The young man, Timothy had a single heart and a fixed mind. Evidently he had allowed the Lord Jesus to work in his life. Keep in mind, both his mother, Eunice and his grandmother, Lois were very influential in shaping his “unfeigned” faith in Jesus Christ. Many believe that Paul was the one who led him to Jesus. Certainly, he discipled young Timothy who later served as a co worker and a Pastor.

2. Outside the Church (Acts 16:1,2).

“Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.”

This is key in serving the Lord. A man (or woman)must prove their self as to their loyalty to Jesus and faithfulness to His work through His Church. This means refraining from gossip, backbiting, or stirring up trouble in the Church.
Of course, we all fail at times, but it is then that we must make it right with our Lord and each other.

If the devil can get us at odds with each other, he has a foothold in the Church, but equally as bad in our spiritual life.
Unity is God’s will in the Church. Without it, the Church ceases to fulfill her VISION and MISSION. Granted, even though at times we “cross our wires,” but it is then that we must go to the CROSS and die to SELF so that the Holy Spirit is not grieved or quenched.

Introduction: Do you have good memories of CHRISTmas? Perhaps most of us do. But how can we continue to build good memories? Here are some suggestions:

1. Take time to SLOW DOWN your busy pace. (Matt 6:25-34)

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? …..O ye of little faith? 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Simply put. Put the brakes on some things during this time.

2. Be deliberate in building UP your RELATIONSHIPS. (Col 3:8-14)

“8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10And have put on the new man…
12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

Relationships are more important than rules.

3. Watch OUT for unresolved conflicts. (Heb 12:15)

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

Be quick to forgive.

4. Stay FOCUSED on our Lord’s will. (Phil 3:10-14)

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Walking in the Spirit of prayer gives us a clear vision of our Lord’s will.

6. CREATE an atmosphere of unconditional LOVE. (1John 3:14)

“14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.

Without the love of God, we are tinkling cymbals.

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature sing,

1. Jesus has JOY like a well! (Isa 12:3)

“3Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

2. The JOY of Jesus is our STRENGTH! (Neh 8:10)

“… for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

A JOYFUL heart is like medicine.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.

3. In His Presence is fulness of JOY! (Psa 16:11)

“… : in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Jesus is JOY. Has JOY. GIVES JOY.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

Conclusion: All we have to do is ask Jesus for His JOY! (John 16:24)

“24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

Will you ask Jesus for His JOY? Then ENJOY, His JOY!

Introduction: Can you tell there has been a cosmic shift in our culture when it comes to CHRISTianity? From Politics to the Pulpit, there is a trend of redefining biblical doctrine. What seems to be spelled out as a sinful practice has become socially acceptable. Unfortunately, this is the case even in CHRISTian circles.

However, a steady diet of the Word of God cuts diametrically opposed to this nonsense. Only those who are “walking in the light of the truth” of the Word of God will be able to discern the error. But stop and think. Most all of the prophets faced this dilemma. Many lost their lives because of their faith in the God of the Bible. Remember. Their names are engraved in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Just like the martyred saints who will be beheaded during the tribulation because they will not worship the beast or take his mark, their time will come. They will be rewarded by being resurrected during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ while on earth to rule and reign. 

So here is the up to date question, “are you a fence straddler?” Where do you stand? Do you lovingly take a stand for truth and righteousness? How much persecution are you willing to endure?

Please note these non negotiables:

1. All Scripture is inspired of God (2Tim 3:16; 2Tim 2:15)

“16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

2. One must follow the proper method of interpretation of the Bible (2Pet 1:20,21)

“20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

3. Lordship is more important that friendship or kinship (Luke 6:46)

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

(Luke 12:53)

“51Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”

 4. Prepare to be persecuted (2Tim 3:12;2:12;1:12; 1Pet 4:12-19)

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

5. Rejoice and give God glory (Rom 8:18)

“18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

6. Be humble and take your place in the cross (Gal 6:14)

“14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

Conclusion: The choice is ours. Are we going to be a friend of the world and an enemy of the Lord or a friend of Grace and hated by the world? 

