260 in 20912 DEVOS - Day 202 - Titus 2: Relationships, Discipleship & Disciplined Living

In this chapter, Paul outlines how the baton of faith is to be passed on – from the older teaching the younger! As a pastor, Paul calls Titus to “…teach what is in accord to sound doctrine.” The teachings of the Bible will cause behavior to be in line with belief and Titus is to teach God’s Word! Then he gives examples of how this works: The older men teach the younger men: ”…set them an example….doing good…be self-controlled …show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech…” The older women teach the younger women: “…to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine…to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands…” Slaves be subject to your masters: “…in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted…” Paul concludes by telling Titus, that because of God’s incredible grace, he needs to discipline himself to “…say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…” This will take both encouragement and rebuke, but do it regardless of how people treat you. SO WHAT?! *As a pastor, letters written to pastors (Titus and 1&2 Timothy) especially grab my attention! I am to both model and to teach these things. But they are not just true of pastors but of all believers – you and me! How are you & I passing on the baton of truth to the next generation? *In what area is it hard for you to say “No” to? Materialism? Entertainment? Sensuality? Living in America we can have whatever we want, wherever we want it and whenever we want it! But the American way is not the Biblical way. It takes discipline & self-control to say no at times. And this character quality needs to be both taught & modeled by YOU & ME!

260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 201 - Intro & Titus 1: Qualifications for Godly Leadership & Addressing Ungodly Leadership

Introduction To Titus: Paul deals with qualifications to be looked for in church leaders (1:5-9) and then condemns the false teachers who were undermining the work in Crete (1:10-16). In Chapter 2, He gives Titus advice on how to handle the situation there: guidelines on Christian behavior, specifically the aged (1-3), the youth (4-8), and slaves (9-10). Chapter 2:11-3:2 gives the theological implications of Christian living in the community. Chapter 3:4-7 is a reminder of the transformation that comes from the gospel through Christ. Paul then closes with a charge, personal remarks, counsel and a benediction (3:8-15). Titus 1: Qualifications for Godly Leadership & Addressing Ungodly Leadership Paul lists 17 character qualities that church leaders especially should demonstrate: 1. Blameless – not perfection but pursuit of holiness. 2. Husband of but one wife – a one woman man. May rule out some divorced people. 3. A man whose children believe and are not wild & disobedient – if a man can’t lead his own family, don’t let him lead in the church! 4. Not overbearing – authoritative not authoritarian. 5. Not quick-tempered – duh, don’t put angry peeps in leadership. 6. Not given to drunkenness – having A drink is ok, but having TO drink is not. 7. Not violent – again, duh. 8. Not pursuing dishonest gain – integrity with finances. 9. Hospitable – does he open up his home, like people, etc… 10. Loves what is good – another pursuit issue. 11. Self-controlled – does he watch his mouth, turn from evil, deny himself, etc… 12. Upright – how is he viewed by others? 13. Holy – not perfection but pursuit. 14. Disciplined – Does he have goals & values he pursues? 15. Must hold firmly to trustworthy message – does he believe & teach the Bible? 16. Encourage others – does he tear down or lift up others? 17. Refute those who oppose the truth – does he correct wrong teaching? For the remainder of the chapter, Paul addresses false teaching & those who do not qualify as leaders according to the qualifications just listed. They teach lies (#17) “for the sake of dishonest gain” (#8). “Liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons” – (#1, #4, #10, #13, #14). ”To the pure, all things are pure….” – (#13). “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.” – (#1, actually all of them!). SO WHAT?! *This list of godly qualities is not just for Christian leaders, but for all who claim Jesus as their Savior. Take some time today to meditate on these qualities. Which ones are you doing ok at? Which ones need work? Don’t know? Ask a close friend or family member – and be willing to take their answer! Then pick that one and ask God to help you with it over the next 30 days. *Is there any way in which you or I are denying Jesus by our actions? Oh Lord, please show us and conform us to YOU!

260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 200 - 2 Timothy 4: Last Words

A person’s last words are often both remembered & recorded. Today we read the last written words of the apostle Paul. He is passing the baton of ministry to Timothy and he wants to sum up what is important. He begins by charging him to eternal thinking: “in view of his appearing and his kingdom…” Those who want to make an impact for Christ must have an eternal perspective. And here’s the main key: “Preach the Word.” Not slick sayings, not just stories, not our own ideas. Only the Word of God is living and active, your words and mine are not! Simple statement, but complex applications because God’s Word will “correct, rebuke and encourage” – and most people don’t want the first two! They’d rather have their ears tickled with sweet nothings. Worse yet, they’d rather hear myths. Timothy – don’t you go that direction! “…keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” Paul was passing the Gospel baton “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.” What comes next is what I, and all believers, would hope to say at the end of life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Kuddos Paul for a life well lived! The rest of the letter I would call “Friends & Foes” because in ministry and in life there are both those who partner with you and those who seek to derail what you are doing. Those like John Mark (an example of Paul’s forgiveness), whom Paul calls helpful, and those like Alexander whom strongly oppose! More reason why Paul is constantly saying to guard the truth! And what kept Paul going through evewrything? “…the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed…” Yep – having the LORD by his side! SO WHAT?! *What are some famous last words you have heard? What would you like your last words to be? And to whom? *All of us need at least 3 people in our lives: A Paul (those who are mentoring us), A Timothy (those whom we are mentoring) and a Barnabas (those who just plain encourage us no matter what). If you have these three, take a moment and thank God for them! If you don’t, take a moment and ask God to bring these people into your life! *How is ministry going for you? Excited? Bored? Discouraged? Do you tend to focus on the friends or the foes? Don’t let others get you down, “keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 199 - 2 Timothy 3: Life Today & How To Conquer It

