Today’s reading: 1 Chron 21:1–22:19, 2 Tim 2:14–26, Ps 86:1–87:7

Today’s theme: Please God, not man

There are multiple lessons today all centred around the theme of ‘Pleasing God rather than man’. If we live to please God we will be merciful, excellent, Christlike in leadership, handle God’s word well, correct with gentleness and run from lust which will all serve to make our calling and election sure.

1 Chronicles 21:1–22:19

The opposer and accuser

Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel. 1 Chronicles 21:1 (ESV)

Satan (the one who opposes God and accuses His people), is a real being. He is not like God so he is NOT all knowing, all powerful or all present, the Devil is a fallen Angel, he can only be in one place at a time doing one thing at a time. Often we see him involved in high profile cases like Job’s trial, Jesus’ temptation and here he tempts David with the aim of destroying God’s people.

We need to be aware that Satan and his vast network of fellow demons are at work in the world today. Often in this same context, moving leaders to sin which brings destruction to the people.

Paul is aware of this invisible war and reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

Please God, not men

But he did not include Levi and Benjamin in the numbering, for the king’s command was abhorrent to Joab. 1 Chronicles 21:6 (ESV)

Joab was so often a good leader and this was one of his better moments where he refused to fulfil the Kings demand by skipping two of the tribes. We can learn from his example that we ought to fear God rather than man. See Mark 8:33 and Galatians 1:10 where Paul states “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Be merciful

Then David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let me fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is very great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” 1 Chronicles 21:13 (ESV)

God’s discipline is not vindictive or cruel but is tempered by His mercy. We must learn from this when we are in authority and need to deal out discipline to our children for example or a subordinate at work. Jesus clearly instructs us in Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Also see Jude 22-23.

Christlike leadership

And David said to God, “Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father’s house. But do not let the plague be on your people.” 1 Chronicles 21:17 (ESV)

David is Christ like in his leadership, offering himself for the people. This is the heart of true intercession. A good leader will sacrifice himself for the people he leads. Jesus taught us that true leadership is servanthood and true greatness requires sacrifice.

Jesus declares in Mark 9:35 “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 9:19 “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.”

The Apostle John reminds us in 1 John 3:16 “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

The value of cost

But King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 1 Chronicles 21:24 (ESV)

There is a cost in our walk, cost brings value and will cause us to treasure what is bought. Jesus teaches us to count the cost in Luke 14:28-33 “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?…So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

The benefits of discipleship far outweigh the cost!

Answered by fire

And David built there an altar to the LORD and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings and called on the LORD, and the LORD answered him with fire from heaven upon the altar of burnt offering. 1 Chronicles 21:26 (ESV)

David was a man of prayer like Elijah who God also answered by fire from heaven. James reminds us in James 5:17 “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth.”

Be excellent

For David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the LORD must be exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all lands. I will therefore make preparation for it.” So David provided materials in great quantity before his death. 1 Chronicles 22:5 (ESV)

We should have the same spirit of excellence with all we do for God, for the rise and spread of His fame throughout the earth

Arise and work

gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Arise and work! The LORD be with you!” 1 Chronicles 22:16 (ESV)

This same call goes out to God’s people today, we should arise and work, because God is with us. As Jesus reminds us in John 9:4 “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.”

2 Timothy 2:14–26

Handle God’s word correctly

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)

This is why bible reading, bible study and submission to good bible teaching is so important. The word of God needs to be divided correctly, when taken out of context it is at best not helpful and at worst rank heresy.

We are all called to be God’s approved workers rightly handling God’s precious word. We should not get into endless debates which are a distraction and waste of time.

Make your own election sure

But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” 2 Timothy 2:19 (ESV)

This scripture helps us deal with the mystery of election. God knows those who are His so we should not waste our time trying to figure that out. Instead, we should focus on departing from evil in our own lives. It is our sanctification that concerns us not the secret will of God in election. We make our calling and election sure (to us) by living as God commands.

Run away from lust

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV)

There must be a conscious running away from lust and sin and a running toward purity, faith and love. We should see God’s commands not as a tightrope to walk between righteousness and sin but a starting line to run from, towards God. We should not teeter on the edge of darkness but rather run away from it lest we slip.

Correct with gentleness

correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 2 Timothy 2:25 (ESV)

We must remember this when we need to correct those opposing the truth.

Psalm 86:1–87:7

God our teacher

Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. Psalm 86:11 (ESV)

God is our great teacher, we agree with this prayer today that our hearts will be single, devoted to Him and not double minded.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Timothy 2

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 18:1–20:8, 2 Tim 2:1–13, Ps 85:1–13

Today’s theme: Called to Generosity

Today we are taught a lot about our calling. One way of summing up our calling is that we are called to be generous with our riches, time, resources, energy and abilities. We all have a part to play so act out the miracle of your new life in Christ today.

1 Chronicles 18:1–20:8

Be generous and faithful

These also King David dedicated to the LORD, together with the silver and gold that he had carried off from all the nations, from Edom, Moab, the Ammonites, the Philistines, and Amalek. 1 Chronicles 18:11 (ESV)

David shows us a great example of how we should be with all the Lord has given us. David was so generous and faithful to the Lord that he did not just make himself rich with the spoils of war but instead laid them up to be used by his son Solomon in the building of the temple.

Jesus commends this type of attitude in us as believers with both our physical and spiritual resources being dedicated to the Lord’s service. We see this in His parable about the coins (talents) in Matthew 25:14-30.

Play your part in God’s government

So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people. 1 Chronicles 18:14 (ESV)

David was more than just a military commander. This small section shows us that David reorganised the government of Israel at the highest levels with capable administrators helping to establish an efficient kingdom state.

