Revelation 20-22

We’ve come to the end. Not the end of His story, but the end of His Book.

John attempts to describe the incredible sights before him of what eternity will be like. I can only imagine how poor he found his command of language to paint an adequate picture of God and His Son in glory.

Ever felt truly welcome? You moved to a new place, went to work or school or church for the first time, and someone there took an interest in you, showed you around, remembered your name, introduced you to others.
Your apprehension eased as you became more comfortable, seeing yourself working/learning/worshipping here, believing you really could make some new friends and fit in here after all.

I believe John portrays heaven as a welcoming place – for some. For those washed in the blood of the Lamb it is a place of great diversity, where all are loved, all are valued, all are welcomed. A place where our fears and anxieties melt away. Where pain, suffering, sorrow, heartache, disappointment, and grief are unknown. Where God will personally wipe away every tear of hurt. Where the fear of death can’t touch us. Where there are endless possibilities of enjoying and serving and worshipping God face-to-face in community.

For those who don’t submit their lives to the reign of the King, well, it’s a different ending.

No wonder those who longed for Christ’s return, who suffered for His name, who were ridiculed, beaten, cheated, abused, mistreated, persecuted, and martyred cried out “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Rev 6:10, ESV). They still eagerly anticipate the overthrow of the enemy and the victory of the King.

The Spirit and the Bride say “Come” (Marana tha in Aramaic). John said “Come”. Let the one who hears these words say “Come”. All the earth groans and longs for His return.

Do you?



Lee Thrasher
May 24

Revelation 18-19

What shines for you? I mean, what really shines? I am talking about the kind of shiny that makes you draw in your breath and distracts you. We all have shiny things. For some it may be golf clubs or sporting events; for others it may handbags, travel, or – dare I say it – shoes!

I am certainly not a scholar of John’s revelation, but chapter 18 does mention a lot a shiny objects. It seems that Babylon was a city that dazzled everyone with her treasures. Her cargos of gold, silver, jewels, silks, marble, and spices still manage to get our attention today. We might add fancy cars and technical gadgets to a modern list, but much of it would remain the same. Alarmingly, the mighty angel does not have good things to say about Babylon’s destiny.

All of Babylon’s neon pales in comparison when the next chapter proclaims the wedding feast of the Lamb. Heaven is opened and John sees the white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True. The contrast of these images reminds me that I need to guard the deepest caverns of my heart for the things that are eternally dazzling. I am thankful for the many joys, comforts and beauty that the Father has so graciously provided, but I don’t want to let the roots of those things grow too deep.

I want to set my hope on the day when Jesus will return for His church. The glorious hope of this fills my soul with joy and longing. Soaring moments of worship and quiet whispers of meditation on the Word lead me into those places that God wants me to reserve only for Him. I pray that we will be a church that rejoices in our blessings while we remind each other of the feast that is to come.


Kathleen Tatro
May 23

Revelation 15-17

Let me just confess right at the beginning that Revelation is a book I’m pretty shy about. As a young believer, I was taught that it really didn’t matter what was figurative or literal in Revelation. What mattered was that I was walking with God whenever and however He decided to end things with me OR the earth. I realized not too long ago that I had taken that same approach to my entire walk with God. Life was not mine to seize and enjoy, but to endure until my demise or His return. And I better have it all together when that time came! Whew…..what a load to bear! Then I read that Jesus said “my yoke is easy and my burden is light”. This did not describe the yoke and burden I had taken upon myself. My yoke kept waiting for the other foot to fall – ON ME! It left me praying for Him to return quickly, not because I was anxious to see Him, but because I wanted to be done with this life before I could mess it up anymore! Ouch, it hurts to put that down in words!

