Hadassah

“And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury.

“But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.” Esther 3:5-6

Matthew Henry Comments on Esther 3:4
“Mordecai refused to reverence Haman. The religion of a Jew forbade him to give honours to any mortal man which savoured of idolatry, especially to so wicked a man as Haman. By nature all are idolaters; self is our favourite idol, we are pleased to be treated as if every thing were at our disposal. Though religion by no means destroys good manners, but teaches us to render honour to whom honour is due, yet by a citizen of Zion, not only in his heart, but in his eyes, such a vile person as Haman was, is contemned, Psalms 15:4. The true believer cannot obey edicts, or conform to fashions, which break the law of God. He must obey God rather than man, and leave the consequences to him. Haman was full of wrath. His device was inspired by that wicked spirit, who has been a murderer from the beginning; whose enmity to Christ and his church, governs all his children.”

As we approach the Feast of Purim, I have Hadassah on my mind. As with all scripture, if we take the time, if we seek the leading of the Spirit of G-d, we shall gain much. As the Apostle Paul wrote:

“. . .the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17.

Now Hadassah and Mordecai lived during the Exile between 483BC and 471BC. They, as all Jews in exile, were unable to worship in the Temple. They began to gather together for teaching, prayer, and mutual encouragement. As we see in the Book of Esther, G-d makes a way for His people to assemble if we really want to learn about Him, praise Him, worship Him, and grow in His Ways.

Let’s think about that, and return together Wednesday.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Eve of Destruction

“For this is what the LORD says: ‘Just as I have brought all this great disaster on these people, so am I about to bring on them all the good I am promising them.’ ” (Jeremiah 32:42 HCSB)

If pictures are worth a thousand words, songs are worth a thousand pictures. There’s a saying that tells that the Welsh were not born with silver spoons in their mouths, but poetry raging through their veins, and music filling their hearts. And I know African’s are the same as the Welsh. And being Welsh, myself, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if I turn often to music, and song lyrics.

Barry McGuire sung the S.F. Sloan song Eve of Destruction with a loud, poetic voice, exposing all sorts of heinous things taking place in our world. In one verse he pleads

Don’t you understand, what I’m trying to say?
Now, Can’t you feel the fears that I’m feeling today?
If the button is pushed, there’s no running away,
There’ll be no one to save with the world in a grave,
Take a look around you, boy, it’s bound to scare you, boy,
And you tell me over and over and over again my friend,
Ah, you don’t believe we’re on the eve of destruction.

On one internet site that has the lyrics, a man commented: “The song is a grave warning of imminent apocalypse, and considered by some to be the epitome of a protest song. It expressed the frustrations and fears of young people in the age of the Cold War, Vietnam, the nuclear arms race, and the civil rights movement.”

Yes, the song was written in July 1965. That was 47 years ago. I was sixteen, in high school, and not too concerned with the world outside my peaceful life in rural California. It took a few years for me to see that truly we were on a road toward destruction. The most important question then, as too often now, is “When is the coming destruction?” When Y’shuaJesus pointed out that the beautiful Temple in Jerusalem would soon be torn down, the disciples followed with the same question, and also wanted to know the signs of the Lord’s return.

Since the time the song was written, sung, and listened to around the world, many, many destructions have taken place. We’ve seen countries rise to great levels of economic opportunity only to collapse into utter ruin and despair. We’ve seen wars, and heard rumors of wars. There have been earthquakes, floods, drought, famine. So far these destructions, as devastating as they have been, have been localized and regionalized. Destruction has not engulfed the Earth entirely, and at one time. Yet we’ve sung these lyrics for nearly half of a decade.

