Hear That Before
2 Timothy 2:14a Keep reminding of these things
The common methods for teaching today excludes repetition and memorization, learning by rote. "They" believe that one does not learn if through memorization. The only way to learn is if you employ certain strategies, and if you do, the information will be remembered for life! Sad thing is, grades have not shown that to be true.
Certainly, we must do more than memorize pointless facts. They must have meaning and importance to our life. It is the same in the church. When we fail to talk about what God expects from us, when we fail to hear the Scriptures over and over again... we soon forget what the Scriptures say... oh, wait that a major problem in the church today.
K and A, You may think that even I repeat myself over and over again. You said that already, How many time do you have to tell me, I know - I know already... I have been thinking about this a lot lately; We don't preach much of the Bible anymore. I am losing a lot myself because of it. We are stuck on relating our spiritual walk to movies, music, and cultural things, then we throw in a few verses to make it seem like we are in church. Paul said to keep reminding, or repeating these things - He had something specific in mind with Timothy, but we can apply it to all the Word of God. I encourage you, daughters, to read and reread the Word of God. Listen to sermons, Bible lessons, radio programs and music that deepen your faith in God. Make sure you, and they, study the whole Bible, not just one area, one theme. Be willing to hear it again and again for Grandpa just said the other day - I was just listening to a certain scripture I've read over many times... I went back and listened again because I found something totally new I've never noticed before. David loved the law of the Lord and knew that he needed to meditate on it time and time again. Take a look at Psalm 1, its worth reading.
~Dad
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
If We Are Faithless, He Remains Faithful, 2 Timothy 12:13
If We Are Faithless, He Remains Faithful
2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
We can twist the meaning of this verse, if we do not quote all of it. Kind of like the verse all things turn out for the good. That's what most people believe. Even in Christian circles we mess it up this verse, all thing turn out for the good for those that love him. But, Paul didn't finish there. He continued,... all things turn out for the good of those that love him AND are called to his purpose. Who gets called to do the will of the father? Those who are walking in obedience with Christ - doing his purposes, his will. We cannot sin and expect all things to work out for the good.
Back to today's verse, our unfaithfulness doesn't demand Christ be faithful to us. No, it demands that Christ be faithful to himself. He will not excuse our sins. He will not pretend our sin never happened. No, he remains faithful to punish us in our sin.
K and A, even as I write that, it sounds harsh. It wasn't as strange sounding in years gone by. It was a common thought. People feared God and knew there was a penalty for sin. It is only odd sounding now, because we are being bombarded with false teachings that our ears want to hear. Today, people want a savior that that excuses their sins, not takes away their sin. Yet, God is faithful, he will punish the sins to the third and fourth generation...………
But, I will not stop there! He will also be faithful to himself in forgiveness. He says he will bless to a thousands generation for those that love him and do right. Remember, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness! Do not forget that. There is a penalty for sin, it is the Lake of Fire, But there is also a reward for obedience, it is eternal life! Christ will keep that promise. You keep yours.
~Dad
2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
We can twist the meaning of this verse, if we do not quote all of it. Kind of like the verse all things turn out for the good. That's what most people believe. Even in Christian circles we mess it up this verse, all thing turn out for the good for those that love him. But, Paul didn't finish there. He continued,... all things turn out for the good of those that love him AND are called to his purpose. Who gets called to do the will of the father? Those who are walking in obedience with Christ - doing his purposes, his will. We cannot sin and expect all things to work out for the good.
Back to today's verse, our unfaithfulness doesn't demand Christ be faithful to us. No, it demands that Christ be faithful to himself. He will not excuse our sins. He will not pretend our sin never happened. No, he remains faithful to punish us in our sin.
K and A, even as I write that, it sounds harsh. It wasn't as strange sounding in years gone by. It was a common thought. People feared God and knew there was a penalty for sin. It is only odd sounding now, because we are being bombarded with false teachings that our ears want to hear. Today, people want a savior that that excuses their sins, not takes away their sin. Yet, God is faithful, he will punish the sins to the third and fourth generation...………
But, I will not stop there! He will also be faithful to himself in forgiveness. He says he will bless to a thousands generation for those that love him and do right. Remember, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness! Do not forget that. There is a penalty for sin, it is the Lake of Fire, But there is also a reward for obedience, it is eternal life! Christ will keep that promise. You keep yours.
~Dad
If We Disown, He Disowns, 2 Timothy 2:12b
If We Disown, He Disowns
2 Timothy 2:12b If we disown him, he will also disown us
This is not the teaching in most churches today. The common thought is that once you are saved, it doesn't matter what you do, you're still a Christian. Once you're in, you're in. After all, once saved, always saved, nothing can take you out of his hands, nothing. But there are plenty of verses throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New, which show or specifically mention that if we have become his children but later reject him, God will reject us. This is one of those verses. A similar thought that comes to mind is how we treat others. Christ says, If we do not forgive others, he will not forgive us, and it is explained in the parable of the unforgiving servant. Jesus also says, If you deny me before men I will deny you before my father.