Thankfully, God did not leave me burdened and ready to just get this life over! He taught me that the abundant life began when I accepted Him. He doesn’t want me to “grin and bear it” here, He wants me to fully enjoy every aspect of my life with Him! I’m not saying this life still doesn’t get me down sometimes and I still don’t know about the seven angels with seven plagues and seven bowls and the woman on the beast, it’s all a complete mystery to me! But this I know: the focus shifted. I LIVE OUT LOUD for my Lord now, with gusto and joy and love! It’s a fabulous life and I intend to enjoy every minute I have left to His glory!

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m still just as ready for the Lord to bring me fully into His radiant beauty, but in His timing. I read a quote by Erma Bombeck that has become a favorite: “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me".” I want to use every bit of me to bring Him glory.


Julie Hallman
May 22

Revelation 12-14

Brethren, God is awesome. He shows us once more in the book of Revelation how Satan, the dragon or whatever name he has, will try to defy Him and deceive us; but again and again the good news are the defeat of Satan through our Lord Jesus Christ prevail. "The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray" Revelation 12:9 and "Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accusers of our brothers, who accuses them day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice you heavens and you who dwell in them! Revelation 12:10-12

God continues in the book of Revelation to give us words of encouragement and protection. "Then I looked and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion and with him 144,000, who had his name and his Father's name on their forehands." Revelation 14:1 and continues in verse 4, " They were purchased from among men and offered as first fruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless". Praise God. He has reserved an special seat for those who follow and obey Him. He has made us blameless, not because of our actions, but because of His grace. Praise our Lord Jesus Christ!
Brethren, let us strive for the hope we have in Him to be in heaven for eternity. During the short time we spend on this earth let us not be hearers but passionately let us be doers. Let us humbly accept the word that has been planted in our hearts to be a testimony of love and with certainty we'll be saved as He has announced that we will be with Him forever. Praise God for giving us Christ Jesus!


Armando Perdomo
May 21

Revelation 7-11

Ok, let me give this my best shot.

When God begins to reign it’s gonna be really scary, especially for people who have not revered Him.

I think that sums it up.

Oh, wait!

God is it! He is the King! His name is worthy of all our worship now and in the ages to come.

These chapters raise all sorts of questions for me. I wonder why I’m not more motivated to share my faith in light of God’s awesome power which will be displayed at the time of judgement and fulfillment of the kingdom. And why is this so crazy? Is it crazy? Maybe I’m just limited by what I see day to day.

As I read this I’m convicted again about the passion of my heart. God has put it all on the line for me, for us. I want to be more passionate for Him. What I can’y get past is how over and over those who know God are moved to worship. They are turned away by God’s awesome power on display. The followers of God are inspired to honor Him with their bodies and with their mouths.

As you see God on display in your life and in the community around may you be moved to worship. And when the church gathers to celebrate what has done and what God is doing may you inspire others to worship.


Nathan Tillotson
May 20

Revelation 4-6

OK, so be honest. Is anyone else out there just a little weirded out by the creatures with all the eyeballs?! I mean-I know that everything God made is beautiful, but I guess you just had to be there to see them in person! Human words trying to describe heavenly events. Isn’t that really the biggest problem with the entire book of Revelation? John with his human intellect and words trying to explain this amazing vision of something that “the created” obviously have no words to describe. Think about it. More angels than the stars in the sky singing “worthy is the Lamb.” Scrolls and horses and earthquakes and elders and the Lamb. It’s Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Avatar rolled together with one BIG twist. Those flying, eyeball creature never stop worshiping day and night saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” It’s all about GOD. The focus never shifts. “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”


