True Woman - Intentional Training

Intentional Training

Finding a mentor sounds like a good idea, but where do you start? And how do you become a mentor? Here are some practical approaches to teaching and sharing your life.*

• As older women, we’re supposed to be modeling the beauty of a life that’s lived under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
• Mentoring takes place in the context of everyday life:
  • You’re there.
  • You’re with them.
  • You observe.
• You walk with them through life.
• You deal with issues as they arise.
• You look for teachable moments.
• You give friendship, counsel, encouragement, and exhortation.

Listen to or read more from “Intentional Training”

From Titus 2:1-5 we read:

1But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

We are to teach each, to train each other.

I find that having a mentor is a great boon. Learning from others....what fun! (well, okay...not ALWAYS) :) And being a natural teacher at heart, teaching others what I know I find to be a total hoot. :) (well...okay... not ALWAYS). Teaching and learning can be hard things. But they are also things that we to be deliberate about doing.

Unlike Nancy I don't see this is something merely reserved for empty nest women, but for women of all ages. We can all teach those younger than us how to conduct ourselves as Christian women. Now, women without youngsters at home might find that a bit easier at times, but easier doesn't mean ONLY for them to do. We all have this responsibility.

The original word that is translated "train" -

It’s a verb. If you care about the Greek word, it’s sophronidzo. It’s the only place that this word is used in the New Testament.

That word, according to E-sword (Robertson's word pictures) means

That they may train (hina sōphronizōsin). Purpose clause, hina and present active subjunctive of sōphronizō, old verb (from sōphrōn, sound in mind, saos, phrēn, as in this verse), to make sane, to restore to one’s senses, to discipline, only here in N.T.

Vincent's word Studies (also from e-sword) puts it like so "Better, school or train. N.T.o. olxx. The verb means to make sane or sober-minded; to recall a person to his senses; hence, to moderate, chasten, discipline."

So our job is to help restore one's senses and discipline and bring some sanity. :)
It's like getting people to take a different perspective.

I look at my life. It is SO easy for me to put myself first. But I'm not to do that. As a believing woman I am to put God and others before myself. If I do that then I am : loving my husband and child, being self-controlled, pure, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, and able to keep my house in order, so that the word of God may not be reviled. Having others mentor me, and/or watching what older women than I do, helps me keep my perspective where it aught to be. Off me and on God and others.

It's not an easy thing to do. One needs to be intentional about spending time with other women. Teaching them, showing them, coming alongside. Giving practical advise about how to live, helping younger women learn how to be grounded in the Lord God, and so forth.

How does one do this? As Nancy says:

It’s really just giving friendship, counsel, encouragement, exhortation by your example, by your words, one on one in the context of everyday life.

How do you train your children?

• You’re there.
• You’re with them.
• You observe.
• You walk with them through life.
• You deal with issues as they arise.
• You look for teachable moments.

We train younger women in much the same way. Not that they’re children, but it’s similar in the sense that it takes place in the context of everyday life.

This is what we are to do as older women who care for our younger women. Teach them, show them, just like you a child....but you're helping them to see beyond themselves into what God wants them to be. This is what I need to be doing more actively, even as I raise my boy. Teaching the younger women that God has placed in my life. Shall we get to it?

The Power of Christ's Word

Okay, today we start one of the bigger books of the New Testament. I have to admit, I'm feeling a bit daunted. Summer time is always the hardest time for me to stay regular with devotions. So much to do, schedules are all different and it's hard sometimes to keep it all balanced. So starting Hebrews in the summer means having to try somehow to keep focused on a big book! :) But hey, we'll give her a go and comments are always welcome throughout. Let's see what we can learn.

Paul is thought to be the writer even though nothing explicitly states it. It was part of early church history and that shouldn't be discounted.

There is no particular audience it seems to me that it was directed toward. Just to believers to help them grow in their faith and understand more of God. Though there is a subscript at the end that says it was written to the "Hebrews". Just which church, or which people is still a subject for debate. So it was written to Jewish believers of the Christian faith. It's good to have that for context.

So it's a book for scholars and historians to debate, but it is also a book, that as part of the inspired word of God, is there for us to learn from.

I do know that it starts differently than all the other books we've done so far. This is a chapter that shows how Christ is superior to other messengers from God: prophets and angels.

1Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

How's that for a sermon start? :)

The author gives us a bit of a history about how God has been working.
First through prophets.
Now through his son.

Who is his son?

• appointed to be heir
• heir to all things
• through his son, God created the world
• he is the radiance of God's glory
  
• is exactly the same as God in his nature
• he upholds the universe by the word of his power
• made purification for our sins
• Sits on the right hand of Majesty
• is Superior to angels since the name he inherited is greater than theirs.

Does that all make sense to me the first time I read it? No. :)
We know the Christ Jesus our Lord is God's son. This fact itself makes Christ better than the prophets. Then he talks about what God has done through his son, and what his son controls. None of the prophets can match this. In this first section he also starts to talk about how Jesus is better than the angels as well.

