2 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 that; 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)

2 Timothy 2 "Mentor Others"

 “The things that you have heard from me, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (v.2)

According to Homer's Odyssey, when King Odysseus went off to fight in the Trojan war, he left his son Telemachus in the hands of a wise old man named Mentor. Mentor was charged with the task of teaching the young man wisdom. Today the word mentor has come to mean "a wise and responsible tutor"—an experienced person who advises, guides, teaches, inspires, challenges, corrects, and serves as a model.

Our text today describes spiritual mentoring and the Bible gives us many examples. Timothy had Paul; Mark had Barnabas; Joshua had Moses; Elisha had Elijah. This type of spiritual leadership is just as important today as it was then. There can be no greater calling than passing the torch to young believers, and working with God to help mold their character and accountability. Therefore, prayerfully consider whom you might help grow in their faith. Ask God to lead you to someone that needs a mentor and for His guidance along the way.

LORD, I thank you for your servant David E. Radford who recently passed into glory. He was a mentor who passed the light to many young men that went on to teach others. His was a life well lived and a race well run. Rest in peace my friend. See you one day on the other side in glory. 

The Truth: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:4)

2 Timothy 1 "Guard The Good Treasure"

 “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us” (vv.13-14)

Paul is now getting on in years and he is thinking about the future and what it may hold for Timothy when he is gone. Here in his second letter to Timothy he exhorts him to; “cling to the sound words” (the apostle’s doctrine), which he had heard from Paul (an appointed preacher, apostle, and teacher), and “guard the good treasure” entrusted to him.

This exhortation no doubt comes from Paul’s concern of “false teachers”, who would twist and turn this doctrine to their own interpretations. Therefore, he challenges Timothy, with the help of the “Holy Spirit” to, keep the “good news” pure and incorrupt, free from all the adulterations and mixtures of men, safe and sound, that it be not snatched away from the churches by false teachers.

As believers in Christ, we have been given this same Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. And, just like Timothy, we need to fight the good fight of the gospel, to defend it with truth, not allowing it to be snatched away by false teachings, but to “Guard the good treasure we have been given!”  

The Truth: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.” (John 14:26)

Nahum 3 “Why Nineveh Will Fall”

“All because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the charming one, the mistress of sorceries, who sells nations by her harlotries and families by her sorceries. “Behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord of hosts; “And I will lift up your skirts over your face, and show to the nations your nakedness and to the kingdoms your disgrace.” (vv.4-5)

Here in chapter 3 Nahum gives three reasons why Nineveh deserved to be judged; 1) their ruthless bloodshed (vv.1-3), 2) their idolatry (vv.4-7), and 3) their pride and self-confidence (vv.8-19).

Nineveh, “The City of Blood,” was guilty of extreme cruelty, so profound that it demanded vengeance. History testifies to their (Assyria) bloody cruelties. They are alleged to have cut off enemies’ hands, feet, and noses; gouged out their eyes; flayed or skinned them alive; ripped open pregnant women; beheaded and then burned the bodies in huge piles; and carried out many massacres. 

Often in Scripture, idolatry is associated with prostitution, and when you consider that the chief deity of Nineveh was Ishtar, goddess of sexual passion, fertility, and war, you can understand why Nahum used this metaphor. Because of their spiritual blindness, the Assyrians were ensnared by this evil goddess and were under the control of lust, greed, and violence. People become like the god that they worship (Ps. 115:8), for what we believe determines how we behave. And their lust for power was just as strong as their lust for sex. Given all this, it’s no surprise that no one will mourn the destruction of Nineveh, no one will offer words of comfort. Instead, Assyria’s former victims will rejoice in their liberation (v. 7). 

Like the Book of Jonah, the Book of Nahum ends with a question: “for who has not felt you endless cruelty?” (v.19, NIV) Nahum emphasizes the same truth that was declared by the Prophet Amos: God punishes cruel nations that follow inhumane policies and brutal practices (Amos 1–2). Whether it’s practicing genocide, exploiting the poor, supporting slavery, or failing to provide people with the necessities of life, the sins of national leaders are known by God and He eventually judges. 

If you question that fact, go and search for Nineveh, you will not find it.

The Truth: “You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name forever and ever.” (Psalm 9:5)

Nahum 2 “I Am Against You”

“Behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord of hosts. “I will burn up her chariots in smoke, a sword will devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the land, and no longer will the voice of your messengers be heard.” (v.13)

Here in our text the LORD declares that He is against the Assyrian Empire and that their army is no match for Him; “I will burn up her chariots in smoke, a sword will devour your young lions.” 

Lions were a symbol of the Assyrian Empire in Bible times. A pair of enormous stone lions, for example, stood on either side of the entrance to a temple dedicated to Ishtar, Assyrian goddess of fertility and warfare. The lions measured eight–and–a–half feet high and more than seven feet across. Their mouths were open, as if they were roaring, and their expressions communicated power and ferocity.

Knowing that lions symbolized the Assyrian Empire shows today’s reading to be highly ironic. Like a marauding lion, Assyria had been on the prowl, hunting and conquering other nations. In Nahum’s prophecy the tables are turned and the hunter becomes the hunted; the fearless become the fearful. 

In verse 11 we find a taunting question, “Where now is the lions’ den?” To American ears this might sound like something we would describe as unsportsmanlike trash talk, but culturally and literarily it was an appropriate way to highlight the meaning of this significant event. The overthrow of Nineveh meant that God’s words were true and His sovereignty absolute. To look at this in terms of the overall biblical storyline, the supreme lion is the Lion from the tribe of Judah, Jesus Christ (Rev. 5:5).