Jim Bales
May 19

Revelation 2-3

Dear Lord,
We are so broken, human, and incomplete. We confess we are selfish, incapable and so small-minded and yet we are your church -- your bride, your masterpiece, your embodiment. We are so undeserving of that title…of that role. Why have you trusted us in all of our messiness to make your name known throughout the world? Why have you given us the opportunity to be your people, knowing that we would mess it up?
God, forgive us when we misrepresent you. Forgive us when we distort your word. Forgive our judgmental hearts. Forgive us when we undo what you did on the cross. Forgive us when we don’t let you be you. Forgive us when we try to fit you into neat, easily understood boxes as you sit and wait patiently for us to realize that you are the God who created our boxed-up minds and weary hearts.
God, may we be a church that listens to you. May we confess our sinful hearts to you. Lord, tear down the pride and conceit that lives in us -- that plagues our minds, and replace it with faithfulness and fervor for you. Lord, change us from the inside out. Transform us. Convict us with your Spirit and teach us to be yours alone. Make it our hearts desire to please you and bring you glory.
Father, make us into a passionate body of Christians. Take our indifferent hearts and breathe your life, your Spirit into them. Convict us when we settle for half way and uninspired and remind us that you are the God that brings life to the DEAD. Make your power known among us. Interrupt stale lives and uninterested minds. Lord, sanctify us and draw us near to your heart. Give us patience and stamina to endure our trials. Bring us your joy in the midst of our struggles. May your hope prevail over our worry.
We are in awe of your relentless commitment to our wandering hearts, God. You give us purpose and forgiveness day after day though we are undeserving. We are sinners. We are your church.
Awaken our ears that we may hear what the Spirit says to the churches.


Jenna Thomas
May 18

II John - III John - Jude - Revelation

If I had to pick a gospel that I prefer, it would have to be the gospel of John. I love how John focuses on the motivation behind things. That motivation is always the four lettered word LOVE.

In his gospel, John quotes Jesus in red letters when he says John 14:15 NIV, "If you love me, you will obey what I command.”

It has been said that commandments given by God serve two purposes: to provide and to protect us. It is similar to a fence that holds cattle. When the cattle stay within the parameters of the fence, the cattle can be kept safe (protected) and fed (provided for). Life can exist outside of the fence, but it is risky. Cattle could be exposed to wild animals and not have the shelter of the barn.

In 2 John 1:4-6 NIV, he writes:
“It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. {5} And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. {6} And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

We have all heard about cattle that end up outside of the pin by eating a tuft of grace here and a tuft of grass there and then a tuft of grass that is beside a hole in the fence which leads to a tuft of grass that is outside the fence.

So how do you stay within the fence where God can provide and protect you? Or how do you obey the commands. It all goes back to John’s motivator – LOVE.

Got LOVE? Need more LOVE? Read on and pray for more LOVE as you ask God what is NEXT for you.


Brad Childers
May 17

I John 3-5

Dear one… Stop it!

Ok. Everybody knows who the most loved apostle was: John. He’s the writer of love. He stalks about love more in his 3 little letters than all of Paul’s epistles. So I’m reading through the love letter that is I John and its keeps hitting me: This guy has a subject he’s not really all that loving about. He comes back to it again and again. In the middle of all these mushy labels like Dear ones, My little children, and Beloved, John wacks the reader up side the head with a simple command:

Stop it!

I’ll give you three guesses about what he wants us to stop… and the first two don’t count.

Sin.

John is really focused on getting you and me to face the fact that sin is a serious problem we need to address. Over and over he says “You must not sin.” Look at all of these challenges he packs into just 4 verses! (3:6-10)

No one who lives in him keeps on sinning.
No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him.
He who does what is sinful is of the devil…
No one who is born of God will continue to sin…
Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God…

This guy is serious and passionate about this. Now, you need to know he has already said it’s impossible to completely quit sinning. He explained in the first chapter of his letter that anyone who claims to be sinless is nuts or a liar.

But don’t let that take you off the hook. John thinks we need to set our sights on living without sin… even if we can’t fully do it. We ought to think of sin as an affront to God, a slap in Christ’s face, as spitting on the Holy Spirit.

Sin is a big deal! Even with the grace and love of God surrounding us, John brings it down with the big hammer:

STOP IT! JUST STOP SINNING!

So, there’s your challenge for the day… straight from the most loving of all the apostles!