“……know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).

1. Kindness (Eph 4:32)

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

The word “kind” is χρηστός,(khrase-tos’), which means useful, gentle, pleasant, kind.

The opposite of gentleness is harshness, bitterness, or rudeness. Have you noticed? A bitter person will speak or react harshly. Yet, the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of Kindness. Are you a kind person or a bitter person? Are you jealous? Envious of others? Mad at God? Resentful because of your circumstances? Feel cheated? Angry at the world? Throwing a pity party? Revengeful?

The word “tender hearted” is εὔσπλαγχνος, which means tender-hearted, merciful, compassionate. Admittedly, with so much injustice and bitterness in this world, it is tempting to feel uncompassionate. Do you show compassion? Jesus showed compassion on the multitudes. And at the same time, He rebuked the Pharisees and others in the religious crowd because of their hypocrisy and self-righteousness. They felt that they were alittle “better” (superior – 1 up!) than others.

But listen. Praise His name because He imparts to us His compassion through the power of His Holy Spirit! If He did not, we would not have compassion. It is not in our nature. That is where the transforming GRACE of God changes us.

Forgiving is like releasing a debt. When you are “born again,” Jesus Christ releases the payment (wages Rom 6:23) for sin. This is possible all because Jesus poured out His life’s blood to pay for our sins. As we trust in His sacrificial death and resurrection God the Father releases the debt we owe, which must be paid (either by Jesus or in the lake of fire).

Did you notice “kindness and forgiveness seem to be related?

1. Eternal life! (John 3:36; 5:24)

“36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

“24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

When you have Jesus you have a guaranteed eternal life!

2. Abundant life! (John 10:10)

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Notice. This is not the subpar life in Christ, instead it’s the supernatural life in Christ!

God’s will results in either healing in this life or the life to come.

4. Purpose in life! (Rom 14:8)

“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”

Here we learn what our purpose is on this earth… it’s His will not ours to live.

5. Power in life! (Phil 3:10; Acts 1:8)

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

That is the power source…the Holy Spirit!

5. Peace in life! (John 14:27; Phil 4:6,7)

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

This PEACE money cannot buy! It comes from Jesus.

6. Provisions in life! (Phil 4:19)

“9But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Needs. Not wants. Big difference.

7. Contentment in life! (Phil 4:8)

“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Wow! What a state!!

8. Love in life! (Rom 5:5)

“5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

The love of God is the greatest of all!

9. Victory in life! (2Cor 2:14, 15)

“14Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”

Please pay attention that victory is in Jesus Christ, not ourselves.

10. Forgiveness in life! (Heb 8:12)

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

Even though at times we remember our sins, God does NOT!

11. Focus in life! (Col 3:1-4)

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

Since we are both crucified and risen with Christ, our focus changes from this life to the life which is to come.

12. Security in life! (Heb 13:5)

“5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

This means never, no never! Thank you Jesus!

13. Rewards in life! (John 15:16)

“6Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

Fruit abounding!

14. Good works in life! (Eph 2:10)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Saved by grace; through faith; unto good works! In that order.

15. Wisdom in life! (1Cor 1:30,31)

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

Jesus becomes our wisdom. I need it Lord daily!

Introduction: Why should we give THANKS before a meal? Does it say to give THANKS in the Bible before eating? Where?

Paul who was led by the Holy Spirit reminds believers to THANK Jesus for our food?

Writing to the CHRISTians in the Church of Rome, He declares that we are to “Say the BLESSING” without being a BURDEN.”

(Rom 14:6)

“6He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.”

1. What is he talking about? (Rom 14:6)

“He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.”

Evidently, there was a conflict between “weaker” CHRISTians and “stronger” CHRISTians.”

The weaker ones could not stand the thought of eating meat offered to IDOLS. But to the stronger believers there was no problem in their mind to eat meat even though it had been offered to idols. According to them, there was only one true and living God.

2. Who is he talking to? (Rom 14:6)

“He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.”

