We would not stop to buy ice cream on the way home from the store. Nor would we stop to buy ice cream on the way home from work. It would only be after the baseball game. The same holds true for God’s promises.

Jesus has just told the Apostle’s how to deal with sin within the church. He goes into a little detail about how to deal with someone who won’t own up to having done a brother or sister wrong. At that point He makes the statements in today’s passage. In other words, He didn’t say everything we agree on will be granted. We cannot simply agree to spend millions of dollars to build a new building because we think it is a good idea and expect God to give us the money.

When does this apply? It applies when we are in tune with God, when we have spent time in prayer, when we have honestly sought God’s will and come to agreement that we are going about His will. God’s promises can be trusted. We just cannot take them out of context.

I pray we all trust in God’s promises. I pray we ensure we read them within the context they were made. I pray each one of us seek to follow His will so that we experience His promises in action. Trust God’s promises. Read His promises in context. Seek God’s will. Spend time in prayer. Spend time contemplating. Spend time meditating. Experience God at work.

Matthew 18:19-20 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Intentional Greeting

How do you greet one another? What if you were sending a letter to someone far away? When was the last time you sent a letter to a family member? Do you send letters to other organizations? Do you reach out to former colleagues?

The art of handwriting a letter on paper has nearly disappeared in our high-tech world. To sit down and write a letter requires a fair amount of thought, especially if you are writing with a pen. No one wants to write half a page only to make a mistake and need to start over.

But what if we were to write a letter? What if we were to write a letter to a church we formerly attended, but left due to a job move? Let’s assume we left on wonderful terms, loved all those we left behind, and really want to reach out to them. You know, we want to let them know what we have been up to and to encourage them to continue their good work. How do we greet them?

Most of us are likely to give a very short salutation. A simple “Church Family,” “Brothers and Sisters,” or “Hey Y’all.” However, that is not how Paul greeted the churches he sent letters to. His greetings were far more formal and lengthier. Not only that, but he greeted them at the beginning and the end of his letters. That is a bit weird to us. It’s not our cultural norm.

Regardless of putting a greeting at the beginning and the end of the letter, look at the greeting Paul uses to end his first letter to the Corinthian church. He includes all of those who are with him. He tells them to greet one another with a hug, as we might say today. He includes his cohorts in the greeting. Wouldn’t it be nice to read a letter that came from a group of people?

I pray we all spend a little time thinking about how we greet one another. I pray we intentionally greet one another. I pray each one of us are willing to greet one another warmly. Think about greeting others. Be friendly. Be loving. Care for one another. Ensure others know you care for them. Be intentional.

1 Corinthians 16:19-20 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

Do Not Judge

Are you judgmental? How judgmental are you? Do you only offer judgement on the most severe offenses? Or do you pronounce judgement on the smallest thing someone does that you do not agree with? Do you judge others in the same way you want to be judged?

Our culture has become very judgmental. For the smallest thing someone does there is someone else who is condemning them. We all feel it. We despise others judging us. Yet we turn around and do the same to others.

Jesus tells us not to judge others or we will be judged (Matthew 7:1). He continues by saying that we will be judged in the same way we judge others (Matthew 7:2). What if we were to spend some time meditating on His statement? Perhaps we would ask Him to fill us with the Holy Spirit and change us from the inside out. Perhaps we would begin working on ourselves to stop, or at least reduce, our judging of others.

Though Jesus uses cities in His statement today, the concept is the same. To escape our own destruction in the day of judgment, we need to repent of our judgmental attitudes. We need to go to God with a broken heart, realizing we have been disobedient, and ask for forgiveness. We need to change our behavior or face harsh judgment.

Why is this important? First, every instruction God gave in the Old Testament and Jesus gave in the New Testament is for our own good. Second, to make the world a better place, eliminating judgment over preferences is sorely needed. Third, and most important, Jesus did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it (John 3:17).

I pray we all determine to eliminate our judgmental behavior. I pray we seek God’s forgiveness for our judgmentalism. I pray each of us ask the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out. Stop being judgmental. Stop condemning others. Ask for forgiveness. Ask God to change you. Be like Jesus.

Matthew 11:20-22 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.”

Work or Gift

How do you feel about work? Do you like to work? Would you rather get what you need without working for it? Is there a way to get what you need by merely believing it will be given to you? What if there is?

We all work to earn a living. There is nothing wrong with working hard. In fact, it is looked upon favorably by employers and co-workers. We often hear that you need to work hard to accomplish your dreams. From a human perspective, that is true.

On the other hand, we can get what our heart truly desires and everything we need by believing in Jesus Christ. We may not achieve our dreams. Instead, we will get something far better than our dreams. We will be gifted eternity with God.

When we work at our jobs, our pay is not a gift. It is something we are owed, something we have earned. Despite what some may believe and our general behavior, we cannot earn our way into eternity with God. It is a gift of His wondrous grace. The only requirement is that we believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. But that is the tricky part, isn’t it? We can’t merely say we believe. We can’t fake it. We can’t fool God. It must be a real, heartfelt belief.

When we believe with our entire heart, we become changed. God comes to live inside us in the form of the Holy Spirit. He begins changing us from the inside out. When we believe in Jesus with our whole heart, we will never be the same again. And…that’s a good thing.

I pray we all continue to work for a living. I pray we accept the gift God is willing to give us. I pray each one of us allows the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out. Work for a living. Accept God’s gift. Accept eternity with God. Believe in Jesus with your whole heart. Be changed by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 4:4-8 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those

whose transgressions are forgiven,

whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the one

whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

Act Where You Are

Do you sometimes wonder what God is doing in your life? Have you looked at your situation from God’s perspective? Have you asked what God wants you to do where He has put you?