Here's what Matthew Henry has to say (courtesy of e-sword):

The glory of his office, and that in three respects: - [1.] God hath appointed him to be heir of all things. As God, he was equal to the Father; but, as God - man and Mediator, he was appointed by the Father to be the heir of all things, the sovereign Lord of all, the absolute disposer, director, and governor of all persons and of all things, Psa_2:6, Psa_2:7. All power in heaven and earth is given to him; all judgment is committed to him, Mat_28:18; Joh_5:22. [2.] By him God made the worlds, both visible and invisible, the heavens and the earth; not as an instrumental cause, but as his essential word and wisdom. By him he made the old creation, by him he makes the new creature, and by him he rules and governs both. [3.] He upholds all things by the word of his power: he keeps the world from dissolving. By him all things consist. The weight of the whole creation is laid upon Christ: he supports the whole and all the parts. When, upon the apostasy, the world was breaking to pieces under the wrath and curse of God, the Son of God, undertaking the work of redemption, bound it up again, and established it by his almighty power and goodness. None of the ancient prophets sustained such an office as this, none was sufficient for it.

Christ's word alone runs the world.
Can you imagine it? I can't even really conceive of it. To have that kind of power that YOUR WORD ALONE runs things? I can see in a company a boss man having that final authority, but we're talking the world and all it's complexities. Here rain, there sun, then we'll give an earthquake there, and over there smooth seas. We'll manage the animals, the people, the plants and so on and so forth. It's a huge undertaking, and Christ speaks, and so the world is.

I need to sit with that for a while. I"ll be back hopefully Monday. :) lots to think about here.

And now we have Philemon

Having finished off the book of Titus this past week, we now get a chance to look at Philemon. It's a small book in the new testament, the smallest I think in the whole bible. Even so, I will probably take three days to do it. :) Here are the opening verses to this little book.

1Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that Paul wrote this book. He was the most prolific writer in the New Testament. Timothy joins him in the writing of this letter.

This letter is one of encouragement and appeal. and is written to Philemon, Apphia and Archippus, and the church that Philemon has meeting in his house.

They extend greeting of grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do note that Paul calls himself a prisoner for Christ. It shows a more familiar tone with Philemon. It will make his plea to Philemon more tender and "do this for family" tone-ish. (hope that made sense). Credit Jamieson, Fawcett and Brown for helping me to see that (from e-sword). But Paul isn't trying to bossy, he's trying to sound helpful and teaching and encouraging of Philemon and his church. He's asking Philemon to do something that may be difficult for him to do. The fact that Timothy joins Paul in this plea puts some added pressure on Philemon to respond positively to the request.

The People's New Testament tells me that Apphia is Philemon's wife and Archippus may be their son.

So Philemon is a letter written privately to Philemon, his family and his church. As we read this letter we will see that it is a plea for Philemon to accept a wayward servant back into his household who has been converted to Christianity. This would not be an easy thing to ask of Philemon, but Paul asks it. It shows us how we are supposed to react to our wayward brothers and sisters. When they come back to Christ we should welcome them.

Hmmm... Let's look forward to learning more shall we? :)

Thank God for Ability to Pray

3 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. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

These words come to us from 2 Timothy 1.
When I first read verse 3 I thought HUH? What's Paul talking about here, and then as I went to see what the e-sword commentators would have to say about it, I realized he was talking about his family and how they raised him up in the fear of the Lord. As Barnes tells us :

Paul reckoned among his forefathers the patriarchs and the holy men of former times, as being of the same nation with himself, though it may be that he also included his more immediate ancestors, who, for anything known to the contrary, may have been distinguished examples of piety. His own parents, it is certain, took care that he should be trained up in the ways of religion...

So Paul is thankful for the upbringing that he had - he can serve God with a clear conscience. He goes all to tell Timothy that he prays for him all the time. He is thankful to God that he can pray for Timothy.

Hmm....now that's a thought isn't it? When have you ever expressed thankfulness to God that you can pray to him? It's not something I think of regularly to do. Probably should. As Clarke says

"The apostle thanks God that he has constant remembrance of Timothy in his prayers. It is a very rare thing now in the Christian Church, that a man particularly thanks God that he is enabled to pray for Others."

Paul remembers Timothy for his tears and for his sincere faith. He longs to see him again. He wants to be filled with joy just by being with this young man.

I read those words and I can't help but think how encouraged this young pastor must have felt reading those words. I know the support and care and prayers that he had through Paul.

Makes me think.....I need to tell the young people that I pray for how much I care and love and support them as they move into the larger world of work and business and showing their faith to the larger world around them.

The benefits of being raised in a faith filled home are mentioned here. :) Paul is sure that the faith his mom and grandmother had is residing in Timothy. Just as Paul's upbringing was something he was thankful for, I get the impression is also thankful for the upbringing that Timothy had (and in someways would remind Timothy to also be thankful). Certainly reading this has made me thankful for the way my parents raised me up in the church. :)

BUT that's not enough folks. It's not enough to be raised up in the church with faith-filled parents. We have the responsibility to fan into flame the gift of God that is in us. We don't have to be afraid. God gave us a spirit of power and of love and of self-control. We need to exercise what we've been given. Don't rest on the laurels of our parents, but take some responsibility for the faith that we ourselves possess.

