How you doin? Day 20 of our Daniel fast. I most admit that I'm looking forward to Sunday, which will be the 1st day off of our fast. It's been quite an experience. I'm sure I'll recap the fast once it's over. More confession, from 1 Thessalonians to Revelation I've only read Hebrews, James, and Revelation from start to finish. All the other books have served as reference. I believe I've read 1 John in entirety. Just not from start to finish. 2 & 3 John are so short I read those as well, but they're hard to count. One thing that has been beneficial during our devotional time is that we read each chapter as a story. Meaning we don't have any agenda, search, or study. We've read each chapter open to the message that the Holy Ghost has for us in that chapter, that day. It's what we pray for prior to starting. I do search and study at other times, but in the morning with Stacey we just read. It's been a wonder-full few years. One chapter at a time. With that being said, 1 Timothy 1 blew me away this morning.
Verses 4-5, "...which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." I'm lured to instructions or commands that lead to "love from a pure heart", "a good conscience", and "sincere faith". Those 3 things make it possible to tap into the resources of heaven. They make it possible for me to know my identity in Christ and His in me. SO GOOD!!!!!!! Paul is warning against false teaching of the Law in the first 11 verses. Verses 8-9, "But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers". Verses 10-11, go on listimg those that the Law is intended for. The beginning of verse 9 helps me understand the importance of knowing my identity in Christ so I can let the old covenant/Law fade away. It's through the righteousness of Jesus, who dwells in me that fulfills the Law and allows me to live in the new covenant. DIG IT!!!!!!!
Verse 14, "The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." (NIV) WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!! The heading of verses 12-20 is, "The Lord's Grace To Paul". This creates Holy jealousy for me. I need/want Jesus' grace, faith, and especially His love.
Verses 15-16, "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life." I love these verses. How reassuring to think that Jesus can use the likes of Paul, and me, to demonstrate "His perfect patience". It makes sense. When I take hard looks at myself, I thank God for "His perfect patience". Receive the poured out grace, faith, and love that are Christ Jesus today.
PS I try not to jump ahead, but the "trustworthy statement" stirred interest so I looked up the references to other "trustworthy statements". Here's one I need to share. 2 Timothy 2:11-13,
"It is a trustworthy statement:
"It is a trustworthy statement:
For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."
I agree that this is a "trustworthy statement", "that deserves full acceptance". HOLY MAC A LOLY!!!!!!! Verse 13 here is just too much.
PPS Stacey pointed out how we sometimes find our process painful. She said "can you imagine how painful it is for Jesus". Jesus knows who we are and what we are intended/capable to do. So Jesus watches us walk through life in unbelief and unaware of our identity and destiny. This thought makes me think of Audrey and Paulie. I know they will be able to think and function as adults at some point, but teaching them to get there requires patience. Teaching them, what seem to be the most mundane things, requires "perfect patience". Praise Jesus that He has just that with me.
12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."
I agree that this is a "trustworthy statement", "that deserves full acceptance". HOLY MAC A LOLY!!!!!!! Verse 13 here is just too much.
PPS Stacey pointed out how we sometimes find our process painful. She said "can you imagine how painful it is for Jesus". Jesus knows who we are and what we are intended/capable to do. So Jesus watches us walk through life in unbelief and unaware of our identity and destiny. This thought makes me think of Audrey and Paulie. I know they will be able to think and function as adults at some point, but teaching them to get there requires patience. Teaching them, what seem to be the most mundane things, requires "perfect patience". Praise Jesus that He has just that with me.
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