A Faithful Saying

Portion for the day - 1 Timothy

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15

a. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance: This unusual phrase introduces a statement of special importance. Paul used this phrase 5 times – all in the Pastoral Epistles.

b. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners: Jesus came to save sinners, not those living under the illusion of their own righteousness. It is the sick who need a physician (Mark 2:17).

Since Jesus came into the world to save sinners, this is the first necessary qualification for being a child of God - being a sinner. Sinners are not disqualified from coming to God, because Jesus came to save them. We also see the great danger in taking the terms sin and sinner out of our vocabulary. Many preachers deliberately do this today, because they don’t want to offend anyone from the pulpit. But if Jesus came to save sinners, shouldn’t we identify who those sinners are? How else will they come to salvation? “Even those who recognize that Christ’s work is to save admit that it is more difficult to believe that this salvation belongs to sinners. Our mind is always prone to dwell on our own worthiness and, as soon as our unworthiness becomes apparent, our confidence fails. Thus the more a man feels the burden of his sins, he ought with greater courage to betake himself to Christ, relying on what is here taught, that He came to bring salvation not to the righteous but to sinners.” (Calvin)

b. Of whom I am chief: Paul’s claim to be the chief of sinners was not an expression of some super-pious false humility. He genuinely felt his sins made him more accountable before God than others.

Aren’t we all equally sinners? No; “All men are truly sinners, but all men are not equally sinners. They are all in the mire; but they have not all sunk to an equal depth in it.” (Spurgeon) Paul felt - rightly so - his sins were worse because he was responsible for the death, imprisonment, and suffering of Christians, whom he persecuted before his life was changed by Jesus (Acts 8:3; 9:1-2, 1 Corinthians 15:9, Galatians 1:13, Philippians 3:6). In Acts 26:11, Paul explained to Agrippa what might have been his worst sin: And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. He compelled others to blaspheme Jesus. “This, indeed, was a very horrible part of Saul’s sinfulness. To destroy their bodies was bad enough, but to destroy their souls too-to compel them to blaspheme, to speak evil of that name which they confessed to be their joy and their hope, surely that was the worst form that even persecution could assume. He forced them under torture to abjure the Christ whom their hearts loved. As it were he was not content to kill them, but he must damn them too.” (Spurgeon)

There are worse kinds of sin; sins that harm God’s people are especially bad in God’s eyes. We must soberly consider if we are guilty, now or in the past, of harming God’s people. “[God] remembers jests and scoffs leveled at his little ones, and he bids those who indulge in them to take heed. You had better offend a king than one of the Lord’s little ones.” (Spurgeon) “Despair’s head is cut off and stuck on a pole by the salvation of ‘the chief of sinners.’ No man can now say that he is too great a sinner to be saved, because the chief of sinners was saved eighteen hundred years ago. If the ringleader, the chief of the gang, has been washed in the precious blood, and is now in heaven, why not I? Why not you?” (Spurgeon)

Activity – Dots

Source: David Guzik Commentary, enduringword.com / picture taken from : scottbyersdesign . c o m / game: calvary william sport . com

Guidance for Body Life

Portion for the day - 2 Thessalonians 3

For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. Verses 11-13

a. There are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner: The idleness of some had become a source of sin. It was not only because of the work that they didn’t do, but also because of the harm they did do with their idle time (but are busybodies).

i. There is a play on words between the ancient Greek phrasing in the lines not working at all and but are busybodies. The idea is something like “busybodies who do no business.”
ii. Perhaps these busybodies thought that if Jesus was coming soon, it made no sense to work. It would then be easy for them to intrude into the lives of others and take advantage of Christian generosity.
iii. “It is the inactive drones whom Paul is berating – those who live by the sweat of others while they themselves do nothing for the common good to help the human race, such as our monks and priests who acquire ample dimensions by their inactivity.” (Calvin)

b. Now those who are such we command: With authority, through our Lord Jesus, Paul commanded these busybodies to work, to get out of the business of others (in quietness) and to provide for their own needs (eat their own bread) instead of expecting other Christians to provide for them.