Joab, who by the way is David’s Nephew who we see proves his military ability in the next chapter, was made head of the armed forces.  Meanwhile, courageous and loyal Beniah was made the head of the elite bodyguard detail (like the secret service).

In the body of Christ, Jesus like king David has organised His kingdom giving each member it’s role to perform for the good of the whole. We need to know what our office is and function within that calling.

1 Corinthians 12:18 tells us “But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.”

Romans 12:4-8 teaches us “…so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us….”

Use your strength for God

Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.” 1 Chronicles 19:13 (ESV)

Joab’s military leadership really shines through in this passage. This is the type of strategising we see in military geniuses like Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Julius Caesar or Attila the Hun. Joab shows his heart for the Lord in this call to rally his troops as they enter battle.

Like Joab said, let us use our strength for the body of Christ and the kingdom of God. Paul knew this and so worked harder than all the other Apostles in 1 Corinthians 15:10. Paul also reminds us in 1 Timothy 4:10 that we are called to toil and strive for God’s kingdom.

Beware complacency, laziness or compromise

In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it. 1 Chronicles 20:1 (ESV)

Here we start to see the slow burn of complacency and compromise with David. It was the time of the year when kings go to battle, but instead David stayed home and sent Joab his military ace. They got the victory but this behaviour set the precedent for the fall David would have with Bathsheba.

We must not be caught out by complacency, laziness or compromise. As in David’s case we may not see the result of the rot straightaway but it will soon become apparent. We must be sober, on our guard and not give the enemy an inch in our lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 reminds us not to sleep but to stay awake and be alert. We must not get drunk on our own pleasure and comfort, we must stay sober.

Peter in his call to holiness proclaims in 1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

At war every hour

And there was again war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature, who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in number, and he also was descended from the giants. 1 Chronicles 20:6 (ESV)

This giant with his 24 digits can be seen symbolically for the giant enemies we face each hour of the day. We should identify the giants that come to torment us and like David and his men, kill every last one of them. Jesus told us to take up our cross daily and follow him in Luke 9:23.

2 Timothy 2:1–13

Called to teach

and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV)

This is the first of four analogies (Teacher, Soldier, Athlete and Farmer). Paul uses these to speak of the Christian life and ministry. Each points in some way to the need for whole hearted devotion in spite of difficulty.

As a teacher Paul encourages Timothy to pass on what he has learned from him (Paul) to faithful men who could also teach others. We see 4 generations here, Paul, Timothy, Faithful Men and Others.

Although the context tells us this is in regards to the continuation and spread of the ministry. Each of us is called to pass on what we have learned to the upcoming generations. We must grow and be mature as Christians so we can pass down what was passed down to us. We don’t need to make up something new, our faith is not novel. It is our duty to pass down the historically orthodox Christian faith to each generation.

Called to fight

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 2 Timothy 2:4 (ESV)

The second analogy for the Christian life is life as a soldier. As soldiers we endure harsh conditions, we are disciplined and willing to lay our lives on the line for our King. We obey commands, we show discipline, we fight, we defend, we protect, we have lives dedicated to duty.

We must not be short sighted, only concerned with life now. We must see the greater vision of the army and our commanding officer and seek to please Christ in faith.

Called to run and work

An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 2 Timothy 2:5–6 (ESV)

The next two analogies are of an Athlete and a Farmer.

Athletes need to be very disciplined, they need to watch what they eat and be disciplined in exercise and training. We need to be careful about what we eat spiritually and we need to constantly exercise our spiritual senses.

Athletes also have a drive to win, to gain the prize, to finish the race well. We can apply all of this to our walk with the Lord, we should run to win.

Farmers need to work hard. They get up earlier than everyone else, they need to show patience and perseverance in all seasons as they work ploughing the fields, planting the seeds and tending the crops. We are called to perseverance for our own lives but also as we work to see fruit in others.

The word of God is not bound

for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 2 Timothy 2:9 (ESV)

Nothing can stop the word of God! Even though Paul was in chains the word of God cannot be put in chains. This is why God allowed His word to be recorded in written form, this ensures the message goes where men cannot go and can be passed from person to person.

Thank God we have the unstoppable word of God. We should seek to see the word spread to every corner of the earth so that God’s elect may obtain the salvation that is in Jesus.

Psalm 85:1–13

The cross

Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Psalm 85:10 (ESV)

This is seen in full on the cross where Jesus was sacrificed in our place, making peace between us and God.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Timothy 2

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 16:1–17:27, 2 Tim 1:3–18, Ps 84:1–12

Today’s theme: Enjoy God

We are encouraged to rejoice in seeking the Lord today. God has given us His Holy Spirit so we do not need to be governed by fear. Today let’s declare God as king and seek to serve Him with joy in His kingdom. Do this in the security of His election and our eternal security as we persevere and guard what He has entrusted to us. Rejoice!

1 Chronicles 16:1–17:27

Rejoice as you seek the Lord

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! 1 Chronicles 16:10 (ESV)

Like king David, we should sing and give praise to God, we should give glory to God. The thanks we see David giving to God here are taken from some of his many psalms. First we see Psalm 105:1-5, followed by Psalm 96 and then parts of Psalm 106.

As we seek the Lord we should do it in joy. We should rejoice from our hearts as we read and study God’s word.

Declare God as sovereign

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place. 1 Chronicles 16:24–27 (ESV)

This great declaration proclaims God as sovereign. He is the only God and all the false gods are worthless nonsense.

We are called to proclaim God’s greatness as the true king to all nations. We do this through the proclamation of the Gospel and upholding the truth that God created the entire universe and deserves our praise and allegiance.

