Mission Faithwalk

    Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”         When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3:1-6)   After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb....

                 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance . (II Peter 3:9)                 Have you considered how patient God is with you? Today’s verse specifically mentions that God is patient with us in waiting so that everyone can come to repentance. That is of great importance. But if God is willing to wait patiently for us to come to repentance, does it make sense that He should be impatient about everything, or anything else? This isn’t to say that He never says, “Now!” But just for a moment, today, think about it. What are the things that elude you as a Christian? Does your prayer life lack? Do you worship/praise as you should? How about sharing your faith? Is giving hard? Have you failed to be the Christian, employee, citiz...

                     Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.    For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. (Matthew 16:24-27)                 There’s a saying that has been going around for a while. “When God put a calling on your life, He already factored in your stupidity.” Peter seems to me to be a great example of this. The passage above comes right after Peter gets done scolding Jesus because Jesus told the disciples He...

                 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:18)                 Here’s the verse Jesus quoted (in part) as the second part of “the greatest commandment.” Putting it in its original context is enlightening. We have two possibilities: seeking revenge/bearing a grudge and loving. Put another way, we can either hate or love. Put even more clearly, we can either not love or love. It’s not a difficult concept, until our human nature gets involved. At that point, we start trying to pretend that our hatred is not hatred because, of course, hatred isn’t nice and we want to be seen as nice.                 The whole “nice” bit is a pitfall for us, because to be nice means we must accept, ...

                       For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (Jude 1:4)                 Not long ago, we explored some of what Paul wrote about false teachers. Today, let’s look at what Jude wrote. As a reminder, Jude was one of Jesus’ half-brothers, like James. In this letter, he wanted to write something about what he and his audience had in common: their salvation, but something had happened or been said that took the letter in a different direction. This is a common theme in the New Testament, so while we may be tempted to ignore it, we need to pay attention.              ...

                     For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)                 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. (Matthew 10:29) When I consider how my light is spent, Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, And that one Talent which is death to hide Lodged with me useless, though my Soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest He returning chide; "Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?" I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent That murmur, soon replies, "God doth not need Either man's work or His own gifts; who best B...

                       Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives  strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.   Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:27-31)                 Feel free to sing the last couple of sentences. Then, let’s begin with the Lord, the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not grow tired or weary. Youths grow tired and weary. Though it doesn’t say it, old folks grow tired and weary. In fact, the point is that old folks look at youths an...

                 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:7-8) Harm: physical or mental damage : injury ( HARM Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster ) The Lord will keep you from all harm. I’ve no doubt there are people who consider that statement proof that God is a liar or doesn’t exist. After all people, even Christians, are harmed every day. Probably every second. If God is going to keep us from all harm, doesn’t that mean no splinters, no bumps, scrapes, bruises, common colds, addictions, cancers, disappointed romances, unplanned pregnancies, lost jobs, less than perfect evaluations, etc.? Who gets to decide what constitutes harm? If preventing the harm of bruised knees or embarrassment requires that a child be prevented from trying to learn to walk, then not doing a small harm does a greater harm. The same is...

                   You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,   persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.    But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,    and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (I...

                 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—    having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, the...

                 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.    And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. (II Timothy 2:22-26) I looked in a couple of commentaries, and “evil desires of youth” seems to refer to things like impulsiveness, pride, envy, anger, and a desire for recognition, all things that can be found in a person of any ae, but particularly in younger folks. Take a look at society in just about any age, and you...

                 Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (II Timothy 2:14-19)                 The first step in any discus...

                 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him,     we will also live with him;   if we endure,     we will also reign with him. If we disown him,     he will also disown us; If we are faithless,     he remains faithful,     for he cannot disown himself. (II Timothy 2:8-13)                 To begin, II Timothy was written around 66-67 AD, when Nero was persecuting the Christians and before the destr...

                 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. (II Timothy 2:1-7)             At some point, Dallas Willard suggested that we should burn grace like a jet burns fuel on take-off. I’m not entirely comfortable with this idea, because a jet burning fuel de...

  And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (II Timothy 1:13-14)                 In today’s passage, Paul continues his discussion of the gifts that God had given him and Timothy. Paul was given a gift of appointment as 1) a herald, 2) an apostle, and 3) a teacher. One gift in the sense that they came together, but three gifts. We’re not limited to one. Paul also didn’t indicate what Timothy’s gift was for some reason. That’s a good thing, though. If he had mentioned that Timothy’s...

                      He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (II Timothy 1:9-10)                 “For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance, he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries.” ― Robert Jastrow, G od and the Astronomers (1978)             ...

                 The Lord will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. (Deuteronomy 31:5-7) It’s being a whimpery morning and I need this. There’s nothing really wrong, except that I can’t get to work on this, that, and the other because I have to leave for work in 15 minutes. The drama queen enters, stage center (because she’s always at stage center) with her tale of woe because what has not been done yet today will never get done. It’s all over because she (the Fat Lady) is singing. At the end...

                 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline . (II Timothy 1:5-7)   What do you think about gifts God gives? It seems to me that some people think it’s like Spiderman’s super power. One day, they’re “bitten” by the Holy Spirit and suddenly, they can something new and amazing. And yes, God can work that way, but that doesn’t seem to be what’s described in today’s passage. Paul says he was persuaded that Timothy had a sincere faith. He is sure that, through the laying on of his hands, Timothy received a gift of God. What was this gift? We may be tempted to list of one of the gifts mentioned elsewhere: ...

              He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10) Exalt [c. 1400, "to give off vapor, flow out," from Old French exalter (10c.), from Latin exaltare "raise, elevate," from ex "out, out of, from within" (see ex- ) + altus "high," literally "grown tall," from PIE root *al- (2) "to grow, nourish." From early 15c. as "to elevate in rank or honor;" also "glorify, praise, extol."] ( Exalt )- Etymology, Origin & Meaning                 What does it mean to exalt God? What does it mean to worship Him? I suspect we all have some vague, high-level notion, but what is your “not Sunday School,” real answer? Yes, I’m stuck on a definition again. I’ve included the etymology, but what do those meanings mean? For some folks, worship means singing praise songs.  It’s raising hands and swayi...

                  “ Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)                 Since we have been considering wisdom off and on recently, I thought I’d continue with the subject today. Jesus was speaking to people who had believed Him. And as usual, His hearers misunderstood Him.  They proclaimed that, as descendants of Abraham, they had never been enslaved to anyone. What about Egypt, the Medes and Persians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, and the Romans?  Then, of course, they were slaves to sin, to unbelief, and to mistaken beliefs. But, no, they had never been enslaved.                 But let’s deal with Jesus’ statement for a moment because it’s bold. If the people who had believed Him so far would hold to His t...

                 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?   At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance,   she cries aloud: “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it. Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning, all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 8:1-11) How were women supposed to behave back in the time of Solomon?...

                 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy.” (Job 38:1-7)                 After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray fo...