1 Timothy 4 - Reading the Scriptures

1 Timothy 4 NIV

So, you say you believe? What is it that you believe? I do not dare consider how many who say they are Christians are actually following the deceiving spirits that St. Paul advises Timothy to watch out for in today's reading.

 

We can have all the "spiritual" feelings that we want; we can follow all the traditions that are thrown at us; but, without Christ crucified, we cannot be saved. To say "I believe" does not necessarily mean that you know Christ. You say that, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." (James 2:19) A lot of people say they believe. The question we should ask ourselves is not so much do we believe; but, do we know the one who died for us? Have we taken the time to get to really know the one who died for us? Or, is saying, "I believe," good enough?

 

Paul wrote to Timothy, "Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching." (vs 13) In the pages of the Holy Scripture you will find the knowledge of who God is. In those pages, that have been left unopened for so long, you will find a greater understanding of what God has done for you in Christ Jesus. You will not glean a closer relationship with Jesus by accepting the teaching on the History Channel or by the many self-proclaimed prophets on the television who promise you riches by sending them your riches. In order to know who this Jesus really is; in order to know Jesus, God has provided you His word. If someone says to you, Jesus said this or that; Jesus wants this or that from you; unless it is can be supported by the Holy Scriptures, do not believe it. If you want to know Jesus, who is the living Word, hear and study the word of God.

 

And, please, be aware: Spirituality and Christianity are not necessarily the same things!

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 11:14-28 The House Will Fall

Luke 11:14-28 NIV
"A house divided will fall.." (vs 17)

There are times, many times, that people in a family, a church, or a community will disagree with one another. But, that disagreement should not necessarily lead to division. Divisions detract us from our purpose; our mission. We are so busy worrying about how to get our way that we forget to proclaim the Kingdom of God. We forget to share the love of God in Christ Jesus with others.

Sometimes separation is inevitable as Jesus reminds us that if someone will not hear or receive the Word of God we should depart and find someone who will. (Luke 9:5) But, often it is just the devil that divides us by stirring up things like greed or envy or maybe self-righteousness.

So the next time you don't care for the color of the carpet that the committee picked or the janitor they hired, remember that a house divided will fall. I know it's probably not the intent of any within the local churches to have it fail; but, when we switch our focus from Jesus to how we're going to get our own way in the church over material things in the church that is exactly where we are heading.

Whoever is not with him is against him, and whoever does not gather with him scatters.

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 9:37-43a Jesus Does It

Luke 9:37-43


The disciples had not been able to deliver this boy from the demon; but, Jesus could and did. Without laying even a hand on him the boy was delivered.

Sometimes when we are not able to accomplish something that we really thought we ought to be able to do we get frustrated with our inabilities. And... that may just be the reason our endeavor failed. We attempted to accomplish it with our own power rather than trust (believe wholeheartedly) that Jesus would accomplish it through us. It is not we, but Christ in us, who does all things.

God's Peace - Pr. J