Honest Reflections

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 51:1-53 ESV, Titus 2:1-15 ESV, Psalm 99:1-9 ESV, Proverbs 26:17 ESV

Daily Verse: “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (Titus 2:15 ESV)

PARAKALEO (3870): “The most frequent word with this meaning, lit. denotes “to call to one’s side,” hence, “to call to one’s aid.”  It is used for every kind of calling to a person which is meant to produce a particular effect, hence, with various meanings, such as “comfort, exhort, desire, call for,” in addition to its significance “to beseech,” which has a stronger force than aiteo.”[1]

Call to one’s aid.

Titus’s central duty meant continually teaching practical instructions to people.  Meeting people in their faith journey and helping them move forward with applicable lessons helps them grow spiritually.

Reading and applying the Bible’s teachings intimidates people.  Before I read scripture regularly, I misunderstood the book’s message.  The story of love and redemption within the pages of God’s inspired word becomes evident when you read it.

Help understand.

Titus’s mission and ours teach others how to apply Christ’s lessons to their lives.  As we learn more about Jesus, we share it with those around us.  By doing so, everyone grows together.

Recently, I ran into someone who caused me extreme pain with their words.  Without sincerity, he apologized to get in my husband’s good graces.  A friend who heard said, “You’re a Christian; you have to forgive him.”

Applying Jesus’ teaching to this situation, my friend’s not wrong; I have to forgive, and I did long ago.  But I also know the person’s heart and words didn’t match, which means he’s not truly sorry.  Therefore, I forgive, but I maintain boundaries that don’t allow him to repeat the offense.

Following Jesus requires daily inspections of our hearts and minds.  Allowing Christ full access cleanses us from within and helps us discern the world around us.  Applying Biblical principles to our lives helps us grow as we pursue Jesus wholeheartedly.

Let Jesus guide and direct your steps as you grow closer to Him.  Help others learn how to pursue Christ by leading the way with your actions.  Ask a trusted friend or mentor to help you discern when in doubt.  In all things, put Jesus first, and He will lead you in the way everlasting.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 190) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 49:23-50:46 ESV, Titus 1:1-16 ESV, Psalm 97:1-98:9 ESV, Proverbs 26:13-16 ESV

Daily Verse: “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:9 ESV)

ANTILEGO (483): “This word means “to speak against: and is rendered “answering again.”[1]

Speak against.

Following Jesus means holding firm to His teachings when the winds of the world blow against it.  People openly oppose Christ, teaching false gospels that lead nowhere.

As a little girl, I idolized my dad; my faith in him, not God.  When I discovered my dad’s imperfections, my world collapsed.  When you put your faith in false gods, inevitably, they will fall.  But holding firm to Jesus will help you weather any storm.

Learning God’s word helps us access it in times of need.  When challenged with a false teacher, scripture helps identify and respond with truth and love.

Trustworthy word.

The more people try to disprove Jesus, the more they believe.  Through the centuries, stories of Christ changing people’s lives and the world abound.  Men and women of the faith pursued Jesus with all they had, impacting generations to come with their actions.

Corrie Ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor, who endured countless torturous moments, never lost faith.  When captive in a room of prisoners covered in flees, she praised God for the insects keeping the guards away, allowing them to study the Bible.

We can trust God’s word to get us through difficult times.  Challenging false beliefs never ends. Following Jesus helps us spot the lies and, with love, share the truth.

Stand firm on the truth of scripture; knowing God will help you spot and combat false teachings.  We make better decisions when we base them on God’s word.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 30) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 48:1-49:22 ESV, 2 Timothy 4:1-22 ESV, Psalm 95:1-96:13 ESV, Proverbs 26:9-12 ESV

Daily Verse: “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,” (2 Timothy 4:3 ESV)

ANECHOMAI (430): “This word signifies “to hold up against a thing and so to bear with” (ana, “up,” and echomai, the middle voice of echo, “to have, to hold”).[1]

Hold up against.

Enduring means holding on for dear life, trusting God’s got whatever lay before you.  Some days, enduring to me means just getting out of bed.  At times in my life, the darkness felt closer than the light, barely able to see the white pinpoint in the distance guiding me. But I could see it; God did guide me and still does.

Paul’s preparing Timothy for future hard times when people don’t care about the truth.  Instead, they will chase their desires, which never ends well.  Following a path of our design leads us to unfortunate places.  And at some time or another, we all make bad choices.  Jesus teaches us how to forgive ourselves and others.

Grace strengthens.