God has a plan for each one of us. Our part is to go where He wants us to go and do what He wants us to do. If we know we have gone where He wants us to go, we must then do what He wants us to do. That can be where the rub is, can’t it?

Sometimes we don’t know what God wants us to do. Sometimes it may be a hard thing we don’t want to do. That’s when we balk. That’s when we procrastinate. That’s when we may outright refuse.

We might want to take a look at Esther as an example of how to do the hard thing. No, she didn’t really want to do it. She faced potential death. She could have been banished. But she took on the task of doing what needed to be done in the face of it.

We must remember that God will see us through the task He puts before us. He will provide what we need to complete it. When we trust God to get us through it, He provides us with strength, courage, wisdom, and any other resources we need.

So, what has God put before you to do? Are you willing to trust Him to carry you through it? How do you know He hasn’t put you where you are to carry out the hard task before you?

I pray we all take on the tasks God puts before us. I pray we trust Him to provide what we need to complete the task. I pray each one of us asks God to reveal what He wants us to do. Do want God wants you to do. Trust Him. Be courageous. God has put you right where He wants you. Act where you are.

Esther 4:14b “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Courage By Faith

What does it mean to be courageous? Does it mean to be bold? Does it mean you are never afraid? Would you like to be courageous? Do you want to know how to be courageous? Do you know you can be courageous?

We hear of the courage of those who go to battle. We hear of the courage of a co-worker who stands up to the boss. We hear of the courage exhibited by someone who takes down a prospective robber in a convenience store.

Being courageous often includes bravery. Courage is facing difficulty despite, perhaps, being fearful. It is doing what needs to be done even if it is challenging. It is doing the right thing despite facing the possibility of being ridiculed. But being courageous doesn’t start with courage. It starts with being on guard.

Now, that sounds a bit odd, doesn’t it? Being on guard sounds a little hesitant or standoffish. But that isn’t what it is. It is being observant, being prepared, being ready to act. The next contributor to courage is faith. Again, that sounds a bit out of place. What does faith have to do with courage? When we have faith it will all work out as God has planned, we can then take action without fear. Not only that, but our faith also reinforces God is in control. Our faith feeds our courage.

When we act with courage, having been prepared and trusting God, we are strong. Strong enough to do the right thing, regardless of the consequences. Strong enough to stand up to the evil we see all around us. Strong enough to perform the good works God has prepared for us in advance. Oh, and remember this, do it all in love. It makes all the difference in how we go about doing the good works.

I pray we all are courageous. I pray we are prepared, and trust God is in control. I pray each of us act on our faith, being strong in the Lord, and go about doing the good works God has prepared for us. Be on guard. Stand firm in your faith. Be courageous. Be strong. Do everything in love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

Do Good Without Fear

Are you hesitant to step out in faith? Would you like to do good works but fear exposing yourself to ridicule? Do you feel threatened by others? Are you afraid of being ostracized for speaking out about your faith?

We are called to do good for others, even if it means suffering in the process. Doing good does not always mean spending money. It may require us to invest our time. We may be called to go to places we would prefer to avoid.

Carrying out the work of God can be uncomfortable. Working with people who are different may require us to step out of our comfort zone. We may need to go into an environment that is different than we are used to. When working with the less fortunate, people with mental disabilities, or in crime ridden neighborhoods is a challenge for many of us.

We may find ourselves in a situation that requires us to help someone we do not care for. We may prefer to allow them to suffer or do without. We may be afraid they will strike out at us rather than accept our assistance.

Yet we are called to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, helping those who need our assistance. We are told not to fear. When we are going about doing the work God wants us to do, if we suffer for it, God blesses us. It seems counterintuitive. But God doesn’t work by human standards. God rewards those who work in the name of Jesus.

I pray we all go about doing the good works God has put before us. I pray we do the right thing without fear. I pray each one of us revere Christ and follow His example of doing good for those who need it. Do good works for God. Give your fear to God. Be blessed by God. Revere Christ.

1 Peter 3:13-15a Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.

God’s Thoughts

Do you want to know what the right thing is for you to do? Are you uncertain about the next step to take? How can you know what is right for you? Will you seek guidance from the One who will provide you with the answers?

We make a lot of decisions throughout our lives. In fact, we make several decisions each day. Some decisions are more important than others. Some decisions have a bigger impact on our lives. Those big decisions are the ones we fret over.

There are decisions that have a lifelong effect on our lives. It is those decisions for which we need to reach out to God for guidance. The means of seeking His guidance is prayer. We have heard this before. In fact, we may have prayed for guidance on multiple occasions and not received the guidance we were seeking. Why does this happen?

When we seek God’s guidance, we must be honestly seeking it. We may think we are, but still be holding on to our preferences. We may ask for God’s guidance but be unwilling to accept an answer that doesn’t fit our desires. If we are in that situation, we won’t receive the answer we need. Not because God isn’t willing to answer, but because we are unwilling to listen.

Being in tune with God’s Spirit is the secret to hearing His guidance. Our spirit knows our inner thoughts. God’s Spirit knows His thoughts. To know God’s thoughts, to hear His guidance, we must submit our spirit to God’s Spirit. This will allow us to hear Him provide us with the guidance we seek for those life-changing decisions. How will we know we are following His guidance? We will be at peace and have a calmness about us that only comes from Him.

I pray we all choose to hear God’s guidance. I pray we submit our spirit to God’s Spirit. I pray each one of us are willing to forgo our desires to follow God’s guidance for our lives. Seek God’s guidance for your life. Be willing to hear Him. Be in tune with God’s Spirit. Submit your spirit to God’s Spirit. Get to know God’s thoughts.

1 Corinthians 2:10b-11 The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.