Thank God for it, pray for others, let them know so they can be encouraged, and fan into flame the gifts that God has given. Do this.

Intro to 2 Timothy 2

Here are the opening words from 2 timothy 1:

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus,

2To Timothy, my beloved child:

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

This is a book written by Paul.

Paul is an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will. This is according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.

It is written to Timothy, who Paul calls his beloved child.

Paul extends a greeting "grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord".

Looking at this a bit more...
Paul was chosen by God to be an apostle. It wasn't Paul's decision, it was God's good pleasure that made Paul an apostle. It was God's good pleasure, God's choice that gave Paul life in Christ Jesus.

One of the e-sword commentators mentioned that the word used for "beloved child" implied a measure of respect. Timothy had showed himself to be a man of God, and since he was younger in years, Paul claimed him as a spiritual son. This is how JFB put it :

But this {thinking of it as mere love or affection} seems to me not justified by the Greek word agapetos, which implies the attachment of reasoning and choice, on the ground of merit in the one “beloved,” not of merely instinctive love.

And then what I think of as a standard greeting is issued to Timothy. Grace, mercy and peace. All three. Shows that grace and mercy are different. He is asking for God's favour to be on Timothy, for God's mercy to be shown him, and for him to be free from the affects of war on his life. This all from God the Father and Christ Jesus the Son.

Saved in childbearing??

The last time I did my devotions I focused on this section from 1 Timothy 2.

8I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

When I checked back to see how far I had gotten, I realized that I hadn't talked about the last verse at all in this section

Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

I have to admit, I don't quite get this verse, it doesn't quite make "sense" to me. How can child-bearing save a woman? What does that mean for Christian women who can't or won't have children?

• Is it as Henry says a hearkening back to the fact that Christ was born of a woman? And he is the Saviour of the world. And therefore we have a real part in our salvation.
  
• Or is it as Jamieson, Fawcett and Brown say (e-sword) --- that it means that a woman will be saved by how well she performs her God-given duties of keeping the home and bearing children (in comparison to how men are to be the teachers and leaders in the church)? Have to admit, a part of me finds that a bit insulting. :)
  
• People's new Testament says this :"Work was laid upon the fallen man; the pains of childbearing on the fallen woman. The apostle means here, that women will be saved in the line of their duties, and that those duties are domestic rather than public.
  

Regardless of how" one looks at it, the important part is this: "if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control". If Christ was born of a woman who cared not for the things of God, or if we as Christian women don't use self-control and perform our duties with any less than faith, love and holiness...none of it matters. Having a right attitude is very important, regardless of what we do. Having faith we learn from other scripture is what saves us. Having faith in God and in the work of the Holy Spirit in us, and in Christ dying for us. THIS is what saves us. BUT Paul points out, we each have our own duties.

I know this rankles in this day and age, when women want to do all that a man does both within and without the church. I'm not discounting the work that women can do. But I don't know... I don't want to say things improperly either. The church is NOT the world. Just because in the outside world men and women can do whatsoever job they want as long as they have the skills for it, doesn't mean that it's the same in the church. God has ordained things differently for his people, and the church needs to reflect that less it lead to their detriment.

Men take the public roles, women run things behind the scenes (hopefully smoothly). :) It's a harmonious thing. Not a separate lord it over you thing, but a smooth working using the best gifts and abilities of the people involved. That's how it's supposed to be.

YES sin interferes, but that doesn't change God's plan, God's basic set-up.

Tons more can be said, but I've got to keep moving along lest this post get too long and I don't get about "my" duties. :) Cheers!

The close of 1 Timothy 1

18This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

These are the closing words of 1 Timothy 1. In them I learned something new, Paul didn't just willy-nilly pick Timothy as the leader of the church in Ephesus, Timothy was chosen of God to lead this church. That's what "in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you" means. He was called to the ministry and Paul charges him so that he might fight well by holding firm to his faith and having a good conscience.

I actually really like how Henry (e-sword) puts it:

Here is the charge he gives to Timothy to proceed in his work with resolution, ...... Observe,
1. The ministry is a warfare, it is a good warfare against sin and Satan: and under the banner of the Lord Jesus, who is the Captain of our salvation (Heb_2:10), and in his cause, and against his enemies, ministers are in a particular manner engaged.
2. Ministers must war this good warfare, must execute their office diligently and courageously, notwithstanding oppositions and discouragements.
3. The prophecies which went before concerning Timothy are here mentioned as a motive to stir him up to a vigorous and conscientious discharge of his duty; so the good hopes that others have entertained concerning us should excite us to our duty: That thou by them mightest war a good warfare.
4. We must hold both faith and a good conscience: Holding faith and a good conscience, 1Ti_1:19. Those that put away a good conscience will soon make shipwreck of faith.