Jeff Walling
May 16

II Peter 3 - I John 2

When God determined to destroy the world in the days of Noah, Noah was commanded to build an ark. It took him 120 years and during that time he tried to convince people to turn from wicked ways and serve the only true God. The people laughed, ridiculed and made fun of him for years. They had never seen rain and storms because the world was watered differently than it is today. What seemed like forever in man's eyes was less than a day to God. 120 years to Noah probably crept slowly before seeing God's hand actually bring destruction of the existing world. In 2 Peter 3, Peter compares Jesus' Second Coming to the 1st time God destroyed the world, except this time it would be through fire. Its been 2000 years since the 1st coming of our Lord and we beg for the 2nd coming to happen soon. Sometimes it just seems so far away, doesn't it? But we all need to be reminded that it is a one-time event. Once it happens, all things will be changed and judgment will take place for those who do not know Jesus and we all will stand before Him to answer for the things we have done- good and bad. This is why Peter urges us to be holy and blameless before Him during the brief time we are on this Earth.

Let us deliberately remember the past and eagerly look to the future to help us live godly and holy lives in the present.

2 Peter 3:10-14
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.



Jack Exum
May 15

I Peter 4 - II Peter 2

Second Chances

Peter knew a lot about second chances.

Each time Peter put his foot in his mouth during Jesus’ earthly ministry, Jesus would correct him (sometimes gently, sometimes harshly), but He never kicked Peter out of the inner circle.

Even when Peter denied Him three times, and He looked at Peter, He still loved him.

And when Jesus reinstated Peter and commissioned him to be the chief spokesperson of the church in its early days, Jesus called Peter to love Him and serve Him faithfully.

By the time Peter writes these letters, he is a different man than the hot-headed, ready-fire-aim, rough disciple we read about in the gospels. Korey did such a great job portraying Peter in his old age, talking with His Lord, and remembering how His grace had changed him forever.

And at the very end of his first letter, we learn Peter extended that same mercy and grace to Mark, also called John Mark elsewhere in the New Testament. Peter calls him his son, who is apparently by his side as he preaches and serves each day.

This is the same John Mark that Paul wrote off after he balked at facing the difficult trials Paul and Barnabas experienced on the road sharing the gospel (Acts 15:36-40). But Barnabas still believed in him, saw his potential, and took Mark with him to continue to preach and minister when he split from Paul. And, apparently, Mark served so well that Paul changed his mind about him, and wanted to again work side by side with him
(2 Tim 4:11).

This is the same Mark at whose house a group of disciples gathered to pray for the release of Peter from prison (Acts 12:12).

And it’s the same Mark, Peter’s spiritual son, who wrote the gospel, presumably coached by Peter.

Barnabas, the “son of encouragement”, and Peter, both took Mark under their wing and invested their time, energy, and wisdom in him. And he went from a scared little kid (Mark is the only one who records the story of the young man who fled the scene of Jesus’ arrest; Mark 14:51-52; not a particularly flattering account!) to the right-hand man, indispensable to the two greatest founders of the church after Jesus Himself.

Who invested in you, took you under their wing, to help you become who you are today? Have you thanked them?

Who are you investing in? God just might use you to shape the life of a mighty, though unlikely, warrior for the Kingdom.



Lee Thrasher
May 14

Peter 1-3

For me, holiness has always conjured up visions of wise souls whose actions are filled with kindness. I picture a holy life as one that is lived in either constant, sacrificial service to the needy, or as an isolated life of contemplation. Holiness seems to be more than “set apart.” It often seems lofty and unattainable.

This is not the picture that Peter paints in his letter, however. Peter’s brand of holiness is an everyday, get-your-hands-dirty-and-get-on-with-it, kind of holy. I guess that’s not too surprising since God used a fisherman to preach about being holy.

