DAY #304: 1 Timothy 1:5-18

Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure.” A pure heart is devoted to God and free from guilt and corruption. We must keep ourselves morally straight. God purifies us, but there is action we must take to keep morally fit. Daily application of God’s word has a purifying effect on our heart and mind. It enables us to love freely.

In order to love properly, our conscience must be clear. First, it must be clean from unconfessed sin so that guilt doesn’t hinder us. Second, our motives must be free from pride and personal gain. Then we can love openly. When we attempt to love others without sincere faith in Christ, our efforts to minister become hollow and self-serving. Sincere faith enables us to love genuinely.

The commands and instructions in this letter to Timothy reveal Paul’s desire to maintain the purest truth in all the church’s teachings. As a mother nourishes her child with pure foods, so Paul nourished the infant church with only pure teaching—the truth of God’s word.

Paul wrote against those who wanted to be teachers of the law of Moses. These men taught strange philosophical theories and ideas loosely based on the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament). These men were either Gentiles who were impressed with Judaism or Jews who did not know much but wanted to gain respect.

The false teachers wanted to become famous as teachers of God’s law, but they misunderstood the law’s purpose. The law was not meant to give believers a list of commands for every occasion, but to show unbelievers their sin and bring them to God. The law exists not for people who do what is right, but for those who continue in their sin.

In order to express the overwhelming sense of God’s kindness and grace, Paul coined a compound word, huperpleonazein, meaning “to superabound.” God’s undeserved favor toward us is always greater than any words we may use to describe it.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

As I read today's passage, I am once again reminded of the growth in Paul's life. To see where paul was when he came to Christ and to see where he is at in this passage, I am blown away by his growth. So today, I think about the next level of growth God has for me. I must become a leader of leaders. As God brings people to himself, it is imperative that we have people in place to help them grow and walk with them. I must recruit and train and equip men and women who will lead others.

Lord, I need your help. Faithful men and women seem so hard to find today. Raise them up. Lord, grow me to that next level of leadership.

Now I ask you. What does the next level of growth look like for you?

DAy #303:2 Thessalonians 2:16- 1 timothy 1:4

Paul prayed regularly for the believers in the various churches, and he did not hesitate to ask for their prayers in return. As he prepared to offer final words of advice, he first asked them to pray for him and his coworkers (the Greek word means “keep on praying”).

The focus of Paul’s desire was that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes. The preaching of the Good News would result in honor being given to the Lord because of the marvelous results in the lives of those who believe. The Thessalonians had been an exemplary congregation. Paul wanted them to pray for God’s power to intervene in other places so that many would be saved and God would be glorified through it.

In addition to praying for more converts, Paul asked the believers to also pray that they would be saved from wicked and evil people. As the gospel message advances, it always faces severe opposition. The spiritual battle rages intensely for people’s souls, and Satan does not easily let go of his own. Thus, the apostles needed prayer. If Paul asked for it, how much more should believers today pray for one another as they seek to share the gospel message—whether across the street or across the world. Paul’s enemies were those who did not believe in the gospel message and were actively working against it.

As the missionaries spread God’s message, they understand that spiritual forces were at work—the faithful Lord with them, the evil one against them. They realized that they were not involved in a merely human endeavor. They were on the Lord’s battlefields under his command, with his authority, knowing they would win. Yet they needed his guidance and the constant prayers of believers every step of the way.

Paul’s prayer for these believers was that the Lord would bring them into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ. Wanting the believers to move forward with commitment, Paul asked God to guide the believers as they meditated on God’s love for them and on Christ’s patient endurance. Such inner determination would enable them to face and overcome their difficulties.


Paul then addresses - again - the issue of hard work. Here is the reason for Paul’s hard-hitting words on this topic of laziness. Word had reached Paul in Corinth that some of the believers in Thessalonica were idle, refusing to work and wasting time meddling in other people’s business. So Paul was not the only one concerned about this issue; the believers in Thessalonica had felt it so important that they had notified Paul. Perhaps they had taken Paul’s advice in the first letter but had seen no results, so they wanted him to deal directly with these people.

These church members may have thought that they were being more spiritual by not working, but Paul sternly commanded them to settle down and get to work earning their own living. Paul did not mince words with these people. That Paul made these commands in the name of the Lord Jesus reveals his understanding of his authority as an apostle—even as a personal representative of the Lord himself.

To those hard-working believers, those who were not lazy, Paul told them to never get tired of doing good. Paul repeated his direction regarding this issue: Take note of those who refuse to obey and stay away from them. The hope was that the idle people would become ashamed of their actions and finally become so hungry (when no one would support and feed them) that they would be forced back to work.

Paul was not advising coldness or cruelty, for these people were not enemies. They were misguided and mistaken, but they were not to be thrown out of the church. They needed a good dose of tough love—the kind of love that should be shown to a Christian who needs to be warned.



SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Part of the reason that the Pedlowe Family Creed contains the phrase - WORK HARD - come right from this passage. We are to work hard - have a strong work ethic. And folks, if you don't know it, the ministry is hard work. Prayer is hard work. Doing battle over the lives of others is hard work. Standing toe to toe against evil is hard work.

Would to God that He would raise up an army of believers here at COV who would pour their heart and soul into building God's church and to all we can to reach people for Christ.

Lord, thank you for those you already have raised up. Thank you for Pastor Matt and Matt Mollett ad Clay Bassard. Thank you for men like Julio and Coach Becker and Fermin and Joe and all the students who have worked so hard to remodel the fellowship hall. Lord, you know how much work is out in front of us, how much more work there is still is to do. Lord, raise up men and women who will push the plow with us.

"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV)

DAY #302: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-2:17

Sorry for the delay in posting today's notes/thoughts. Our Internet has been down for hours.

Today's passage once again reminds us that persecution and suffering are unavoidable for those who want to follow the Lord (John 15:20-21). Therefore, the fact that the Thessalonians were being allowed to suffer for their faith, and the fact that in doing so their faith, love, and hope were increasing and strengthening was evidence that God was using this persecution to show his justice. Through suffering, God’s people are strengthened. In suffering, they can remember that they would be made worthy of his Kingdom. Suffering is not a prerequisite to salvation, but suffering and subsequent faithfulness through suffering shows God’s work in believers’ lives and thus their worthiness for his Kingdom.

Paul and his coworkers kept on praying for the Thessalonian believers, just as Paul prayed for all the churches. Although the promise of future glory is sure, believers still have a battle here on earth and the need for constant prayer from fellow believers. What were Paul and his coworkers praying for? The “calling” from God is that his people become like Christ (Romans 8:29). To be worthy of this calling means to want to do what is right and good.

As chapter two begins we see once again the work of false teachers. These false teachers were saying that the judgment day had already begun. Further, they had claimed to have had a vision, a revelation to this event. When Christ didn’t come and when suffering continued, the believers were becoming shaken and troubled. These words picture unsettled minds and a continuing state of anxiety. They certainly wondered if they had somehow missed out or if they were not going to be saved.

Having just painted the picture of a world taken over by evil, Paul next exhorted the believers to stand firm in their faith. Once again, Paul and his companions paused to thank God for what he had done and was continuing to do through the Thessalonian believers. In contrast to people who will rebel against God and face eternal destruction, those who believe have a glorious future.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

1 Peter 2:21 (NIV) reminds us of this - "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

I'm not sure any of us would willingly walk the road of suffering and pain and persecution on our own. Yet, that is the road that God chooses to use to grow us and mature us.

Remember that the next time you question the hand of God when the fat hits the fan. Remember that the next time loneliness and grieving overwhelm you.

All the worry that you're worrying about -- whatever it is -- worry is a control issue. The root behind all of your worry is a fear that you are not in control. Worry is always an attempt to control the uncontrollable. Worry is assuming responsibility God never meant for you to have. Whenever you try to control the uncontrollable (kids, U.S., economy, environment...) you're going to worry. Worry is a warning light. Whenever you start to worry the light should go off: Warning!-- you're trying to control too much. That is the root behind all worry. Every time you start to worry, you're trying to control something that you shouldn't be trying to control in the first place.

