Instructions To Timothy

Timothy 4:1,2. The ‘’later times’’ began with Christ’s resurrection and will continue until his return when he will set up his kingdom and judge all humanity. False teachers were and are still a threat to the church. Jesus and the apostles repeatedly warned against them. It is not enough that a teacher appears to know what he is talking about, is disciplined and moral, or says that he is speaking for God. If his words contradict the Bible, his teaching is false. Like Timothy, we must guard against any teaching that causes believers to dilute or reject any aspect of their faith. Such false teaching can be very direct or extremely subtle. Believers ought to respond quickly when they sense false teaching being promoted. The truth does not mind honest questions. Sometimes the source may prove to be ignorant of the error and appreciate the correction. But a firm warning may at least keep potential victims from the disastrous results of apostasy that Paul described.
1 Timothy 4: 4,5. Paul said the false teachers were hypocritical liars who encouraged people to follow deceiving spirits. The false teachers refused to believe that the God of creation was good, because his very contact with the physical world would have soiled him. Though these Greek- influenced church members honored Jesus, they could not believe he was truly human. Paul knew that their teachings, if left unchecked would greatly distort Christian truth. Satan deceives people by offering a clever imitation of the real thing. we must not be unduly impressed by a teacher’s style or credentials , we must look to his teachings about Jesus Christ. His conclusions about Christ show the source of his message. In opposition to the false teachers, Paul affirmed that everything God created is good. We should ask for God’s blessing on his created gifts that give us pleasure and thank him for them. This doesn’t mean that we should abuse what God has made. We should enjoy these gifts by using them to serve and honor God. Have you thanked God for the gifts he has given? Are you using the gifts in ways pleasing to you and God?
1 Timothy 4:7,10. Are you in shape both physically and spiritually? In our society, much emphasis is placed on physical fitness, but spiritual health is even more important. Our physical health is susceptible to disease and injury, but faith can sustain us through any tragedy. To train ourselves to be Godly, we must develop our faith by using our God-given abilities in the service of the church. Christ is the savior for all, but his salivation becomes effective only for those who trust him.,
1 Timothy 4:12. Timothy was a young pastor. It would have been easy for older Christians to look down on him because of his youth. He had to earn the respect of his elders by setting an example in his speech, life, love, faith and purity. Regardless of your age, God can use you. Everyday we have many opportunities to support and inspire family members, fellow workers and even total strangers. People need help and affirmation along the way.
1 Timothy 4: 14. Highly skilled and talented athletes lose their abilities if their muscles aren’t toned by constant use. Likewise, we will lose our spiritual gifts if we don’t put them to work. Our talents are improved by exercise, but failing to use them causes them to waste away from lack of practice.
1 Timothy 4:16. We must be on constant guard against falling into sin that can so easily destroy us. Yet we must watch what we believe just as closely. We must keep a close eye, staying true to faith.


It’s only an 18’’ journey from the mind to the heart.
So why do we struggle so much with the short trip?


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GZ/KZ

Jonah Flees From The Lord

Jonah 1:1,2. Jonah is mentioned in 2 Kings 14:15. He prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II, the king of Israel from 793-753 B.C. He may have been a member of the company of prophets mentioned in connection with Elisha’s ministry (2 Kings2:3). God told Jonah to preach to Nineveh, the most important city in Assyria, the rising world power of Jonah’s day. Within 50 years, Nineveh would become the capitol of the vast Assyrian empire. Jonah doesn’t say much about Nineveh’s wickedness, but the prophet Nahum gives us more insight. Nahum says that Nineveh was guilty of evil plots against God, exploitation of the helpless, cruelty in war, idolatry, prostitution and witchcraft. God told Jonah to go to Nineveh, about 500 miles northeast of Israel, to warn of judgment and to declare that the people could receive mercy and forgiveness if they repented.
Jonah 1:3. Nineveh was a powerful and wicked city. Jonah had grown up hating the Assyrians and fearing their atrocities. His hatred was so strong that he didn’t want them to receive God’s mercy. Jonah was actually afraid the people would repent. Jonah’s attitude is representative of Israel’s rejuctance to share God’s love and mercy with others, even though this was their God given mission. They, like Jonah ,did not want non-Jews to obtain God’s favor. Jonah knew that God had a specific job for him, but he didn’t want to do it. Tarshish could be one on any number of Phoenicia’s western ports. Nineveh was toward the east. Jonah decided to go as far west as he could. When God gives us direction through his Word, sometimes we run in fear or in stubbornness, claiming that God is asking to much. It may have been fear, or anger at the wilderness of God’s mercy, that made Jonah run. But running got him into worse trouble. In the end Jonah understood that it is best to do what God asks in the first place. But by then he had paid a costly price for running. It is far better to obey from the start.
Jonah 1: 4,5. While the storm raged, Jonah was sound asleep below deck. Even as he ran from God, Jonah’s actions apparently didn’t bother his conscience. But the absence of guilt isn’t always a barometer of whether we are doing right. Because we can deny reality, we cannot measure obedience by our feelings. Instead , we must compare what we do with God’s standard's for living.
Jonah 1:7. The crew cast lots to find the guilty person, relying on their superstitions give them the answer. Their system worked but only because God intervened to let Jonah that he couldn’t run away.
Jonah 1:9,12. You cannot seek God’s love and run from him at the same time. Jonah soon realized that no matter where he went he couldn’t get away from God. But before Jonah could return to God , he first had to stop going in the opposite direction. What has God told you to do? If you want more of God’s love and power, you must be willing to carry out the responsibilities he gives you. Jonah knew that he had disobeyed and that the storm was his fault, but he didn’t say anything until the crew had cast lots and the lot fell on him. Then Jonah was willing to give his life to save the sailors, although he had refused to do the same for the people of Nineveh. Jonahs hatred for the Assyrians had affected his perspective.
Jonah 1: 13,16. By trying to save Jonah’s life the pagan sailors showed more compassion than Jonah, because Jonah did not want to warn the Ninevites of the coming judgment of God. Believers should be ashamed when unbelievers show more concern and compassion than they do. God wants us to be concerned for all of his people, lost and saved. Jonah has disobeyed God. While he was running away, he stopped and submitted to God. Then the ships crew began to worship God because they saw the storm quite down. God is able to use even our mistakes to help others come to know him.