i. The early church did provide for the truly needy among them, but only after being certain that they were truly needy and after putting them to work for the church (1 Timothy 5:3-16).
ii. “Paul forbids the Thessalonians to encourage their laziness by indulging it, and teaches that it is those who proved themselves with the necessities of life by honourable and useful work that lead a life of holiness.” (Calvin)

c. Do not grow weary in doing good: This was a proper encouragement for those who were working as they should. Few things are more wearying than seeing others take advantage of Christian generosity. But we should never let the manipulations of some discourage us from doing good to the truly needy.

i. The older King James Version has this, be not weary in well doing. There is plenty of well-wishing in the world, well-resolving, well-suggesting, and well-criticizing are also found in plenty. Many people are good at well-talking, but there is not enough of simple well doing.
ii. “But well doing consists in taking down the shutters and selling your goods; tucking up your shirt sleeves and doing a good day’s work; sweeping the carpets and dusting the chairs, if you happen to be a domestic servant. Well doing is attending to the duties that arise out of our relationships in life – attending carefully to them, and seeing that in nothing we are eye-servers and men-pleasers, but in everything are seeking to serve God.” (Spurgeon)
iii. There are many excuses one might make to allowing weariness in doing good, but they should all be rejected.

·“It takes so much effort to keep doing good” – but you will extend effort towards the things of the world.
·“It takes so much self-denial to keep doing good” – but it is worth it when we consider the reward.
·“It just brings me persecution to do good” – but your persecutions are nothing compared to that which others have suffered.
·“People don’t respond and there are little results when I do good” – but remember how slow you were to respond to Jesus Christ. “It doesn’t earn much gratitude when I do good” – but God sends many blessings even to those who do not thank or appreciate Him.

Activity - The Day Of The Lord

Source: David Guzik Commentary, enduringword.com / picture taken from : hicterphoto . c o m

The inner life of prayer and the outer life of witness

Portion for reading - Colossians 4

1. The inner life of prayer.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. (Verses 2-4)

a. Continue earnestly in prayer: Paul supported the Colossian church through His prayers for them (Colossians 1:3-8). Their life and ministry would continue to prosper through continued vigilance in prayer, including prayer on their part.

i. The ancient Greek word translated continue is “Built on a root meaning ‘to be strong,’ it always connotes earnest adherence to a person or thing. In this passage it implies persistence and fervor.” (Vaughan)

ii. This sort of earnest prayer is important, but does not come easy. Earnestly in prayer speaks of great effort steadily applied. “Heaven’s gate is not to be stormed by one weapon but by many. Spare no arrows, Christian. Watch and see that none of the arms in thy armoury are rusty. Besiege the throne of God with a hundred hands, and look at the promise with a hundred eyes. You have a great work on hand for you have to move the arm that moves the world; watch, then, for every means of moving that arm. See to it that you ply every promise; that you use every argument; that you wrestle with all might.” (Spurgeon)

b. Being vigilant in it with thanksgiving: We are to be vigilant in prayer, but always praying with thanksgiving for the great things God has done.

i. Barclay on vigilant: “Literally the Greek means to be wakeful. The phrase could well mean that Paul is telling them not to go to sleep when they pray.” Sometimes, because of the tiredness of our body or mind, we struggle against sleep when we pray. Other times we pray as if we were asleep, and our prayers simply sound and feel tired and sleepy.

ii. “Prayer should be mingled with praise. I have heard that in New England after the Puritans had settled there a long while, they used to have very often a day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer, till they had so many days of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, that at last a good senator proposed that they should change it for once, and have a day of thanksgiving.” (Spurgeon)

iii. “The connection here with thanksgiving may suggest the threefold rhythm: intercession, ‘watching’ for answers to prayer, and thanksgiving when answers appear.” (Wright)

c. Meanwhile praying also for us: Paul seemed to say, “As long as we are on the subject of prayer, please pray for us!” But Paul didn’t ask for prayer for his personal needs (which were many), but that God would open to us a door for the word.

i. The same word picture of an open door as an open opportunity for the gospel is seen in passages such as Acts 14:27, 1 Corinthians 16:9, and 2 Corinthians 2:12.

d. As I ought to speak: Even though Paul was in chains for his faithfulness to the gospel, he knew that he ought to speak it in a way that would make it manifest (clearly evident). Paul wanted prayer that he would continue to make the gospel clear and evident, even if it meant more chains.