Who's in control of your life? God gives you the option. He doesn't force Himself on anybody's life. You have two options -- either you can be in control of your life or you can let God be in control of your life. God doesn't co-pilot. You'd crash and He'd get blamed. God is not going to force it on you, but either you can be in control of your life or you can let Him be in control of your life. He made you. He knows what will make you happy more than you do. He has the power to bring those things to pass. But He's still going to give you the option.

If you are in control of your life you're playing God. Playing God is the root of worry. Every time you start playing God, you're going to worry. When you start trying to control things and make them work... and force yourself to try to control many things that are out of your control then inside there's a little voice that says "Who are you kidding? You know you're not God and you and God know that you don't have it all together." It's an issue of control.

If you're running your own life without God's direction, you ought to be worried. Most of the things in your life you can't control. Then you have every reason to worry.

But if God is running your life and He's your Lord and your Shepherd you know He can control anything so you don't sweat it. I make Jesus the Lord of my life.

Begin Praying About Everything

Pray about all the stuff you usually worry about. Just talk to God. He wants your friendship, your relationship. You don't have time to pray? Do you have time to worry? If we prayed about all the things we worry about we would have an awfully lot less to worry about. Worry doesn't change anything; prayer does. Worry is stewing without doing. Prayer gets in touch with God who can change it. Whenever I'm worried I have two options -- I can panic or I can pray.

Philippians 4:6 says, "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything; tell God your needs... if you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand."

Everything. Don't just pray about religious things. Most people, when they pray, pray prayers they think God wants to hear. Pray about everything. If it's big enough to worry about, it's big enough to pray about. God's ability is greater than your anxiety.

I Peter 5:7 says, "Cast all of your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Cast means to unload, let it go. The Greek word literally means drop. Unload it. Prayer is an incredible stress reliever. All -- whatever you're stressed out about, upset about, irritated about. Cast it all on Him. Dump it on Him. Unload. The problem is, most of us do the casting like we do in fishing. We cast our worries out and then we real them back in. Today, unload you burdens at His feet. God loves you.

DAY #301: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - 2 Thessalonians 1:4

Paul wanted to leave some final instructions to all the believers so that they could continue to build up one another. The last portion of 1 Thessalonians focuses on three parts of life in a local church and how the relationships ought to work—from the pastors and leadership, through the fellowship and responsibilities of the believers, and finally to how they ought to worship. The instructions are as vital to churches today as they were in the first century.

The brothers and sisters in the church needed to show honor to those in leadership in order for everything to function smoothly. The word 'honor' is also translated 'respect.' These leaders in the Lord’s work probably were the elders who held positions of leadership and responsibility. Elders carried great responsibility, and they were expected to be good examples. Because these men work hard among the believers, they deserved to be honored. Paul expressed a similar thought in his letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 5:17).

Leaders are not to be ignored or argued with, they are to be thought of highly and given wholehearted love because of their work. When believers respect their leaders and join them in their work for God’s Kingdom, the church will grow. Of course, it also helps if the leader does not have to spend all his time in dealing with internal conflicts—hence, Paul’s reminder that believers should live peaceably with each other. All are to work together to build the Kingdom and to serve one another.

The best way for this 'peace' to occur is for all believers to serve with their God-given gifts, to let others use their gifts, and then to respect and love one another for what God is doing through them. While the leaders have special responsibility to guide the church, believers are not exempt from their responsibilities to care for one another.

First, they are to warn those who are lazy. The Greek word translated 'lazy' (ataktous) was used for soldiers who would not stay in the ranks. These people had set themselves outside the prescribed pattern for the church—everyone else was working and serving, but they would not. The problem with idle people is that, because they are not busy enough with valuable activities, they usually stir up trouble of one kind or another. These people need to be warned to get back in line and to use their God-given gifts in service for the Kingdom.

Second, they are to encourage those who are timid. The lazy need to be warned, but the timid need to be encouraged. The 'timid' are the fearful people who lack confidence—perhaps in themselves or even in their faith. They have become discouraged or worried, possibly by persecution or by the deaths of their fellow believers. These people need loving instruction from their fellow believers to calm their fears and to build their confidence.

Third, they are to take tender care of those who are weak. The word for 'take tender care' is antechesthe (also translated simply as “help”); it pictures the action of holding on to these people, wrapping arms around them, clinging to them.

Paul did not expect believers to spend all their time on their knees or with their eyes closed when he said they should keep on praying. In fact, he was quite adamant that everyone had work to do. It is possible, however, for believers to have a prayerful attitude at all times. This attitude is built upon acknowledging dependence on God, realizing his presence within, and determining to obey him fully. Then it will be natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, short prayers.

By warning the believers not to 'quench' the Holy Spirit, Paul meant that the believers in Thessalonica should not grieve the Spirit through any of the sins that have been mentioned in this letter—immorality and laziness, for example. This 'putting out the fire of the Spirit' is done through a critical spirit or a habitual sin or though grumbling and complaining. May the work of God never be quenched because of my disobedience or yours.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

I know it's almost sport among some people to fillet our leaders today. And yet, God has a different way for us to go as believers. Over and over again in scripture, we are told to honor those who serve in leadership positions.

"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)

"Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." Hebrews 13:17 (NIV)

As one of those who leads in the church, let me share with you some things I rarely share;

I define myself with clear priorities. I am first and foremost a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ, a born again child of God. I’m also a husband to an awesome wife, and a dad to four wonderful, awesome, great kids. Then I’m a Pastor to a great church. I love all of these realms of life and appreciate the people I’ve come to know in each.

As a Pastor, and I’m sure other church leaders will identify with what I’m about to write, I can say that there is tremendous pressure that few people realize. I don’t talk about it much but felt the need to clear my heart this morning. I hope you’ll appreciate the transparency here.
A congregation of a 400+ people wait for me to speak each week.

Right now, I’m speaking 4-5 times per week. I try not to acknowledge it much, but there is the pressure to be thoroughly studied and prepared to deliver a message with excellence and passion every time up. This is how it should be.

Families count on me to provide counsel. I have couples whose marriages I can’t seem to fix, people in financial need I can’t always provide for, and people dealing with huge questions and struggles for which I can’t always come up with an answer. I love them all and on a week with an intense amount of needs (like this one), I feel emotionally drained and exhausted. This is how it should be. No complaints.

A staff and organization waits on me for vision, direction, and leadership. Multiple ministry leaders need my input about spending money, starting projects, placing volunteers, and taking care of business in general. Tension in relationships is brought to me. I’m the leader, and I gladly accept it all. I love it. It’s how it should be.

All of these folks are not only looking for teaching, wisdom, leadership, and counsel, but for me to live my life as a godly example, walking with Christ. I must keep my walk and my mind clean. I must be prayed up and Spirit-filled. My message on Sunday needs to be the incarnation of my life throughout the week. And yes, this is exactly how it should be. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

But sometimes I want you to know that I’m weak. Sometimes I want you to know I cry at the end of a counseling session when I couldn’t fix a problem. Sometimes I want you to know I get to Saturday night and think of all the people I didn’t get to, that needed serving. I want you to know that sometimes I go home and think I did a pitiful job of presenting the Word. I want you to know I don’t feel capable or adequate sometimes.

Sometimes I just want you to know I’m not always the super-confident and ultra-positive guy I am when my task is to inspire others. I want you to know that while I’m hoping to help everyone else with the issues of their life, I long for God to rid me of this thorn in the flesh I have been given. (ask me about it sometime, in private)

Sometimes I really need somebody to know just how weak I am so that the pressure will be off. And I think thousands of other ministry leaders are probably dying on the inside to say the same thing. But here’s what I want you to know, even more than how weak I am – it’s just how strong God is. Paul did battle with some infirmity, either physical or spiritual, and begged God to just take it away. God’s answer was “no” on at least three different occasions. What did Paul learn from God’s denial?

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (ESV)

When I am weak, God shines. When I am weak, I’m finally available to bring glory to God instead of myself. When I am weak, others see themselves and what God can do in, around, and through a weakling like me. This is definitely how it should be. It’s my calling, and I gladly and humbly accept it.

God has chosen to take “earthen vessels” (okay, cracked pots) and the “base things” of the world to absolutely confound the mighty and to carry His perfect and powerful message. He’s not looking for superstars, but for weaklings… like me.

