Thoughts on 1 Timothy 5-6:2

A timely reminder.

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭1-2‬ ESV)

Somehow, since I’m a bit/lot older now, I would sometimes assume that I could just rebuke (with love, of course) older brothers in the faith with straight to the point, guns blazing, honesty. Anyway we’re all adults – and mature believers – aren’t we?

What a reminder from God that with older men I should encourage rather than rebuke. I agree – that’s a much better approach!

The rest talks about treating members of the Church as one would with his own family. This would be troublesome for some people, particularly those with “different” family dynamics.

I wonder though, different family dynamics aside, do we all have the same basic idea of how we should treat fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters? Is the image of the ideal family something God has impressed in every person or is that something we pick up based on culture or environment? Both?

Paul then goes on about widows – with much detail. But the general theme for me, I believe, is this: the Church should care for one another, but this should not be an excuse for some to be lazy. Take care of yourself as much as you can, take care of your family as much a you can. Desire to be a blessing to the Church, not to be a burden.

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ESV)

Preaching and teaching is (hard) labor. A lot of prayer and preparation, and spiritual battles, happen before a message is given. We should honor those who have devoted time and energy into seeking God’s message and delivering them to the Church. 

And for employees such as myself:

Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭1-2‬ ESV)

Thoughts on Joel 2 (part 2)

How terrible it is to be an enemy of God.

As we have learned in the beginning of this chapter, God’s army is powerful and fearsome, even the earth and the heavens tremble. 

But we don’t have to be on the opposing side. We can be on God’s side. 

The zeal He has for those who are against Him, is the same zeal He has for those who belong to Him – maybe even more.

He provides for our physical needs that we are satisfied. He uplifts us that we are no longer ridiculed. He removes those who attack us. He blesses the land and its products. He restores – even if the reason for the loss is because of our pride and disobedience. Grace. 

“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame. (‭Joel‬ ‭2‬:‭26-27‬ ESV)

It’s a “no-brainer” decision: Choose to be in God’s side. 

Thoughts on Numbers 24

God gave specific landmarks regarding the borders of the promised land.

This was interesting for me because God could have easily said – every land you step on is mine (God’s), so hey, as my people, every land is also yours. But no, God said, this area right here is your land – it’s a great land – and it goes from here to here to here. And you have to divide it fairly among yourselves.

I think God knows that people need boundaries because our finite minds get overwhelmed without it. l know from experience that young children need guidelines otherwise they get stressed. Same with adults too.

When God gives, he gives the right amount. Not more, not less, but definitely more than we deserve. 

The second part of the chapter is again a lesson on leadership and management – Moses can’t lead the entire nation on his own, he needs leaders from every tribe to lead.

Thoughts on Psalm 148

All Creation will praise its Creator. All that were commanded into existence, into being, will praise the Commander.

Literally everything recognizes the sovereignty  and strength of God the Creator. Except men -we seem to be oblivious to this reality most of the time. 
I will try to remember this, the next time I look up to the sky – see the sun, moon and stars, and around – mountains, oceans, trees, animals big and small, and experience the wind and rain.

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. (‭Psalm‬ ‭148‬:‭13‬ ESV)

Thoughts on 1 Timothy 4

1 Timothy 4:12 will always hold a special place in my heart as the verse that guided me during my days as a young Christian.

I’m definitely not that young anymore (though still young-ish), but today God allowed me to read this passage with new eyes and a perspective relevant to where I am now in my Christian journey.

Timothy was young, yes, but he was also a young leader of his church. Younger compared to the apostles, younger compared to many in his congregation. He must have felt a lot pressure, and had a lot of questions on how to proceed.

Paul, a good mentor, guides him. He gives him a preview of the challenges that will come and how to deal with them.

The key message I believe is discipline strengthened through training and perseverance. 

• [Train] in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine you have followed
• Train yourself for godliness 
• [Till the end], we toil and strive
• Command and teach these things
• Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching
• Do not neglect the gift you have
• Practice these things
• Immerse yourself in them
• Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching 
• Persist in this

In the end, what is this all for? 

By so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭16b‬ ESV)
Not that spiritual disciplines in itself will save us (we are saved by grace alone, through faith in Jesus), and not saying that us being spiritual will automatically save our hearers (they have to make their own decision to follow Christ).

A Christian’s spiritual discipline is of great importance to his testimony and is of great influence to his hearers.