Peter describes holiness using strong action words. He urges us to prepare our minds for action, to be self-controlled and to set our hope on grace. Peter is adamant that we live as obedient children by not conforming to the evil desires that used to control us. He wants us to focus on this simple equation:

Jesus called you + Jesus is holy = Be holy

Even I can understand that kind of math. I also love the promise that is imbedded in it. Jesus is holy. Jesus lives in my heart. So, I can rely on His holiness to flow into every area of my life. Maybe today it will be enough for me to ask Him to remove any “holiness barriers” that are lodged in my heart. What about you?


Kathleen Tatro
May 13

James 2-5

I am once again amazed at God’s providence. James is one of my very favorite books of the Bible. In Hebrews 5, the writer admonishes us to move on in our maturity from spiritual “milk” to “meat”. That’s the theme I see in James: Maturity! Every verse is significant in its challenge to get us to live the faithful, righteous life. Written by (believed by most scholars) the brother of Jesus, James did not always believe in his older brother (see John 7) but it is evident he was listening! James makes many allusions to the Sermon on the Mount. His former Jewish legalism stands out: He uses over 50 imperatives (commands) in these 5 short chapters. James makes a clear distinction between a trial and a temptation, listening and doing, faith and deeds, judgment and mercy, worldly wisdom and wisdom from God; I could go on, there is so much MEAT! He repeatedly admonishes us to WALK the talk, and WATCH the talk (many references to keeping our words in check)! He challenges our motives, our pride, and our prayer lives! James is not a book for the one who wants to stay in comfort! It is a book for the one who wants to move on to the maturity God has waiting for us. There are many, many “NEXTS” in the book of James. As you read today, ask God “What’s next for me in these words from YOU, written by the brother of my Lord?” What do I need to leave behind and move toward? “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” (James 2:22)


Julie Hallman
May 12

Hebrews 12 - James 1

Brethren, God is awesome. He has given us His own Spirit to the ones who really believe in Him and love Him. In our struggles against sin, we have not yet resisted to the point of shedding our blood, as quoted in Hebrews 12:4. We forget the word of encouragement that addresses us as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son" Hebrews12 5. God wants us to be like Him and he will give us the strength and wisdom to overcome temptation. On our side we need to humble ourselves and accept his sovereignty. It is all about Him and not us. God disciplines us for our own good that we may share in His holiness. Our submission to God and His ways must be complete if we want to be really blessed. "See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks" Hebrews 12:25

We tend to believe that God tempts us. No, as it is written: "For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed." James 1:13-14. We are all short of the glory of God and only though Him we can endure hardships. When we face trials, we might be in pain, but God tells us to be in joy whenever we face trials of many kinds, knowing that the testing of our faith will develop perseverance. Brethren, let us strive for the hope we have in Him to be in heaven for eternity. What difference would it make to be in a permanent trial on this world if we know that we will be with Him forever? Our Lord gives us hope and ways to overcome trials by trusting and obeying Him. Praise our Lord!

During the short time we spend on this earth let us not be hearers but passionately let us be doers. Let us humbly accept the word that has been planted in our hearts to be a testimony of love and with certainty we'll be saved. Praise God for giving us the Spirit of power in Christ Jesus!

Armando Perdomo
May 11

Hebrews 10-11

Faith is trusting in the blood of Jesus sacrificed once for all time, for all people. We often read Hebrews 11 in wonder. We should read Hebrews 11 with a gentle nod of confidence knowing that the moments and days will come when we will exercise the same kind of faith in the face of persecution.

The moments and days are now.

A popular theme of Christian books right now is about reclaiming Christianity. Books like Unchristian and Jesus Wants to Save Christians Too reveal the lackadaisical faith so prevalent in our “Christian” communities. It seems that we’ve gotten so good at fitting in with the world that is hard for the world to tell us apart.

This should not be.

What God did in Jesus is forever final. Through Christ God gives us full assurance of the real life to come when the kingdom of God is fully come.

So, what would it take to get your name in the 2010 version of Hebrews 11? Would it be living debt free? Would it be serving the community, the hungry, your neighbors as much as you serve yourself? Would it be giving away at least ten percent? Would it be actually talking about Jesus to people in your world?