But Paul puts in a warning here. Hold to the faith and have good conscience lest you make a "shipwreck" of your faith. He specifies two individuals here : Hymenaeus and Alexander. Paul mentions that he has handed them over to Satan so that they might learn not to blaspheme. They were disciplined within the church....probably I'm guessing excommunicated.... IN ORDER THAT they may learn not to be as they are. In this case, they must learn not to be blasphemers.

I have to admit, I think that is what should be key in Church Discipline...the desire to restore people to the faith. To not merely just kick them out of fellowship, but to say, what you are doing is wrong and we wish for you to learn this and until you do, you have no part in the full fellowship of the church. To often discipline within the church is seen as "get out, we don't want your type here" when that's not how it should be. Discipline within the family of God should always be done with the aim of full restoration.

The Law - what is it for?

Today in my devotional reading of 1 Timothy 1 I read these verses:

8Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

Now remember, Paul has just finished telling Timothy to warn the people off of false teachings: myths, false doctrines and genealogies. These verses follow right after.

Here Paul explains what the law is good for. The law is not there for the law-abiding, it's there for the lawless and disobedient. It is there for whatever and whoever does not live in accordance to sound doctrine, for those who don't live the way God wants them to.

All the law really does is show where we are not living in accordance with God.
Hear what Barnes (e-sword) has to say:

But we know that the law is good - We admit this; it is that which we all concede. This declaration is evidently made by the apostle to guard against the supposition that he was an enemy of the law. Doubtless this charge would be brought against him, or against anyone who maintained the sentiments which he had just expressed. By speaking thus of what those teachers regarded as so important in the law, it would be natural for them to declare that he was an enemy of the law itself, and would be glad to see all its claims abrogated. Paul says that he designs no such thing. He admitted that the law was good. He was never disposed for one moment to call it in question. He only asked that it should be rightly understood and properly explained.

We need to understand what the law is for, if we don't, then we risk being like the people he talked about :

desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions (v.7)

Those who teach the law MUST show what it is really for. Those that keep the law, understand what love is. Keeping the law shows love....keeping the law means we don't hurt our fellow man. Keeping the law means we are striving to be like God. God made the law, it shows a lot of who he is. :)

Let me then make right use of the law. To show me where I am not loving my fellow man or God in the manner that I aught. :)

Stay away from it

The next section in 1 Timothy 1 is :

3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.

Paul has left Timothy in Ephesus.
One of the things that Timothy needs to work on in this church is the proliferation of false teachers. These teachers promote (teach) a different doctrine than that of the Christian gospel. They devote themselves to myths and genealogies. These things get people thinking on things they don't need to rather than getting them to focus on "the stewardship of God that is by faith". The folks who have done this have wandered into useless discussions and don't really understand what they so confidently talking about.

Paul reminds Timothy that the aim of the charge to folks is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. That's the love we want to offer. :)

As I read through this section I had some questions
- endless genealogies...what are those? I learned through the People's new Testament (e-sword) that

Philo, a learned Alexandrian Jew who wrote a little before Paul's time, built up a whole system on genealogies. The names in the genealogies with him represented the various conditions of the soul.

- myths/fables --- just what are those? Gill (e-sword) tells me these are

Old wives' fables, or Jewish fables, the traditions of the elders; anything that was not true; or if it was, yet idle, vain, trifling, and unprofitable

Knowing all this, I can understand why that (especially with the genealogy thing) would lead to useless discussion and speculations. People would be coming up with all sorts of things, and since it involves the condition of the soul, would definitely be something that would distract a person from the true gospel. Could make for some fascinating discussions. BUT as Paul puts it, this is a false teaching. And he urges Timothy to put an end to it if he can. What Christians have is all based in our faith in God. Not on our past, our families, our surroundings, it all is based on faith. What we should be dwelling on is the things therefore of God, things that increase our faith rather than detract from it.

So Paul gives Timothy a reminder of what is to be taught. That we are to have a love that comes as a result of our having a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith. That's what we as believers are to have. We can't have that if we do things we aught not do, if we question our faith in God through focusing on things that are not of God, and if our hearts are not pure. So we need to focus on God and the things of God to truly show love, this is how one grows love. :)

Paul points out that this is what the problem is. People have "swerved from these". I get the picture of someone going down the road, seeing something in the way and going around it. Granted when one does that you usually get back on track, but these folks haven't done that. They've swerved and gone with it. They've seen this aspect of the law and said...oh...I want to be a teacher of the law. They don't really understand what it means to be a teacher of the law within the context of Christian faith, so they are busy being teachers, without having a clue about what they are teaching. They have swerve away from the essence of faith in Christ to something "other". And despite their confidence, they are still wrong!

Timothy needs to call them away from it.

Serves as a good warning to me. To not get caught up in things of the Christian faith that distract me from what is important in the faith. Learning how to truly love my fellow man which means learning how to truly love my Lord and Saviour. I do that by focusing on the things of God by faith and through that developing a pure heart, good conscience and more sincere faith. To this I must cling. :)

Peace

The final two verses of 2 Thessalonians 3 :

16Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Have to admit, Paul comment in verse 17 made me smile. "I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write." Hmm...wonder if his handwriting was as bad as mine. :) It certainly must have been distinctive. :)

Paul closes with a prayer, asking that the Lord of Peace himself grant peace to them at all times in every way. That the Lord be with them. And that God's grace be with them.

