WHAT IS SPECIAL TO YOU?

Monday, October 28, 2019

WHAT IS SPECIAL TO YOU?

           When Paul urged Timothy to pay attention to his faith and his heritage in II Timothy 1:5, he was referring to the Scriptures taught to him by his mother and grandmother. In fact, the early Christians had, and was able to reference about two thirds of our New Testament writings. Paul said these were special.

           The word “especially” can be found in our King James Bible only five times. Three of those times the word is associated with the church. In all three of those references the word for especially is the Greek word malista which means “chiefly or most of all.” So, let’s briefly look at those three.

Gal 6:10

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

           My church family is special! I don’t think anyone misunderstands the meaning here. As a believer, I am to “do good” but especially, chiefly, most of all, I am to do good to those who are of the household of faith. Primarily, I think, this means those members of my own church. Yes, my church family is special.

1 Tim 5:17

17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

           My Pastor is special – especially the teaching pastor. He feeds my soul and keeps me on the straight and narrow way. I do not worship him, but I do honor him greatly. He is God’s agent for my spiritual welfare. When I disrespect him I disrespect God’s agent. If you read verse 18 you will see that this honor extends even to his financial and material necessities.

2 Tim 4:13

13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

           My Bible is special! It must have been cold in Paul’s Roman prison and winter was coming on. He wanted his cloke. Books are a minister’s friends. He wanted his books for study but nothing, not even his winter coat, was more special than his Bible or parchments. In other words, if Timothy could bring nothing else to provide comfort for this prisoner, please bring the Bible.

           Is your church family special to you? Of all your circle of friends do they stand out in importance? How is your relationship with your pastor? He is God’s agent for your good. In a cold dungeon would you prefer your Bible or your overcoat? Special things should be specially considered.

Dear Lord, let me inventory all my special things and keep them as great treasure. AMEN

SERVING OTHERS!

Sunday, October 27, 2019

SERVING OTHERS!

Gal 5:13-14

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Rom 15:1-2

15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

The success of our church is determined by the church itself. I do not know what I would do without those volunteers that are so faithful they are mostly forgotten. Their value is evident only when sickness or some other necessity causes them to be absent. No one considers what they do but without them the whole system tends to collapse. The biblical basis for what we often call the “Prophet’s Chamber” is found in the following portion.

2 Kings 4:8-10

8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread.

9 And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually.

10 Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither.

Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus often provided lodging for Jesus since he “had no place to lay his head.”

Matt 21:17

17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.

Ø It was at Bethany the barren fig tree was cursed.

Ø It was at Bethany the Alabaster Box was broken and Jesus was anointed with the perfume.

Ø It was at Bethany that Judas (seeing the waste of perfume) launched his plan to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

Ø It was very near Bethany that the colt was found upon which Jesus rode on Palm Sunday.

Ø It was at Bethany that Lazarus was raised from the dead.

Ø It was from Bethany that Jesus ascended into heaven.

Service makes you significant! No other action or attitude attracts the attention of the master like humble and extravagant service!

Dear Lord, give me a servant’s heart. Let me be faithful as a volunteer. Help me to do what I can and make a difference. AMEN

HE MAY NOT!

Saturday, October 26, 2019

HE MAY NOT!

Luke 9:23-24

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

           Do not suppose that becoming a believing Christian will repair everything that is torn in your life. The results of sin damage everything and life may never be rainbows and gumdrops. Jesus warned us that following would require a cross.

           He may not keep you from suffering pain and humiliation! Peter and his friends were jailed, beaten and then sternly warned to never speak in the name of Jesus again. At this point they had a choice and their choice was Jesus.

Acts 5:41

41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

           He may not heal the rift in your family! Remember that each family member has his own personal responsibility to either follow Christ or deny Him. Pain may remain and continue in your family but now the difference is that you have the peace of God that passes all understanding.

Matt 10:34-36

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

           He may not line your pockets with wealth nor bless your body with health! The prosperity gospel is deceitful and brings prosperity only to those who espouse it. Many times Paul suffered the lack of supplies when churches forgot his support. On at least one occasion he had to resort to his trade as a tent maker to provide for his needs. God did not give Paul every convenience, but He instead gave him contentment.

Phil 4:12-13

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

           He may not always punish your enemies! We are told to pray for our enemies and to persevere in a steady walk with God. We are to walk through the difficult and dry places and make a difference for others.

Ps 84:5-6

5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

Dear Lord, let me be a refreshing drink to the thirsty today. AMEN