Today, on the internet, in various gathering places throughout the world there are those, Christian and not, crying out that we are on the Eve of Destruction. And just as many voices return with their own cries of denial. I submit to you, that since day one of the Jewish calendar 5770 years ago, we have been on the road, sitting on the very Eve of Destruction. And yet it hasn’t happened. At least not yet! How then shall we act? How then shall we go on? I believe the words of the Lord through Jeremiah point to our proper response, to our beneficial attitude: “Just as I have brought all this great disaster on these people, so am I about to bring on them all the good I am promising them.”(Jeremiah 32:42 HCSB)

Yes, there is hope. Yes, though things fall apart, there is life and joy after. When the Lord brings destruction, and we, His people are affected, He showers us with great things in the aftermath. It is terrible for those who fail to heed His admonishment! And worse for those who fall away, those who are lead away, for they will find no such reward. We, then, have the hope of Noah, who settled the Earth after the flood. We, then, have the hope of Rahab, who survived the destruction of Jericho. We have the hope in the form of a promise from our Lord and Savior, Y’shua, who said He would never leave us alone. He lived with us, died for us, rose from the dead and sent His Spirit to fill us until His return in glory. Master. Savior. Lord. G-d.

So as the world ignores the warnings, and as some who see them freak totally out, we who are True-Born Believers in the Hope of Messiah NOW. Remember Rahab after the destruction of Jericho: “So the young men who had scouted went in and brought out Rahab and her father, mother, brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel.” (Joshua 6:23 HCSB)

There is HOPE!

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Contend for the Faith (jonahzsong.wordpress.com)

The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him

“The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, who hope in His mercy.” (Psalms 147:11 MKJV)

Frequently I marvel at the notion that G-d, the Creator of the universe and all that is within it, takes pleasure in His people, takes pleasure in me. Does He take pleasure in my way upon Earth, in yiur way upon Earth? Does He take pleasure in our journey as we fumble around trying to find Him?

At church (Carbondale AG, Tulsa, OK) Pastor Phil spoke on G-d’s exceeding love of His people and His choosing us. Pastor Phil said that we use the term “accepting Christ” but that in reality it is G-d who accepts us after we repent and believe.

Even in our belief, it is actually a G-d-enabled belief. G-d chooses us. In this love, G-d takes pleasure in us, for He created us.

How far can I take the notion—idea? Can I call it an understanding of G-d’s pleasure in us? At the minimum, the result of G-d’s pleasure and choosing us is that I didn’t earn it, so can’t loose it. There is the freedom in Christ not to fear. Furthermore, I didn’t earn it, so can’t take pride that I merit the relationship as child of G-d. I was chosen not for my merit, not to earn continued favor, but simply through G-d’s infinite mercy, His love.

In the Psalm “The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him. . .,” fear is better thought of as awe. G-d is awesome. Yes, Y’shuaJesus is our friend and we are free to speak with Him, to say anything. We are free to bare our soul to Him. Why not tell Him our secrets. He knows them anyway. But Y’shuaJesus is G-d. As such, our souls must leap for joy at His presence while also retreating in awe. Have you ever heard someone say, “When I get to Heaven I’m gonna ask Jesus. . .” this or that. I can assure you, when in the presence of Y’shuaJesus you will have nothing to say. On the contrary, you will place Your crowns at His feet, soul trembling in love and adoration—speechless.

Now given that The LORD, The Creator of the universe, takes pleasure in us, we have our life and significance. I like the word significance. It means I am okay as I am. I have value. Today. I am of value not in what I’ve worked for, not for any position in our society—or lack of it—but simply through being chosen and being a child of G-d.

There is FREEDOM. Thank G-d for His great mercy. Praise the LORD for His love and caring. He continues creating us, taking pleasure in us. He is, after all, the potter. . .

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

We are Ready!

“His Divinity has granted to us everything toward life and piety, through the knowledge of Him Who called us by His Own glory and excellence.”(2 Peter 1:3 MRC)

His Divinity? El-shaddai, G-d all-sufficient! To whom did He grant everything necessary for life and piety, which is holiness? To us, thanks be to G-d! How is this done? It is through the Knowledge of Him Who called us. Who called us? El-shaddai, G-d all-sufficient!

It sounds circular. It is. We awake in the morning and experience another day followed by a night. The Earth turns. It revolves. After 365 of these revolutions, circles, the Earth completes its circle around the sun. And as the Earth revolves around the Sun, we have seasons. We have Spring, followed by Summer and Fall, followed by Winter, which returns us to Spring.