Why is it significant to ask for this (peace) for these people? JFB commentator in e-sword mentions that peace is asked for because of the disruptive, disorderly people that had come into the Thessalonican circles. So asking for peace is a form of protection for this church. I like that. It really shows what this church needed.

And Paul is pretty specific, he prays that God himself will give them peace, and that he do so in every way and at all times. No half measures! :)

Peace, it's a difficult path, but it can be ever so successful.

Work for the Kingdom of God

Here is the next section in 2 Thessalonians 3:

6Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. 9It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

13As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 14If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

Hmm... have to admit, I find this passage interesting...This is what Paul has to say in regard to those who are among us, but aren't working to further the kingdom of God. At least that seems to be the context.

that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

and

If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.

I read those words and I wonder, how would one define that? Now I suppose in someways it would be relatively easy to figure out. Those members of the church that want to change what the bible says to suit their own agendas, and are doing nothing to further the kingdom of God. Keep away from such folks.

But I guess I wonder, just how would one truly define this?
There are in many churches, folks who are just there. They come, they worship with us, but they don't do much of anything else. Do we stay away from them? OR is it more straight-forward than that. To just stay away from those who are wanting to change things (from biblical standards) and only want to do that. The gossipers and fast talkers who only want change and aren't working to further the church as it is, and who take advantage of what is there. I tend to think it's just the latter.

The commentaries in e-sword said that this meant you need to dis-fellowship them (not sure if that's the right word to use). I have to admit, the idea of kicking someone out of church seems a hard one to do. But at the same time, if someone is not being a true part of the body of Christ, then what's the point of them being associated as being part of it? Especially if they are working against it. Being careful about this would be really important.

Barnes puts it this way:

This is the true notion of Christian discipline. It is not primarily that of cutting a man off, or denouncing him, or excommunicating him; it is that of withdrawing from him. We cease to have fellowship with him. We do not regard him any longer as a Christian brother. We separate from him. We do not seek to affect him in any other respect; we do not injure his name or standing as a man, or hold him up to reprobation; we do not follow him with denunciation or a spirit of revenge; we simply cease to recognise him as a Christian brother, when he shows that he is no longer worthy to be regarded as such. We do not deliver him over to the civil arm; we do not inflict any positive punishment on him; we leave him unmolested in all his rights as a citizen, a man, a neighbor, a husband, a father, and simply say that he is no longer one of us as a Christian.

The purpose of all this? To make that person ashamed and warn them as a family member. It's not to be nasty. It's not to say my way or the highway, but rather a way of causing that person to stop and consider what they are doing, and if they are doing it wrongly to be ashamed of themselves for being so foolish. This would hopefully call them into true fellowship.

So then, let us pray

Today we come to the last chapter of the books that Paul wrote to the Thessalonican church. In 2 Thessalonians 3 we read these opening words:

1Finally, brothers pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

Paul has prayed for this church. In turn, he asks that they pray for him. He, Silas and Timothy were working at spreading God's word and Paul desires their prayers. He wants them to pray that the word of The Lord will go ahead of them, that the Word of The Lord might be honoured, just like it happened among the Thessalonican people.

I like how Barnes put it in E-sword

The idea is, that it might meet with no obstruction, but that it might be carried abroad with the rapidity of a racer out of whose way every hindrance was removed. The gospel would spread rapidly in the earth if all the obstructions which men have put in its way were removed; and that they may be removed should be one of the constant subjects of prayer.

and then Henry as well

This was the great thing that Paul was most solicitous about. He was more solicitous that God's name might be sanctified, his kingdom advanced, and his will done, than he was about his own daily bread. He desired that the word of the Lord might run (so it is in the original), that it might get ground, that the interest of religion in the world might go forward and not backward, and not only go forward, but go apace. All the forces of hell were then, and still are, more or less, raised and mustered to oppose the word of the Lord, to hinder its publication and success. We should pray, therefore, that oppositions may be removed, that so the gospel, may have free course to the ears, the hearts, and the consciences of men, that it may be glorified in the conviction and conversion of sinners, the confutation, of gainsayers, and the holy conversation of the saints. God, who magnified the law, and made it honourable, will glorify the gospel, and make that honourable, and so will glorify his own name; and good ministers and good Christians may very well be contented to be little, to be any thing, to be nothing, if Christ be magnified and his gospel be glorified. Paul was now at Athens, or, as some think, at Corinth, and would have the Thessalonians pray that he might have as good success there as he had at Thessalonica, that it might be as well with others even as it was with them.

We need to pray for those who labour among us, but not only here in our churches, but for those who labour elsewhere. I have friends on the mission fields out in Africa and England, it is so important to pray for what they are doing. E-letters remind me frequently of the work they are doing and how important prayer is.

Paul continues by asking for prayer that they be delivered from the wicked and evil men around them. Not all people are people of faith. But God on the other hand...he is faithful. He will establish us and guard us against the evil one.