See Matthew 28:18–20 for the account of the great commission.

Seek to build God’s house

And I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover, I declare to you that the LORD will build you a house. 1 Chronicles 17:10 (ESV)

God knew David’s heart was to build Him a house of worship. Because of this God blesses David’s family declaring that they will always be on the throne. This will find it’s ultimate fulfilment at the return of Christ. See Luke 1:32, Romans 15:12 and Revelation 22:16.

We should have a heart like David to build up God’s house, the body of Christ. When we seek to build the body from our hearts through the gifts God has given us, God will reward us as He does here for David. See Ephesians 4:16.

Find courage from God’s word

For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for him. Therefore your servant has found courage to pray before you. 1 Chronicles 17:25 (ESV)

When we consider God’s promises to us in His word, it should give us confidence to approach God in prayer. Hebrews 4:16 and Romans 4:20-21.

2 Timothy 1:3–18

The marks of the Holy Spirit

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

As Paul writes this to encourage the young Pastor Timothy to not be timid in the proclamation and defence of his faith, we too can be encouraged that we have been adopted by God. That we have the gift of God Himself in the Holy Spirit.

The first mark of the Holy Spirit is that we have power to be witnesses and to undergo suffering for the Lord.

The second mark is love. Without love we are not authentic disciples of Jesus Christ. It is only this which allows us to serve others in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The third mark is self control. The Holy Spirit enables us to respond rather than react to the sort of opposition and resistance Timothy is experiencing.

God has elected us

who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 2 Timothy 1:9 (ESV)

God saved us and gave us our calling in ministry. Not because of any good we did, not even because we choose to trust in Christ. He saved us before the universe began, according to His own purpose and grace.

This is the mystery of election, God choose us and we do not know why. We praise Him for the love and grace He has shown to us. The fact that God chose us before the world began should fill us with confidence as we stand and minister in His name.

Eternally secured

which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. 2 Timothy 1:12 (ESV)

When we give our lives to the Lord we are entrusting Him with our lives and He keeps us. This is why we can have confidence in our salvation. We know who we believe in and He is able to keep us and come good on His promise. It is because of Jesus that our salvation is eternally secured.

Guard what you have

By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. 2 Timothy 1:14 (ESV)

This is the other side of eternal security. We don’t just trust God to keep us and then spend the rest of our Christian life in a rocking chair.

We need to guard what has been given to us. We have been given the Gospel, we are taught the bible every week and have the Holy Spirit. It is down to us to guard what we have and to hold on to it with the Spirit’s power.

Our lives are not those of rich brats waiting to come into their inheritance. We are soldiers in a very real fight, in the army of our Commander, The Warrior King, Jesus.

Psalm 84:1–12

Enjoy church

My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. Psalm 84:2 (ESV)

We should love coming together at church to serve and worship our God, the Living God.

God is my king

Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O LORD of hosts, my King and my God. Psalm 84:3 (ESV)

God is our King, we live by His decree, we live under His protection, serving in His kingdom and rejoicing in His reign.

Love God’s presence

For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:10 (ESV)

Our preference should be God’s house. Our appetite should be for God’s presence and to fellowship with God’s people.

Enjoy life in God

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 (ESV)

The Devil has lied to people saying God does not want good for them and wants to take the enjoyment out of life. This is a lie, God wants our lives to be full and enjoyable in Him.

As we walk in His ways there is no good thing that God will withhold from His people. God gets to define what is a good thing for us, not man.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Timothy 1

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 14:1–15:29, 2 Tim 1:1–2, Ps 83:1–18

Today’s theme: God breaks through

God breaks through against the enemy when we pray but also breaks through on us overcoming our flesh. We must be in a place to allow ourselves to be overcome by God

1 Chronicles 14:1–15:29

Polygamy is wrong

And David took more wives in Jerusalem, and David fathered more sons and daughters. 1 Chronicles 14:3 (ESV)

As mentioned in the note on 1 Chronicles 3:5, God never intended any man to practice polygamy (having multiple wives) and specifically instructed kings against this abuse of power in Deuteronomy 17:17.

David’s disobedience to this command has a terrible affect on his children as a brother rapes a sister. That brother is then killed by another brother who eventually usurps David.

As Christians we must defend and uphold the biblical model and mandate for marriage for life between one man and one woman.

Pray to God for breakthrough

And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 1 Chronicles 14:11 (ESV)

David did not just go up to fight, he asked God first and God answered him. This was not just in a spiritual sense but in the actual battle, God allowed them to defeat their enemies.

God is the God of breakthrough for our lives too. If we seek Him He will show us how to get breakthrough and see our enemies defeated. 2 Corinthians 10:4.

Be humble and repent

Then David said that no one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD had chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister to him forever. 1 Chronicles 15:2 (ESV)

One of the things we love about David’s example to us is that we see a real man with a real life full of mistakes who does not sit in the mess of his mistakes in pride forever. Rather, he seeks God in repentance.

Like David we must be quick to repent when we make mistakes and seek to live in accordance with God’s word. As David now seeks to minister in line with God’s law, so must we. Acts 17:30.

God breaks through

Because you did not carry it the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” 1 Chronicles 15:13 (ESV)

God is the Lord of the Breakthrough in two ways. He will empower us to overcome our enemies but He will also Himself breakthrough against our flesh in loving discipline so that we can learn to walk according to His word.

Jesus reminds us in John 15:2 that “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

Loving God’s presence

and with them their brothers of the second order, Zechariah, Jaaziel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Unni, Eliab, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattithiah, Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and the gatekeepers Obed-edom and Jeiel. 1 Chronicles 15:18 (ESV)

Obed-edom’s name comes up a few times in today’s reading. He is serving all over God’s house because he loves God’s presence.

