Mission Faithwalk

Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (I Timothy 5:7-8)               When I wrestled with the decision to leave my last job, well-meaning people gave advice. The piece I remember best was that I needed to think about my life and career. Giving up an income was tough, meager as it was, but it also meant giving up an identity…becoming “unemployed” which is translated as “useless,” and dependent.              I don’t recall thinking of this verse. What I remember is the fact that Dad had been at least hinting at the idea of my moving to Florida with him for years. I had completely resisted for a long time, but I had begun to tell him that if and when he needed me to go to Florida with him, I would. Two years ago, it became more apparent to me than it still is to him most of the time that we had reache

Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives . (I Timothy 5:3-6)             This is a passage that has troubled me for a couple reasons. The first is that I always intended to put my religion into practice by taking care of my widowed parent. I always thought that would be my mother, but that’s not how it’s turned out. The bigger problem is that I always assumed that somehow, I would be doing this from a position of capability. My finances were supposed to be used to pay his bills, not the other way around. I don’t know that it’s just that it’s h

Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity . (I Timothy 5:1-2)             Mom used to say that I have no tact so as I look at today’s passage, I cringe. I’ve little doubt that people would say I rebuke harshly. Part of me wants to defend myself. I’m not as bad as I imagine myself to be, which means that I’m even less bad than “they” tell me I am (since according to them, I’m the devil incarnate.) Am I? Another reason for my “Wisdom, direction and attitude” prayer request.              So, if I am to learn, I need to consider what Paul said. The term “rebuke” means “ express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions.” As nearly as I can tell, the word “harshly” was added in English to make the meaning clearer. However, the word “exhort” means “strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something.” To r

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. (I Timothy 4:16) “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. (Ezekiel 3:17-18)             Recently, there was something in the news about a group of boys who may be criminally charged because they videoed a man drowning without doing anything to help him. When I took First Responder training, I was told by the paramedic training me that she didn’t have stickers on her car identifying her as a paramedic, because if she did, she could be held liable if she didn’t stop for an accident even if there were already responders on the scene. In the passage fro

Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. (I Timothy 4:15) “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)            Bad news: your faith isn’t between you and God. Your sins aren’t “between you and God.” It’s not “my life, I can live I however I please as long as I’m not hurting anyone.” Sin always separates . Even if you think no one sees, the fact that you are hiding something from them separates you from them.          What one generation tolerates, the next generation normalizes, and the third imposes. In the Sixties, Free Love and the drug culture took root. Today, 63% of women are single mothers. Of those, 45% receive food st

Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. (I Timothy 4:14-15)              When I was in seventh grade, I took a test and was placed in the in-the-process-of-being-developed Gifted Program. As one teacher later put it, I was placed in special ed. Don’t be impressed. It means that I learned how to program computers to do math in BASIC. Whoop-dee-do!           In the “Who Am I?” phase of my life (still continuing, I think) I read lots of books in hopes of getting a definitive answer. One day on the way home from work, I was given an epiphany. I had been patting myself on the back about solving a problem at work, and God asked me “Why are you so surprised that you solved that problem? You’re a problem solver. That’s what you do. That’s what you are.” In those words, I discovered the solution to another p

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. (I Timothy 4:13)               “What did I come in here for?”             Oh, it was probably to tell you the story of the farmer who headed to the barn to milk the cows. On the way, he noticed that someone had left some tools on the ground. Not wanting anyone to get hurt, he headed over to pick them up. As he put away the first armload, he noticed that the chickens had gotten out. He took some of the tools with him and fixed the gate, then put the tools down and chased after the chickens. He started to count the chickens that were back in the coop when he noticed his wife standing at the back door of the house waving at him. He ran to see what she wanted. She reminded him about a doctor’s appointment and asked him to mail the electric bill. He promised that he would. As he walked away, he remembered that the car needed an oil change… The original version of the story was better, but

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. (I Timothy 4:9-13)             Continuing with yesterday’s theme of getting spiritual…spiritual – building our muscles of godliness, here is Paul’s exercise program. He labored and strove to put his hope in the living God. How do you lift weights? Is your count: “one, two, three, four, five” for five repetitions, or is it “one... two… three… four… five… one… two… three… four…five…that’s one…” Before my coach slowed me down, I thought I was going slowly. I was also lifting heavier weights than I do now beca

If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (I Timothy 4:6-8)           Once upon a time, I jogged 6.5 miles a day, five days a week. For the last four weeks, I’ve gotten up six days a week and gone to the Y. There are some people there who clearly spend a lot of time physically training themselves. I have friends who are just as politically fit, philosophically fit, politically fit, intellectually fit, fiscally fit, relationally fit, or spiritually fit. I also know, and know of people who pretend to be fit, and people who don’t even bother to pretend.            According to Paul, godliness as value for all th

Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. (I Timothy 4:2-6)             They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods. Curiously, those are charges being leveled against Christianity today. We forbid certain people from marrying, and we require that people abstain from certain foods. When we eat some of the same food we from which we supposedly tell everyone else to abstain, we’re called hypoc

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (I Timothy 4:1-5)           Progressive philosophy maintains that man is basically good, and that the only thing that keeps him from fulfilling his good nature is the corruption of the system around him. If we can just figure out how to tweak or twerk the system, evil will disappear from the world and everyone will get along and do what is right. Anyone who rejects the system is viewed as ignorant and evil. By not being assi