Paul expresses his confidence in the Thessalonican people and the work that God is doing among them. That they are doing and will continue to do all they command as men of God. he prays that God will continue to direct their hearts to God's love and the steadfastness of Christ.

It all comes down to prayer doesn't it?
How we must pray for each other. For God's word to be spread, for evil to opposed, for his church to be established, and for God to do his work in the hearts of his people. So then... let us pray.

How is Your Faith Growing?

3 We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing. 4Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.

These two verses from 2 Thessalonians just grab my attention. Why? Because Paul thanks God because their faith is growing abundantly and they are loving each other more and more.

Just stop and think about that for a moment.
These are young believers who are eager to know God. They want to grow in the knowledge of him. They aren't content to just sit back and let someone else do all the teaching and learning. They are right there, wanting to know God more. They are right there loving each other and learning how to do it better.

I read that and I think...this is how it aught to be in the church. People increasing their love for each other. People growing in their faith.

It's no small wonder to me that Paul and his cohorts boast about them to other bodies of believers. This is what the church should be filled with. People eager to grow in their faith and people eager to love each other all the more. That is how to grow believers who are steadfast in their faith despite the "icky stuff" that happens in life.

When I stopped to see what the e-sword commentators had to say about these verses I liked how Clarke put it:

The word ὑπεραυξανει [translated abundantly in ESV] signifies to grow luxuriantly, as a good and healthy tree planted in a good soil; and if a fruit tree, bearing an abundance of fruit to compensate the labor of the husbandman. Faith is one of the seeds of the kingdom; this the apostle had sowed and watered, and God gave an abundant increase. Their faith was multiplied, and their love abounded; and this was not the case with some distinguished characters only, it was the case with every one of them.

Can you imagine being part of a church where EVERY SINGLE member of the church was growing in their faith? A church where their love for each other was seen in the larger community? That is a church to thank God for. That is a church to talk about. :)

Oh...that I might help build my church to be like this too! :)

Introduction to 2 Thessalonians

Not a very long book, 2 Thessalonians followed shortly after 1 Thessalonians. It was was written by Paul to make sure that the Thessalonican church really understood what he meant about the return of the Lord.

Barnes tells us (from e-sword) that :

There is little doubt as to the design for which it was written. Either by a false interpretation of his former Epistle, or by an epistle forged in his name and sent to them, the opinion had become prevalent in the church at Thessalonica that the Saviour was about to appear, and that the end of the world was at hand ....... Correct this impression was the leading purpose of this Epistle. Some people had become alarmed, and were suffering from unnecessary apprehension 2Th_2:2; and some, under the natural belief that labor then was useless, and that property was of no value, had given up all attention to their worldly concerns 2Th_3:10-11; and it was of the utmost importance that the error should be corrected.

I have to admit, I'm a bit leery now of studying this book. I find teachings on the second coming of the Lord a bit ah.... not sure of the word... often conflicting in how people interpret them so they tend to be a bit confusing. I tend not to like confusion. :) But is also known to be eminently practical as well (or at least I see him that way), so perhaps it won't be as daunting as I initially perceived. And Paul does talk about thankfulness and prayer as well so it's not ALL on the second coming of Christ. :)

Tomorrow let's start digging into the meat of this book. :)

Greetings to you

23Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.

25 Brothers, pray for us.

26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.

27I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

These are the last verses from 1 Thessalonians 5. They are Paul's final words in his letter to his church that he so loved.

First he offers a prayer for them. That the God of peace himself will sanctify them completely, and that God might keep them blameless. God, who is faithful, will do this.

Wesley from e-sword, explains this suchly:

And may the God of peace sanctify you - By the peace he works in you, which is a great means of sanctification. Wholly - The word signifies wholly and perfectly; every part and all that concerns you; all that is of or about you. And may the whole of you, the spirit and the soul and the body - Just before he said you; now he denominates them from their spiritual state. The spirit - Gal_6:8; wishing that it may be preserved whole and entire: then from their natural state, the soul and the body; ...... wishing it may be preserved blameless till the coming of Christ.

Matthew Henry from e-sword, on God's faithfulness to us:

The kindness and love of God had appeared to them in calling them to the knowledge of his truth, and the faithfulness of God was their security that they should persevere to the end; and therefore, the apostle assures them, God would do what he desired; he would effect what he had promised; he would accomplish all the good pleasure of his goodness towards them.

Paul then asks the Thessalonican church to pray for him, to share his letter with other believers, and to greet each other in a holy manner. He then closes this letter with a benediction of "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

Children of the Light

The ESV breaks this chapter down into two large sections, 1-11 and 12-28. I don't know if I will be able to get through all those sections in one day, but I'll see what I get to. :) With that said, here's the first section.

1Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. 2For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. 5For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. 6So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 9For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Hmm... A closer reading of this chapter seems to say less to me about what the coming of the Lord will be and more about how we should live as Christians.

Paul reminds his readers of what the coming of the Lord will be:

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.

But he goes to tell his readers that they are not night dwellers to be surprised by a thief, they are people of the day. They are the Children of the light.