Christ helps us endure by extending grace.  Receiving forgiveness for our sins lightens the load and gives us room to breathe.  Pursuing righteousness by focusing our thoughts on Jesus, which lets us do what He did, changes lives. 

The world will change when Christ’s followers become known for their love first and foremost.  We help others endure by loving them for Jesus.  Troubles come with life for everyone; Christ said they would:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV)

Find peace in Jesus; He overcame the world.  Because of Christ, you do too.  Eternal life with Jesus begins the moment you let Him into your heart. Let the Savior help you endure this life.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 26) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 44:24-47:7 ESV, 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17 ESV, Psalm 94:1-23 ESV, Proverbs 26:6-8 ESV

Daily Verse: “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)

KATHAROS (2513): “Means free from impure admixture, without blemish, spotless.  Katharos refers to the Christian’s freedom from the defilements of the flesh and the world.”[1]

Without blemish.

Pure sheep have no marks.  No blemishes dirty the white wool. Black nose and hoofs highlight the perfection of what people used to sacrifice to God in atonement for sin.  Jesus had no defect, sinless; He died on the cross for us.

We have blemishes, every one of us.  My most recent temper tantrum resulted in stopping a round of golf on the sixth hole.  After enduring slow play, a rainstorm, and the club slipping from my hands, I had enough. But I could have handled the situation better than I did.  Only Jesus dealt with all things well.

Pursue positive virtues.

Paul’s asking Timothy to pursue positive virtues.  Even though blemished, we can still strive for perfection, understanding we can’t reach it on our own.  When we partner with Jesus, He makes us righteous. 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)

God wants us to try.  When we center our hearts on Jesus, seeking His will for our life, God will direct our paths.  But we still must walk.  Do I believe God can bring the perfect partner to the door for a single person?  Absolutely. 

But I also believe you might meet someone sooner if you went out of the house.  During my season of singleness, I forced myself to join social groups to meet others.  I met Ron on the tennis court, where our relationship began.

Living life to the fullest means pursuing it with Christ.  We must understand that relationships matter more than anything else in the world.  Jesus comes first, others second, ourselves last, each relationship developing daily.

Strive for a pure heart by connecting with Jesus, allowing Him to search you for blemishes.  Embrace God’s grace and mercy, then share it with the world.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 124) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 42:1-44:23 ESV, 2 Timothy 2:1-21 ESV, Psalm 92:1-93 ESV, Proverbs 26:3-5 ESV

Daily Verse: “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3 ESV)

KAKOPATHEO (2553): “To undergo hardship.  This word from kakos, “evil,” pathos, “suffering,” signifies “to suffer hardship.”  It is translated “endure hardness,” 2 Tim. 2:3.”[1]

Endure hardness.

Paul’s encouraging Timothy because he understands pain and suffering come with the journey.  No one on earth avoids the combination, no matter how they appear from the outside.  Everyone struggles in life, including Jesus, who endured harsh persecution and responded with love.

How we respond to the difficulties we encounter on the journey makes the difference.  We can’t control much in life, but we can control our actions.  Job’s response after losing his children, flock, and health amaze me:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return.  The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  (Job 1:21 ESV)

Persevere with perspective.

Both Jesus and Job kept their eye on the prize.  They remembered the Lord and His sovereign power when troubles came their way.  Everything on earth will pass away, but things of heaven last forever.

Keeping the Son in your eyes as you travel through storm waters will help you stay afloat.  Trusting God’s plan when heartache comes upon you will help you persevere through it.

Paul’s encouragement of Timothy helps him overcome the trials the missionary faces.  In the same way, we can help spur others onward when they deal with life’s hurts.  Sometimes taking a step forward challenges the best of us; we need assistance to keep going.

Pain and suffering come with life on earth.  Only when God calls us home will we leave our struggles behind.  Until then, we can encourage others on the journey, as well as receive help when we need it.

God never meant us to walk alone; He gives us other believers to journey with us.  Become involved in a local church with solid, Biblical teaching, and you will find the assistance you need when you need it.

Respond well by surrounding yourself with fellow believers to help you.  Don’t try facing the struggles of this world on your own.  Tap into God’s strength by connecting with His family.  Together, you can overcome anything.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 126) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 39:1-41:18 ESV, 2 Timothy 1:1-18 ESV, Psalm 90:1-91:16 ESV, Proverbs 26:1-2 ESV

Daily Verse: “I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.” (2 Timothy 1:3 ESV)

PROGONOS (4269): “An ancestor, (grand-)parents: -forefather.  Used as a noun in the plural, forefathers.”[1]

Forefathers.

