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.

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 28:1‐29:32, 1 Timothy 1:1‐20, Psalm 86:1‐17, Proverbs 25:17

Context: Paul thanks God for appointing him to service in spite of himself. 

1 Timothy 1:15 “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”

Observations:

• The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance:
  • Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
    • Of whom I am the foremost

Apply: Like Paul, I want to continue to remind myself of God’s saving work in my life.  There is no room for pride In the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When was the last time you thought about the life that God redeemed you from?

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 26:1‐27:22, 2 Thessalonians 3:1‐18, Psalm 85:1‐13, Proverbs 25:16

Context: David is praying that God will restore (v4) and revive (v6) Israel again.  He ends claiming that God will be consistent with his character and do it.

Psalm 85:12 “Yes, the Lord will give what is good,
 and our land will yield its increase.”

Observations:

• Yes – he is answering himself
• The Lord will give what is good
• Our land will yield its increase (harvest in the NIV)

While we were dating, Rebecca felt like God gave her this verse in affirmation of our future.  Last Christmas I had it framed and it is now hanging above our bed.  Over the last few months, we again find ourselves in a period of life that involves some unknowns…

Apply:  I want to “listen to what he will say” (v8) and stay near to him (v9) during this season.  He will give what is good and our land will yield its harvest.

How does the character of God give you hope in the different seasons of life?

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 23:21‐25:38, 2 Thessalonians 2:1‐17, Psalm 84:1‐12, Proverbs 25:15

Context: David is writing about the house of God.  He says later in the Psalm “a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere.”

Psalm 84:1-2 “How lovely is your dwelling place,
 O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints
 for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
 to the living God”

Observations:

• God’s dwelling place is lovely.
• David’s soul longs for the courts of the Lord.
• His heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.

Today, I will be a pall bearer at my Grandfathers funeral.  I want Psalm 84 to be constantly on my mind.  Opa knew God – see yesterday’s journal entry – and lived his life looking forward to today.  I truly believe this day for him is better than a thousand on earth.

Apply: I want to posture my mind like David and Opa.  I want to focus my flesh’s attention and heart’s affection on being with him.

Stop and sing for joy to the living God.

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 22:1‐23:20, 2 Thessalonians 1:1‐12, Psalm 83:1‐18, Proverbs 25:11‐14

Context: God is telling his people through Jeremiah that disobedience leads to punishment.  He reminds them that their father who did righteously was rewarded by God.

Jeremiah 22:15b-16

“Did not your father eat and drink
 and do justice and righteousness?
 Then it was well with him.

He judged the cause of the poor and needy;
 then it was well.
Is not this to know me?
 declares the Lord.”

Julius Frederck (my middle namesake) Holm

Observations:

• Did not your fathers
  • Eat and drink
  • Do justice and righteousness
• Then – it was well with him
  • He judged the cause of the poor and needy
• Then – it was well
• Is not this to know me?

Yesterday (after my Bible reading and journal entry) my grandfather passed away.  He “knew God (v16)” and was a spiritual patriarch for the Holm family.  You can read Opa’s obituary here.  Reading the verses in Jeremiah 22 above, I am reminded that Julius’ justice and righteousness needs to be remembered.  It should motive me to live the same way.

Apply: “Lord, thank you for Julius Holm’s righteous life.  As the Holm family focuses on his memory the next few days, inspire us to live in a similar way.”

Do you have a spiritual patriarch in your life?  Spend time thinking about the way he or she lived and how God has rewarded and will reward a righteous life.  Let it motivate you.