We are called into this circular existence by El-shaddai, G-d all-sufficient! Our lives begin with El-shaddai. Our lives exist in El-shaddai. El-shaddai is the center. Things will not fall apart for those whose center is El-shaddai, G-d all-sufficient.

Here, in Georgia, USA, it’s raining today. It’s raining hard. I think of Noah on such days. What if Noah awoke one morning, Ark nearly completed, but not fully, and it was raining. Would he get up, scared, and run out to work on the Ark? I don’t think he’d be scared. He knew the One Who called him. El-shaddai, G-d all-sufficient. Noah must have known, if it were raining, then he’d certainly get done before the flood. How? El-shaddai, all-sufficient!

Like Noah, we are involved a project, or perhaps many projects. These are a bit like our houses. Perhaps we?ve not finished the roof or its repair, and we see storm clouds gathering, warning of rain. FEAR NOT! Where we are, we are, and He is our center. To us it is written: ”And from his fullness we have all received grace upon grace.” (John 1:16 ESV) and as was said to Paul, is said to us, ”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV) Where I am, I am. When the storm arrives, I’ll be where I need to be. El-shaddai, G-d all-sufficient.

And how is it that we come to the knowledge of El-shaddai, G-d all-sufficient? Make no mistake, we only know G-d through our Savior, our Lord Y?shuaJesus. ”I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me,” said Y’shuaJesus. (John 14:6 ESV) The Father, El-shaddai.

We must NEVER forget Who called us. El-shaddai, G-d all-sufficient!

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

A Foolish Hope?

Cover of "Preaching the Cross (Together f... — Cover via Amazon

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

The Cross. A powerful symbol. And in recent years the Cross has become quite controversial. I’ve lamented in the past at the growing number of churches that do not display a cross on their buildings. I’ve also shared my growing excitement at the number of large crosses placed near highways. Even as the church seems to be growing colder and colder, there are still numbers of people committed to the Cross as an expression of their faith. It reminds me of Elijah telling G-d, “Hey, I’m that last of the good guys here, and they want to kill me!” Pardon my paraphrasing. How did G-d reply? Yup. Elijah isn’t alone, there are true-born followers of G-d, hidden, cared for. . .

But in all this, do you ever wonder why we seem to be the losers here? When Paul tells of his successes he always says he was persecuted, beaten, rejected. And all for he cause of preaching the cross. In order to move on, to live in this world, there is a constant battle engaging the human senses. There are distractions. We seem to get beat down and begin to lose our hope. And often it comes in the form of an offer for help.

The other day a man took his son to the doctor. The boy complained of an ear ache, which the doctor said was only congestion. What the doctor did then was to tell the father and son all about a particular series of shots that will prevent a sexually transmitted disease. Among the various statistics that the doctor cited was one that said without the shots there was a 70% chance of contracting cancer or other nasty diseases related this human papillomavirus (HPV). The doctor said that even if the boy were to actually find a virgin to marry, the chance the girl was free of HPV was very slim. No hope in this world. No hope for a virus-free girl. No hope.

Our hope is in the Lord Y’shuaJesus. We are the losers of this world. We don’t go along with the world. We really don’t fit in it. The world doesn’t like that, either. The world doesn’t like the Cross, for it is a powerful symbol of resurrection from the dead, of life after death to G-d’s people, to G-d’s chosen ones. Paul says the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. They are dying. The will stay eternally out of the presence of G-d the Father, Y’shuaJesus, Holy Spirit. To us, the true-born believers, the saved, the Cross is the power of G-d to redeem our lives, to give us crowns of His Joy and His Peace. And this happens in His time.

Does that mean there is no hope during our lives on Earth? I think with our hope in our Lord, with our relationship with Him, we have struggles and temptations and trouble, yes, but we certainly also have blessings from Him. We are to seek first the Kingdom of G-d. Then let G-d’s Kingdom bless us.