Paul thanks his forefathers for raising him in the faith.  Because of his upbringing, Paul knew the scriptures inside and out.  When the apostle met Jesus, Paul’s background helped him accomplish his mission.  Paul understood Jewish law and could debate anyone about the merits of faith in Jesus.

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6 ESV)

God promises if we raise our children in the faith, they won’t depart from it in their old age.  Children do stray; I strayed.  But in my straying, I learned the truth about God’s promises.  His word lasts when nothing else does.

Trust the process.

Raising children in the faith takes time and effort.  Teaching them about Jesus young gives them a firm foundation to fall back on when things get tough.  And the lessons they learn will help them flourish in life later.  Faith keeps us going when all else fails.

Working in the kid’s ministry encourages me; their pure hearts soak up the lessons taught in Sunday school.  Standing at the back of the class, I love watching their energetic answers to whatever question.  Singing worship with them always encourages my heart.

As adults, we understand that bad things happen in life and will test our faith.  But kids don’t know about crises of faith yet.  Teaching them to rely on Jesus will help them when difficult times arise.  And as they grow and mature, they will pass the lessons learned to the next generation.

Thank God for our forefathers who persevered in the faith, raising their children to believe and trust in Jesus.  Life on earth ends all too quickly, but our faith never does.  In God, we can always trust, and we have the opportunity to share that knowledge with the generations to come.

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[1]Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 211) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 37:1-38:28 ESV, 1 Timothy 6:1-21 ESV, Psalm 89:38-52 ESV, Proverbs 25:28 ESV

Daily Verse: “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)

ZUGOS (2218): “A yoke,” serving to couple two things together; is used of bond service to masters, 1 Tim 6:1.”[1]

Couple together.

About half the population of the Roman empire lived as enslaved people in the first century.  Paul’s concerned about how they treat their masters.  In other words, followers of Christ must treat their bosses with respect; in doing so, we share Jesus with others through our actions.

Thankfully, slavery no longer exists in America.  But we do have jobs and people in authority over us.  Whether or not you think your supervisor deserves the position doesn’t matter; they still have it. 

God’s authority

Ultimately, God’s our authority.  We will all stand before the Lord one day and give an account of our actions. And God places authority over us on earth.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1 ESV)

God knows your boss and how they treat you. The Lord knows all the people in authority over us because He placed them there.  How we respond to the bosses in our life depends on our hearts.  God wants us to treat them with respect and dignity.  In other words, do your job well.

The best way to honor God and your boss happens when you do your job.  As an ex-manager, employees who didn’t do the job they agreed to do wore me down.   But those precious ones who came to work on time did their tasks and respected my authority; I couldn’t help but love them.

God wants us to do our jobs well.  When we take pride in our work and do it to the best of our ability, we’ll also respect our boss.  Nothing pleases God more than a heart set on Him.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 110) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 35:1-36:32 ESV, 1 Timothy 5:1-25 ESV, Psalm 89:14-37 ESV, Proverbs 25:25-27 ESV

Daily Verse: “For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” (1 Timothy 5:18 ESV)

MISTHOS (3408): “Primarily “wages, hire,” and then, generally, “reward.”[1]

General reward.

Workers deserve payment for their efforts.  Paul’s reference to compensation for the elders quotes Deuteronomy to make his point.  Writing to Timothy, the second half of Paul’s sentence quotes Jesus, the first-time repeating Christ’s words as scripture.

God knows we all have bills to pay.  Part of our purpose unfolds in the work we do.  Whether a mail carrier or a physicist, paychecks mark the value assigned to the task.  People don’t feel appreciated if we don’t pay them for their efforts.

Tangible value.

I worked as a volunteer staff member for a local church a few years ago.  Working over forty hours a week in my position, I didn’t get paid.  As a result, my work had no value to the organization, and I received heartbreak as my reward.

We don’t value things that don’t have a price.  Jesus’ unconditional love for us came at a steep cost, His death on the cross.  Christ paid for our sins, even though He had none.  We have value because of God’s price for us, Jesus’s death.

In the same way, we should value others for the work they do.   When we assign a dollar amount to a job, we give it value.  Paying people for their work shows appreciation to them.  We devalue people’s work when we don’t pay them for it.