K and A, the Word is clear. you cannot be a Christian in church circles then deny Christ among your peers. You cannot praise like a saint in church, then go out and swear like a sinner among the world. Remember also, that it is possible to deny Jesus with your lifestyle as well with your lips. It is not just what you say, but also how you live. Your life speaks volumes. Sadly, you will find most people do not understand this either. But you, be different. let your life announce your faith in him in every circumstance others find you. then Christ will lift you up before his Father and you will be accepted into the Kingdom.
~Dad
2 Timothy 2:12b If we disown him, he will also disown us
This is not the teaching in most churches today. The common thought is that once you are saved, it doesn't matter what you do, you're still a Christian. Once you're in, you're in. After all, once saved, always saved, nothing can take you out of his hands, nothing. But there are plenty of verses throughout the Bible, in both the Old and New, which show or specifically mention that if we have become his children but later reject him, God will reject us. This is one of those verses. A similar thought that comes to mind is how we treat others. Christ says, If we do not forgive others, he will not forgive us, and it is explained in the parable of the unforgiving servant. Jesus also says, If you deny me before men I will deny you before my father.
K and A, the Word is clear. you cannot be a Christian in church circles then deny Christ among your peers. You cannot praise like a saint in church, then go out and swear like a sinner among the world. Remember also, that it is possible to deny Jesus with your lifestyle as well with your lips. It is not just what you say, but also how you live. Your life speaks volumes. Sadly, you will find most people do not understand this either. But you, be different. let your life announce your faith in him in every circumstance others find you. then Christ will lift you up before his Father and you will be accepted into the Kingdom.
~Dad
Monday, February 25, 2019
If We Endure, We Reign, 2 Timothy 2:11-13
If We Endure, We Reign
2 Timothy 2:12a If we endure, we will also reign with him
If we die with Christ, we will also live with him... whoa, that's a great promise! If we die to sin in this life... we inherit eternal life, life with the Son of God. At creation, Jesus was with the father. He created all things for his own purposes including us. One of those purposes is to reign with him on high. The Word says that Jesus came to earth from the father and not long after he arose from the dead, he returned to sit at the right hand of the Father. One day he shall return to take those that are victorious to the place he has prepared for them. That "them" can be us, if we endure to the end..
K and A, what does it mean to be victorious in your Christian walk? Take a look at what Jesus did. Jesus say that he came to do the will of his Father. If you are Christ's sister, you will do the same. To be victorious, you must not be a lukewarm Christian, just going to church once or twice a week, not doing the really bad things like killing, being sexually promiscuous, or swearing. No, it is in following the commands of the Lord. These commands are found throughout both the Old and New Testaments. These have been written so we know how to live our lives today. The stories and directives are written so we know how to love God and love others. And remember, endurance is not a one time deal. You are to take a stand for Christ and keep on standing. That is endurance, faithful to the end! That is the one who will be saved and reign with him on high, our savior, Christ Jesus. Oh, what joy that will be!
~Dad
Song:
What a Day That'll Be (a little slow, but easy to worship with)
2 Timothy 2:12a If we endure, we will also reign with him
If we die with Christ, we will also live with him... whoa, that's a great promise! If we die to sin in this life... we inherit eternal life, life with the Son of God. At creation, Jesus was with the father. He created all things for his own purposes including us. One of those purposes is to reign with him on high. The Word says that Jesus came to earth from the father and not long after he arose from the dead, he returned to sit at the right hand of the Father. One day he shall return to take those that are victorious to the place he has prepared for them. That "them" can be us, if we endure to the end..
K and A, what does it mean to be victorious in your Christian walk? Take a look at what Jesus did. Jesus say that he came to do the will of his Father. If you are Christ's sister, you will do the same. To be victorious, you must not be a lukewarm Christian, just going to church once or twice a week, not doing the really bad things like killing, being sexually promiscuous, or swearing. No, it is in following the commands of the Lord. These commands are found throughout both the Old and New Testaments. These have been written so we know how to live our lives today. The stories and directives are written so we know how to love God and love others. And remember, endurance is not a one time deal. You are to take a stand for Christ and keep on standing. That is endurance, faithful to the end! That is the one who will be saved and reign with him on high, our savior, Christ Jesus. Oh, what joy that will be!
~Dad
Song:
What a Day That'll Be (a little slow, but easy to worship with)
Saturday, February 23, 2019
If We Die, We Live, 1 Timothy 2:11-13
If We Die, We Live
2 Timothy 2:11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him.
Jesus laid down his life only to take it up again. He had the authority to do so, given by his father. Jesus also asks us to do the same. He states, those who try to save their own life will lose it, but if we lose our life for him will actually save it (Luke 9:24). And, Paul says in Romans 6 that we are to die to sin, so that we can walk in the newness of life. Through baptism we die with him and are raised to new life. We must die to sin and self, to our natural desires which, when not controlled by the Spirit, cause us to commit detestable acts of sin (Galatians 5:19-21). But if we die to self and walk with Christ living in us, then we truly live!