Lord, have mercy upon us! Amen.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Lay up Treasures in Heaven; Leave some Behind

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
(Matthew 8:19-21)

Toward the end of Paul’s final letter, his second letter to Timothy, he spoke of knowing his end was near, and that he’d fought a good fight. Just a bit later in the letter, he says those in ministry with him are all gone, and he asks Timothy to come to him. I wondered if he were lonely, and needed companionship as he faced his final days on Earth. Yet he says to bring along Mark, as both Timothy and Mark would be useful to his ministry. Finally he gives greeting from others of the believers in Rome. He wasn’t lonely; he wanted to continue the work he’d been involved in, and only they could assist, as he was in prison. Paul wasn’t settling in on his past accomplishments, his crowns earned; Paul needed to continue the good fight to the very end.

Paul was storing up treasures in Heaven. He was also leaving something behind. Here’s the lyrics to a country song, Three Wooden Crosses, by Randy Travis, in which he sings, “it’s not what you take. . .It’s what you leave behind.”

A farmer and a teacher, a hooker and a preacher,
Ridin’ on a midnight bus bound for Mexico.
One’s headed for vacation, one for higher education,
An’ two of them were searchin’ for lost souls.
That driver never ever saw the stop sign.
An’ eighteen wheelers can’t stop on a dime.

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway,
Why there’s not four of them, Heaven only knows.
I guess it’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you,
It’s what you leave behind you when you go.

That farmer left a harvest, a home and eighty acres,
The faith an’ love for growin’ things in his young son’s heart.
An’ that teacher left her wisdom in the minds of lots of children:
Did her best to give ’em all a better start.
An’ that preacher whispered: “Can’t you see the Promised Land?”
As he laid his blood-stained bible in that hooker’s hand.

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway,
Why there’s not four of them, Heaven only knows.
I guess it’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you,
It’s what you leave behind you when you go.

That’s the story that our preacher told last Sunday.
As he held that blood-stained bible up,
For all of us to see.
He said: “Bless the farmer, and the teacher, an’ the preacher”
“Who gave this Bible to my mamma,
“Who read it to me.”

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway,
Why there’s not four of them, now I guess we know.
It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you,
It’s what you leave behind you when you go.

There are three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

A Little Dose of Prevention

“But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”
(Matthew 17:21 MRC)

The expression is usually “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” but given current emphasis across Europe and America for flu shots, the word dose comes to mind. In Matthew’s Gospel we are told of disciples who didn’t have the dose of prevention and left Y’shuaJesus having to apply a pound of cure. Y’shua cured a man’s son. When the disciples asked Y’shua why they couldn’t cast out the demon, Y’shua explained that they didn’t have the faith to do so.

Matthew Henry, in his commentary, wrote: “If ye have ever so little of this faith in sincerity, if ye truly rely upon the powers committed to you, ye shall say to this mountain, Remove. This is a proverbial expression, denoting that which follows, and no more, Nothing shall be impossible to you. They had a full commission, among other things, to cast out devils without exception; but, this devil being more than ordinarily malicious and inveterate, they distrusted the power they had received, and so failed. To convince them of this, Christ shows them what they might have done. Note, An active faith can remove mountains, not of itself, but in the virtue of a divine power engaged by a divine promise, both which faith fastens upon.”

After explaining the disciples’ lack of faith, He goes on to say the “this kind [of demon] does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” The implication here is this: The disciples must couple a trust in the power they had received with previous prayer and fasting. The disciples not only didn’t have the faith necessary to cast out the demon, they weren’t prepared to do so either.

Point One. Preparation is required for our readiness. This preparation is required for more than the casting out of demons, as Peter wrote: “. . . sanctify Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be prepared to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give a word for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and fear for God.” (1 Peter 3:15 MRC) We are to be prepared to make a defense.

When I think of being prepared, I think of Stephen: “Then some from what is called the Freedmen’s Synagogue, composed of both Cyrenians and Alexandrians, and some from Cilicia and Asia, came forward and disputed with Stephen.” (Acts 6:9 HCSB). Before Stephen died, he witnessed to those who stoned him. Stephen was prepared for any and all events.

Point Two. Prayer is a key component of preparation. Prayer is, in a general sense, the act of asking for a favor, and particularly with earnestness. In worship, prayer is a solemn address to G-d, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of G-d’s glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for his mercies and benefits.

But I like a more simple definition. It is being with G-d, through our acceptance of Messiah Y’shua, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It is being like Adam, and walking with G-d in the Garden.

