Today’s Reading: Lamentations 1:1‐2:19, Philemon 1‐25, Psalm 101:1‐8, Proverbs 26:20

Context: In Paul’s brief letter he tells Philemon: “I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.”

Philemon 7 – “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”

Observations:

• Paul has derived much joy and comfort from Philemon’s love
  • because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through him.

A good friend shared with our summer staff this summer that they are to be “Coka-Cola” Christians.  His point was that Christians should be refreshing. 

Apply: I want to look for opportunities to refresh people’s hearts through joy and comfort.

Are you a refreshing person?

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 49:23‐50:46, Titus 1:1‐16, Psalm 97:1‐98:9, Proverbs 26:13‐16

Context: Paul starts his letter by telling Titus that he left him in Crete to appoint elders.

Titus 1:6-9 “(I)f anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”

Observations:

1. Elders are:
   1. above reproach (2x)
   2. the husband of one wife,
   3. children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination
   4. hospitable
   5. lover of good
   6. self-controlled
   7. upright
   8. holy
   9. disciplined
   10. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.
2. Elders are not:
   1. arrogant
   2. quick-tempered
   3. drunkard
   4. violent
   5. greedy for gain

Apply:  I am an elder.  What jumps out to me on this list as I read this morning is spiritual leaders are not quick-tempered.  I’ve noticed that my patience has shortened during a season of busyness and change.  “Lord, I am aware that I must not be quick-tempered.  Help me to represent you rightly.  Give me complete patience.”

What item on this list jumps out to you?  Is God able to use you as a spiritual leader?

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 48:1‐49:22, 2 Timothy 4:1‐22, Psalm 95:1‐96:13, Proverbs 26:9‐12

Proverbs 26:11 “Like a dog that returns to his vomit

Is a fool who repeats his folly.

This is one of the most graphic illustrations in Proverbs.  I would be better off if I would learn my lesson the first time around.  It must look gross to God (and others) when I continue to make the same mistakes. 

Apply: I used to keep a list of lessons I didn’t want to learn twice in the back of my journals.  I want to start that again. 

How do you keep from making the same mistake twice?

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 44:24‐47:7, 2 Timothy 2:22‐3:17, Psalm 94:1‐23, Proverbs 26:6‐8

Context: This verse is actually from yesturdays reading, but it rocked me.  Paul affirms Timothy through pointing out his faithfulness.   He tells Timothy that he will go through persecution, but to stay strong and to hold onto God’s Word. 

2 Timothy 2:14-15 “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Observations:

• Continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed
  • knowing from whom you learned it
  • How from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings
    • which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus

As I read this passage today my heart burned with the desire to teach Anna God’s word.  I want her to be “acquainted with the sacred writings.”  I want her to be “wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”  When she is older I want her to continue in what she learned.

Apply: Currently we read Bible story books at night.  I want to start including actual Bible readings.

Please share any ideas you have for getting children acquainted with the Bible.

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 39:1‐41:18, 2 Timothy 1:1‐18, Psalm 90:1‐91:16, Proverbs 26:1‐2

Context: As Paul opens his letter to Timothy he challenges him to guard what has been entrusted to him. 

2 Timothy 1:6-7  “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Observations:

• Fan into flame the gift of God
• God gave us a spirit not of fear
  • but of power
  • and love
  • and self-control

Apply:  I must not shy away from using and growing the gift that God has given me.  God desires for me to look for ways that I can fan my gift into flames.

Are you fanning your gift into flames?

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 37:1‐38:28, 1 Timothy 6:1‐21,Psalm 89:38‐52, Proverbs 25:28

Context: As Paul closes his letter, he urges Timothy to guard the gospel.  He also calls him to teach that there is “great gain in godliness with contentment” and the “love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (v6 & 10).

1 Timothy 6:17-19 “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.  They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

Observations:

• Charge the rich(that is me)
  • Not to be haughty
  • Not to set their hope on riches
  • Set their hope on God
    • Who richly provides for us with everything to enjoy
• Store up treasure ( a good foundation for the future)
  • Do good
  • Be rich in good works
  • Be generous and ready to share
• Result: Take hold of that which is truly life.

Apply:  There is so much here!  As I function in and teach a culture that has been given so many material things, I must do good, be rich in good works and be generous and ready to share.  Specifically today, I want to look for an opportunity to be rich in good works.  I know that this is where true life is found.

How can you be rich in good works today?

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 35:1‐ 36:32, 1 Timothy 5:1‐25, Psalm 89:14‐37, Proverbs 25:25‐27

Context: In verse 16 of Proverbs chapter 25 we read “If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.  A few verses later we read:

Proverbs 25:27 “It is not good to eat much honey,

nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.”

Observations:

• It is not good
  • To eat much honey
• It is not glorious
  • To seek one’s own glory

The line “It is not glorious to seek one’s own glory” is hard to translate and to fully understand.  The ESV Study Bible’s notes point out that when combined with verse 16 the point seems to be that to seek one’s own glory can make people sick.  Clearly, we are to seek God’s glory and not our own (John 3:30).

Apply: As I seek God’s direction for my future ministry, I must constantly be reminded that it is not glorious to seek my own glory.  “Lord, remove the parts of me that seek my own glory – even if it hurts. Take away my desire to “eat much honey.” 

What and/or who helps you see where you are currently seeking your own glory?

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 33:1‐34:22, 1 Timothy 4:1‐16, Psalm 89:1‐13, Proverbs 25:23‐24

Context: Paul challenges Timothy to train himself in godliness and keep a close watch on his teaching.

1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”

Observations:

• Let no one despise (kataphroneo – to think little of, look down on, disrespect) you for your  youth
• Set the believers an example:
  • In speech
  • In conduct
  • In love
  • In faith
  • In purity

Apply: God wants me to set an example in each of the five areas above.  Today I want to focus on my conduct setting an example for the others I work beside at camp.

Which of these five traits do you need to focus on setting an example in today?

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 31:27‐32:44, 1 Timothy 3:1‐16, Psalm 88:1‐18, Proverbs 25:20‐22

Context: God is promising that he will bring his people back after excile.  He has a good plan for their future.  After the verse below he will say “I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.”

Jeremiah 32:39 “I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.”

Observations:

• I will give them one heart and one way
  • That they may fear me forever
    • For their own good
    • And the good of their children after them

I cannot assume that the specific promises that God gave Israel are also for me and my family.  However, we know that God’s nature does not change.  We also know that he has welcomed us in to the biggest part of this blessing through the new covenant in Christ.

Apply: I need to trust that God will give Rebecca and me one heart and one way that will motivate a healthy fear of him and be for our good and Anna’s good.

Do believe that God has a good plan for you and your children?

Today’s Readings: Jeremiah 30:1‐31:26, 1 Timothy 2:1‐15, Psalm 87:1‐7, Proverbs 25:18‐19

Context: After a length introduction, warning the Timothy against false teachers and sharing how God has shown him grace, Paul starts the instructions to Timothy at the beginning of chapter 2.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

Observations:

• Pray that all who are in high positions:
  • Lead a peaceful and quiet life
  • Lead a Godly life
  • Live dignified in every way

Apply: The Lord prompted me to stop and prayed these things over the leaders in my ministry, my church, and our country.

When was the last time you prayed for your leaders?  Stop for a few minutes and approach the throne of Grace for your leaders.