The last time I checked no one showed up at church with flesh and blood wounds as the result of persecution like those listed in Hebrews 11. I haven’t yet attended the funeral of someone killed for their faith. But maybe our wounds run deeper. Are we dead in other kinds of ways? What is holding you back from fully giving yourself to God? Can you you release that thing? Can you get help for that addiction? Can you trust a friend to share your burden?

As you live in full confidence in the mercy of God expressed through Jesus Christ, may you fully give yourself to the will of God.



Nathan Tillotson
May 10

Hebrews 6-9

Priests and covenants and sacrifices everywhere. (The Bible is a really bloody book, huh? Can you imagine if we still had the old covenant and had to sacrifice and burn animals and sprinkle blood and all that stuff? Wow-the germ-a-phobes would not survive!) How cool is it that Jesus is all three in one: He’s the high priest, the guarantee of a better/new covenant, and the ultimate sacrifice! So, it begs the question—“if Jesus is all that, what can I do?” Answer: absolutely nothing! We can’t do a thing. And yet we keep trying so often to be better people, to give more, to “please” God. It can’t be done-let it go! Let God save you once and for all and quit trying to do it yourself! Now, I’ll get off my soap box and try to practice what I preach...



Jim Bales
May 9

Hebrews 1-5

This whole blog-writing thing has been a bit of a journey for me. I’ve always loved writing. When I graduated from college back in the day [4 years ago] I tried to start writing a blog. I thought it would be a good way to keep up with friends…really I was just having a quarter-life crisis and I thought writing would relieve my despondence. Writing did prove to alleviate my post-college confusion but it was writing in a journal to the Lord not on a public web domain. As I scripted my first entry I was burdened with this realization that blogging assumes that others CARE about what you have to say. My fingers jumped around on the keyboard in attempt to explain why I was beginning a blog and half-way through my first letter to the world I decided authoring a blog wasn’t in my future.

This is my second encounter with blog-writing. Knowing my previous affair, I was a bit apprehensive when Jeff mentioned “blogging through the New Testament.” But I sat down at the computer with my first assignment and I found myself in a familiar position…fingers hovering over the alphabet, wondering if it was presumptuous to assume anyone cared about my thoughts on life. Not only were my measly thoughts going public, but now it was also my inadequate summary of God’s AMAZING gift to us: His Word.

Every week I sit down to write about my selected chapters from the New Testament and I confess to God that I am not even worthy of trying to explain His word. Those adjectives that God uses to describe His Holy Bible flood into my head: living, active, sharp, able to penetrate the heart. Next come the adjectives that describe my words: fleeting, unsure, incomplete, obtuse. I ask God to use me despite myself.

That whole exercise took place yesterday when I opened to Hebrews. As I read verse by verse and attempted to soak up God’s direction, I was confronted with those powerful adjectives…“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” I stopped reading. I thought for a while about just writing those words as my blog entry this week. If I really believe that His words are living, active, and powerful should I not just let them speak for themselves?

But I think God gave me this personal battle to share with you. Recently, I’ve been consistently confronted with scriptures in the Bible concerning transformation – “do not conform to the world, rather be transformed by the renewing of your mind”… “it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart”… “But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.”
When I read scripture like this, I am hungry for that seemingly life-altering change. I don’t want to settle for the watered-down version. If God says in His word that we will be guided and transformed and convicted deeply by a relationship with Him…then why are we not? Why does His word seem more like boring and outdated than alive and penetrating to the soul? This may not be your battle, and if it’s not then excuse me for being so lame.

I have asked God why His Word isn’t penetrating my heart and why I am not being transformed and recently God gave me the answer and it was in just a few verses of Psalm 119 that I’m sure I’ve read before….and you probably have too, but I encourage you to click it and take part in the desperation of the Psalmist.

God is still the same as He was when those words were written in Hebrews. He still uses His word to divide the soul and spirit. I think we are the problem [what’s new?].