2. The outer life of witness.

Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Verses 5-6)

source: enduringword

Activity For The Day - Scramble

Vision and Communion

“Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.” Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord. (Genesis 13:17-18)

a. Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you: As a token of Abram’s reception of the land by faith, God wants Abram to explore the land of promise, to walk through it as if it were his, though he does not have “title deed” to it yet.

i. In the same way, God wants us to explore our “land of promise,” His Word, where God has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4), where He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). He wants us to walk through this “land,” possessing it by faith.

b. Dwelt by the terbinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron: The name Mamre means, “vision.”; Hebron means “communion.” Abram is once again walking in the Lord’s vision for him and in communion with the Lord.

Right or left, Abram knew he could trust God. He did it because he learned God would provide for his needs, and he did not have to worry about being too generous. Abram knew whatever Lot chose God would make sure Abram came out all right. Now, he is wiser and is willing to let God look out for his interests. Right or left, it didn’t matter to Abram, because God would be there. Because he trusted in God, Abram did not have to be obsessed with his own “rights” and neither do we. The only right we truly have is the right to go to hell. Everything else is the free gift of God and has nothing to do with our “rights.”

Source : Enduringword

This Is Love

"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." 2 John 1:6

We don't often think of love in terms of obedience and yet obedience was so much a part of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on our behalf. It was through obedience to the Father's will that He proved his undying love for Him, as well as each of us. He was willing to walk the road of shame, ignominy and pain to prove his love for both His Father and for every human being on this earth. It was through obedience to the Father's plan that he proved his love. So it is with each of us. If we are to be made into the image of our risen Savior, we must walk in obedience to the commands of the Father. By obedience to His will in our lives, we show Him how much we love Him. We prove that our love for Him will take us anywhere and sacrifice anything for Him. If we take this a step further; our love for our families, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and even our enemies will sometimes take us where we would not normally wish to go. Ultimately, love is obedience to the will of the Father. It means sacrifice for the good of others, it means laying down our lives, it means doing whatever is asked of us. Jesus held back nothing to prove his love for us; let us follow in his footsteps and walk in love. We have the opportunity to make an impact for Christ by expressing our love to others through sacrifice. May we never lose that opportunity, but remain obedient to the Father's will.

Activity - "What Is Love?"

Source : sermons4kids

What Manner of Love

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 3:1 KJV

Love: what manner of love is this, a father’s love? It is a love that watches and waits and never gives up on a wayward son. It is a love that chooses the most worthless children and makes them sons and daughters of the King. It is a love that gives that which is dearest to Him, His Son, that He might call us His children. This is a love that we can now taste, a love beyond anything we have ever known or experienced on this earth. It is unmatched; priceless; and it is ours!

Precious Father, how in awe we are of you and your love for us! You have everything, and yet you desired that we would become your children. You left no stone unturned to gain us as your children and you spared no expense, even though it cost you the life of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. You adopted us because you wanted to and for no other reason. Thank you, Father, for letting us experience this kind of love, a love without condition. Oh, that we might be worthy of such a Father as you! All we can do is to bow in adoration at your feet and say, "Thank you for loving us so." Amen.

Activity - Word Search

Source : qwchristiandevotions

Walk As Jesus Did

Passage : 1 John 2

"Whoever claims to live in him, must walk as Jesus did." 1 John 2:6

Whoever claims Jesus Christ as Lord, whoever professes that they have life in Jesus, must walk in His footsteps. This is a BIG task. His are enormous footsteps to follow, but we are not alone. Christ has promised to live within us. Col. 1:27, "Christ in you, the hope of glory!" The only way to have Christ live within us is for us to open up our hearts to him, and to become one with him. We can only do that if we know him in an intimate way. The obvious question then is, "How did Jesus walk?" Jesus gave us four gospel accounts that shed light on how he walked. It is only by studying these accounts and by spending time with him in prayer that we will begin to understand what his walk was about. Jesus Christ walked in obedience to his Father's will. He never wavered from that course. The Scriptures tell us that he delighted to do the will of his Father, even though it led him to the cross. We will see that Jesus spent many hours in prayer and fellowship with his Father: this was how he maintained his focus. He surrounded himself with godly men, who loved his Father and wished to serve Him. He reached out to a hurting world and gave of himself entirely. He was selfless: sacrificing his own needs for those of others. He laid down his life not only for his friends, but also for his enemies. Indeed this is a big challenge, but with God all things are possible! We have claimed the name of Jesus, which is only the first step; now we must follow in his footsteps.

Source : qwchristiandevotions