Point Three. Fasting is another key component of preparation. How shall we fast? The Lord tells us through the prophet Isaiah: “Isn’t the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and to not ignore your own flesh and blood? Then your light will appear like the dawn, and your recovery will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the LORD’s glory will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 58:6-8 HCSB)

Simply put, fasting is denying our fleshly nature, our self-centered approach to life, and obeying the Holy Spirit.
May the Lord enable us to meet the requirements of each day, having mercy upon us.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Ready or Not, Lord Y’shuaJesus will Return

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

Paul says he knows he’s about to die, and he’s ready for it. In another letter, Paul says he is torn between wanting to go and be with the Lord Y’shuaJesus, and stay here, on Earth, for the sake of those to whom he’s been called to minister. Now, though, Paul knows it is his time to go. He has fought a good fight, finished his assignment, kept the faith. He’s ready to receive a crown of righteousness. And so like Paul, he encourages us when he says: “Not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

There are two ways in which we can depart this world: the first is to die, as Paul is saying in this scripture. The other way is for the Lord to return to Earth—the Great Day of the Lord, as spoken of by Apostles, The Lord Y’shuaJesus Himself, and the Prophets. It seems to me that in this later way, the return of the Lord, we find easiest to long for His appearance. I’m reminded of a verse from a song that goes something like this: Everyone wants to go to Heaven. . . but nobody wants to go now. It seems pretty clear, though, that while we are meant to live a life on Earth for a certain time, we are to love the appearance of the Lord Y’shuaJesus, whether or not we go individually or as when all true-born believers are called to meet the Lord upon His return.

Regarding the Lord’s Return, Charles Spurgeon commented on 2 Peter 3:10-14, which begins, “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.”

These passages convey that the predicted events are certain and that they may occur at any moment and are intended to evoke in the reader the ongoing expectation that the event is “about to happen” and thereby provide motivation for godly living (2Pe. 2Pe. 3:10-14):

The Impending Advent is the theme which pervades [the book of Revelation] from its commencement to its close. And just in proportion as he who is awake to the great truth of the Saviour’s speedy coming, and is engaged in waiting and preparing himself accordingly, is a better man, and in a safer condition, and really more happy, than the half-Christian and lukewarm;—in that same proportion is he who reads, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy blessed beyond all other people.1
What a check, what an incentive, what a bridle, what a spur, such thoughts as these would be to us! Take this for the guide of your whole life. Act as if Jesus would come during the act in which you are engaged; and if you would not wish to be caught in that act by the Coming of the Lord, let it not be your act.—Charles Spurgeon, “Watching for Christ’s Coming” in Sermons on the Second Coming of Christ, 137-138.2

He says it well, doesn’t he.

Lord continue to grant us the strength to fight the good fight here and now, while loving and longing for His appearance, while always knowing that one day we will feast with our Lord Y’shuaJesus. Let us gaze intently toward Heaven for the Lord’s Return.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine. . .

Do the work of an evangelist

“. . .do the work of an evangelist. . .” 2 Timothy 4:5

As if preaching and teaching, rebuking and exhorting, aren’t enough, Paul tells Timothy to do the work of an evangelist. Paul has already explained why Timothy needs to be diligent in his duties toward the church. It is in the form of a conclusion to his charge to Timothy to preach and teach: “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” v. 3,4. Paul wants to make sure Timothy understands that he needs to give sound words within the church now, for later. . .

Well, later there will be discord and division, and the Earthly church won’t resemble what it once was, during the time of the Apostles. Certainly, there were problems then, but Paul says they’ll get worse. And Timothy must be diligent in his profession of the faith, both within and without the church. For if there is a time when, within the church, people will close their ears to the truth, what will it be like outside the church.

Timothy is exhorted by Paul to evangelize now, while there is still time, while the truth may still be received. Paul writes: “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” v. 5. Matthew Henry commented: “He must watch in all things. “Seek an opportunity of doing them a kindness; let no fair occasion slip through negligence. Watch against the temptations of satan, by which you may be diverted from it; watch over the souls of those who are committed to your charge.” He must count upon afflictions and endure them, make the best of them. “Be not discouraged by the difficulties you meet with, but bear them with an evenness of spirit.” It was a great trust that was reposed in him, and therefore he must answer it and perform all the parts of his office with diligence and care.”