Loving God’s presence cannot be disassociated with loving God Himself. Serving God should not be done or even considered apart from loving the Lord also.

2 Timothy 1:1–2

Grace, mercy and peace

To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:2 (ESV)

Thank God today for the grace, mercy and peace that comes from God. These are three wonderful graces we should think about and be thankful for today, here are some short definitions.

Grace: In Christian doctrine, this term refers to unmerited divine favour. In summary form, the Christian message is “the gospel of God’s grace”.

Mercy: Compassion or leniency shown to another, especially an offender.

Peace: Safety, prosperity, well-being; intactness, wholeness. Peace can have a focus of security and safety which can bring feelings of satisfaction, well-being and contentment.

Taken from The Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible and  Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words

Psalm 83:1–18

Pray for shame

Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD. Psalm 83:16 (ESV)

This is a strategy we can use in prayer.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Timothy 1

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 12:1–13:14, 1 Tim 6:11–21, Ps 81:1–82:8

Today’s theme: The army of the King

We have been called to enlist in God’s great army, as servants of the one true God and King, to see His kingdom established and His name glorified throughout the earth. We also learn other related lessons such as; understanding the times, God being at work in us, fighting to persevere, guarding the truth and honouring the one true God. These are all the expectations of soldiers in God’s army, that we might enjoy God’s blessings and praise His name.

1 Chronicles 12:1–13:14

God’s great army

For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like an army of God. 1 Chronicles 12:22 (ESV)

We are called to be in God’s great army. Here are some things we pick up from this chapter about what we should be, as fighters in God’s Army:

In verse 1 – we should love the Lord with all our mind, soul and strength, using our energy to help, for the cause of our king. Mark 12:30

In verse 2 – we should be flexible and adaptable in ministry and  our work for the Lord. 1 Corinthians 12:18 and Ephesians 4:16

In Verse 8 – our experiences in life and our walk with the Lord should help us as we fight the good fight, we should use the shield of faith. Let the Lion of the tribe of Judah shine through and be quick to follow the Lord, repent and do good. Ephesians 6:16

In verse 14 – we must remember that we are more than conquerors, our faith should be in God and we should be encouraged that greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world. Romans 8:37

In verse 18 – we should be clothed in the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

Let us fight in the King’s Army today. 1 Timothy 1:18 and 2 Timothy 4:7

Understanding of the times

Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command. 1 Chronicles 12:32 (ESV)

Jesus taught us to watch and pray, in Mark 14:38, and He rebuked Israel for not seeing the signs and for missing it’s time of visitation, in Luke 19:44.

We should be like the men of Issachar who had understanding of the times. As Christians we need to engage with the world around us and keep ourselves informed on current affairs and the daily news.

We should understand what implications the news, law and cultural movements have, from a Christian worldview and what the potential spiritual impact is.

We have agencies and resources to help with this, these include: Open Doors, CSW and Release International. There is also Christian News/Trend analysis like Christian Concern and “The Briefing” by Albert Mohler, to name just a few.

We must stay watchful, be sober (1 Peter 5:8), keep our eyes open and always pray in response to what we see.

God at work in you

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God. 1 Chronicles 13:10 (ESV)

The work and ministry of the Lord cannot be handled in whichever way we want, even our lives are not our own because it is God who is in us, just like He was in the Ark. 1 Corinthians 6:19

When we seek to live before God and to work in the Kingdom, we should do so with fear and trembling because God is God. We must be led by His Spirit and not work or try to live by our own ideas and fleshly efforts, which only leads to death. Romans 8:4-6 and Galatians 5:16

Paul reminds us in Philippians 2:12-13 regarding our walk and work before the Lord, that… “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

The blessing of God’s presence

And the ark of God remained with the household of Obed-edom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that he had. 1 Chronicles 13:14 (ESV)

God’s presence in our lives, blesses our lives and households as it did Obed Edom. We should have homes where God’s presence dwells.

1 Timothy 6:11–21

The fight of perseverance

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 (ESV)

The word “Fight” is the Greek word agōnizomai (ἀγωνίζομαι) which means to compete, engage in a contest, to fight, struggle, conquer, defeat, help, agony, anxiety, make effort, contest, to contend, to exert, to be a combatant, to exert oneself and strive earnestly.

This is in line with the theme we observed in today’s OT reading, of being in God’s army and working in God’s way.

We are called to struggle against sin and compromise, to contend for the purity of the faith. We are summoned to take hold of eternal life, as the prize in this athletic contest.

So the encouragement is for us to persevere, to press forward despite resistance and difficulty. Our lives, if we are alive to Christ, will be lives of struggle, exertion, battle and contention. We are called to be good soldiers in the Army of our King Jesus, like David’s mighty men.

Doxology

which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15–16 (ESV)

We should read this doxology again and again (short praise to God, like the benediction we recite at the end of a service). We should meditate on the wonderful truth that this early doxology affirms, that Jesus is the true sovereign, the only true sovereign, the King.

This is the bibles overarching story of the king in his kingdom. This is why one of the great themes of the bible is the sovereignty or kingship of God.

This affirmation also makes clear that Jesus is immortal, which means He was not created and is co-equal with God.

Enjoyment and pleasure

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV)

Everything God has provided us with is so that we enjoy them in Him. God is most glorified in us, when we are most satisfied in Him.

God wants us to enjoy our lives with and in light of Him (not the flesh). This is one of the core reasons God created all things, for enjoyment and pleasure.

