1 Timothy 4 "Use Your Gift"

These things command and teach. Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you.” (vv.11-14a)

God never gives a person a task without also providing him with the strength to perform it. Timothy was gifted in a variety ways, but especially for public ministry; and in this Epistle and the next, the Apostle Paul challenges him to both “stir up” his gift (v.6), and not to “neglect it” (v.14).

W. W. Dawley, referring to this truth says, “God gave Moses a rod, David a sling, Samson the jawbone of a ass, Shamgar an oxgoad, Esther the beauty of person, Deborah the talent for poetry, Dorcas a needle, and Apollos an eloquent tongue—and to each the ability to use their gift. As a result, each one of them did effective works for the Lord.”

Likewise, our heavenly Father has given at least one spiritual gift to each of us as believers, and provides us with all we need to complete the task as well (1 Cor. 12:6). Therefore, I encourage you to seek Him in prayer as to both your gift and where He is calling you to use it. 

We are all essential in the body of Christ (vv.14-27) and there is much work to be done. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, stir it up, and use it for His Glory. 

The Truth: "There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:6-7) 

1 Timothy 3 “God’s GPS”

“”All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (v.16)

Today’s text describes the Bible as a spiritual navigation system for our journey through life. It has been said of this passage;  Doctrine tells us which road to travel; reproof tells us when we are off the road; correction tells us how to get back on course; and instruction in righteousness tells us how to stay on God’s road.

It is easy to take a wrong turn in life. However, making a bad decision or choice, doesn’t mean one is lost forever. Just like your GPS travel directions can recalculate another route to your desired location, so too can our spiritual navigation system put us back on the right course in life by trusting God’s Word.

The mistakes and choices that detour us from the Lord are not to be taken lightly (and you can be sure God doesn't), so much so that the moment we (as His children) veer off on our own, His Holy Spirit is gives us a warning. Definitely not like the GPS warning of “recalculating,” but He urges us to return to the Father’s way nonetheless. 

If you've drifted off course, there’s no better time than right now to heed God’s voice and return to His road. Trust Him for your course correction. Then with God's Word as your map and His Spirit as your compass, you're sure to stay on His course. God bless.

The Truth: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

1 Timothy 2 “Pray For All In Authority”

 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (vv.1-2)

Here in chapter 2 Paul encourages Timothy to be a man of prayer by praying for “all men”, sinners and saints alike. Especially, as noted in our text, “those who are in position of authority.”

I don’t know how you feel about the people in authority over you, but if you’re like most, praying for them may not be your first impulse. Yet according to our text, we are to include them in our prayers on a regular basis. While we may not have “kings” who rule over us, each of us could name someone who qualifies as, “those in authority” over our lives (i.e. government officials, work supervisors, parents, teachers, etc)

And as difficult as it is to see so much corruption, dishonesty, finger pointing, fake news, and individual agendas promoted over the greater good by some in leadership, we would all do well to remember that God is the ultimate ruler, and our hope is not in earthly “kings” but in the King of kings, who alone has power and authority over even the most powerful rulers. 

Therefore, pray for all men, and all who are in authority, for they truly need it!

The Truth: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Romans 13:1)

1 Timothy 1 “No Other Way”

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (v.15)

This statement by Paul written to Timothy is what the gospel boils down to for me. I’m a sinner, and Christ came into the world to save me. By His grace and long-suffering, I have obtained His abundant mercy and my name is written in the Book of Life, by believing on Him. 

This can’t be accomplished any other way. Yes the law is good in that it points out our sin, but only Jesus can forgive, cleanse, and bestow everlasting life. No other doctrine, no other teaching, no other way leads to heaven and our LORD.

God’s law pinpoints our problems, while God’s grace provides the solution.

The Truth: "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)

1 Kings 22 "How Far They Had Fallen"

“So he (Ahaziah the son of Ahab) served Baal and worshiped him and provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger, according to all that his father had done.” (v.53)

Though Ahab reigned 22 years, his son only reigned two. Though his repentance was shallow, when Ahab repented after an announcement of judgment in 1 Kings 21, God relented from the immediate judgment and promised to bring judgment in the days of Ahab’s son. Ahaziah’s short reign was a fulfillment of this prophecy in 1 Kings 21:29.