As you read the first six verses what comes tom mind: Today’s newspaper? Your school? Your workplace? Your friends? Your self? Those who say the Bible isn’t relevant must have skipped over this section, even though it was written nearly 1950 years ago! Paul sets forth quite the list of character traits that described not only his people at the time, but us today as well: - Lovers of themselves (check) - Lovers of money (check) - Boastful (trying to look better than I am - check) - Proud (check) - Abusive (evil speech – check) - Disobedient to their parents (ask your parents – check) - Ungrateful (not usually but…..check) - Unholy (duh – check) - Without Love (family affection first – check) - Unforgiving (hold grudge – check) - Slanderous (Pastor’s message this week – check) - Without self-control (I deny myself very little – check) - Brutal (I’m sure I’ve been – check) - Not lovers of the good (lose my focus – check) - Treacherous (traitor – not sure, but – check) - Rash (careless, just ask Jean – check) - Conceited (see #4 – check) - Lovers of Pleasure (put myself before things of God – check) - Having a form of godliness (before Jesus – check) Ok – So I’m guilty of them all. How about you? If you said no, then you blew at least number 3! Anyway, this is a convicting list, and one that would throw me into depression if verse 10 didn’t start with “You, however,….” GREAT words! Direction, not perfection is the key here. God knows we’re ALL guilty of these at times, but when they begin to define out lives, that’s a problem. So what is the solution? Paul writes: - Follow His example: (10-11) Paul went thru some pretty tough stuff and endured! - Expect tough times: (12-13) Ok, so how many of us have verse 13 as a memory verse? Not the kind of verse we put to memory, yet just as true. - Keep on keepin’ on: (14) Much of the Christian life is the daily grind of saying no to our selfish desires & temptations from the enemy and instead following the ways of the Lord. - Let God’s Word… (15-16) Its gives eternal life and wisdom! o Teach me – God’s ways are not my ways. o Rebuke me – Bible constantly smacks me in the face when my heart or actions are wrong. o Correct me – Sets me on the right course. o Train me – It’s like a spiritual workout! - Why? So God can use me! (17) HE completely gives me all I need to serve the Lord! SO WHAT?! *Take the list at the beginning and go through it. Circle the top two things you’d like God to help you with. Commit them to prayer & practice over the next 30 days and watch God do some great things! *What has the Bible taught you lately? How has it rebuked & corrected you? How are you being trained by it? *If you’re a believer in Christ, take a moment right now and thank God that you are new creation, that you are being transformed and for the fact that He will complete the good work He began in you & me!!!

260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 198 - 2 Timothy 2: Discipline, Duty, Danger

Three points all starting with the same letter, sounds Baptist - hahahaha. But I do think there are 3 ideas Paul is wanting to communicate to Timothy and this will help me remember! First, he reminds Timmy to continually be strengthened by the grace of Christ – the good news of the Gospel! Never forget that you & I were hopeless until God stepped in and offered us hope! Next is probably the clearest verse on passing the discipleship baton in the new testament: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” From God to Jesus to Paul to Timothy to Reliable Men to Others! How does this happen? Paul gives four pictures of how to be strong in God’s grace in order to pass it on: Teacher, Soldier, Athlete, Farmer. And what is the common thread? DISCIPLINE! All of the occupations require patience & endurance looking for future reward! So, “Remember Jesus Christ….and be strong in grace!” Second, we have a duty: “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.” Of all the great things that God has given us, none is more valuable than His Word! It is both a treasure we are to enjoy & a trust we are to take care of! And again, discipline is required, because spending daily time reading the Bible & praying may at times seem unglamorous or mundane. But in actuality, it is the greatest way to be drawn to God! And as we do so we become “an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” Finally, because our faith is a guarded treasure, there are dangers that lurk to destroy it – some from within and others from the outside. This requires both a turning from and a turning to: “FLEE the evil desires of youth, and PURSUE righteousness, faith, love and peace…” Sexual sin is a huge issue among students (and all people) and one we are called to run from – even though our emotions can often want to take over! Arguing & fighting put our usability in danger as well. The better response keeps our eyes on eternal things: “Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” SO WHAT?! *So, on the scale of laziness – disciplined, where do you land? How about spiritually? Are you keeping up with our daily readings? Takes discipline doesn’t it? (Just ask this guy who gave his word he would write daily devotions to go along with these daily readings! – hehe…) Ask God for help and then find a buddy to hold you accountable! *How are you “correctly handling your Bible?” Can you explain the Gospel to another? If friends have life questions, can you go to your Bible and help them find wisdom & answers. There are no shortcuts here. It takes TIME with God in prayer and His Word. Lord, help us to be devoted to these! *Which is easier for you: fleeing or pursuing? Why? If you do one without the other, can you fulfill verse 21? What “impure” things do you need to ask God to help you rid yourself of today?