We should enjoy living selflessly too, like serving, giving to the poor, bearing one another’s burdens etc.

We should not pin our hopes on money, money is not our salvation or solution. God is the great provider and He provides richly so that we can enjoy our lives, therefore we should focus on and trust in Him.

Guard the true story

O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” 1 Timothy 6:20 (ESV)

We should avoid wasting our time and energy in pointless debates, we should guard what we have, the gospel that has been handed down to us.

Today we must guard our hearts and beliefs from all the false alluring stories in the world, knowing that we hold the authentic story and all others are a dim reflection or blatant distortion / repudiation of the true.

Psalm 81:1–82:8

There is only one true God

I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.” Psalm 82:6–7 (ESV)

These verses have caused controversy in the church and have been picked up by modern day TV preachers who say that we are all gods by our very nature and that when God created us, He created us as little gods so that we too can create things with our words, like God. This is rank heresy.

Here, God is addressing the judges and rulers of Israel who have been granted some power of attorney on God’s behalf, to administer justice, but they have not.

God makes very clear that He alone is God in the previous psalm and in this one, He makes clear to these men He is addressing, that although they were clothed for a while in the authority by which God judges men, they too were men, mortal and so would die, unlike the only true King who we read about today, who is immortal.

We may make appeals on God’s behalf and as the body of Christ we stand as representatives of the King and His kingdom, in the world today. We are not kings, we are servants. We are not gods. Only God is God!

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Timothy 6

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 11:1–47, 1 Tim 6:3–10, Ps 80:1–19

Today’s theme: Be content

There are so many great lessons today, one of the most important ones is that we must learn to be content and set our desires on God rather than the riches of this world. We can place all our trust in God because what He has decreed, He always brings to pass.

1 Chronicles 11:1–47

God’s decreed will

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel.1 Chronicles 11:3 (ESV)

God’s word is not like the words of man, God actively brings His word to pass. When God decrees a thing, it WILL come to pass and nothing can stop it.

God spoke prophetically through Samuel and once the prophecy was decreed, God would actively work to fulfil the word He had declared.

This should give us confidence with every firm prophecy and promise of God’s word. God does not lie, if He decreed it as the king of the universe, He will bring it to pass. 2 Corinthians 1:20

It is worth remembering that when we read about God’s will in the bible, there are two types; one is His decreed will (sovereign will), which should be thought of as decrees from His throne, which always come to pass.

The other is; God’s commanded will (desire). This is found in the Ten Commandments and all of God’s laws and desires expressed in scripture, but not enforced by royal decree. This can be thought of as the law of the kingdom, which when disobeyed ,will incur punishment on the offender.

Strike first

David said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first shall be chief and commander.” And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. 1 Chronicles 11:6 (ESV)

Joab is a frustrating character, sometimes his stand and faith is impressive and at other times he makes some awful decisions. In this case, he made a name and position for himself by boldly standing up and going first, like Peter.

We can learn from this bold attitude for God and His work. Joab was not someone who suffered from procrastination or cowardice, he was zealous, bold and would strike first. We should be like this too. At the same time we should learn from his life, that these qualities also need to be balanced with obedience, humility and stillness before God. See Matthew 11:12

Give strong support

Now these are the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel. 1 Chronicles 11:10 (ESV)

We should give God our strong support and one of the ways we can do this practically, is to give strong support to God’s ministers and leaders in our lives. We should give strong support to our Pastors as they lead us forward in God’s great kingdom, and the war on the kingdom of darkness.

In Hebrews 13:17, we are reminded to “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

As Pastor Dennis preached in 2012, we should have the Heart of the King. The DVD of this message is available from the Church bookstore and a video from the first Heart of the King, Men’s Gathering in 2013, can be watched here http://www.wwmf.org/2013/01/05/media/video/the-heart-of-the-king-dvd/

Take your stand

But he took his stand in the midst of the plot and defended it and killed the Philistines. And the LORD saved them by a great victory. 1 Chronicles 11:14 (ESV)

Take your stand today, do not give a foothold to the enemy, do not give him any ground. Be bold and stand your ground! Fight! God is with you! Ephesians 6:13 encourages us “Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

Ephesians 4:27 reminds us “and give no opportunity to the devil.”

Pour your life out

and said, “Far be it from me before my God that I should do this. Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? For at the risk of their lives they brought it.” Therefore he would not drink it. These things did the three mighty men. 1 Chronicles 11:19 (ESV)

When we pour out our lives for the ministry, our work and risk is not wasted, God does not take our service lightly. Our faith and work pleases God and God graciously and abundantly rewards us. See Galatians 6:9 and Matthew 25:23

Benaiah, an example to us all

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two heroes of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. And he struck down an Egyptian, a man of great stature, five cubits tall. The Egyptian had in his hand a spear like a weaver’s beam, but Benaiah went down to him with a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 1 Chronicles 11:22–23 (ESV)

Pastor Dennis preached a powerful message from this passage, focusing on the Character of Benaiah. Some of the key points highlighted were that the heroes of Moab spoke of killing sin and the flesh.

The Egyptian speaks of the world and we need to take the world’s weapon of media and technology (the spear), and use it against the ways of the world.

The Lion in the pit is the Devil who comes like a roaring lion, the pit and the snow makes the circumstance hard, but Beniah had the heart of the king, the heart of a true servant of God and so slew the Lion. Pastor highlighted the point that Beniah chased the Lion down.

We can learn so much from Beniah’s life and exploits, for our walk of faith. The DVD is available from the church bookstore and here is a message reflection, from the website http://www.wwmf.org/2012/08/04/resources/benaiah-the-heart-of-the-king/

Benaiah proves to be loyal

He was renowned among the thirty, but he did not attain to the three. And David set him over his bodyguard. 1 Chronicles 11:25 (ESV)

Beniah became the chief bodyguard and proved loyal all the way through to Solomon’s reign, unlike Joab.