The full ministry that Paul has called upon Timothy to proof, reminds me of the The Apostolic Church. It was founded in Pen-y-groes, Carmarthenshire, South Wales, during the Welsh revival at turn of the twentieth Century. It supports the Early Church governance of the ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. I greatly respect this church, and have spent time with an evangelist in Sri Lanka’s first homegrown church, the Apostolic Church of Sri Lanka. This five-fold ministry is what Paul has told Timothy he needs to fulfill.

I have to wonder if Paul intended for Timothy to always work as all five parts of this ministry. Did Paul foresee a time when Timothy’s leadership role might require devotion to one aspect of this ministry to which he’d been charged? I don’t know. But in a small church, it certainly makes sense for the pastor to be all things to his congregation, not leaving out essential parts.

My thoughts on these functions are this: the Apostle reaches out as an overseer to several congregations, perhaps located in different communities; the Prophet is the rebuker that opens the eyes of the sinner; the Evangelist seeks to bring the Gospel to those outside the Church; the Pastor cares for the congregation, as a shepherd cares for a flock; the Teacher expounds upon the Word of G-d in Scriptures, helping the congregation understand the Way of the Gospel, the Way of the Cross. It was a lot for Timothy to do; it is a lot for pastors today to do. May G-d grant pastors abilities to fulfill their roles.

Lord continue to grant us the strength to fight the good fight, always knowing that one day we will feast with our Lord Y’shuaJesus. Let us gaze intently for the Lord to return.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine.

Charged to Preach, Teach, Rebuke, Exhort

“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 3:5

In the previous chapter, Paul wrote (3:13,14,15) “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Point One. Continue in what we have learned. Paul has made the point that we will suffer, will be persecuted. He is now encouraging us to stop thinking about new doctrines and interpretations of the Gospel. He is saying to us, like he’s said before, “fight the good fight!” We are to continue in the good that we have been, and have been doing.

Point Two. Remember from whom we learned. “Hey, you’ve learned it and known it . We won’t become deceived if we remember who we trusted when first we believed. We learned the scriptures and a way of life from someone, whether when as a child with our parents or as an adult from another to whom we found life. We knew it, so continue in it. We were assured of it once before, be assured of it now. We must not question ourselves and become lost.

Point Three. Remember that we’ve known the Word of G-d, which is able to make us wise. The Word of G-d is becoming alive within us, continue to allow Him to grow in us and make us wise in Him. We learned from the Scriptures that we are granted salvation by Y’shuaJesus’s death and resurrection, and we follow in faith. We shall not turn from that belief; we shall not turn from the truth of the Gospel.

Point Four. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” v.16. All Scripture. Not a small piece of it taken out of context. All Scripture. It is useable, profitable to us, for ministering within and without the church, to the saved and the unsaved. We are commanded to wash the feet of those with whom we share the communion of the Lord. This is washing of the dirt that comes from walking this imperfect world. We are not their saviour, but their helper in walking in the way of the cross. We also offer instruction to the unsave on righteousness. They may do occasional good things, but they lack true righteousness—they don’t know the Lord as their personal Saviour. We may offer instruction in righteousness that they might see themselves as lacking and turn to the Lord. We must always remember that one day All will kneel before the Lord and understand, and say, that Y’shuaJesus is Lord.

Point Five. “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” v.17. As we continue in the way’s we’ve learned, walking with the Lord, we are being perfected. This perfection enables us to do more good works, to become more like Y’shuaJesus.

In view of all of these points, Paul now compels Timothy, and us—charges us—to Preach, Teach, Rebuke, Exhort. And we are to do it when we know we are “on duty” and when we think we are on holiday. The men and women of G-d are never truly on holiday; we are always on duty. We gaze longingly toward the skies watching and waiting for the Lord to return, all the while we are working.

Lord grant us the strength to fight the good fight, always knowing that one day we will feast with our Lord Y’shuaJesus.

Lord Bless, Keep, Shine.

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