Now hear in our text we see how far the kings of Israel had fallen. The book that began with a man after God’s own heart (David) sitting on the throne of a united Israel, ends with two godless kings of a divided nation.

Back in 1 Samuel 8 the people demanded, “Make us a king to judge us like all the other nations” (v.5). And here, in the final chapter of 1 Kings, we see the result of their worldly demand. In the words of the psalmist, “God gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul” (Psalm 106:15).

The Truth: “They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind.” (Hosea 8:7)

1 Kings 21 "God's Grace To Ahab"

 So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning. And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, “See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house.” (vv.27-29)

God had sent Elijah (once again) with a word of judgment against Ahab and his family for the murder of his neighbor Naboth (vv.21-22). Then, when it seemed the king was beyond any positive reaction toward God, Ahab humbled himself and adopted the traditional signs of repentance (v.27).

For all his wickedness, Ahab received this prophecy of judgment exactly as he should have. He understood that the prophecy of judgment was in fact an invitation to repent, humble one’s self, and to seek God for mercy. The question is, was it only external and superficial, arising from the terror of God’s judgments; or was it sincere and serious, proceeding from the love of God. 

There must have been some genuineness of heart on Ahab's part, because God relented somewhat when He saw the king's humility saying, “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but I will bring the evil upon his house in his son’s days” (v.29).

However, what is recorded here in our text of his repentance is external and ritual only. There is no one sign or fruit of his true repentance. And because of Ahab’s false repentance and continued sin, a very similar judgment came upon him in the very next chapter (see ch.22:37-40).

God honored Ahab’s initiative. This shows the power of both prayer and humble repentance. If Ahab did not humble himself in this way, then the judgment would have come in his own day. This shows that God gave the prophecy of judgment as an invitation to repentance, and God opened the door of mercy when Ahab properly responded to that invitation.

Just as the Lord responded to the humility of the most wicked, rotten king in Israel’s history, His grace will be there for you as well - if you humble yourself and repent.

The Truth: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)

1 Kings 20 "The God Of All The Earth"

So it was, in the spring of the year, that Ben-Hadad mustered the Syrians and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. And the children of Israel were mustered and given provisions, and they went against them. Now the children of Israel encamped before them like two little flocks of goats, while the Syrians filled the countryside. Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The LORD is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the LORD.’” (26-28)

The king of Syria, Ben-hadad, together with his great army, had suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Israel and king Ahab. Since Palestine is rather mountainous, king Ben-hadad mistakenly concluded that the Israelites had been successful because their God was a god of the hills. If he could but engage them again in the valley, he was sure that he could easily overcome them.

A prophet of the Lord then spoke to King Ahab saying, “Thus says the Lord: 'Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is a God of the mountains, but He is not a God of the valleys," I will therefore give all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord'" (v.28). When the battle came, the children of Israel killed one hundred thousand foot soldiers of the Syrians in one day. But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; then a wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the men who were left. And Ben-Hadad fled and went into the city, into an inner chamber without protection (vv.29-30).

Thus, both Israel and the Syrians were shown that God is not limited by time or space, He is the LORD of all the earth - even in the valley of deepest testing!

 The Truth: “Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22) 

1 Kings 19 "A New Hope"

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (v.4)

This mighty man of prayer – mighty enough to make the rain and the dew stop for three and a half years, and then mighty enough to make it start again at his prayer – now he prayed that he might die. Thankfully, this was a prayer not answered for Elijah. In fact, Elijah was one of the few men in the Bible to never die! 

When Elijah said "It is enough," we sense that he meant, “I can’t do this anymore, LORD.” The work was stressful, exhausting, and seemed to accomplish nothing. The great work on Mount Carmel did not result in a lasting national revival or return to the LORD. Perhaps Elijah had especially hoped that the events on Mount Carmel would turn around Ahab and Jezebel and the leadership of Israel in general. If so, Elijah forgot that people reject God despite the evidence, not because of the evidence.

When Elijah examined the apparent failure of his work, he instinctively set the blame on his own unworthiness. It was because he was a sinner as the rest of his ancestors that the work seemed to fail. Yet it was not enough for the Lord had more blessings in store for him. Elijah, was to have that wonderful revelation of God on Mount Horeb. He had more to enjoy, and the later life of Elijah appears to have been one of calm communion with his God and seems never to have had another fainting fit.