Uriah the Hittite

Uriah the Hittite, Zabad the son of Ahlai, 1 Chronicles 11:41 (ESV)

It is worth noting that Uriah, the man that David had killed to cover his adultery with his wife (Bathsheba), was one of David’s elite soldiers, one of the thirty. This makes the betrayal even worse.

1 Timothy 6:3–10

Be content

But godliness with contentment is great gain, 1 Timothy 6:6 (ESV)

As God’s people we are called to be content. It seems that the false doctrine being taught in Paul’s day, was similar to the prosperity gospel of today, with its focus on material wealth.

When we live a goodly life and are content in our hearts with God’s provision for us, we have more than the man who may have more money but is never satisfied and is constantly driven by the compulsion for more.

False teachers are prideful when they speak, they love controversy, always claiming false revelations and causing friction amongst people. We must hold fast to the true faith passed down to us (it is not new or novel).

Desire God, not riches

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:9 (ESV)

Despite western ideals, we should not desire to be rich, we should desire God and chase God, not money. Our appetite should be for God and not for more money.

If we have a job we should work well, and be good stewards of what God has given us but we should not desire to be rich. Think about this today, have you been infected with the spirit of the age, to ‘keep up with the Jones’?

We should live our lives in service and mission to our King, like Beniah, seeking His good and the good of the kingdom, not seeking to build our own kingdom.

Love God, not money

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:10 (ESV)

The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil and a focus on money can draw us away from trusting in Christ.

Psalm 80:1–19

Pray for Jews to be saved

Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, Psalm 80:14 (ESV)

As we read this, let us remember to pray for the salvation of the Jewish people today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 1 Timothy 6

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 9:1–10:14, 1 Tim 5:18–6:2, Ps 79:1–13

Today’s theme: Loyalty and zeal for God

Today’s reading is packed with lessons all centred around our zeal and passion for the Lord. We are encouraged to be loyal and faithful to the Lord despite difficulty and trials, knowing that He disciplines us because He loves us. In light of all this, we are also called to work well for the Lord.

1 Chronicles 9:1–10:14

God, Sovereign over discipline

So all Israel was recorded in genealogies, and these are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. And Judah was taken into exile in Babylon because of their breach of faith. 1 Chronicles 9:1 (ESV)

It was not by chance or misfortune that the people of Judah were taken into exile in Babylon. The scriptures tells us that there was a reason for it, namely that they broke or violated their faith and relationship with God.

God is sovereign even over judgement, suffering and our discipline, as His children. The devil has no real power of his own to do anything to God’s people, because we belong to God and Satan is not God’s equal. God alone is sovereign, which means He has complete freedom and the ability to perform His holy will, He maintains control over all His creation.

One of the things we can learn from this, is that God’s creation, our lives and circumstances, are all under God’s loving control. Even exile like experiences are ordained by Him, for our good. In this sense, the devil and men in general, become tools in God’s hands, to accomplish His purposes, even if it is to discipline His people in love. See Ephesians 1:11, Romans 8:28 and 1 Timothy 1:20

Work for the Lord

besides their kinsmen, heads of their fathers’ houses, 1,760, mighty men for the work of the service of the house of God. 1 Chronicles 9:13 (ESV)

In the last two chapters, we heard about men who were mighty warriors but now we see those who are mighty in the service of the Lord, in the house of God. As we work together in the body of Christ, we must not have weak feeble hands, feet or minds (Hebrews 12:12-14).

We should be strong and bold in our work for the Lord. Acts 20:35 reminds us that we must work hard to help the weak. Colossians 1:10 reminds us that our work should bear good fruit. Galatians 6:9 reminds us to not grow weary in doing well.

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.”

Passion for God’s glory

And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the chief officer over them in time past; the LORD was with him. 1 Chronicles 9:20 (ESV)

We are reminded of Phinehas who was alive in the days of Moses, he had great zeal for God, he took a spear and ran through a man of Israel and a woman from the Baal cult, who were in open rebellion against the Lord. His actions turned away God’s anger and God blessed him for it because he so zealously defended the Lord’s glory and name (Numbers 25:11).

This would again encourage the people to remember their heritage and would spur them on to be zealous for God’s Glory. We should be like Phinehas in our passion for God’s glory. See Titus 2:14, 1 Peter 3:13 and Philippians 3:12-13

Be loyal

all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh. And they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days. 1 Chronicles 10:12 (ESV)

The Valiant men of Jabesh Gilead rose against the odds to retrieve the bodies of Saul and his sons, this is another example of today’s themes of loyalty and zeal for the Lord, leading us to work hard in faith. We can learn from their spirit and example.

Live faithfully for God

So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the LORD. Therefore the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13–14 (ESV)

The lesson we learn from Saul’s life is that we must remain faithful to God, we must remain loyal and we should seek the Lord for guidance. Saul’s unfaithfulness literally led him into witchcraft because as the bible says, rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft, as Samuel declared to Saul in 1 Samuel 15:23.

Again we see evidence of God’s sovereignty. God killed Saul, God took the kingdom from him and God gave it to David. It makes no sense to rebel against God, He is the King of the universe, we should willingly submit to His guidance and passionately live for His glory. See 1 Corinthians 10:31

1 Timothy 5:18–6:2

Open rebuke

As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 1 Timothy 5:20 (ESV)

Those who are called Christians but persist in open rebellion, should be rebuked by the Elders / Pastors openly, for their own sake and the sake of the rest of the community.