I’m not complaining. In fact, I haven’t really been through much compared to the apostles and martyrs of history, and especially in comparison with Jesus’ suffering, so I gladly accept this calling and responsibility. I gladly take the pressure for the kingdom’s sake. I just wanted you to know how I feel sometimes, and how much I praise and appreciate God’s strength and power to see me through.I wonder, do you ever feel weak like me? I can tell you all about the One who makes the difference.

DAY #300: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-5:10

Paul switched gears from exhorting the Thessalonian believers about sexual purity to exhorting those who needed to work and not depend on others. A group of believers in the church needed some warning. Believers are to be responsible in all areas of life. Some of the Thessalonian Christians had adopted a life of idleness, depending on others for handouts. The reason for their idleness is unknown. However, because a discussion of the Second Coming follows this section, it can be inferred that these people may have decided to sit around and wait for Christ’s return. They may have genuinely thought they should spend all their time working to bring others into the Kingdom, but they were being a drain on their fellow believers.

The reason for Paul’s warning? He wanted the believers to be involved in honest labor so that people who are not Christians will respect the way the believers lived. He also did not want any believers to need to depend on others to meet their financial needs. Again, Paul had been working for these same reasons. Those who work hard to support themselves are a positive witness, both outside and inside the church. (Ephesians 4:28)

Some have attempted to pinpoint dates or prove how certain present events fulfill prophecy. Jesus made it clear and Paul reiterated, however, that no one knows when Christ will return. It will be unexpected and on God’s timetable. Jesus predicted that, before his return, many believers would be misled by false teachers claiming to have revelations from God (Mark 13:5-6).

According to Scripture, the one clear sign of Christ’s return will be his unmistakable appearance in the clouds. This will be seen by all people (Mark 13:26). In other words, believers do not have to wonder whether a certain person is the Messiah or whether the times in which they live are the “end times.” When Jesus returns, everyone will know beyond a doubt because it will be evident. Beware of groups who claim special knowledge of the last days because no one knows when that time will be.

The comparison of Christ’s coming to a thief pictures it as sudden and unexpected; the comparison of it to a woman’s birth pains pictures that it will be unavoidable. Some who will not be waiting for Christ will think that everything is safe—they will be lulled into a false sense that everything is peaceful and secure (Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11; Ezekiel 13:10; Micah 3:5). However, they will find themselves facing sudden disaster. When Christ returns, that will be the end—there will be no reprieves, no second chances, no escape.

Paul reminds us that the children of the light should be awake and ready when the Lord returns. Paul pictures those who constantly expect the Lord to return at any moment. They are not dallying in sin or falling into temptation, or being waylaid by their own doubts. We also must walk close to God in daily fellowship with him so that, at the Second Coming, we will be ready.

Because unbelievers are people of the “darkness” and of the “night,” their lives are focused on their own pleasures and obsessions, and not on alertness and moral readiness for the coming of Christ.

People who live in the light have a whole different reason to be alive. Life is not all about personal pleasure but about loving and serving God and getting to know him better. The reward for being God’s children is that when he returns, he will take his people to eternal blessing. This means that in this sinful world, the world of “darkness” and “night,” believers have to be different.

Believers will not face the condemnation that their sins deserve. Instead, they will live with God forever because they have put their faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for forgiveness of their sins. The confidence rests secure, whether believers are dead or alive at Christ’s return. Salvation is a certainty because the Christ who is coming is the same Christ who died for sinners.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Be alert. Stay on task. Don't get lulled to sleep. Don't wander off the path that God has set out for us. Those are the the things that I think about when I read this morning.

Galatians 5:7 (NIV) says, "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" I couple that with the passage from today, and my heart mourns for folks who just can't seem to do the basics of the Christian life. Read the word DAILY. Go to church WEEKLY. Be in FELLOWSHIP regularly. Serve, tithe, witness and worship.

We get so preoccupied with our problems and our lives, we forget what the plans and the purposes of God are for us day to day. We get so stressed about money and bills and kids and our future that we forget to live for the One who loves us and gave Himself for us. We allow anger and bitterness to take root in our lives and we can't see past those emotions to live the life of peace and freedom and joy that God has for us.

Lord, today I pray for the people at COV. Walk with them Lord. Remind them Lord. Focus them Lord. Drive them to Your word Lord. Birth within them a desire to fight on and persist and persevere Lord.

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)

DAY #299: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4:8

Lot's of ground to cover today. Paul began this letter of 1 Thessalonians by introducing three men well known to the Thessalonian church. Paul was the head of this missionary team and key writer of this letter. Silas was a prophet (Acts 15:32) who was held in high esteem by the Jerusalem church. Silas accompanied Paul on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:36–17:15) and helped him establish the church in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9).

The young Christian named Timothy joined Paul and Silas during Paul’s second missionary journey. The account in the book of Acts describes the preaching of Paul and Silas in Thessalonica (Acts 17:4).

Paul commended these young Christians for their faithful work, loving deeds, and continual anticipation of Christ’s return. Their work had been produced by faith. The believers were willing to give of themselves (even if it meant hardship) in service to others. Only God’s kind of love could prompt such willing labor. Their anticipation of the Lord’s return helped them to be strong in the face of opposition and difficulty because they know that God sees all and one day will make everything right.

The message of salvation, though welcomed with great joy, brought the Thessalonian believers severe suffering because it led to persecution from both Jews and Gentiles. The Thessalonians had followed the example of the apostles and of the Lord himself, and they, in turn, had become an example to all the Christians in Greece. Paul praised this church (no other church received this particular type of praise) because not only were they model believers to an unbelieving world, but they were also examples to other believers.

Paul and Silas had arrived in a city with no believers. They left a strong church that was alive, growing, standing up to persecution, and becoming an example to believers across the world. Lives had been changed. The Thessalonians knew that Paul and Silas had indeed been treated badly in Philippi, for they ended up in prison. Despite severe suffering for sharing the Good News of Christ, Paul explained that God had given him courage to go on to Thessalonica and declare God’s Good News. Only such supernatural courage could help the men boldly face persecution because the threat of opposition had not been left behind in Philippi.

Once again we see that some accusers had attacked Paul and Silas’s methods and message (Paul refuted the accusations in the previous verses). 2 Timothy 3:12 tells us that anytime one seeks to make a stand for Christ, opposition will come.Therefore, Christians must be vigilant and faithful to Christ in ready anticipation of the accusers attack.

Chapter three begins on that note. Paul had never taught that Christ would make life easy; instead, he had constantly faced persecution for his faith, and he explained that any believer would do likewise. The Thessalonians could attest to this fact—for Paul and Silas had warned them that troubles would soon come. They saw it firsthand as the apostles had been run out of town for preaching the Good News (Acts 17:5-10).

Because persecution had occurred against the apostles—Paul sent Timothy to find out whether their faith was still strong and if they were persevering in the face of difficulty. The words I was afraid focus not so much on fear as on concern that the Tempter (Satan) had gotten the best of them. Paul was concerned that the new and struggling believers might turn away from their faith.

Paul’s certain relief and joy at the good news from Thessalonica was matched by great comfort that they had remained strong in the faith. Paul and Silas had continued to experience crushing troubles and suffering, but this report from Timothy encouraged and inspired them with new life—renewed energy.

The believers had been taught from Paul and his companions to live in a way that pleases God. The apostles had set an example for them of how Christ-like living looks. Evidently, they had learned, for Paul said that they were doing just that; but he wanted them to do so more and more. Living to please God is every Christian’s priority. Knowing Jesus as Savior brings salvation and should prompt every believer to please God. Through obedient believers, God works in the world. Obedience pleases God. Believers cannot claim to know and love God if they do not seek to please him.

God wants you to be holy, just as He is Holy. This refers to the process called “sanctification.” This process continues throughout every believer’s lifetime on earth. God takes the old patterns and behaviors and transforms them to his standards and will. Those who are being sanctified have accepted Christ as Savior and are allowing the Holy Spirit to work in their lives, making them more and more like Christ, which is God's will for man.

Finally, as this portion of scripture closes, we see that God laid down one rule when it comes to sex—sex is for married people (a man and a woman) only. Anyone who refuses to live by this simple rule, who treats sexual sin lightly, is not disobeying human rules because human rules change (witness the change in “sexual rules” in the American culture over the last 50 years). To go with the flow of the surrounding culture and to disregard God’s rules about sexuality are tantamount to rejecting God.