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. (I Timothy 3:16)           According to the notes in my study Bible, the part of today’s passage that I centered was probably a creedal hymn. Paul was quoting a gospel chorus that he expected Timothy to know. Paul acknowledges that this whole idea was a great mystery, and more so to the Jew than to the Gentile. The Gentiles believed in sons of gods – except for the fact that such a thing didn’t take place historically. It always took place “a long time ago in a land far, far away.”           It is something for us to consider. We know Jesus was born in a stable, grew up, had a ministry for three years, died on the cross, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. We sing about it. We celebrate Christmas, Easter, and to a lesser extent, the Assumption, bu

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. (I Timothy 3:14-15)   One of my Sunday School classes is going through a DVD series by Andy Stanley, called “Right In The Eye.” [1] It’s a study of the book of Judges, which tells the history of Israel in a time in which everyone did what was right in their own eyes. As he describes it, people considered it their right to do what they want, when and where they want, with whom they want, and how they want, “as long as no one gets hurt.” Sound familiar? In today’s passage, Paul said he wanted Timothy to know how people should conduct themselves in the household of God, (AKA, the Church.) In other words, there was a way in which people should conduct themselves. Too often, I hear people who claim to be Christians proclaim that it’s

Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus . (I Timothy 3:13)            “Well done, good and faithful servant.”           “Good Job!”           These are the sorts of things we long to hear. There are times I’d settle for a “Thank you.” As much as we need recognition from others, today’s passage talks about something else. It talks about being assured in ourselves. No, I’m not talking about arrogance, but there is something about knowing that you did a good job even if no one else notices or even agrees. There is something about knowing you are living according to the principals and values you believe are right and best.           And what it is that we need to do well?            Serve.           Uh oh.            If we want to feel assured of our faith, we need to serve more and serve better. If we want to feel as if we matter, we need to do something that matters to someone: serve. I know people who serve well.

In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. (I Timothy 3:11-12)               When I read this chapter, I wonder why Paul talks about deacons, then talks about deacons’ wives, then goes back to talk about deacons. It could be that the second half of today’s passage is an “Oh yeah, I forgot” situation, but my understanding of inspiration doesn’t sit well with that. I “Oh, yeah, I forgot,” but God doesn’t.              This morning, an idea has come to mind. What if what’s said about the deacons isn’t really as much about the deacons as it is about the wife? The husband was the public face of the family. He was held responsible for the behavior of the members of the household, but the wife was the functional head of the household. It was her responsibility to see to the daily needs. For a deacon to m

Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. (I Timothy 3:8-10)             Elders, or overseers had to live up to some tough standards. Paul makes it clear that deacons were no different. While the elders had the responsibility of leading the congregation, deacons were the servants. They had the responsibility of practical matters. Their role was, and is, important. For the most part, the elders dealt with larger matters and the congregation as a whole. Deacons faced individuals, their needs and their imperfections, and had charge over the well-being of the most vulnerable members of the congregation. If the elders needed to live up to certain expectations, it was at least as important that the deacons do so. It still is.       

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. (I Timothy 3:1-7)             Imagine a world in which the man or woman who wanted to be a leader, a boss, a manager, a teacher, a politician, etc., had to prove himself/herself competent at life, a good spouse, parent, or at least family member and cit

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety. (I Timothy 2:11-15)       Let’s begin with what this passage does not say. It does not say that women cannot teach. It says that women aren’t permitted. There’s a difference. The first concerns their capacity; the second, their practice. It does not say that women are worth less than men, or that they don’t have formidable minds. It doesn’t say that they don’t have anything worthwhile to say or that they should be ignored or mistreated by men. Lastly, it doesn’t say that any of this is a cultural or temporal matter that we can ignore today as being an ignorant perspective. It is a subject of controversy, and on

I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (I Timothy 2:9-10)             If yesterday’s politics was not enough, today’s topic is women’s behavior. This passage is one of the big reasons some people reject Paul, and even Christianity. How dare Paul or anyone else tell women how to dress or to be quiet and submissive? How dare anyone say that a woman isn’t just as able to teach as a man? How dare I defend this misogynist? Doing so makes me one of those sorts who believes women should be barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen, doesn’t it? Where’s my hajib?           Histrionics aside, let’s look at what is actually said. Women are to dress modestly, with decency and propriety. What is the alternative? To dress immodestly, indecently and improperly. I can’t say that the alternative is dressing like a prostitute, because it see

Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme . (I Timothy 1:18-20)           In this corner… young pastor, Timothy. In the other corner, the world, the flesh and the devil. Paul massages Timothy’s shoulders and reminds him of proper stances and attacks and counsels him on the rules of the fight. Timothy meets his opponents in the center of the ring, and even before the bell clangs, the world sucker punches him. Timothy staggers back, dazed and confused. He shakes his head and throws a perfect punch that glances off the devil’s chin as the flesh swings a truncheon that hits Timothy’s solar plexus. Timothy collapses to the mat, and manages to crawl back to his corner.    

        I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—   for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. (I Timothy 2:1-8)             Oh, no. Politics. Do we have to? Doesn’t the Constitution say something about separation of Church and State? The reality is that the Constitution does have something to say about the separation of Church and State, but what it sa