All believers can learn from this principle, that we should in the spirit of Phinehas, boldly confront and kill sin. Sin is a bold affront to God and His kingdom, we should be bold in opposing it in our own lives and the wider church community.

Keep yourself pure

Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 1 Timothy 5:22 (ESV)

“Keep yourself pure” – this is a very simple command – we should pause and meditate on it today. We are called to purity, it is our responsibility to keep ourselves pure (consider the things that we listen to, read, watch or think about).

Hidden sins show eventually

The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. 1 Timothy 5:24–25 (ESV)

Things are not always as they appear, some sins are not apparent so someone may seem as though they are walking right with God, but they have sins which they think are hidden,. These sins have gone on before them in the sense that although nobody else knows, the consequence and rot of the sin will eventually manifest in the person’s life, further down the line.

In the same regard, some peoples good works are not obvious to all, they are done in secret and without announcement. All of this is why Paul warned Timothy not to ordain Elders quickly, based on outward appearances.

Because of the nature of sin and true good works, we need the Holy Spirit to guide us in terms of appointing Elders, or even working with someone in any type of ministry.

Work unto the Lord

Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 1 Timothy 6:1 (ESV)

Those of us who work under a manager should do so in honour to the Lord. As Christians we should not be rebellious or disrespectful to those in authority over us.

Psalm 79:1–13

Appeal to God’s own zeal

Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake! Psalm 79:9 (ESV)

When we pray we should appeal to God’s own zeal and passion for His own glory and name.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Timothy 6

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 8:1–40, 1 Tim 5:10–17, Ps 78:53–72

Today’s theme: God over adversity

There are multiple lessons today. We are reminded that God can deliver us through adversity and that He has an order in creation, for men and women. God desires that we honour our Pastors.

1 Chronicles 8:1–40

Remember, God helps us overcome adversity

and Beriah and Shema (they were heads of fathers’ houses of the inhabitants of Aijalon, who caused the inhabitants of Gath to flee); 1 Chronicles 8:13 (ESV)

The writer of these chronicles has an underlying purpose to encourage the readers, by reminding them of their past with God.

Judah and Benjamin receive special attention as the royal tribes and Saul’s family later receive even more focused attention, reminding the people that they once had a king and kingdom and that they should look to the restoration of the kingdom (Acts 1:16).

One of the ways in which this is done, is by retelling the difficulties that some key families in Benjamin overcame, to bolster morale and trust in God. These difficulties include the deportation of Ehud (8:6), Shaharaim’s divorce (8:8), Saul’s failed kingship (8:33) and the memory of the brave warriors who were cut off (8:40).

Despite all of these difficulties, we see anecdotes like this verse, reminding us that God will help His people overcome adversity and if He did it in the past we can have hope for the future. Romans 8:17 reminds us that we are called to adversity and to have joy in God.

The hope of restoration

These were the heads of fathers’ houses, according to their generations, chief men. These lived in Jerusalem.1 Chronicles 8:28 (ESV)

The short note regarding the Benjamites having lived in Jerusalem, is another way of reminding the Jews who have come out of exile, that Jerusalem was once theirs before Judah became a province of the Persian Empire.

This also points to the hope of the writer and the people, for full restoration, as prophesied in Jeremiah 33:15 and Amos 9:11.

The chronicler’s efforts to remind and bolster morale for the rebuilding of Jerusalem, is used by God to encourage the people, as we read in Ezra 1:5 and Nehemiah 11:4.

Jesus fulfilled both of these prophecies as mentioned in Matthew 2:2, Luke 1:32, Luke 19:38 and John 1:49. We will see their final completion at His second coming.

1 Timothy 5:10–17

Biblical womanhood

So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 1 Timothy 5:14 (ESV)

The Oxford dictionary tells us that egalitarianism is “the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities”.

There is truth in this but our culture has taken this belief to such an extreme, that it has resulted in absurdity (feminism, same sex marriage etc), and threatens the very fabric of society.

Paul’s command for younger widows reflects the normal biblical expectation for all young women, that they marry, have children and keep their homes well.

Despite the western world’s disregard for gender roles and biblical models for the family, we must not give in to the spirit of the age, but stand as a bulwark against it.

We must embrace biblical complementarianism (men and women have distinct but complementary roles, equivalent rather than equal).

We are called to show the world what true womanhood looks like, we should encourage and support our young women in this, as the current culture tells them to sacrifice these things for careers and personal goals.

Honour your Pastors

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 1 Timothy 5:17 (ESV)

We should honour and respect our Elders, in particular our Pastors, who labour in teaching and preaching the word to us. Give God thanks for Pastor Dennis and Rev Taylor today.

Psalm 78:53–72

God our shepherd

With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. Psalm 78:72 (ESV)

God is the great Shepherd of Israel. This psalm shows how He delivered them and led them to the holy land that He chose (54), and despite their rebellion He redeemed them and chose David His servant (70). The Lord is our Shepherd also and now we have King Jesus in place of King David.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Timothy 5

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 7:1–40, 1 Tim 5:1–9, Ps 78:30–52

Today’s theme: The importance of family

Today we are reminded of the importance of both our physical and spiritual family. We should provide for and love our physical families and this should be reflected in the church family, where we should stand steadfastly together as one unified army, for God’s glory.

1 Chronicles 7:1–40

One unified army

The sons of Tola: Uzzi, Rephaiah, Jeriel, Jahmai, Ibsam, and Shemuel, heads of their fathers’ houses, namely of Tola, mighty warriors of their generations, their number in the days of David being 22,600. 1 Chronicles 7:2 (ESV)

These genealogies are not just lists of names, these were recorded when the children of Israel returned from exile and they serve as a call to a unified kingdom.

