Issue 24 - Day 5

1 Timothy 5

1 Timothy 5:11-13
11)  But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;
12)  Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
13)  And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

First, some context. The early church took over the role that families provided, being a wider family. Unfortunately, this led to many families offloading their elderly folk on the church. In the culture of the times if your husband died, unless you had sufficient savings, you had to be looked after by your family, or you would be out on the street. Consequently the church began to look after those with no family, but some families took advantage in the same way as some take from the welfare system when there is no need. Regarding younger women in this situation Paul basically said, don’t worry, they will marry again soon and their new husband will take care of them.

The result of being given free welfare was disastrous. They got lazy, started circulating as gossips, and forgot their faith. Paul was not saying these women were inherently tarts. No, they first took advantage of the church, and as a result had forgotten that the church is here to worship God not as a welfare system. So they also forgot God.
We often let things slip in small things first. Usually daily readings are the first to slip. “I’ll do it tomorrow!” However, let slip in one area, and before you know it you will be walking away from God. Turn back, he is waiting. More importantly, be on guard against the little things. Stay strong in the Word.

Babylon Blog - Part 2

Set Apart From The World – Understanding Babylon - Part 2

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“And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:” Genesis 5:3


This week we see how sin re-enters the world and the significance of Babel being born in sin.  In Genesis 6-9:1-17 God redeems the World and saved Noah and his family and made a covenant with them.  Within the next 10 verses Sin re-enters the world. Genesis 9:18-29 (comparing to the Fall)

1. Noah drinks of the fruit of the vine – Eve ate the fruit of the tree
2. Noah is uncovered (Naked) – Adam and Eve see they are naked
3. Ham sees the shame of His father – Ham sees Noah in a sexual way, we do not know from scripture exactly what this means but we know that it was seeing Noah naked in an non - innocent (sexual) way.  – Adam and eves eyes are open to their own and each other’s nakedness and they feel shame.  

Whenever we see redemption soon after Sin re-enters the world – except when Jesus ultimately pays the price.  Look at Genesis 19:30-38 Lot is saved from Sodom,

1. He drinks the fruit of the vine,
2. He is naked,
3. His daughters sleep with Him.   

Today two areas that the world struggle with are drunkenness and sex.  

Babylon

Genesis 10:6Ham has 4 sons

1. Cush – Ethiopia
2. Mizraim – Egypt
3. Phut – Persia
4. Caanan – Humiliated (servants to Shem and Japheth descendents)

Genesis 10:8-10Cush begat Nimrod Nimrod builds a kingdom made up of Babel, Erech and Achad and Shinar (these all make up Babylon) Calneh is part of Assyria and then vs 11 – Asshur builds Nineveh (Assyria)
So Sin re-enters the world through Ham – His descendants make up the main areas which battle against Israel – Egypt, Assyria, Babylon and Persia.  Today these same areas battle against Israel – Why? Because the Sin of Ham has passed down through the ages.  

What does this tell us.

• Sin is ever present in this world.-  Romans 5:12
• We need redemption -Romans 6:23
• We need to guard ourselves against the ways of the world - Galatians 5:19-21

• Shem and Japheth cover the shame of their father – His shame is not on them

• We are covered by the blood of Jesus – we are reborn and the sins of our fathers are no longer on us.  

• We now need to look at what we should do: -Galatians 5:22-25

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”

How do we do this?

Issue 24 - Day 4

1 Timothy 4

1 Timothy 4:1-3
1)  Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2)  Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
3)  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

We are surrounded by false doctrine, and Paul warns Timothy to be on guard against it. Here Paul explicitly denounces those who advocate celibacy as teachers of false doctrine. It is somewhat ironic therefore that as little as 250 years later St. Jerome launched the celibacy debate that continues today, basing his views on his perception of the life of Paul. Claims that christians should be vegetarian, which is not what the bible says, did not come into the mainstream until  200 years ago, with groups such as the Seventh Day Adventists, but even before that there were those that advocated going vegan as a form of fasting. They rather miss the point that fasting means not eating, and sometimes also not drinking. Either you fast, or you are just not finishing your dinner. In both cases, the bible is clear, so why fall into this false teaching?

Paul is clear, we know the truth. What is the truth? It is the word of God. There is no excuse for being drawn into silly practices when even the bible itself tells us to check everything against scripture. So, first and foremost we must spend time in the word of God. Not just reading, but digging deep to understand what it says. God gave us his Spirit in us to enable us to understand. So the next time you hear any teaching, compare it to scripture. Check what the passages really say in context, and throw out anything that does not match up to the truth.