If you don’t believe it , you will never achieve it.

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GZ/KZ

The Birth of Moses

Exodus 2:1,2. Although a name is not mentioned yet, the baby in the story was Moses. Moses’ mother and father were named Jochebed and Amram. His brother was Aaron and his sister, Miriam.
Exodus 2:3. This tiny boat made of papyrus reeds was fashioned by a women who knew what she was doing. Egyptian river boats were made with the same reeds and waterproofed with tar. The reeds, which grew as tall as sixteen feet, could be gathered in swampy areas along the Nile. Thus a small basket hidden among the reeds would be well insulated from the weather and difficult to see. Moses’ mother knew how wrong it would be to destroy her child. But there was little she could do to change Pharaoh’s new law. Her only alternative was to hide the child and later place him in a tiny papyrus basket on the river. God used her courageous act to place her son, the Hebrew of his choice, in the house of Pharaoh. Do you sometimes feel surrounded by evil and frustrated by how little you can do about it? When faced when evil, look for ways to act against it. Then trust God to use your effort, however small it seems, in his war against evil.
Exodus 2:5. Who was Pharaoh’s daughter? There are two popular explanations, 1. Some think that Hatshepsut was the woman who pulled Moses from the river. Her husband was Pharaoh Thutmose apparently Hatshepsut could not have children, so Thutmose had a son by another woman, and this son became heir to the throne. Hatshepsut would have considered Moses a gift from the Gods because now she hade her own son who would be the legal heir to the throne. 2. Some think the princess who rescued the baby Moses was the daughter of Rameses II, an especially cruel Pharaoh who would have made life miserable for the Hebrew slaves.
Exodus 2:7,8. Miriam , the baby’s sister, saw that Pharaoh’s daughter had discovered Moses. Quickly she took the initiative to suggest a nurse who might care for the baby. The Bible doesn’t say if Miriam was afraid to approach the Egyptian princess, or if the princess was suspicious of the Hebrew girl. But Miriam did approach her, and the princess bought the services of Miriam and her Mother. Their family was reunited. Special opportunities may come our way unexpectedly. Don’t let the fear of what might happen cause you to miss an opportunity. Be alert for the opportunities God gives you, and take full advantage of them.
Exodus 2:9. Moses’ mother was reunited with her baby!! God used her courageous act of saving and hiding her baby to begin his plan to rescue his people from Egypt. God doesn’t need much from us to accomplish his plan for our lives. Focusing on our human predicament may paralyze us because the situation may appear humanely impossible. But concentrating on God and his power will help us see the way out. Right now you may feel unable to see through your troubles. Focus instead on God, and trust him for the way out. That is all he needs to begin his work in you.
Exodus 2:12-14. Moses tried to make sure no one was watching before he killed the Egyptian. But as it turned out , someone did see, and Moses had to flee the country. Sometimes we mistakenly think we can get away with doing wrong if no one sees or catches us. Sooner or later , however, doing wrong will catch up with us as it did with Moses. Even if we are not caught in this life, we will still have to face God and his evaluation of our actions.
Exodus 2: 15. To escape punishment for killing the Egyptian , Moses ran to Midian. He became a stranger in a strange land, separated from his home and family. It took many years after this incident for Moses to be ready to serve God. But he trusted God instead of fearing the king. We may feel abandoned or isolated because of something we have done. But though we feel afraid and separated, we should not give up. Moses didn’t. He trusted God to deliver him, no matter how dark his past or bleak his future.
Exodus 2:23-25. God’s rescue doesn’t always come the moment we want it. God had promised to bring the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt. The people had waited a long time for that promise to be kept, but God rescued them when he knew the right time had come. God knows the best time to act. When you feel that God has forgotten you in your troubles, remember that God has a time schedule we can’t see.

Giving in to temptation is like drinking muddy water from the Nile.

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GZ/KZ.