Have you ever told God that you meditate on His precepts? Or that you rejoice in following His rules? Or asked Him how you can keep your way pure? The Psalmist is in a passionate pursuit of God. He is so beaten and burdened by his own sin. He desires nothing more than to keep his way pure and to hear from God…to know Him, not to have an education about Him but to KNOW Him.

If any of you are still reading, you are probably wishing I had opted to write those two sentences from Hebrews. I don’t know if there is anything I can write that will convince you to open God’s Word with the kind of desperation noted in Psalm 119. Pray today that God will teach your heart how to feast on His Word and that the Spirit will guide you. May His Word become living, active, and sharp to you.


Jenna Trapasso
May 8

II Timothy 4 - Titus - Philemon

Earthquakes

Can you believe the number of earthquakes we have experienced in the last few months?

January 12 – Haiti 7.0
March 2- Chili 8.8
April – Mexicali 7.2
April 13 – China 7.1

Wow all of this makes you think about Jesus words in Mark 13:7-9 NIV

…Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. {8} Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. {9} "You must be on your guard.…

That passage is enough to make you think that the end times may be near, but read the passage that is in today’s reading from 2 Tim 3:1-7 NIV:

…But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. {2} People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, {3} without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, {4} treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- {5} having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. {6} They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, {7} always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.

I am not sure which is more convicting?


Brad Childers
May 7

I Timothy 6 - II Timothy 3

Passing the baton

Do you know what relay runners practice more than anything else? It’s the 1.5 seconds it takes to pass the baton to the next runner. Now think about this: A 400 meter relay racer will run for several minutes all by themselves. They are running solo much longer than they are passing the baton. But experience tells them that the moment things are most likely to go wrong is in the hand-off. That’s the moment everyone is watching for and the moment about which they are the most tense.

As I read his last letter to Timothy I can feel Paul’s passion about the hand-off he is making. This is Paul’s last letter to his young apprentice and probably the last thing he wrote in scripture. Paul’s getting along in years and he knows two key things: There are false teachers, argumentative members and down-right nasty folks who will try to derail the young man. And he knows that he will not be there to help him. Mortality is a pain. I get that. It bugs me that I may not be able to see my grandchildren’s children. (I know. I know. I don’t have grandkids yet… but you start thinking about these things as the years start to pile up. Can I get an “Oh, yeah!” from the wrinkled crowd?)

So Paul gives Timothy one last “Stay true” speech from his old mentor. He warns him and challenges him. He reminds him of the people like his mother and grandmother who passed the faith on to him. These godly ladies made sure the baton was safely in Timothy’s hands. And Paul wants Timothy to remember the gift they gave him and the training he had given him.

But the real question on Paul’s mind is… What’s NEXT? Will Timothy pass on the baton of faith to those coming after him. Paul won’t be around to do it. Its up to Timothy and his generation. That’s why Paul says…

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. 2 Tim. 2:2

Strange how the reference for that verse worked out. Did you notice: 2nd Timothy 2:2. A lot of two’s there! Its almost as though God worked through the king’s editors to put the verse marker right there to underline the point.

It takes two: One to hold the faith. One to receive it.

So who are you handing the baton to?


Jeff Walling
May 6

I Timothy 1-5

I Tim. 1: 15-17-
15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

These verses connect with me a lot. Especially the part where Paul says that Christ Jesus displays His unlimited patience with me. He is so perfect and works through us- temporary earthen vessels- for His purposes and glory. These verses remind me that in response to such awesome grace and mercy toward me to show this same love, mercy, and unlimited patience to others... This is not easy for me who can be critical many times of others. It is funny how easy it is to be like the ungrateful servant who was forgiven by his master for a large debt and then he in turn does not forgive the small debt that someone owed him. Aren't you glad God is so patient with us as He molds us into His image? A lifetime does not seem to be long enough to do this.