Issue 24 - Day 3

1 Timothy 3

1 Timothy 3:2-5
2)  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;
3)  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
4)  One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5)  (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

There are two things we can draw from this passage. Firstly, regarding the church we can see that many churches are acting in error. We must be on our guard to avoid such error in our own church, and on the alert when we encounter churches with this error, for if they miss the obvious here, what other clear doctrines of Christ have they erred in? The requirements for bishops/pastors or elders, and likewise deacons later in the passage are the same in this respect. Are they eligible for the role if their children are running riot? No, being able to rule their own house well is one of the proving grounds. Can they fulfil all the criteria only as a married man with children. How many single people, or women are in leadership these days? And how many troubles result from ignoring this clear teaching.

Secondly, do you know if one day your father, current or future husband, or you yourself will be called by God to leadership? Of course not, but it could happen, so do your part now to make it possible. Children obey your parents, parents, learn to be good parents. everybody learn patience, hospitality, sobriety and so on. These are good things in anyone’s walk with God, and prepares you for any future plans God may have for you. This chapter has an instruction for everyone, so don’t skate over it because you are not a pastor.

Issue 24 - Day 2

1 Timothy 2

1 Timothy 2:1-4
1)  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3)  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4)  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

We are not too bad at praying for the Queen. They say that our current queen has been prayed for more than anyone in the world other than Pope John Paul II. We are probably not bad at praying for the prime minister, members of parliament, and even heads of schools and the police force. But, when did you last pray for your boss? When were you last doing some team work, and prayed for the leader of that team? When did you last pray for your husband, or your parents? These are all people in authority.
If you are still living at home the number one authority figure in your life should be your dad. He needs praying for, so that you can lead a quiet and peaceable life. It’s not easy being a dad, I should know! So get praying. pray for your mum also. She is running the day to day business of the family. It is not easy making sure there are meals to eat, washing is done, everyone is at the right school/club/sports event at the right time. And for many mum’s they also have jobs as well. Dad may be helping, but mum needs a lot of prayer.
What about at work? Have you ever wished your boss was more understanding, less irritable, less demanding and would pay you more? Well, pray for him, or her. Maybe their home life is a nightmare, maybe travel to work is a disaster, maybe they are stressed out. So pray, and see God work.

Issue 24 - Day 1

1 Timothy 1

1 Timothy 1:14-16
14)  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15)  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16)  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

In this day and age the world is full of motivational speakers. One of the most motivating speakers of current times is Dick Halt, now over seventy, the story is partly his, and partly that of his son Dick, who was born with cerebral palsy, unable to walk or talk. In fact doctors said he would live life a vegetable. He defied all odds to graduate from college, and even more amazing, the father/son team have competed in nearly 1000 marathons and triathlons, and five iron man races, with Dick towing, or pushing his son over the course. Amazing dedication and teamwork. They would have got nowhere unless Dick and his wife had not started out knowing their son could not communicate, but wanted to. Could not walk, but wanted to run! Knowing he could not, they did something about it.
Paul, realising he was the chiefest of sinners did something about it. We must recognise the same and do likewise. But the story of Paul, not just his conversion but also his life, is there for us as the greatest motivational discourse on the Christian life. Paul went through trials, imprisonment, beatings, shipwreck and illness. He travelled widely, preached, taught, demonstrated Christ to rich and poor. He worked at times and was provided for at others. He lived his life for Christ, and it is documented for us as an example, so that we can do likewise. Read it and put it into practice!

Issue 23 - Day 7

Philippians 4

Philippians 4:8-9
8)  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9)  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

This is the bottom line. If we are to have the mind of Christ, what must we do today? if we are to be likeminded, how should we think today? If we are to experience the peace of God, how will that come about today? The answer is simple, if you want your life to tick over like a well oiled engine then focus on good things, fill your life with the praise of God, and he will be with you.

A while ago a friend of mine had a call from his wife. She had been out in their brand new BMW X5, and had just filled up with diesel. Oops! Thankfully she did not even get out of the garage before realising the mistake, and the garage were able to help. Another friend of ours filled up his diesel truck with petrol, and did not realise until the engine coughed and died a short while down the road. Serious damage to the engine.

We are like these cars. if you fill up with the wrong stuff it just won’t do you any good. You might be okay for a little bit, but as soon as that stuff starts running through your life it will start to break. We have learned of Christ, we have heard from him, we have received from him. What is so difficult in just doing what we already know we should be doing? Jesus took this one stage further and said, “Seek the Me with all your heart, and I will take care of the rest” (my paraphrase). It really is that simple. Fill up with a focus on God, let only good stuff into your life, and the things of this world will not fit in.