Local churches depend on tithes to run their organizations.  God’s provision for those in ministry comes from our obedience to tithe.   Many pastors work two jobs so that they can preach on Sunday mornings.  We live in an imperfect world; 5% of churchgoers tithe, each person giving an average of $17 per week.[1]

Wages show value for the worker.  Tithing grows our faith and helps pay the wages of God’s workers.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 166) Thomas Nelson

[1]https://www.vancopayments.com/egiving/church-giving-statistics-tithing#:~:text=Churchgoer%20Participation-,Tithing%20Statistics,%25%20(Health%20Research%20Funding).

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 33:1-34:22 ESV, 1 Timothy 4:1-16 ESV, Psalm 89:1-13 ESV, Proverbs 25:23-24 ESV

Daily Verse: “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;” (1 Timothy 4:7 ESV)

MUTHOS (3454): “That which is a simple account which attempts to explain reality; yet is unreal and fabricated having only the appearance of truth, not truth actually contained therein.  It primarily signifies “speech, conversation.” The first syllable comes from a root mu-, signifying “to close, keep secret, be dumb: whence, muo, “to close” (eyes, mouth) and musterion, “a secret, a mystery”; hence, “a story, narraetive, fable, fiction.” The word is used of gnostic errors and of Jewish and profane fables and genealogies, “fables”, in 1 Ti. 4:7.”[1]

Unreal and fabricated.

Myths abound in today’s world.  When God created humanity, He placed a God-sized void in each of us.  Three-fourths of the world try to fill it with things other than the Lord. But nothing can fill the void but Jesus.

Solomon talks about chasing after the wind in Ecclesiastes, things we think will satisfy us but never do.  I spent the first half of my life building my resume, always striving for the next promotion and larger paycheck.  But then my sister died from ovarian cancer, and I realized my misguided efforts.

Reality check.

My sister’s passing gave me a reality check.  No one cares about my resume, but they care how I make them feel.  Because of chasing the wind, I missed spending time with my sister.  Her death caused me to re-prioritize my life, leading me into a more fulfilling lifestyle as I prioritized people over position.

Everyone tells themselves a story; we create narratives in our minds based on our limited knowledge.  Reality checks help you see the myths you believe and refocus your eyes on Jesus.

“It’s so beautiful,” said my sister as she transitioned to heaven.  A lifelong follower of Jesus, her words encourage me in my walk.  One day we will meet again, but until then, I know her soul rests well with Jesus.

God exists, and only He can fill the void in your soul.  Connection with the Lord will give you life to the full.  Embracing Jesus and the truth of His teachings will help you discern the myths you believe and replace them with God’s truth.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 168) Thomas Nelson

2 minute read.

Daily Reading: Jeremiah 31:27-32:44 ESV, 1 Timothy 3:1-16 ESV, Psalm 88:1-18 ESV, Proverbs 25:20-22 ESV

Daily Verse: “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task.” (1 Timothy 3:1 ESV)

PISTOS (4103): “In the active sense means “believing, trusting.”  In the passive sense, “trusty, faithful, trustworthy.”[1]

Believing trust.

Timothy addresses those people who want to watch over the flock.  Trustworthiness marks the character of an elder.  Becoming a leader in the church has a noble task before them.  They must maintain pure hearts and not let pride lead them in their decisions.

When people look to you for guidance, basing their actions on words you say, the responsibility weighs heavily on them.  Becoming a devotional writer intimidated me as people began seeking my advice.  Underqualified describes how I felt.

But God provides wherever He guides and keeps our hearts in check.  Staying humble requires daily submission to the Lord. Allowing the Creator to search your heart will keep you in check for the work God calls you to do.

Daily cleansing.

Becoming a trustworthy servant of the Lord requires a daily cleansing of the soul.  Each day, when you quiet yourself before the Lord, spending time in His presence will impact your life.  As you follow Jesus, you become more sensitive to the sin in your life, which allows you to address it.

Following Jesus makes you a leader.  People who know you before Christ will see the life change.  Each day, as you apply Jesus’ teaching to your life, you become more like Him and less like your old self.

Five decades of following Jesus changed me drastically.  My juvenile prayers of selfish desires became a longing to connect with God’s will for my life.  Instead of judging others, I try first to understand them and their story.  And forgiving those who hurt me takes work, but with God, I can.

Most of all, I remember that everyone I meet has an unseen battle.  Everyone experiences pain and suffering.  They don’t need judgment; they need unconditional love, the kind Jesus offers.

Become a trustworthy servant of Jesus by making time with Him a top priority in your life.  Let God do the transformation as you submit your life to Him.

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[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 202) Thomas Nelson