Paul lays down the argument for the stronger CHRISTians not to eat the meat even though they had a clear conscience. The reason being is because it became a “stumbling block” to the weaker CHRISTians. 

“13Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. 14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died” (Rom 14:13-15).

This situation brings light on our present day – nonchalant – attitude, i.e. it does not matter how I live or how I treat others as long as I give THANKS. But it really does matter to our Lord according to this passage of Scripture.

Conclusion: The bottom line: 

“10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” (Rom 14:10).

So we are to give THANKS before our meal with a clear conscience and not become a stumbling block to other CHRISTians. 

THANKSGIVING and THANKLIVING go hand in hand.

Introduction: When something happens and it is wrong do you “fly off the handle”? Our impulse is the get MAD and show, as my mom used to say, “our behind”! (That used to be modest??!!) Anyway, what are the steps we should take when something goes wrong?

In this brief devotion, we will share a few things to do as a CHRISTian before throwing a fit!

1. Think it through! (Matt 5:5)

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

Meekness is not weakness. Instead it is strength under control. The fruit of the Spirit is self control (Gal 5:22,23).

2. Pray it through! (Matt 5:23,24)

“23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”

Take it to the Lord in prayer. Allow Him to change your heart or mind in the process. 

3. Look at it through! (Matt 7:12)

“12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

If it were you, how would you want to be approached?

4. Follow it through! (Matt 5:41-47)

“And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?”

Having a clear conscience in this dog eat dog world is extremely important to our testimony and our witness. 

Conclusion: Finally, Bless the Lord through it! Because Jesus gets the glory! 

Introduction: Do you ever have to STOP and confess where you’ve not been GRATEFUL to God? After all, He provides our every need; i.e. food, water, shelter, love, forgiveness, health….and the list goes on. While we reprimand the nine lepers who did not THANK Jesus for healing them, we sometimes inadvertently do the same. In other words, we take God’s BLESSINGS for granted, even though the average person will lie about it and say he or she does not. 

Check out how Jesus reacts to this situation.

1. A lot of people ask Jesus for HEALING but do not follow Jesus- All Ten requested help! (Luke 17:11-13)

“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.”

When we get into trouble – something we cannot fix – we go to the God of the Bible. Why? Because we need mercy. Mercy because we are all sinners…by nature, choice, and birth.

2. Next, Jesus tells us (through His Word) what we need to do! (Luke 17:14)

“And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.”

More deadly than leprosy, a terrible physical disease, is sin, which is curable only by the blood of Jesus. 

3. Real, True FAITH in Jesus is rewarded! (Luke 17:15-17)

“15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

Do you notice that THANKSGIVING, FAITH and FORGIVENESS go hand in hand? Are you giving THANKS today? 

Conclusion: We live in a world of ENTITLEMENT! The world owes me. Unfortunately, we get that ATTITUDE with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Are you feeling convicted? Confess it. Are you living in a delusion? Do you feel like you do not need to get on your knees and give THANKS? THINKING about the Lord Jesus’ BLESSINGS leads to THANKING Him!

Let’s not be guilty of INGRATITUDE. 

Introduction: Pleasing our Lord is the believer’s upmost goal in life. Don’t you want to please Him? But how can we please Jesus?

1. By an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE! (Eph 5:20)

“20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Did you notice that we are to GIVE THANKS always? Plus, we are to GIVE THANKS to God for ALL things! Do you suppose that means for GOOD times and BAD times?

Do you need an AA? ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT? This Pastor needs them often. Because of this fallen world’s influence, and the weakness of the flesh, along with the attacks of Satan, AA’s must be regular. Have you had one lately? Please look at the second way we can PLEASE our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2. By not only GIVING THANKS but also by GIVING PRAISE! (Eph 5:19)

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” 

This flows from a HEART of WORSHIP. Because of WHO Jesus Christ is (God in the flesh) and because of WHAT He has done (died for our sins and rose from the grave to give us eternal life), and because of what He has promised to do (to Return again for His Church and then to establish His millennium Kingdom) –therefore, He deserves PRAISE and WORSHIP!