Jack Exum
May 5

I Thessalonians 4 - II Thessalonians 3

Discernment

Ever worked with someone who wasn’t pulling their fair share of the load? Ever felt like you were giving more than 50% in a relationship, where the other person made you carry more of the burden?

I confess, my first inclination in those situations is to assume the other person is lazy, and I resent the fact I’m doing more than they are.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Paul helps us see there might be more than one reason why someone is falling down on the job, and we need to apply the right action to the right cause. He says “warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, and be patient with all men.”

Know what? All three of those people look the same on the outside – no output! But if I’m not careful, and if I take the wrong action, I could cause worse problems.

If I warn the timid or weak, they’ll just wither up and melt away. They don’t need me jumping down their throat or berating them. A harsh word will drive them further into their shell, and they won’t come out again for fear of getting their head chopped off.

And if I encourage or help the idle, they’ll just continue to lie around doing nothing while feeling even better about themselves, because I obviously don’t mind they aren’t producing. They don’t need a gentle, kind word – they need a fire lit under them!

And if I help the timid, they’ll be offended. It’s not that they don’t know how to do the task at hand, but rather they lack the motivation or confidence to see it through. They just need someone to believe in them.

It’s so easy for me to judge another’s heart, and jump to the wrong conclusion about why they are acting the way they are. But no matter the root cause, Paul says I am to be patient with all men. That’s the hardest thing for me to do! Why can’t they pick up the pace? Work longer hours? Crank out more deliverables? Do more, better, with less?

It might just take an investment of my time to dig deeper into what is going on in someone’s life in order to correctly discern the core issue. God forgive me when I lack discernment, love, and patience!


Lee Thrasher
May 4

Colossians 3 - I Thessalonians 3

Spring flowers! Fresh air! Warm breezes! New clothes! Yes, I’ll admit that the change of seasons does cause my thoughts to drift towards new outfits. This is not a year that will be punctuated by many shopping trips, but Paul’s exhortations in the third chapter of Colossians did jump out at me.

It is a chapter that is full of activity: setting our hearts, setting our minds, putting to death, getting rid of, taking off, putting on, clothing ourselves. It sounds like a spring closet cleaning to me. Perhaps what God really wants me to do is to look into the closet of my heart and see what is hanging around. Are there old habits, wants, sins, and grudges that are filling the shelves?

Am I committed to setting my heart and my mind on the things above and not on earthly things? If my life is truly hidden with Christ in God, then the recesses of my heart should be like a window thrown open on a warm spring day. The Holy Spirit should be able to easily reach in to clothe me with compassion and kindness. Perhaps today will call for a lovely shawl of gentleness or a warm coat of patience. No outfit will be complete without the finishing touch of a gossamer veil of humility.

Paul reminds me of the trappings that I want to be wearing when I tell others about my Savior. When my heart is dressed in love and unity, then nothing will detract from the truth of His message. I bet Paul didn’t intend to preach about shopping!


Kathleen Tatro
May 3

Philippians 4 - Colossians 2

One theme runs consistent throughout the book of Colossians: ALL . Paul uses this three letter word more than 30 times in four short chapters! All of the following are from chapters 1-2. Jesus is the “firstborn over ALL creation”; He is “before ALL things”; “ALL things hold together in Him”. “God was pleased to have ALL His fullness dwell” in Jesus and “to reconcile ALL things to Himself” through Him. “ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hidden in Christ. He forgave ALL our sins. Stop the truck….did you notice the past tense in the last one? Colossians 2:13 doesn’t say “He FORGIVES ALL my sins…It says He FORGAVE ALL my sins! It has already been done in the work of Jesus on the cross! Gives new meaning in my heart to His words from the cross, “It is finished!” One more ALL: Colossians 1:28-29: “We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with ALL wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with ALL His energy, which so powerfully works within me.” Wow! We have ALL Christ’s wisdom and ALL His energy working within us. Jesus is truly my ALL in ALL! Lord let me live it!


Julie Hallman
May 2