K and A, If you die to self, you will be enabled to walk a life free from sin. This is an odd concept in the church today. It is often taught that it is not possible. But this is the teaching of the Brethren in Christ from the beginning and solidified in through Wesleyan teachings in the late 1800's, or at least it was... Daughters, each of you has a holiness heritage. But, it is your choice whether you continue in the walk of faith. Choose life, choose death to self!
~Dad
Song
Heritage of Holiness with an added song
Friday, February 22, 2019
If We, 2 Timothy 2:11-13
If We
2 Timothy 2:11-13 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us. If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Over the next few days, we will look at each of these phrases and expound on the importance of each in our relationship with God. There are some interesting thoughts and some dire warnings which often misrepresent the views of Christ's character and our relationship to him. Let us take heed as we look deeper into them.
K and A, certainly as my children, we have similar Biblical views. Yet, most children growing up in church, attending with their parents develop their own thoughts that differ from what they learned from their parents. That has always been true to some extent, but it is especially true today, for they separate families into their own age groups in most churches and parents do not know what is being taught to their children. Many youths do not know what their parents believe. This is why I write this blog. I care about your spiritual health and do no want you to be like the worldly church of today who pervert the message of the Word and the Gospel. Thank you for reading these posts and may God grant you clarity of heart and mind as you read them. If we work together with each other, the Holy Spirit as our guide, we shall live pleasing to the Lord and you shall carry a pure message to the next generation.
~Dad
2 Timothy 2:11-13 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him. If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us. If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Over the next few days, we will look at each of these phrases and expound on the importance of each in our relationship with God. There are some interesting thoughts and some dire warnings which often misrepresent the views of Christ's character and our relationship to him. Let us take heed as we look deeper into them.
K and A, certainly as my children, we have similar Biblical views. Yet, most children growing up in church, attending with their parents develop their own thoughts that differ from what they learned from their parents. That has always been true to some extent, but it is especially true today, for they separate families into their own age groups in most churches and parents do not know what is being taught to their children. Many youths do not know what their parents believe. This is why I write this blog. I care about your spiritual health and do no want you to be like the worldly church of today who pervert the message of the Word and the Gospel. Thank you for reading these posts and may God grant you clarity of heart and mind as you read them. If we work together with each other, the Holy Spirit as our guide, we shall live pleasing to the Lord and you shall carry a pure message to the next generation.
~Dad
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Willing To Suffer For Others, 2 Timothy 2:10
Willing To Suffer For Others
2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Paul put his life on the line for others. Many times throughout his journeys he was challenged; ridiculed, beaten, and even stoned and left for dead. Why would a person be willing to do this? At one point in his life, Paul caused the suffering of those who belonged to The Way. But God changed his heart, and now he was being persecuted as a follower and preacher of the Gospel. Because he loved them and had concern for their souls, Paul endured it all so others would obtain the same salvation that made him true child of God. A heir not through birth as a Jew, but through the transforming power of the blood of Jesus. He knew his sins were gone and wanted others to have this same privilege. He would be willing to suffer so they too could find the hope and glory made possible through Jesus Christ.
I don't know about you, daughters, but I don't like pain. Suffering doesn't appeal to me. I do not like being ridiculed, picked on, or beaten up... I work to avoid such things. But, Paul shows us a better way, the way of the cross. Peter says that suffering should not be a surprise for Christians. We should count it a joy to share in the sufferings of Christ. There is much talk about love in church today... but not much about what love is. Jesus says that love is laying one's life down for another... being willing to suffer for the souls of the lost.
K and A, is God calling you to suffer for him? If not, why not? Are you willing to go anywhere he wants you to go, to share the gospel to someone near by or some one far away? Could you be a missionary in a far away place like Allison Hill, Harrisburg... far away from your lifestyle, that is. Do not quench the Spirit of God. Be open to where he calls you. Be willing to suffer for others.
~Dad
2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Paul put his life on the line for others. Many times throughout his journeys he was challenged; ridiculed, beaten, and even stoned and left for dead. Why would a person be willing to do this? At one point in his life, Paul caused the suffering of those who belonged to The Way. But God changed his heart, and now he was being persecuted as a follower and preacher of the Gospel. Because he loved them and had concern for their souls, Paul endured it all so others would obtain the same salvation that made him true child of God. A heir not through birth as a Jew, but through the transforming power of the blood of Jesus. He knew his sins were gone and wanted others to have this same privilege. He would be willing to suffer so they too could find the hope and glory made possible through Jesus Christ.
I don't know about you, daughters, but I don't like pain. Suffering doesn't appeal to me. I do not like being ridiculed, picked on, or beaten up... I work to avoid such things. But, Paul shows us a better way, the way of the cross. Peter says that suffering should not be a surprise for Christians. We should count it a joy to share in the sufferings of Christ. There is much talk about love in church today... but not much about what love is. Jesus says that love is laying one's life down for another... being willing to suffer for the souls of the lost.
K and A, is God calling you to suffer for him? If not, why not? Are you willing to go anywhere he wants you to go, to share the gospel to someone near by or some one far away? Could you be a missionary in a far away place like Allison Hill, Harrisburg... far away from your lifestyle, that is. Do not quench the Spirit of God. Be open to where he calls you. Be willing to suffer for others.
~Dad
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