 Christians who pass through the dark tunnel of depression tend to focus on their sins, weaknesses and failures. So much so, that they may even want to die. Yet, God can use times like this to increase their awareness of His inexhaustible grace. 

Here in 1 Kings 19 we read that Elijah was despondent. He was physically and emotionally drained after fleeing from the evil Queen Jezebel. In despair, he asked God to take his life. Instead, the angel of the Lord ministered to his physical needs. Some days later, the Lord spoke to Elijah and told him that his work was not over.

When you are in despair, the first step on the pathway to new hope is to take care of your physical needs. Then listen to God's voice through the Scriptures. He will then gently point you back to His call on your life and enable you to do His work and bless others. In our times of discouragement, let us remember that God loves us and desires to lead us to a place of a renewed vision of Himself.

The Truth:: “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) 

1 Kings 18 "The LORD, He Is God"

Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!” And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let one of them escape!” So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them there. (vv.38-40)

The prophets of Baal had passion, commitment, sincerity, devotion, and great energy. What they did not have was a God in heaven who answered by fire. Elijah’s petition had lasted less than a minute but produced spectacular results. The difference lay in the One addressed, "The LORD God," not Baal.

When the fire of God fell, its work was beyond expectation. It would have been enough if merely the cut-up pieces of bull on the altar were ignited, but God wanted more than simple vindication – He wanted to glorify Himself among the people. Therefore, the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench.

At this moment, the people were completely persuaded. Asked to choose between Baal and Yahweh, there was no choice to make, obviously, the LORD was God. Tragically, this was only a momentary persuasion. This was no lasting revival in Israel. The people were decidedly persuaded, but not lastingly changed.

Just as all the people who saw this, and fell on their faces, and testified to His Lordship, so shall every knee one day bow and confess that The LORD Jesus Christ, He is God.

The Truth: For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” (Romans 14:11) 

1 Kings 17 "Elijah's Prayer Heard"

Now it happened after these things (see vv.1-16) that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick. And his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him. So she said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?” And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the LORD and said, “O LORD my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” Then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives!” Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth.” (vv.21-24)

We can imagine the happy days of provision in the household of the widow. Their needs were supplied by a continuing miracle of God concerning the widow's jar of oil and meal. Yet those happy days were eventually covered by a dark shadow – the sickness and death of the widow’s son. The death of the son was a double blow to the widow. Not only did she suffer as any mother who loses a child, but she also suffered as one who lost her only hope for the future. The expectation was that her son would grow and provide for her in her old age. Now that expectation was shattered. And the death of her son, the widow indirectly blamed Elijah. She more directly blamed herself and her unnamed sin. Whatever her sin was, the guilty memory of it was always close to her.

It was not the miracle of the meal and the oil (vv.15-16) that convinced the widow of Zarephath that Elijah’s God was real. It was the resurrection of her son that convinced her. Sound familiar? The son was raised and God provided for the widow on every level, not only with the miraculous supply of food, but also with the resuscitation of her son.

The heart of the gospel is built on the death and resurrection of Jesus. He proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Word of God is truth and those who believe will be raised up to eternal life with Him.

The Truth: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) 

1 Kings 16 "The Wicked Pattern Continues"

 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri became king over Israel; and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him. Then he set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a wooden image. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. (vv.29-33)

Each of the previous kings of Israel walked in the wicked pattern of Jeroboam. Ahab distinguished himself in being worse than Jeroboam. His father Omri was a political and economic success for Israel but a spiritual failure. Ahab picked up where his father left off. It can be said of some sons, “He has his father’s eyes.” It could be said of Ahab, “He has his father’s lies.” He also commanded the worship of idols. “He made statutes in favour of idolatry, and obliged the people by law to commit it. (See Micah 6:16, where this seems to be intended). Furthermore, in taking Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, she led him and the nation into deep idolatry.

The underlying message here is that sin does not go unpunished. In fact, sin becomes its own punishment. Look at the results of doing evil for these kings: constant war, numerous plotting and betrayal, rivalry, insecurity, even murder. Evil begets more evil. Any promise of happiness or pleasure is shattered by the choice to engage in wickedness. The only way to break the chain is to repent, turn from your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall (Ezekiel 18:30).

During these dark times, God’s people desperately needed a true leader, one who would follow the Word of the Lord with all his heart as king David did. A shining light is about to appear..........Elijah.

The Truth: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:5)