260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 197 - Introduction & 2 Timothy 1: Unashamed

Introduction to 2 Timothy: I love this letter! 2 Timothy is in my Top 5 Fave’s when it comes to books in the Bible! It wreaks with relationship, with discipleship and includes the final words of faithful servant Paul to one whom he is passing the baton of faith - Timothy! Paul’s second letter to Timothy is much more personal as it was written near the end of his life. He knew his death was near (4:6-7) and because the Gospel was more important to Paul than even his life, he wanted to be sure Timothy would continue the message. He personally directs Timothy to maintain his spiritual passion (1:1-7) and to be a faithful partner of his suffering for the gospel (1:8-2:13). Paul warns again against false teachers (2:14-19) and urges Timothy to be a noble servant of Christ (2:20-26). Chapter 3:1-9 describes the conditions in the last days (we are in them). Then he gives Timothy his final charge (3:10-4:5). Paul was in prison and soon after this letter was written, he was beheaded for his faith. Paul knew Timothy would carry a heavy ministry responsibility in his absence and so he gives him these final words. 2 Timothy 1: Unashamed If there is one word I would use to describe the apostle Paul it would be “unashamed.” From the moment he came to know Jesus (Acts 9) to his final recorded words, Paul clearly, boldly and proudly spoke of Jesus Christ his Savior. Timothy had the blessing to be around such a person as he traveled & ministered with Paul. There no other person whom Paul was closer to and whom he would rather hand off his ministry to. So he reminds Timothy of two things: His “sincere faith” and “to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…” Faith and serving God are a calling that requires “a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” – and Timothy, you have what it takes! What encouraging words for Timothy to hear from his mentor! He then tells Timothy not to be ashamed of the Gospel (8-12). Why repeat the Gospel to Timothy? Because it should never get old to any of us! We need always to remember, remember, remember what Jesus did for us! Then, as mentor, Paul writes, “What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” Stick to the truth you’ve learned form the scriptures Timmy, remember Jesus, be loving and let the Holy Spirit use you! Finally, Paul reminds him there will be ups & downs in ministry: “everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me” and “show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me…….was not ashamed of my chains…………in many ways he helped me” SO WHAT?! *Do you have a sense of mission? Every great man or woman of God has had this. Not selfish ambition for success, but to do your part in contributing to God’s purposes. Is Jesus, is the Gospel, more important to us than even our lives? Lord, make Acts 20:24 true, not only in my life as student pastor, but in the lives of all who read this! *How are you involved in passing the baton of faith? 2 Timothy contrasts Paul’s strengths with Timothy’s struggles. This is a mature believer training a younger believer. Who is your Paul? Who is your Timothy? Each of us needs to be involved in passing the baton o faith to others. Are you? If not, ask your pastor or mentor their advice on how you can be! *Ever been hurt in ministry? You stepped out to serve Jesus and got criticized or ridiculed or just plain ditched. Then you can relate to Paul……….oh, and to Jesus! Imagine where we’d be if the first time Jesus got criticized, He said I’m not doing this!~ Later in Chapter 3 Paul will write, “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted…” Don’t let circumstances rob you of the joy in serving Jesus!

260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 196 - 1 Timothy 6: Properness with Bosses, Money & Trust

Yep – Paul continues with properness. Why? Because Timothy is young and needs to be reminded – and so do we! He begins with “masters” – present day = bosses. We are to consider them “…worthy of full respect…” This term translates into diligent and faithful work to one’s employer. In other words, we are to work hard for our bosses, not playing around or being lazy when they’re not around. Doing that would be considered theft since it would mean stealing the labor that they’re paying us for. Next he addresses money. Apparently some were thinking that “…godliness was a means to financial gain.” The key here is contentment – just being satisfied with what you have. Sad, but not really our culture huh?! “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. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Money isn’t evil, for it has been invested in many great things of God, but the LOVE of it is! And true riches don’t involve money but being “…rich in good deeds…..generous and willing to share…” Finally, Paul tells Timothy to guard the truth! The Word of God that you & I possess is invaluable and we are to guard it as we would our most precious possession! SO WHAT?! *So, how do you treat your boss? Maybe you don’t have one yet, but most of us at one point will and our attitude towards them is important. Colossians 3:23 says that “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…” So…..how ya’ doin’? *How do you handle money? We often think, “how much of my money should I give to the LORD” when the real question should be, “How much of God’s money does He want me to keep and where does He want me to put the rest?” *Finally, how are you guarding the truth God has given you in His word? Do you read it? Study it? Memorize it? Defend it? Share it?