And what are Children of the light? They are awake and sober, they are watchful, they are people who put on the breastplate of faith and love, the helmet of the hope of salvation, they are a people destined to obtain salvation through Christ! That is who they are so now all they need to do is encourage each other and build each other up as they await the return of the Lord.

I had to ask myself, what does it mean to put on a breastplate and a helmet? When I went to the e-sword commentaries, they told me they are a sign of battle. So Christians must be prepared for battle. And what is our protection? Our armour is faith, love and hope of salvation. JFB told me that:

The helmet and breastplate defend the two vital parts, the head and the heart respectively. “With head and heart right, the whole man is right” [Edmunds]. The head needs to be kept from error, the heart from sin.

So then, let me protect ourselves with faith, love and the hope of salvation. Let me be alert and be ready for the Lord's return. He is coming, I can be ready, and in the meantime I can encourage my fellow believers and I can build up his church. This is what I am called to in this passage. So let me walk as a Child of the light. :)

Dealing with the Angst within

Moving along in 1 Thessalonians 4, we come to these verses:

9Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, 11and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Paul tells this group of believers that he doesn't have to tell them how to love each other. They already do what they have learned from God. In fact, they show brotherly love to all the believers throughout Macedonia. BUT Paul adds this plea....do it more and more and more. And as you show brotherly love more and more and more...make it a goal to live quietly and to not be gossips and busybodies, and to work hard. If they do this then they will be walking properly with God and not be dependent on anyone.

When I was reading over what Matthew Henry had to say about this passage in e-sword I realized that this fits in well with a query I had of Jim last night. 1. is having angst sin? (yes) 2. why? (because shows you are not trusting God) 3. so how does one not have angst? (he didn't answer that as it was rather late at night).

BUT when I read over what Matthew Henry said, I thought you know...this makes sense. Here are his words concerning vv 9-12

Of quietness and industry in their callings. Observe, 1. The apostle exhorts to these duties: that they should study to be quiet, 1Th_4:11. It is the most desirable thing to have a calm and quiet temper, and to be of a peaceable and quiet behaviour. This tends much to our own and others' happiness; and Christians should study how to be quiet. We should be ambitious and industrious how to be calm and quiet in our minds, in patience to possess our own souls, and to be quiet towards others; or of a meek and mild, a gentle and peaceable disposition, not given to strife, contention, or division. Satan is very busy to disquiet us; and we have that in our own hearts that disposes us to be disquiet; therefore let us study to be quiet. It follows, Do your own business. When we go beyond this, we expose ourselves to a great deal of inquietude. Those who are busy-bodies, meddling in other men's matters, generally have but little quiet in their own minds and cause great disturbances among their neighbours; at least they seldom mind the other exhortation, to be diligent in their own calling, to work with their own hands; and yet this was what the apostle commanded them, and what is required of us also. Christianity does not discharge us from the work and duty of our particular callings, but teaches us to be diligent therein.

He has more to say, but I thought this would do. :)
We need to be quiet within. If we work at it, then we are mindful of ourselves, not of others. We are mindful of what God wants and not busy-ing ourselves with concerns of others that aren't our concerns. And if we do that...than our "angst" within will decrease.

Pretty cool I thought. Neat how God puts a thought in our brains and then helps us answer it too! :) So I need to work more on being quiet inside as that will help me keep my focus where it aught to be and that will reduce the angst I feel in life. I can do this! Not overnight mind you...but I am only 42...I have a few more years left in me. :)

Personal or Other?

Okay, yesterday I left off feeling very dissatisfied with not knowing JUST the right answer or perspective to take. Can't say I feel a whole lot better today. So I thought I would take a look at the entire passage to see what it would have to tell me.

1Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

Is this word that the ESV translates as body meant to be personal or directed toward your spouse? We already know from Gill that it could mean either, so...as I continued to read through this passage, praying that God would help me understand better this verse popped out at me.

6that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.

This made me think of how God in the OT treated fornication and such like severely, and how he would warn people from even thinking about it. (i.e. Abram with Sarai when some king wanted her as part of his harem, not knowing that Sarai was Abram's wife). So in that light I would tend to think that this passage speaks more about how one treats one's spouse rather than just how one treats one's own body.

Given too that the next section in this chapter goes on to talk about how well they already show love toward each other. This section would just cover an area that they were struggling with based on how they lived prior to knowing Christ.

Wesley (via e-sword) tells me that verse six pulls all the preceding verses together:

In this matter - By violating his bed. The things forbidden, here are three: fornication, 1Th_4:3; the passion of desire, or inordinate affection in the married state, 1Th_4:5; and the breach of the marriage contract.

And then of course the closing is that God is the one who handles any violation of his command. Just don't do it folks...don't mess with other folks' marriages. Don't treat your spouse improperly...don't make your passions and your desires more important than your concern and love for them. Just don't do it...you are messing with GOD not with man.

Honour and Holiness in Sexual Relations

When reading 1 Thessalonians 4 the chapter breaks at verse 8, so today we'll do verses 1-8. It is a fair chunk, and I don't want to make this post too long, so we'll see how it goes. We didn't get all that far yesterday, so we'll repeat the experience starting at verse 2. :)

2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

So the Thessalonican church has been reminded to more and more want to live for Jesus the way they have been taught.

In verse 2 Paul reminds them that their "how-to's" come from Christ himself. So what does that mean in some practicalities?

• abstain from sexual immorality (v 3)
• control your own bodies in holiness and honour (v 4)
  
• not getting carried away but the lusts of your body (v 5)
• not transgressing or wronging a brother in that regard (v 5)
  

Why? Because GOD is the avenger in all these things. God calls us to holiness. So if we don't live lives of holiness we are disregarding God, not man, but GOD himself who has given us the Holy Spirit.

So let's go through these more slowly.
First ... sanctification: Clarke (in e-sword) says :

God has called you to holiness; he requires that you should be holy; for without holiness none can see the Lord.This is the general calling, but in it many particulars are included. Some of these he proceeds to mention; and it is very likely that these had been points on which he gave them particular instructions while among them.

I like how Matthew Henry puts it

All that is contrary to chastity in heart, speech, and behaviour, is contrary to the command of God in the decalogue, and contrary to that holiness which the gospel requires.

"abstain from sexual immorality" - In the KJV this is translated as abstain from fornication. I thought I would look up exactly what fornication means, OneLook dictionary tells me that fornication is sexual relations between persons not married to each other, and that in some cases it means deliberate sexual relations that deliberately and willfully interfere with marital relations. That last part surprised me, puts a different spin on it doesn't it? Really shows the seriousness and nastiness of what being sexually immoral is all about.

One thing many commentators pointed out was that fornication was not considered as a sin among the heathen. So new Christians would need to be reminded of this. That even if the gods of the people around didn't require sexual purity... the God of the bible did.

"Control your own bodies in holiness and honour"
Wow...now that surprised me. The bodies of the ESV in the KJV is vessels. And that word vessels is taken to mean different things by the commentators. Some think is means body as in one's own body. Others take it to mean the body one marries. Wow...that was a shocker. Gill explains the confusion:

By which may be meant, either a man's wife, or his body, and it is not very easy to determine which, for the Jews call both by this name.

To read Gill's whole explanation go here. Either way, the exhortation is still the same. Treat the body in a holy and honourable way, whether it's your own, or the one you married.

"not getting carried away but the lusts of your body"
Okay...here is where things go a bit astray depending on how one translates that word "vessel". If one translates it meaning the one you married, then this passage refers primarily to how they "come together", to not getting carried away with one's own passions when you do so, and having to be respectful of the person you are with.

But if one translates this meaning one's own body...then it gains a broader perspective. How does one live your life as a Christian. Do you give way to the things that you lust after or do you hold yourself to a higher standard? It goes beyond the marriage bed.

I have to admit...I don't know which perspective is correct. Can they both be? Or is Paul just being very specific with this church ...helping them see how God calls us to purity and holiness in all aspects of sexuality both in and out of marriage?

I'll have to think on this some more, and that said, I'll finish this up tomorrow. I feel somewhat dissatisfied not knowing "just" the right answer for this.

What do you think?

Walk and Please God

When reading 1 Thessalonians 4 the chapter breaks at verse 8, so today we'll do verses 1-8. It is a fair chunk, and I don't want to make this post too long, so we'll see how it goes. :)

1Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

We'll start with verse one:

Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.

Paul is giving a final exhortation to his Christian family in Thessalonica. He asks them to, in communion with the Lord Jesus Christ, to remember what they have been taught about how to walk and please God, and to live it out in their lives. And as they live it out, to do it more and more and more.

I live my life as a Christian best...well...actually only if I do it through him. I can't really do any of it on my own. All that I do is infected by the sin in my life. So only through God, through communion with Christ, and through the working of the Holy Spirit in my life, can I live a life that pleases God.

I need to learn the words of God, the will of God, by knowing what he says...that means studying the bible and trying to live by it. This is how I walk and please God. :)

What verse one entreats me to do is walk and please God, just as I am doing and as I have learned, but also to continue to do so, and to strive to do so more and more.

I really like how Clarke (as found in e-sword) explains the more and more in this verse.

God sets no bounds to the communications of his grace and Spirit to them that are faithful. And as there are no bounds to the graces, so there should be none to the exercise of those graces. No man can ever feel that he loves God too much, or that he loves man too much for God’s sake.

There are no bounds to how much I can love God. There is never too much. Just like God's grace is extended to me in ways that I can't even imagine...and so therefore can be seen as endless, so my love can be endless too. :) I like that. :)

I have to admit, I do like the word "abound" that the KJV uses. It seems to me to signify more depth. And if I look up the word abound I find it means "be abundant or plentiful; exist in large quantities". So not only do we as believers have this call to please God more and more, we are called to do it a way that is plentiful. See...more depth to it.

And I'll need to finish up soon as I have a wakey-wakey boy asking me if I'm done my "botions". :) Makes me smile that boy child. Well...I have to go, my boy child is wanting to colour, and one can't effectively study God's word while colouring "franks". :)