Paul would later write to the believers in Corinth (another sexually immoral city, and incidentally, the city where Paul was at the time he wrote the letter to the Thessalonians): “Run away from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body” (1 Corinthians 6:8).

Sexual sin is a violation of one’s own body. Paul described it as a sin that affects the body like no other, a sin that is against one’s own body, affecting not just the flesh (promiscuous sex can lead to disease), but to the whole being and personality. Sexual sin has disastrous effects. What an enticement it can be for all people, and believers are not exempt. Clearly, other sins also affect the body, such as gluttony or drunkenness, but no other sin has the same effect on the memory, personality, or soul of a person as sexual sin.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, make me more like Christ today. In the words I use and in the attitude I portray. Lord, build a church here at COV, like the one in Thessalonica. A place where people are coming to Christ and growing in Christ. A place where people seek out discipleship and avenues to grow. Build COV into a place where our number one concern is seeing people come to know Christ.

Lord, mature our people. Give them a heart to obey Your word, Your commands and Your decrees. Lord, lay it on our people heart to bring a friend to church this Sunday. Give them boldness and courage.

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise."

Proverbs 11:30 (NIV)

DAY #298: Colossians 4:1-18

Paul reminds us that it is our resposiblity to pray; prayer was their lifeline to God. To devote themselves to prayer meant that they should be persistent and unwilling to give up even though their prayers may seem to go unanswered. Paul’s advice to “keep on praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) has the same meaning. Their devotion to prayer did not mean that they should spend all their time on their knees, but that they should have a prayerful attitude at all times. This attitude would be built upon acknowledging their dependence on God, realizing his presence within them, and determining to obey him fully. Then they would find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, short prayers. A prayerful attitude is not a substitute for regular times of prayer but should be an outgrowth of those times.
Having an alert mind may have been referring to not dozing off, to being alert in their devotion, or to being alert for God’s answers and then thankful when they came. More likely, he was focusing on the anticipation of the Lord’s coming. The Lord could return at any time, so believers should be found alert and waiting.
As Paul had mentioned several times (in 1:3, 12; 2:7; 3:15-17), the believers ought always to be thankful. Thankfulness implies understanding all that God has done and anticipating what he promises.
4:3 The Colossian believers could have a part in Paul’s worldwide ministry by praying for him and his coworkers. Paul requested prayer for opportunities to preach in spite of his imprisonment, so that he could continue to proclaim God’s secret plan—that the message is also for the Gentiles. Although Paul was in chains for preaching the gospel, the chains could not stop the message.
4:4 Paul asked for the ability to proclaim the message clearly. In other words, Paul wanted to be able to “reveal” the mystery so that many could hear and believe. This was his compulsion; he had been called (Acts 9:15; 26:17-20).
4:5 Paul reminded the believers of their responsibility to be wise in the way they acted toward those who are not Christians. Paul was observing that while the Christian fellowship does (and should) make some allowances for the mistakes of its own, the world will not. Christians’ behavior toward unbelievers should be above reproach. The believers were not to hide from the world in a secret organization; instead, they were to live in the world. They were to make the most of every opportunity to share the gospel with unbelievers. Paul was communicating a sense of urgency (see Galatians 6:10; Ephesians 5:15-16).
4:6 The spoken word would be the communication method; therefore, the believers should be wise in how they spoke. Speech that is gracious is kind and courteous. Speech that is effective is interesting (as opposed to dull), invites interaction (as opposed to refusing to listen and discuss), adds “spice” to a discussion (by penetrating to deeper levels), and is pure and wholesome (as opposed to “filthy language,” 3:8). Believers should always be ready to answer questions about their faith and be ready to share words of personal testimony (see also 1 Peter 3:15-16).
No Christian should have a dull, tiresome, know-it-all monologue of his faith. Instead, Christians, who have the most exciting news in the world to share, should be able to share that message with excitement, ability to invoke interest, an understanding of the basics, a willingness to listen and discuss, and a desire to answer everyone’s questions graciously.
Paul’s Final Instructions and Greetings / 4:7-18
Paul often closed his letters by sending personal greetings from himself and others with him to individuals in the church to whom he wrote.
4:7 Tychicus had accompanied Paul to Jerusalem with the collection for the church there (Acts 20:4). He later became one of Paul’s personal representatives. Paul sent him to Ephesus a couple of times (Ephesians 6:21-22; 2 Timothy 4:12), and he sent him to Colosse with this letter for the Colossian church. Tychicus also may have been sent to Crete (Titus 3:12). Tychicus would give the believers news about Paul that Paul did not include in this letter. Paul trusted Tychicus, making good use of his freedom and faithfulness to continue the ministry of the gospel while Paul was imprisoned.
4:8 In spite of the fact that Paul had never been to Colosse, he and the believers there had a bond because of their unity in Christ. This letter, bearing important information needed by the church in Colosse, was entrusted to a brother who would be sure to deliver it and ensure that its contents were understood. Paul also sent Tychicus to tell the believers how he was doing in prison and to encourage them. This personal letter and Paul’s continued faithfulness to spread the gospel in spite of his imprisonment would encourage and strengthen the Colossian believers.
4:9 Onesimus was a native of Colosse. He was a slave who had run away from his master, Philemon (an elder in the church at Colosse), and was saved through Paul in prison. The letter to the Colossians and the letter to Philemon were written at the same time and carried by these men back to Colosse. Paul referred to Onesimus as a much loved brother both here and in Philemon 16. Onesimus would accompany Tychicus and also bring news of Paul’s circumstances. Tychicus probably provided moral support to Onesimus as Onesimus returned to his master in hopes of being restored. He was also returning to the church, not merely as a fellow Colossian, but also as a fellow Christian.
4:10 Aristarchus was from Thessalonica and had accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey. He had been arrested, along with Gaius, during the riot at Ephesus (Acts 19:29). He and Tychicus were with Paul in Greece (Acts 20:4); Aristarchus had traveled to Rome with Paul (Acts 27:2).
Mark (also called John Mark) was not yet well known among the churches, although apparently Barnabas was (see, for example, 1 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 2:1, 9, 13), for Mark is noted as Barnabas’s cousin. Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark (see the Author section there for more information). Apparently Paul wanted the Colossians to know that he had confidence in Mark; instructions concerning Mark had already been conveyed by someone. Apparently Mark was making good efforts to show himself to be an effective and productive worker. In any case, the Colossians were to welcome Mark if he were to arrive at their church.
4:11 Jesus was a common Jewish name, as was the name Justus (which means “righteous”). Apparently Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus were the only ones among Paul’s fellow workers who were Jewish Christians. These men had proven to be a comfort to Paul. Paul had been called as a missionary to the Gentiles, yet he had kept his concern for the lost of his own nation, Israel. Yet Paul’s very mission to the Gentiles had alienated him from many of his fellow Jews; thus, the hard work on behalf of the gospel by these faithful Jewish Christians was especially comforting to Paul.
4:12 Like Onesimus (4:9), Epaphras was from Colosse. He may have been converted in Ephesus under Paul’s teaching, for Paul had stayed in Ephesus for three years, teaching and preaching (Acts 20:31). Epaphras, then, had returned to Colosse, his hometown, where he had founded the church there, and probably the churches in Hierapolis and Laodicea as well (1:7; Acts 19:10). Later, he apparently visited Paul in Rome, perhaps to get the apostle’s advice on dealing with the false teachers. His report to Paul caused Paul to write this letter. Like Paul (1:23) and Tychicus (4:7), Epaphras was a servant of Christ Jesus, who had been responsible for the missionary outreach to these cities.
Epaphras was a hero of the Colossian church, one of the believers who had helped keep the church together despite growing troubles. His earnest prayers for the believers show his deep love and concern for them. Epaphras’s prayers focused on the Colossian believers’ growth in the faith—that they would become strong spiritually (as in 1:28; 2:2; 3:14) and be perfect, fully confident of the whole will of God (filled with everything that is God’s will). We have already been filled with Christ, but we must go on to fulfill what has been given us. Such strength and assurance of faith will help believers of any time period stand against false teaching.
4:13 Epaphras agonized in prayer, not only for the believers in Colosse, but also for those in the other cities in the Lycus Valley. Laodicea was located a few miles northwest of Colosse, also on the Lycus River, and was a stopover along the main road from the East to Ephesus. The city was named for Laodice, queen of Antiochus II. Hierapolis was about five miles north of Laodicea. Epaphras was truly a zealous missionary in this particular portion of the Roman Empire.
4:14 Doctor Luke had spent much time with Paul. He had accompanied Paul on most of the third missionary journey. He also remained beside Paul through this imprisonment, as well as Paul’s final imprisonment (see 2 Timothy 4:11). The good doctor certainly had helped with Paul’s health (especially after the beatings Paul received during his travels, as well as other ailments that plagued Paul in prison). Luke was also a prolific writer, authoring the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Since Paul had explained that the only three Jewish Christians with him were Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus, it has been assumed that Luke was a Gentile or a Greek-speaking Jew. Apparently, Demas was faithful at this time (see also Philemon 24), but later he deserted Paul (2 Timothy 4:10).
4:15 Paul turned his attention from sending everyone else’s greetings to sending his own. He asked that the Colossian church relay his greetings to the church (that is, to the brothers and sisters) in Laodicea (ten miles to the west). This gives an interesting sidelight to church life in the first century—it seems that the churches had fellowship with one another, as the sending of greetings and sharing of letters would indicate (4:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:27). Another sidelight is the picture of believers meeting in private homes. It wasn’t until the middle of the third century that churches began to own property and build public places of worship. So during this time, individual believers opened their homes for worship services. Here Paul greeted those who met in Nympha’s home. In Colosse, the believers met in Philemon’s house (Philemon 2). Lydia opened her home to the believers in Philippi (Acts 16:40). Gaius offered his home to the believers in Corinth (Romans 16:23). Aquila and Priscilla, a husband and wife team, opened their home while they lived in Rome (Romans 16:5) and in Ephesus (1 Corinthians 16:19).
4:16 After this letter had been read to all the believers in Colosse in a worship service, they were to send it on to Laodicea. Apparently the heresy was a problem for that church as well, and they needed Paul’s advice and encouragement. At this time, no New Testament had been assembled—indeed, most of the New Testament books were still being written. So the churches circulated these letters from Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:27), Peter (1 Peter 1:1), James (James 1:1), and other key Christian leaders.
The Colossians, in turn, were to read the letter Paul had written to the church in Laodicea. Most scholars suggest that the letter may have been the book of Ephesians because the letter to the Ephesians was to be circulated to all the churches in Asia Minor. It is also possible that there was a special letter to the Laodiceans, which we do not have.
4:17 Paul’s letter to Philemon is also addressed to Archippus (Philemon 2), where Paul called him a “fellow soldier.” Archippus may have been a Roman soldier who had become a member of the Colossian church, or he may have been Philemon’s son. In any case, Paul called upon the members of the church to encourage Archippus to carry out some work that the Lord gave him. Paul singled out Archippus for making sure his job was completed. Paul saw nothing wrong in challenging believers to attempt more in ministry and to go beyond their current level of achievement.
4:18 Paul usually dictated his letters to a scribe, and he often ended with a short greeting in his own handwriting (see also 1 Corinthians 16:21; Galatians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:17; Philemon 19). This assured the recipients that false teachers were not writing letters in Paul’s name (as apparently had been a problem, see 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 3:17). It also gave the letters a personal touch, especially to this congregation Paul had never visited.
Paul asked that the believers continue to pray for him during his imprisonment (see also 4:3, 10). This reference to his chains also reminded the believers that the letter had been written to them while he was in prison. Paul had been remembering them; he wanted them to remember that he was a prisoner for the gospel’s sake, a gospel he would not stop preaching regardless of his chains. Paul was in prison because he refused to set aside one iota of his faith; he hoped that the Colossian believers would remember that when they encountered the false teachings.
Just as Paul had begun his letter with grace (1:2), so he ended it with the benediction that the believers would continue to experience God’s unmerited favor. Ultimately, God’s grace would strengthen and defend the church.
To understand the letter to the Colossians, we need to realize that the church was facing pressure from a heresy that promised deeper spiritual life through secret knowledge. The false teachers were destroying faith in Christ by undermining Christ’s humanity and divinity. Paul makes it clear in this letter to the Colossian believers that Christ alone is the source of our spiritual life, the Head of the body of believers. Christ is Lord of both the physical and spiritual worlds. The path to deeper spiritual life is not through religious duties, special knowledge, or secrets; it is only through a clear connection with the Lord Jesus Christ. We must never let anything come between us and our Savior.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)

DAY #297: Colossians 3:1-25

Slaves were to obey the commands of their masters, not just when they were being watched and hoping for a reward, but at all times. Paul exhorted these Colossian believers that they should no longer merely work for human approval, they should work hard and well because of their reverent fear of the Lord.

Their ultimate Master was God himself. Paul explained that God wanted the slaves to fulfill their responsibilities in this world even as they looked forward to the next. While neither condemning nor condoning slavery, Paul told masters and slaves how to live together in Christian households. In Paul’s day, women, children, and slaves had few rights. In the church, however, they had freedoms that society denied them. Paul tells husbands, parents, and masters to be caring.

Slaves had a variety of tasks—running errands, caring for or teaching children, cleaning, preparing meals, or doing menial work. Yet Paul gave their jobs a new dignity because these slaves would do their work for the Lord, serving the Lord Christ. Slaves had little, if any, opportunity to get out of slavery, and they received little, if any, monetary compensation for their work. Obviously, they had no inheritance in this world, but Paul reminded the Christian slaves that they would ultimately be rewarded by Christ with their deserved inheritance as children of the true, eternal King.

At the end of this chapter, Paul once again explained that judgment would be coming. Whether master or slave, the wrongdoer will be paid back, and those who do right will receive the inheritance as their reward. At the Judgment, God will judge without partiality. Paul explained the responsibilities of the believers. Both the Christian slave with the harsh and ruthless master and the Christian master with the lazy and untrustworthy slave knew how they were to act as believers. They also knew that God would judge wrongdoing without favoritism.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

I want to encourage each of you to be at the COV workday this morning. Working around the campus is truly a labor of love, as we get the campus ready for friend day on November 1.

The work we do in life should be viewed the same way. Whatever we do - we do it unto the Lord. When that is my motivation, my perspective about work - no matter the work conditions - changes. Lord, draw Your people to COV this morning to do their part at Your church. Bind our hearts and spirits together.

Remind us - day in and day out - that our labor is worship - expressing our love to You.

DAY #296: Colossians 2:1-23

Because Christ had canceled the written code and had disarmed evil powers, believers have been set free from legalistic rules about what they eat or drink or what festivals they observe. Paul was referring to Jewish laws about diet and festival observances, pagan food laws and celebrations.

Paul’s point was that the believers should not give up their freedom for legalism. They must not let anyone condemn them by saying that certain actions would exclude them from God’s people. If the Colossians submitted to any of the regulations imposed by the false teachers, they would be saying that evil powers still held authority over them. They needed to remember that Christ had set them free.

Paul did not condemn the keeping of some Old Testament dietary laws or observing some of the celebrations. Instead, he condemned doing so in order to somehow earn credit with God. The false teachers of the day focused on the outward appaearance - how they looked to others.

Their false humility, revealed by self-abasement and self-denial, came from observances of rituals and regulations that had no bearing on salvation. This sort of humility was self-absorbing and self-gratifying, a kind of pretentious piety.

In addition, these teachers’ false humility said that the people could not approach God directly—he could be approached only through various levels of angels. They taught, therefore, that people had to worship angels in order to eventually reach God. This is unscriptural; the Bible teaches that angels are God’s servants, and it forbids worshiping them.

The false teachers took great pride in what they had seen in visions—most likely these were part of an initiation rite that climaxed in some sort of vision that supposedly revealed great secrets of the universe. While the false teachers may have thought that they had a “corner on God,” their thoughts and actions betrayed a mere human origin. Their desire for attention from others showed that, in reality, they were proud. They were putting their confidence in their visions and rule keeping, and not in Christ.

The fundamental problem with the false teachers was that they were not connected to Christ, the head of the body of believers. If they had been joined to him, they would not have taught false doctrine or lived immorally. Just as a limb that is detached from the body loses life, so these false teachers, detached from the body of Christ and no longer under his headship, had lost the most vital connection.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what i have read today?)

We have great freedom in Christ - no doubt. We are not to be bound by some legalistic set of rules or list of do's and dont's. This is called GRACE.

It's very important that you understand that you live by grace. If you were saved by works then obviously you could loose your salvation because if you stopped working you'd loose your salvation. If you're saved by works, then obviously you could be lost by works. If I'm saved by grace then I have to be unsaved by ungrace. If you're born into a family, how do you be unborn. There is a difference between relationship and fellowship. My children were born into my family. They may disobey me and I may be mad at them and discipline them. The harmony may be broken, the fellowship may be strained. But they will always be my child, no matter what. Because they were born into my family. Once you're born into the family of God, you're born! You cannot be unborn.

But does this give you a license to go out and do whatever you want? This is what Romans 6 is all about! Because we've got grace and we know we cannot loose our salvation do we go out and live it up, now? No! Of course not!

That's why Paul wrote Romans 6. Starting in v. 15 "What then? Shall we sin because we're not under the law? By no means. Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves you are slave to the one whom you obey? Whether you are slaves to sin which leads to death or obedience which leads to righteousness."

Like Bob Dillan says, "You're going to have to serve somebody." It may be the devil, it may be the Lord, but you're going to have to serve somebody. You will be mastered by something in life. Either by sin or by the Lord.

I read a statement by Ray Steadman that I thought was very powerful:

Why does Paul say, "You are not under the Law."? Why does he bring in the Law? He brings in the Law because he's dealing with one of the most basic problems of the Christian struggle, the thing that oftentimes depresses, discourages us more than anything else in life, the sense of condemnation we feel when we sin. The law produces condemnation. The law says that unless you live up to this standard, God will not have anything to do with you.

We have been so ingrained with this that when we sin, even as believers, we think that God is angry and upset with us and that He doesn't care about us. We think that about ourselves. We become discouraged and defeated and depressed. We want to give up. We think, "What's the use? I'll never be able to change!" But Paul says that's not true. You're not under the law. God does not feel that way about you. You are under grace. And God understands your struggled -[Remember it says we have a High Priest who understands the temptations we go through.] He is not upset by it. He is not angry with you.

DAY #295: Colossains 1:1-29

But because Paul did not know the Colossian believers and because he needed to write to them about some specific doctrinal issues, he identified himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus. The word “apostle” means “one who is sent.” Because Paul was not one of the original twelve disciples (who were called apostles after Jesus’ resurrection), some doubted his credentials; yet Jesus had appeared to Paul personally and had commissioned him (Acts 9:1-6; 26:12-18).

The Colossians needed to be filled with spiritual wisdom and knowledge, leaving no room for any other type of false “knowledge” advocated by Gnostic heretics. Wisdom and understanding refer to discretion and discernment. When believers possess those, they will be able to discern the truth from false teaching.

Paul exhorted these Colossian believers to live always to honor and please the Lord. Their behavior should match their status as God’s holy people. They ought to be following God closely—their lives being transformed to Christlikeness. A Christian must be active in order to grow spiritually and to live worthy of the Lord.

Paul continued his prayer for the believers, asking God that they be strengthened with his glorious power. Paul wanted the Colossian believers to be strengthened with God’s power so they would not be pulled away from their faith and their witness to the world.

The evil of false teaching was all around them. Paul wanted these Colossians to stand firm against this evil. This power of God that he was praying for them to live by would give them all the patience and endurance they would need. Patience is the ability to stand firm against opposition without giving up; it is often used in describing one’s dealings with difficult people. Endurance is the ability to continue toward a goal regardless of the obstacles.

Jesus referred to the kingdom of darkness at his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:53), describing the forces of evil that he had to combat in his final hours. In Scripture, “darkness” is a metaphor for evil; it is the dominion of those who are without God. True believers, however, have been transferred from darkness to light, from slavery to freedom, from guilt to forgiveness, and from the power of Satan to the power of God. We have been rescued from a rebel kingdom to serve the true King.

The false teachers had been arguing that God would not have come to earth as a true human being in bodily form. Paul stated that Christ is the image—the exact likeness—of God and is himself God, and yet he died on the cross as a human being. Theses false teachers believed that God did not create the world because he would not have created evil. Paul proclaimed that Jesus Christ, who was also God in the flesh, participated in the creation of the universe.

They said that Christ was not the unique Son of God but rather one of many intermediaries between God and people. Paul explained that Christ existed before anything else and is the firstborn of those resurrected. The false teachers refused to see Christ as the source of salvation, insisting that people could find God only through special and secret knowledge. In contrast Paul openly proclaimed the way of salvation to be through Christ alone. Paul continued to bring the argument back to Christ. Sounds like so many false religions today. The Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Christian Sciencetologists and on on on. What do they all have in common? They lower the Deity of Jesus.

Make no doubt about it. Anyone who lowers the Deity of Jesus is doing the work of Satan, the great deceiver. Satan's goal has always been to lead people astray. False religions get close to Christianity in many ways, but in the essentials, they all come up short - proclaiming another way to eternal life than through Christ and Christ alone.





SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

How can you spot a cult or false religion? Three ways. You need to ask three questions.

Question#1. Who is the HERO of their faith? Christianity says Jesus. Not Mary. John 8:58 says, "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am! " In John 14:6, Jesus says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No man gets to the Father in Heaven but my me."

Islam = Muhammad, 622 BC, prophet, vision from angel, preached to Mecca and Medina

Buddhism = Siddatha Gautama, 525 BC, monk who reached enlightenment, “I am Buddha”- the enlightened one

Mormonism = Joseph Smith, 1820 God appeared to him, no church correct, God appointed him to restore the true church, an angel showed gold plated tablets, translated into Book Mormon

Jehovah’s Witnesses = Charles Taze Russell; late 1800s, early 1900s; studied Bible and Egyptian pyramids, Watchtower Society.

Question #2: What writings do they HOLD onto? Christianity holds onto the Bible. We believe it is God's very own words to us. God breathed these words and they are inerrant and infallible. (meaning without error and without fault)

Islam = Koran (vision to Muhammad)

Buddhism = Bible per say, teachings of Buddha and followers of Buddha
Mormonism = Book of Mormon (2200 changes), their version of the Bible, Doctrines and Covenants, Pearl of Great Faith, Doctrine of Living Prophet (1843-1890 polygamy; 1978 African-Americans)

Jehovah’s Witnesses = Bible as translated by Watchtower Society.

Question #3: How do they get to HEAVEN?

Islam = faith in Allah (“there is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet”), prayer: 5 times daily, giving alms, pilgrimage, die for Allah, leave all decisions up to Allah.

Buddhism = Eight fold path: right view of noble truths, right thought, right speech, right actions, right living (reincarnation), right effort, right thinking, right meditation = reincarnation = nirvana, enlightenment.

Mormonism = Faith in Joseph Smith, faith in God, , adherence to Book Mormon, good works.

Jehovah’s Witnesses = Faith in Jehovah, faith that Christ died for Adam’s sins, be one of 144,00 by good works (over 4 million world-wide).

Christianity = Faith in Christ and Christ alone.. Romans 10:9,10. Acts 4:12.

Galatians 2:16 says, "We know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified."

John 10:7-9 says, "Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture."

Galatians 1:8 says, "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!"

Matthew 7:15 says, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."

Matthew 7:13-14 says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

DAY #294: Philippians 4:1-23

I love what Paul says as chapter four begins - he urges the Philippian believers to “stay true to the Lord.” In order to stay true against false teaching, divisiveness, and persecution, the believers needed to develop certain attitudes in their lives.

Paul not only warned the Philippian church of doctrinal errors, he also addressed some relational problems. Two women, Euodia and Syntyche, had been workers for Christ in the church—deacons. Their broken relationship was no small matter: Many had become believers through their efforts, but their quarrel was causing dissension in the church.

We do not know the reason for the disagreement, but Paul pled with them to settle it. He expected them to work it out themselves. The unity of the church was to be their highest concern.

At Philippi, women were the first to hear the gospel, and Lydia was the first convert. Those who were among the first to understand the gospel would be asked to teach. Thus, Euodia and Syntyche were to take an active part in teaching. Their quarrel was highly visible and threatened to disrupt the unity of the church.

After this warning, Paul returned to writing to the church at large: Be full of joy . . . rejoice! It seems strange that a man in prison would be telling a church to keep on rejoicing. But Paul’s attitude teaches us an important lesson: Our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him. While believers often will encounter situations in which they cannot be happy, they can always rejoice and delight in the Lord.

If the Philippians would take to heart Paul’s words in, then they will turn from anxiety to prayer and be filled with God’s peace. This peace is different from the world’s peace. It is peace that Jesus promised his disciples and all those who would follow him. True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings; it comes from knowing that God is in control.

God’s peace is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. Such peace cannot be self-generated; it comes from God alone; it is his gift to us in a difficult world.

Though Paul never asked for money for himself, he accepted the Philippians’ gift because they gave it willingly and because he was in need. In 1 Corinthians 9:11-18, Paul wrote that he didn’t accept gifts from the Corinthian church because he didn’t want to be accused of preaching only to get money. But Paul maintained that it was a church’s responsibility to support God’s ministers (1 Corinthians 9:14).

In this passage, we learn that Paul had learned an important secret to the Christian life—that he could get along happily with whatever he had, whether much or little. Paul had learned this—such contentment is not a natural human response. Paul explained that his sufficiency was in Christ alone, who provides strength to cope with all circumstances. Oh Lord, would you teach that to all of us.

How do we get to that lofty goal of contentment? It is important for believers to realize that biblical “contentment” is not fatalism or acquiescence to one’s lot in life. Such thinking would smother God’s ongoing guidance. Rather, contentment involves one’s perspective on life. To have real contentment, remember that everything belongs to God and what we have is a gift from him. Be thankful for what we have, not coveting what others have. Ask for wisdom to use wisely what we do have. Pray for grace to let go of the desire for what we don’t have. Trust in God to meet our needs.

Paul described the Philippians’ gift as a sweet-smelling sacrifice. Their very gifts were acts of worship, and God was the true recipient. They had given in faith, not so much to Paul as to God. That should be the ultimate goal of every act of love, care, concern, and charity—to help, but also to please God. The same God who had taken care of Paul would also supply all their needs.

In many ways the Philippian church was a model congregation. It was made up of many different kinds of people who were learning to work together. Paul recognized, however, that problems could arise, so in this thank-you letter, he prepared the Philippians for potential difficulties they might encounter. Though a prisoner in Rome, Paul had learned the true secret of joy and peace—imitating Christ and serving others. By focusing our minds on Christ we will learn unity, humility, joy, and peace. We will also be motivated to live for him.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Would to God that our faith would be strong enough and great enough and big enough to TRUST God to meet our needs. Would to God that we would let God grow using this area of our lives.

Luke 6:38 (MB) says, “Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”

Do you know what the word BLESSING means? To be on the receiving end of the tangible and intangible favor of God. The essence of God is that He is generous. He wants us to be God-hearted, generous people of faith.

Let me just mention finances for a moment. Folks, if we want God to multiply our finances – if we want him to make stuff last longer – if we want him to make the investment of our life impact many people and not just a few, we have to learn this truth. We have to be generous people of faith.

When we bring him our highest and our finest FIRST, He blesses it and multiplies it. Listen to Romans 11:16 (NKJV). “For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.”

When you bring to the Lord your life, your money, your family, your work – whatever – when you bring it to HIM first, he blesses it and then multiplies it. Unless you bring him your tithe first, he can’t bless the rest of your fiances. He can’t multiply them. Unless you bring him your time first, he can’t make the rest of your time stretch. Do you see it? Unless you bring God you Family and your marriage first, he can't work like He wants to.

Lord, work in the hearts of the people of COV. Grow them and mature them into generous people of faith.

DAY #293: Philippians 3:1-21

The tone of Paul’s letter to the Philippians is joyous—and as he prepared his final words to them, he exhorted them to let the Lord give them joy. In this short epistle, a form of the word joy occurs twelve times. What is true joy? Inward joy comes from knowing and trusting God; happiness comes as a result of pleasant circumstances. Inward joy is lasting; we can feel joy in spite of our deepest troubles; happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances.

Paul was able to rejoice in spite of his suffering because he knew and trusted God. He did not let his circumstances discourage him.

Paul’s goal was to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ had in mind for him. This goal absorbed all his energy. This provides a helpful example. We should not let anything take our eyes off our goal—knowing Christ. With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training, we must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians. What is holding you back?

Paul saw the Christian life as a process. While believers are considered righteous when they accept salvation, their entire lives are marked by growth toward Christlikeness. Complete perfection will not be obtained until Christ’s second coming, when he will take his people with him. While Paul may have seemed like a nearly perfect Christian to his Philippian friends, he emphasized that he had not achieved perfect knowledge of Christ, the power of his resurrection, or the sharing of his suffering and death.

All of these were part of the process of sanctification—of working toward that day when we can be all that Christ Jesus saved us to be and wants us to be.

As a runner straining toward the finish line, Paul pressed on to reach the end of the race and receive the prize. While Paul didn’t identify the prize, it seems from his writing that the prize refers to gaining a full knowledge of Jesus Christ . Paul aimed to win the prize. May that be the goal of our life as well.

Paul used two key words for discipleship: pattern and example. Paul challenged the Philippians to pursue Christlikeness by following Paul’s own example and the examples of others whose lives were based on his. This was not egotism on Paul’s part, for Paul always focused on Jesus Christ and urged the believers to also follow the example of others who followed Christ. They should not follow false teachers or the enemies of the cross.

Instead, as Paul focused his life on being like Christ, so should they. The Gospels may not yet have been in circulation, so Paul could not tell them to read the Bible to see what Christ was like. Therefore he urged them to imitate him as a practical guide for conduct. That Paul could tell people to follow his example is a testimony to his character. Can you do the same? What kind of follower would a new Christian become if he or she imitated you?


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Once again, I am blown away by the all-out commitment of Paul. Man I want that to be one of the trade marks of my life. Would to God that this would be the heart of the people of COV - all out - sold out - wholehearted in their love of God and their desire to live for Him.

God, raise up those people at COV. Draw them to Your word. Drive them to their knees in prayer. Grow them. Mature them. Inspire them and walk with them. Give them a heart for those who don't know you. Give them a heart to serve. Lord, day by day, make them more like Your Son Jesus.

Lord, walk with the parents of our church. Lord, use them to be the role models of faith and passion for their children. May their kids see in them a love for You that is greater than any love they have for anything or anyone else.

Lord, help me be the hands and feet of Christ today - to everyone I encounter. AMEN.

DAY #292: Philippians 2:1-30

Every believer has received encouragement, exhortation, and comfort from Christ. That common experience ought to unite the Philippians. The Philippian believers had comfort from his love. The common experience of Christ’s love should unite them. In turn, their common love for Christ should cause them to love one another.

Because of their common experience in Christ and their common fellowship with the Holy Spirit, they should be agreeing wholeheartedly with each other. This does not mean that the believers have to agree on everything; instead, each believer should have the mind (or attitude) of Christ, which Paul describes at length in.

As they stand firm in the Spirit, they overcome small differences and work forcefully toward one purpose—a common goal. The church’s goal was to spread the gospel. A unified church is a formidable fortress against any enemy. While selfish ambition and conceit can ruin unity, genuine humility can build it.

And like in all other things, Christ set the example for us. Christ voluntarily gave of himself, making himself nothing. The Incarnation was the act of the preexistent Son of God voluntarily assuming a human body and human nature. He did not give up his deity to become human. Yet upon his birth as a human being, he took the humble position of a slave.

He died a criminal’s death, but he was not a criminal. He took on that humiliation so that we might be saved. He died by the worst possible torture—death by crucifixion. Death on a cross was the form of capital punishment that Romans used for notorious criminals. It was excruciatingly painful and humiliating.

Because Christ willingly set aside his glory to totally obey the Father’s will, God raised him up to the heights of heaven. That Jesus’ name is above every other name refers not to Jesus’ title, but instead to his name that signifies his person. In keeping with Jesus’ exaltation and power, one day every knee will bow before him. Every tongue will confess the basic truth of Christianity: Jesus Christ is Lord. This does not mean that eventually everyone will be saved. Every tongue in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will recognize Jesus as Lord, either because of belief or because of mere acknowledgment of the undisputable fact. No tongue will be silent; no knee will remain unbowed. All of creation will recognize Jesus Christ as Lord.

Paul had advice for how they could go about acting out their faith—they should stay away from complaining and arguing. Complaining and arguing are completely opposite to Christ’s attitude, which believers are to emulate. They also give people a bad impression of the church, and no one should be able to speak a word of blame against the believers.

If all that people know about a church is that its members constantly argue, complain, and gossip, they get a bad impression of Christ and the gospel. Unbelievers then feel justified in criticizing the Christians. Probably more churches have split from causes related to arguing and complaining than from heresy.


SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Lord, protect our people and protect our church from arguing, complaining and grumbling. Lord, severely rebuke anybody who would seek to break the unity of Your church.

Lord, teach our people, grow our people, mature our people, so that we will be sold out to Christ and the things of Christ and the purposes of Christ.

Continue to pour out Your Holy Spirit at COV. Draw people and reach people and change people. Lord, give us the same attitude that Jesus had.

DAY #291: Philippians 1:1-30

Paul had arrived in Rome around a.d. 59 and had spent two years under house arrest. The letter to the Philippians was probably written toward the end of Paul’s imprisonment there, in a.d. 61.

Every time Paul thought about the Philippians, he gave thanks to God for them. The Philippian church had brought Paul much joy and little pain. Some of the churches had developed severe problems, and Paul’s letters had focused on dealing with the problems. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, while mentioning some concerns and giving some advice, could be considered a beautiful thank-you note for their unwavering commitment to Christ.

These believers held a special place in Paul’s heart. As Paul sat imprisoned in Rome, he knew that the Philippians suffered as well because of their deep concern and love for him. Paul knew that the church was constantly praying on his behalf, and he on theirs.

Paul prayed that the Philippians would be pure. The Philippians’ transformation should be so thorough that the resulting purity could pass the toughest scrutiny—the light of God’s judgment.

Paul also prayed that they would be blameless. The Greek word also means “not causing others to stumble.” Believers ought to be blameless with God and with people.

Finally, Paul prayed that the believers would be filled with the fruit of their salvation—that “fruit” being all of the character traits flowing from a right relationship with God.

To those who don’t believe in God, life on earth is all there is, and so it is natural for them to strive for this world’s values—money, popularity, power, pleasure, and prestige. For Paul, however, living was for Christ—Paul’s life focus was to develop eternal values and to tell others about Christ, who alone could help them see life from an eternal perspective.

With that attitude, dying would not be a tragedy but, instead, a realization of Paul’s hope and expectation. To live would continue Paul’s ministry of spreading the gospel; to die would be even better because Paul’s martyrdom would glorify Christ and bring him face to face with the Savior.

While Paul felt confident that God still had work for him on earth, he did not know for sure the outcome of his trial. So he urged the Philippians that whether he would return to them or whether he would be martyred, they would live in a manner worthy of the Good News. Paul called them citizens of heaven, and said they should live that way.

Being a believer is indeed a high calling. To live worthy of the Good News does not mean that one must live perfectly before being accepted into God’s family—for such a life is impossible outside of the Holy Spirit’s help. Instead, believers ought to live differently because of the grace they have received. When we believe, we become God’s children, heirs of his promises, and members of Christ’s body. And this privilege was bought at a price—the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Believers ought to reflect humility, gentleness, patience, understanding, peacefulness, strength, endurance, and gratitude to God in every aspect of their lives on earth.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

Divorce, kids gone wild, unemployment, some personal moral failure – doesn’t life just kick the joy right out of you sometimes? Aren’t there times when you feel like, “I’d like to feel some joy? I’d like to have the confidence that God will take care of me, but there’s this doctor bill, this broken relationship, this thing or that thing and I can’t ever seem to turn the corner”

In Philippians Paul is saying, “Do you want to live a life of joy? Here’s how. Are you missing out on joy in your life as a believer? Here’s why.” Here’s the answers that you and I need.

So we’re on the same page, let me share with you Webster’s definition of Joy. The emotion evoked by well-being, success, or by good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.

Now, there are some truths in that definition. It’s a definition that goes along a lot with what the Bible says joy is. There is an emotion that goes along with joy. We’ve all felt it. And joy does come in our lives when we have the prospect of possessing what we desire. No doubt about it.

But I would submit this to you today – even when you possess that which you desire, joy runs out so many times. Joy seems so fleeting. What's the answer? Folks, the secret to joy is changing your desires, recognizing a new desire for God's things to come into our lives. Let me share with you now what God’s perspective on joy is.

Joy is God using our imperfect circumstances to work His perfect will into our lives. Me knowing that, seeing that, recognizing that – that’s what overwhelms my life with joy.

Psalm 19:8 says, “The precepts of the Lord are right. They give joy to the heart. And the commands of the Lord are radiant. They give light to the eyes.” You know what that verse is saying? God's principles – found in the Bible - result in joy.

I was sitting in a worship service like this 25+ years ago – I was kind of bummed about life. Sharon and I were young, married just a few years. Finances were tight, we were both working full time, both going to college full time, both working in the ministry full time. Sharon was playing college on the college tennis team and I was coaching high school football. we were tired & worn out.

To be honest, I was a little disillusioned by life. I was wondering where God was and in this worship service I heard our pastor give his own personal definition of Joy – Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last. It was like the light bulb went off in my head. God was saying to me - " Pedlowe, get your focus of your stress and off your busy schedule and off your lack of finances and get your focus on Me and get your focus on others. When you do that, watch how I flood your life with joy."

Let me ask you, as you read a book like Philippians, it’s filled with so much joy where do you think Paul was when he wrote this book of the Bible? Maybe he was on some beach back in Hawaii or something. Wouldn’t that be great just to be setting there on the beach watching the waves? But he wasn’t there.

Or maybe he was up in the mountains somewhere. He’s just sort of hanging out up in the mountains watching what God has made. Wouldn’t it be great to have this incredible view as you were thinking about what God has made? Maybe he was out on the golf course. Maybe the real expressions of joy came in when he made a hole in one. Maybe that’s where that verse came from.

It wasn’t a beach that he wrote from. It wasn’t the mountains that he wrote from and it wasn’t a golf course that he wrote from. Paul wrote this book, the most amazing book about joy, from a prison in Rome. He was behind prison bars. In the history of the Bible and also in the early church reveals to us that it was a lonely time in his life when many people abandoned him. How does that feel? When many people came up against him even at this difficult time in his life.

The prison’s back then were horrible, terrible places. They looked like caves. And from this circumstance the Holy Spirit uses the Apostle Paul to write a book about genuine joy. He’s got the right to say something about it. Joy in spite of and even through the circumstances in our lives.

He starts the letter with a talk about how to find joy in any relationship. Philippians 1. You might be thinking of that one relationship in your life that constantly steals joy. How do you find joy there? God through Paul has a message for us - a very simple message.

BE THANKFUL FOR THE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE.

Paul writes and says “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

If you go read in the book of Acts you can read about the first day in Philippi when the church started. So we know some of the people that Paul was thanking God for. Paul was thanking God for a jailer who almost took his life. Remember the story. Paul was in the prison and he prayed and God set Paul free and the jailer thought “I’m going to be killed. I may as well kill myself.” And Paul stopped him. He and all his household were saved and baptized. Paul said, “I thank God for that jailer.” He was the guy who imprisoned me but he came to Christ.

You know also that Paul was thanking God for a woman who was possessed by a demon, who early in the church at Philippi was saved and God released her from that possession.

You know also that Paul was thanking God for a woman by the name of Lydia, a businesswoman. She used her house to start the church at Philippi. Paul thought back about the people that God had used in that church and thought, “I want to thank God for those people and what they’ve done.”

When was the last time you thanked God for another person? When was the last time you had a conscious thought, “I really thank God for that person.”? That’s one of the secrets to joy. If you start leaving that out of your life, the joy is gone. One of the real secrets to magnifying joy for me and for you both is thanking God for other people. And yet that’s tough to do. Sometimes we get so focused in on ourselves.

1 Thessalonians 3:9 (NIV) says, “How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?” Would you pause for a moment this morning and thank God for some of the people in your life today?