Assyria would experience a complete reversal of fortune (v.12). What a contrast with the Nineveh of Jonah’s day—from hearts open to God’s tender mercies to hearts determined to set them-selves up against God Himself. Once powerful, Nineveh would become helpless. Once rich, it would be plundered. Once in pursuit of fresh prey, it would become the prey of others. Once a place of security and stability, it would soon see war refugees fleeing for their lives. 

The results of opposing God are always disastrous. To reject His Word and His gospel is to make oneself His enemy. “Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4). And I for one would not want Him against me!

The Truth: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31)

Nahum 1 “The Book of Nahum’s Vision”

“The burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. God is jealous, and the LORD avenges;
 The LORD avenges and is furious.
 The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries,
 and He reserves wrath for His enemies;
 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,
 and will not at all acquit the wicked.” (vv.1-3)

A burden is a heavy message of weighty importance, heavy in the sense that it produces sorrow or grief. Here the prophet Nahum is called to the capital of the Assyrian Empire, the city that heard the preaching of Jonah a hundred years before and repented, to deliver a message of judgment. And this weighted heavy on his heart. 

This was more than a message communicated to Nahum in words or phrases from God. Because this was a vision, in some way Nahum saw it. When we see the vivid, descriptive way Nahum writes, we then will understand that the book records what he saw in his vision. This would not be the first time a prophet communicated a message from a vision sent by God. Isaiah 2:1 says: “The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah saw a word from the LORD, and in some sense Nahum did also.

Nahum now begins with a description of God’s character by saying that, God is jealous. Meaning He refuses to share the human heart with any rival, not because He is selfish and wants us all for Himself, but because He knows that upon that loyalty to Him, depends our very soul. Therefore, God is not jealous of us: He is jealous for us - to the point of taking vengeance on His adversaries. Man needs to understand that he can’t fight against a jealous God and hope to prevail. Everyone who sets them-selves up against God or His children will end up receiving His vengeance. Example: Of the thirty Roman Emperors and Governors who persecuted Christians, not one came to a peaceful end. 

Finally Nahum states that, “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked.” In the case of Nineveh He waited 100 years before acting. But His longsuffering is not a sign of weakness nor blindness. God is not like an unjust judge who simply lets the guilty go out of a false sense of compassion. Consequently one can’t just hope that God will say, “All is forgiven” when anyone passes from this world to the next. Sin must be accounted for, because He will not acquit the wicked. Every sin will be paid for – either in hell or at the cross – but God will not acquit the wicked. "The bill comes due!

Later, concerning God's great power, Nahum asks the question, “Who can withstand his indignation?” (v.6) No one of course. God’s wrath is like a consuming fire—it will destroy whatever He chooses. It made no difference that Assyria was a world superpower. This wicked nation would be utterly unable to stand against the righteous power of God. And while the message of God's judgment and destruction was bad news for Nineveh, it brought “good news” to the people of Judah, “Behold, on the mountains
 the feet of him who brings good tidings, 
Who proclaims peace!” (v.15). In this case the defeat of their enemies.  

Today, many people want to ignore the idea of God’s wrath and judgment. They say, “That’s the God of the Old Testament. The God of the New Testament is all about love.” They believe that grace abounds, liberties are endless, and all will be forgiven without cost. The truth is, there is only one God and He’s the God of the whole Bible. He is merciful and loving in both testaments, and holy and righteous in both testaments as well. 

However, because of His holiness, He cannot ignore or overlook sin. As Paul so clearly said in Romans, “The wages of sin is death.” In other words, there is judgment for unrepentant sin. But, as Paul goes on to say, “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD” (6:23). 

While it was to late for Nineveh, it’s not to late for you. Repent and seek the LORD today. (See the prayer, "Connect with God" to the right of this page). God Bless.

The Truth: “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)  

 

An Introduction to the Book of Nahum

The book of Nahum is a Prophetic Oracle directed against Nineveh, which was the capital city of the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians, who were an extremely cruel people, had overthrown the northern tribes of Israel and were known for torturing and humiliating anyone they captured, provoking fear in all nations. 

The prophet Jonah had gone to Nineveh and preached against their horrible and ungodly practices 150 years earlier pronouncing God's judgment upon them. After initially repenting, the Assyrians are now back to their wicked ways and God has now sent Nahum to proclaim His judgment upon them.

Nahum begins with the words “The Lord is a jealous God and avenging…is slow to anger and of great might, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty” (chapter 1, verses 2–3).

From that beginning Nahum predicts the overthrow of Assyria and the devastating manner in which Nineveh will be destroyed.

Tomorrow we will begin our look at this small but interesting book. God bless.

1 Timothy 6 "True Contentment"

 “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” (v.6)

"How can people find true contentment, no matter what their circumstances?"

True contentment is not in having everything, but in being satisfied with everything you have. In other words, how much we possess is not as important as our attitude toward our possessions. And, whether we are rich or poor, as Christians we must humbly acknowledge Him as the source of all we have, and share willingly and generously with others (vv.17-18).

Few people seem able to treat their resources as a servant instead of a master, nor recognize the truth that, “we brought nothing into this world and we will carry nothing out” (v.7). But Paul tells us, “those who do good works, are generous and are ready to share, are storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed” (v.19).

The challenge with regard to contentment is living with thankful hearts to God and open hands to others. It isn’t getting what we want but being satisfied with what we have.

The Truth: “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” (Matthew 6:24)