Title: Working for the Boss Man
Scripture:
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Observation:
I don’t know if this verse haunts me or encourages me. I can’t say that I “do my best” every day for God. There are some days I do… but, others, not so much.
Paul laid out several examples to Timothy about keeping his faith strong. He used a soldier, an athlete, and then in this passage a workman.
This workman is filled with integrity and has nothing to hide because he has handled his work (the word) correctly. The result: he is approved by the boss, God!
Application:
How am I doing handling God’s Word? Would I be ashamed if I was judged by my boss today?
Each day I get to remind myself that my God is watching, my God is involved, and He has entrusted me to do His will, particularly with God’s Word.
What a privilege and an honor to work for the King of Kings, Creator of All, the inventor of Love… wow.
Today, I will strive to live a life pleasing to Him.
Prayer:
Father, help me.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 by Bob
TITLE: False Hope
SCRIPTURE: 1 Tim 6:9, People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
OBSERVATION: In his first letter to Timothy, Paul instructs him to teach and command his church members to beware of the temptation and potential destruction of seeking worldly wealth. Over the years of ministry Paul had witnessed many people, and some Christians who had succumbed to the lure and power of money only to find themselves in moral and emotional ruin as a result.
APPLICATION: Many Christians have used this verse to provide evidence that wealth is inherently evil and that we should stay away from it. But that was not Paul’s intent at all. It wasn’t the wealth in itself that is sinful, but the hope that we place on our wealth. In other words, if we are blessed with material or personal wealth, but don’t become arrogant or misguided about the importance of our wealth, then we can actually be fruitful in helping to build God’s kingdom with these assets. In the other hand, if we make our wealth the center of our hope and reliance, then greed will gradually erode our hearts and draw us away from the things of God.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, teach me to view and value your material blessings with the right attitude and heart. Never let ‘things’ take center-stage in my life, instead help me to keep focused on your kingdom, and to be more concerned about building an eternal treasure then a temporal treasure that will erode with time.
SCRIPTURE: 1 Tim 6:9, People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
OBSERVATION: In his first letter to Timothy, Paul instructs him to teach and command his church members to beware of the temptation and potential destruction of seeking worldly wealth. Over the years of ministry Paul had witnessed many people, and some Christians who had succumbed to the lure and power of money only to find themselves in moral and emotional ruin as a result.
APPLICATION: Many Christians have used this verse to provide evidence that wealth is inherently evil and that we should stay away from it. But that was not Paul’s intent at all. It wasn’t the wealth in itself that is sinful, but the hope that we place on our wealth. In other words, if we are blessed with material or personal wealth, but don’t become arrogant or misguided about the importance of our wealth, then we can actually be fruitful in helping to build God’s kingdom with these assets. In the other hand, if we make our wealth the center of our hope and reliance, then greed will gradually erode our hearts and draw us away from the things of God.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, teach me to view and value your material blessings with the right attitude and heart. Never let ‘things’ take center-stage in my life, instead help me to keep focused on your kingdom, and to be more concerned about building an eternal treasure then a temporal treasure that will erode with time.
Monday, June 23rd, 2008 by Randy
TITLE:
“Oh be careful little ears what you hear.”
SCRIPTURE:
He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father's death they became his advisers, to his undoing. 2 Chronicles 22:4 (NIV)
OBSERVATION:
No one would argue that advice is a good thing. Over and over the Bible says to seek the counsel of others. In Proverbs 15:22 it says, “Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.” But the key word with that instruction is “good” counsel. Advice is only as good as its source. In today’s reading, we find that King Ahaziah had plenty advisers around him. They led him to “his undoing.” Ahaziah probably thought these advisers were trustworthy and insightful. After all, no one willingly takes bad advice. How wrong he was! The Bible warns us to "test everything.... Hold on to what is good" ( 1Th 5:21 ). We should always check out what people say with what the Bible says. We are on dangerous ground if we accept counsel without checking it out first!!
APPLICATION:
As a kid we used to sing a song that had this line in it, “Oh be careful little ears what you hear.” I think we all need to heed this advice. Don’t make life decisions or assumptions just because you “hear it” from someone. Be careful! Check it out! This past month God has reminded me about the importance of wise and godly counsel. I have made a commitment to never make a major decision without it. The fact is, there is lots of lousy advice givers out there. Everyone has an opinion. However, I need to always look to God’s word and verify the truth by God’s standards and not my own.
PRAYER:
Father, thanks again for teaching me the importance to watch the words of others. Help me to be discerning and careful to whom I listen to. I want to hear from you and want your best. Please give me your guidance and wisdom, even this week, I seek to serve You. AMEN.
“Oh be careful little ears what you hear.”
SCRIPTURE:
He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for after his father's death they became his advisers, to his undoing. 2 Chronicles 22:4 (NIV)
OBSERVATION:
No one would argue that advice is a good thing. Over and over the Bible says to seek the counsel of others. In Proverbs 15:22 it says, “Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.” But the key word with that instruction is “good” counsel. Advice is only as good as its source. In today’s reading, we find that King Ahaziah had plenty advisers around him. They led him to “his undoing.” Ahaziah probably thought these advisers were trustworthy and insightful. After all, no one willingly takes bad advice. How wrong he was! The Bible warns us to "test everything.... Hold on to what is good" ( 1Th 5:21 ). We should always check out what people say with what the Bible says. We are on dangerous ground if we accept counsel without checking it out first!!
APPLICATION:
As a kid we used to sing a song that had this line in it, “Oh be careful little ears what you hear.” I think we all need to heed this advice. Don’t make life decisions or assumptions just because you “hear it” from someone. Be careful! Check it out! This past month God has reminded me about the importance of wise and godly counsel. I have made a commitment to never make a major decision without it. The fact is, there is lots of lousy advice givers out there. Everyone has an opinion. However, I need to always look to God’s word and verify the truth by God’s standards and not my own.
PRAYER:
Father, thanks again for teaching me the importance to watch the words of others. Help me to be discerning and careful to whom I listen to. I want to hear from you and want your best. Please give me your guidance and wisdom, even this week, I seek to serve You. AMEN.
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