The tribes mentioned here are from the north of Israel, however the chronicler was from the Southern kingdom, which is another indication that unity and oneness is being appealed to.

Another important note for this section, is the amount of times it mentions the number of “mighty warriors” that each tribe had.

As God’s people, from various cultures, times, locations and denominations, we too are called to be one and to serve as mighty warriors in the army of our King Jesus Christ. See John 17:20-23 and 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Biblical inclusiveness

His daughter was Sheerah, who built both Lower and Upper Beth-horon, and Uzzen-sheerah. 1 Chronicles 7:24 (ESV)

There is a biblical kind of inclusiveness in this passage, this is seen in the additional details and side notes. For example, in verse 14, an Aramean (another nation) is mentioned and here the exploits of a woman (some cultures treat women as second class) named Sheerah, is noted.

This points to God’s heart for the purpose of Israel from the beginning, that they would not be an exclusive closed group, but that they would be the light of the world and a blessing to all nations.

The calling on God’s covenant people, Israel, is also on God’s “new covenant” people, the church (Jews and Gentiles). We are called to be a light in the world and a blessing to all people.

Jesus did not just die for one type of people, but for all types from every nation, tribe and tongue and He died for both men and women. We are called to finish the mission, by proclaiming the good news to all people. See all nations around the throne, in Revelation 5:9–10 and 7:9–10.

1 Timothy 5:1–9

We are a family

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. 1 Timothy 5:1–2 (ESV)

Paul’s instructions to the young Pastor Timothy, is connected to the biblical inclusiveness we observed in our OT reading.

The church is a family and we should treat one another with the love and respect that family deserves. We should respect and honour older men and women as if they were our own mother or father, and we should encourage, work with and walk alongside the younger men and women as if they were actually our brothers and sisters.

Jesus said in Mark 3:31–35, that His true family was not limited to His physical mother and siblings, but spiritually to all believers who obey Him.

Paul gives a note of warning, knowing the tricks that the enemy uses to take these loving family-like relationships in the church, and turning them into a cause of temptation and stumbling. In Timothy’s case, this was in regards to the young women.

We should love and treat one another like family, with pure motives and intentions.

Love your own family

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 (ESV)

The fact that the church is a spiritual family does not take away from the fact that we have actual families, with real spouses, parents, grandparents, siblings and children.

We have a biblical calling to provide for our own families. Our families should not suffer so that we can “minister in the church” as we read earlier in this letter, things should be in order at home before we turn to work in the church.

The church should be a reflection of healthy and loving “real-life” family relationships in Christ. The Gnostics who taught that the spiritual was all that mattered, would have favoured the spiritual family at the neglect of the real family.

God wants us (particularly men), to provide for our families through loving hard work. In this life, our faith is so rooted in God’s wonderful and physical creation, that Paul boldly declares that a man who does not provide for his family, is worse than an unbeliever. Our self-centred western culture needs to hear and see this today.

Psalm 78:30–52

Be steadfast in heart

But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant. Psalm 78:36–37 (ESV)

We must keep guard over our hearts so that we are not just paying God lip service.

This is what God wants from us, hearts that are faithful to Him and to His covenant. If we do not make our hearts steadfast towards the Lord, our repentance will become mere lip service.

Thank God for His Holy Spirit, who helps to make our hearts strong for God and thank Him for the covenant of His word, which we can focus on as we walk in true repentance.

A company of destroying angels

He let loose on them his burning anger, wrath, indignation, and distress, a company of destroying angels. Psalm 78:49 (ESV)

It is good to remember that God has given some of His angels special ministries. As we pray, we can ask God to send a company of destroying angels to defeat the enemy.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 1 Timothy 5

Today’s reading: 1 Chron 6:1–81, 1 Tim 4:6–16, Ps 78:13–29

Today’s theme: Sing songs of praise

Today, let us take time to sing songs of praise to the Lord. We are also reminded today, of the value of godliness in our lives and that Jesus will sustain us, as the bread of Heaven.

1 Chronicles 6:1–81

Sing songs of praise

These are the men whom David put in charge of the service of song in the house of the LORD after the ark rested there. They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they performed their service according to their order. 1 Chronicles 6:31–32 (ESV)

Ministry in song through Praise and worship, was a large part of life in Israel, for God’s covenant people. Even in the biblical accounts of Heaven, we see the large role singing and praise plays.

Singing praises and worship, should be a large part of our lives too. We should give thanks for those, who like these priests, lead us in praise and worship when we come together. See Colossians 3:16

The songs of Asaph

and his brother Asaph, who stood on his right hand, namely, Asaph the son of Berechiah, son of Shimea, 1 Chronicles 6:39 (ESV)

Asaph was the great writer of many Psalms (songs, hymns and poems), like David.

1 Timothy 4:6–16

The value of godliness

for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (ESV)

Although much of this passage is really aimed at those in leadership, there is a theme that we can all benefit from.

We should exercise our spirits by practising godliness. We should have our hope in God our Saviour and so we should work hard. Above all, ensure we are not distracted by silly myths, instead we should keep a close eye on the teaching we receive, ensuring it is sound and that we apply it to our lives.

Psalm 78:13–29

The bread of Heaven

Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance. Psalm 78:25 (ESV)

The people always called this Manna (what is it), but God had told them it was bread and reminds us here that it was the bread of the angels.

Jesus said of himself in John 6:58, “This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Praise songs for today (a player is at the top of each link below)

Back to the Heart of Worship

10,000 Reasons

Oceans

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing