Fighting the Good Fight

2 Timothy 4

Ministry and the Christian life are a battle, and although I feel a little guilty putting it that bluntly, I know I am correct.  

The apostle Paul wrote of “fighting the good fight”.  As Paul lived his life for the Lord, and used all of his resources, time and energy to spread the gospel message, he experienced many hardships and difficulties. 

Paul wrote briefly of what he endured in his efforts to serve the Lord.   In 2 Corinthians 11 verses 23-28, he said:

“I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.  Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.”

Call it naivety or innocence, but when I started out in my Christian walk, I never imagined the fierce opposition I would face as I took steps daily to be obedient to the Lord.

If we serve the Lord in any capacity we can be sure that, like Paul, we will face trials and hardships in various forms.  We will deal with Satan's fiery darts as well as all the damage imperfect human beings are capable of inflicting upon us.

Many times we will be left reeling from the aftershocks of  it all. 

Too easily we can become heartbroken and discouraged.

Commentators believe that 2 Timothy was one of the last letters written by Paul before he was martyred.  

In it, he wrote instructions to a young pastor named Timothy, whom he had become endeared to. 

He told him to “suffer with him as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." - 2 Tim 2:3

And then Paul gave Timothy some final words to encourage him as he served and lived his life for the Lord. 

He said:

“But you, remain sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”  - 2 Tim 4:5

His words remain great advice to believers who are wrestling with life today.

Regardless of what everyone around you is doing, and regardless of what you are facing:  you remain sober in ALL things.  Stay calm and collected in Spirit.  Remember that God is always in control, regardless of what the situation looks like, or how bad it may seem.

Secondly, he commanded Timothy to endure hardship.  Don’t throw in the towel, because things get uncomfortable or tough.  Remember, you will face difficulties in your quest to live a godly and obedient life.

Thirdly, Paul says: Do the work of an evangelist.  Don’t get so caught up in “you” that you forget the very reason you are here on earth.  If you are a believer, your job is to share the gospel message with a dying world.   Every day, in every circumstance, your life should shine for Jesus. 

Lastly, Paul writes: “Fulfill your ministry”.  Don’t quit.  Carry it through until the end.  Remember who you are serving.  It is not the people who have let you down, it is not even friends who are there cheering you on.  It is the Lord Most High.  

We serve the Lord Jesus Christ.  He gave His life for us that day on Calvary. 

He took our place that day, and we in turn are called to live our lives as a living sacrifice.  

My prayer for my life and for yours is that when all is said and done, we will be able to utter the words that Paul spoke as his end here on earth drew near.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”  2 Timothy 4:7

Be Still

Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.  Psalm 46:10

 I need to take this command much more serious in my day to day life. 

Too often I fret over matters that I cannot control.

 I fret over matters I have no business fretting over.

 I even fret over other people’s issues.

Sometimes it’s as if I am trying to control the car from the passenger seat.  However, (just like in a real car) I have no control over anything from that place.  

God the Father is the one in the position of control, not me. 

It is foolish and exhausting to think otherwise.  

The Lord commands:   “Be still and know that I am God.”

To be still, means to relax, to let drop or to sink down.  

Let go and lay back.

Know that He is God.  Acknowledge, admit or consider this thing.  He is God.  He never sleeps nor slumbers and He is always very much aware of what is going on.

It is not my job to try and be the "Holy Spirit" in the life of others.  

It is not my job to fret, fear or worry.  I am only to be still in the Lord and Know that He is God. 

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Matthew 6:27

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Godly Wisdom

1 Samuel 30

David and his men returned from battle and found their city burned down, and their wives and little ones missing.  

I cannot fathom coming home to anything more horrifying than this.  Any casual observer would assume that all was lost.

In fact the bible says that the men lifted their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep.

Then, that which was in the hearts and minds of those left behind, rose to the surface. 

David’s men allowed their fear and their embittered spirits to control their thoughts and behavior.

Those who had once been so loyal to David now called for his stoning.  

But David (though distressed because the people spoke of stoning him) strengthened himself in the Lord. 

To David, it must have felt as if the world were spinning around him. His very life was in jeopardy and his wives were missing.  

Yet, David did not allow his dire situation to dictate his actions and words, instead the bible says he strengthened himself in the Lord, and sought Him for guidance and direction. 

The Lord instructed David with these words:  "Pursue, for you will surely overtake them, and you will surely rescue all."

God never took his eyes off those taken into captivity.  He wasn’t surprised by the peril they found themselves in.  He was always in control of their situation.

God saw the whole picture even though the men could only see what appeared to be chaotic hopelessness. 

We too can rest assured that God is in control of every situation we face today. 

Each of us will face many difficult situations in life, and each situation will require a response from us.

This passage of scripture is a reminder that many times bad responses are born out of passion and an embittered heart. 

It is also a reminder that when circumstances appear hopeless or scary God is still in control. 

He still sits calmly on the throne, waiting for us to strengthen ourselves in Him, and to seek Him for godly wisdom and guidance that comes from above. 

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  James 1:5

Taking Our Friends to Jesus

And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him down in front of Him. But not finding any way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the crowd, in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, He said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you." The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?" But Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them, "Why are you reasoning in your hearts? "Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins have been forgiven you,' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? "But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,"--He said to the paralytic--"I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home." Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God.   Luke 5:18-25

We should all have a friend or two that bear   resemblance to the men in this story.

These four men (numbered in the gospel of Mark) heard of the famous one called Jesus, and believed He could heal their paralyzed friend.

They carried the man on his mat,  battling obstacles and crowds, all in anticipation of placing their friend before Jesus.

When they found that they would not succeed in fighting the masses of people for an audience with Jesus, they climbed atop the roof, somehow managing to take their crippled friend along.   

Once they reached the roof, the men dug an opening in it, and lowered the paralytic man to the great healer they had heard so much about.

We know their confidence in Jesus was great, for scripture says that when Jesus saw the faith of the four friends, He looked at the man and said “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.”  And a few moments later he commanded “Get up, pick up your stretcher and go home”.

These men were those willing to sacrifice their time and energy in order to take their friend to Jesus.

We too should be willing to sacrifice our time and energy to take our friends to Jesus in prayer.  

This life can be hard.  We may not be physically paralyzed, but heartache and sickness, sorrow and grief can abound here on earth.  

Everyone needs individuals in their life who will steadfastly battle to bring them (and their needs) before Jesus.

We need friends like these men for those hours when we are too sick, too discouraged, or too weak to bring ourselves before the throne of God.  

This story reminds me of how important it is to faithfully battle in prayer for those I love. 

It also reminds me to be grateful for those in my life that faithfully carry me in prayer when I cannot take another step.

…and pray for one another so that you may be healed.  The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.  James 5:16

Sleep Walking

And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. When He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, and said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Luke 22:39-46

Immediately preceding the Lord’s arrest and crucifixion, He led his disciples into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray.  

This wouldn’t have been the first time Jesus led the men to this place.  The gospels say that praying here was customary for Jesus.  

The disciples followed him there in those hours, and Jesus gave them instructions to watch and pray lest they fall into temptation.  

The men didn’t have a problem with following Jesus, but they didn’t seem capable of staying awake to pray.  

Jesus returned more than once to find them sleeping.  They had an excuse.  Scripture says they slept from sorrow, but that didn’t change the fact that they were not doing what Jesus had asked of them.

The instructions he gave were for their own good.  He wanted them to be careful not to fall into temptation.  He didn’t want the enemy to trip them up or cause them to stumble.

Still the disciples slept.  

As I read this, I thought of times when we as believers sleep walk after the Lord.   

Maybe we become apathetic or lazy in our walks with Him.  We follow Him to our normal places of devotions and prayer.  We follow him in our ministries or relationships, but we aren’t truly listening.  We aren't really serving Him with a whole heart..  

We are just sleep walking; going through the motions so to speak.

That night the Lord’s words to the disciples were “Why are you sleeping?  Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Luke 22:46).

The Lord has similar words for us.  Romans 13:11 says:  "And this do, knowing the time; that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.”

The time is short.  May we be found redeeming the time, giving all that we have to our Savior and God. 

Wings of a Dove

Psalm 55

King David wrote Psalm 55 after his son Absalom usurped his kingdom.  Absalom did not seize his father’s kingdom by force, but rather by trickery.  

For four years Absalom stationed himself outside of the king’s gates and worked at capturing the hearts of the people.   Those, who approached the city gates in anticipation of an audience with the king, were met by Absalom instead.  

Absalom with (much) false humility would lie and sweetly manipulate until it was found (according to scripture) that he had won the hearts of the people.  

It was at this point that Absalom made his move to completely remove the kingdom from David.  

Enter Psalm 55:6-8.

“Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.  Behold, I would wander far away, I would lodge in the wilderness. Selah.  I would hasten to my place of refuge from the stormy wind and tempest."

David was so grieved and so distraught that all he wanted to do was fly away.  

He wanted to flee from his tumultuous situation to a place of rest.

He wanted to be far away from it all; out of the storm and the wind.

Don’t we have the same reaction to the storms of life?

Our first reaction to conflict and pain is a desire to fly away from it all.

Sometimes (maybe even the majority of times) physically fleeing is not in alignment with God’s plan and will for our lives.  

This is because, we all experience trials and hard times.  They work to test our faith.  The testing of our faith produces perseverance and if this perseverance is allowed to finish its work, someday it will leave us mature and complete, lacking nothing (James 1).

Still, it is natural for us to identify with David’s words.  “Oh that I had wings of a dove, I would fly away and be at rest.”

We want to be found in that place of protection from the wind and the storm.   We want to live in a perpetual state of rest and comfort with nothing to cause us heartache or pain.  

Here on earth, this is not possible, but the good news is that God does not leave us to brave the storm alone.

God is our shelter and place of refuge.

His word and the ability to go to Him and cast every care upon Him, provides a balm for every grievance.

Sometimes, like David, the only thing we can do is cover ourselves in the shelter of the most high and wait for Him to move and act on our behalf.  

He is faithful and He is worthy of our trust as we wait out the storms under the shelter of His wings.

          God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear....

                                                                      Psalm 46:1-2

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A Sacrificial Offering

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

  Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”   Mark 12: 41-43

Have there ever been days that you identify with this woman?  Not necessarily in a monetary sense, but in a ministry sense or in giving of yourself in ministry, life, etc.

Life gets busy and seasons become demanding and full. 

 Circumstances and even relationships can become draining and difficult. 

 Some days it feels as if we cannot take another step.  

On those days, remember that Jesus sees you.  He sees what you have left in your spiritual, emotional and physical bank account.  He sees the sacrifices you offer Him.  He knows when it is the last "mite" you have to offer.  

The prophet Elijah experienced physical and emotional poverty after a very successful period of ministry.    So much so, that God had to send an angel to prepare him food and drink to sustain him for his next journey.  All Elijah could do was sleep and he even had to be roused by the angel to accept the sustenance.  

When we go through times like this, we can take heart and remember what the psalmist wrote in Psalm 103:13-14

 “The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.  For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. “

Also, we can rest assured that this season will someday pass.  Scripture promises that those who wait on the Lord will have their strength renewed.  

As we wait on the Lord for strength, He will provide us with all that we need (just as he did with the prophet Elijah).

Today, if you identify with the poor widow or with Elijah, remember:

The offering given out of a place of poverty, may be worth more in the eyes of Jesus than the offering given out of a place of richness and might.

Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

Isaiah 40:31

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Pressing On

1 Samuel 16

The apostle Paul compared the Christian life to a race in which we all participate.  Paul wrote that we should run in such a way as to gain the prize.  

Part of running a successful race is staying focused and looking ahead.  When a runner turns to see what is behind them, they run the risk of tripping or falling behind.

We as believers are wise if we heed this rule in our race of eternal pursuits.

Today, I was reading about the prophet Samuel.  God had just instructed him to anoint a new king because He had rejected King Saul.  

As soon as Samuel learned of this matter he began mourning, and the bible says he was angry and cried out to the Lord all night.

Nevertheless, God’s resolve was firm, and Samuel was instructed to anoint a new king.    

Samuel continued mourning and finally God had to get his attention with a question and a few instructions.

God said: 

“How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel?  Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

Samuel needed to be reminded that God’s plans were the best plans.  He needed to let go of what once was, and move forward with God leading the way.  

There are times in our lives when God may need to get our attention with that very same question.

“How long will you mourn for what once was?”  

“How long will you mourn for what may have been?”

“How long will you mourn for what cannot be?”

God desires that we would “fill our horns with oil and be on our way” (or rather His way).  

God has great things in store for those who walk after Him in obedience but,  if we do not stop looking behind us,  how will we see what lies ahead?

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  

 Philippians 3:13-14

Allowing Room For God

Genesis 41-46

God warns us in His word not to seek our own vengeance, but to leave room for God to repay those who have wronged us.  

God makes all things well in His timing.  God rights wrongs committed against us if we seek not our own vengeance. 

Joseph's life was a perfect example of this truth playing out.

According to scripture Joseph never sought vengeance against his brothers.  He went about his life, serving God and doing what was right and good.

After many years of what seemed liked silence on God’s part, a famine struck the land.  

This famine drove the ten brothers right to Joseph's doorstep.

Joseph’s response to his brothers moves me each time I read it. 

He was gracious when he could have been harsh.  He offered mercy when he could have repaid evil with evil.  Joseph's behavior was a depiction of God’s dealings with us.

                                                                        

  ~

The years of famine drove Joseph’s brothers to make the 250 mile trek to Egypt, not realizing who or what they were headed for.  Scripture says that when they arrived Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.  Joseph wanting to find out about his father and younger brother accused the men of being spies.  He demanded that they go home and return with their younger brother to prove their innocence. 

And then Joseph put them in jail.  

Joseph could have kept his brothers indefinitely in that place.  He could have "taught them a lesson" and showed them what prison life felt like (something he knew all too well).  He could have made his brothers pay for what they had done to him so many years ago.

However, it seems that Joseph got no pleasure from keeping his brothers imprisoned, because three days later Joseph released 9 of them and kept only Simeon as a ransom for Benjamin's delivery.

Instead of producing bitterness and malicious behavior; the years away had matured Joseph into even more of a God fearing man, and one who was full of mercy and forgiveness.

Joseph’s story of reconciliation with his brothers is a poetic example of mercy and undeserved grace.  I cannot help but see a parallel picture of God’s dealings with us.

We deserve severe punishment for our sinful actions and yet God is merciful and forgiving.  Often we receive grace when really we should receive punishment.

Joseph’s story serves as an example to those who have been wounded by others.

It reminds us that although God may be silent for a time, His silence does not mean He has forgotten.  Eventually, God will right all wrongs.

Our role in life is not to be our own defender, but to be obedient to God and to keep entrusting ourselves to the one who judges righteously.

“…He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.”  1 Peter 2:23

Strength for the Weary

Genesis 40

God cares for us in ways that we cannot fathom and His plans usually unfold in ways we never could have imagined.

Joseph was stuck in prison for something he did not do. 

I’m sure he must have been desperate to somehow be free of that place. 

I bet he thought his moment had arrived after he interpreted the baker’s dream of impending freedom and restoration to service in the Pharaoh’s courts.

  

If I were in Joseph’s place, I would have been packing my bags in anticipation of my certain release.

The baker however, did not make good on his word and Joseph remained in prison for 2 more years! 

How demoralizing that must have been.  My heart sinks thinking of the sorrow Joseph must have experienced in that hopeless situation.  I wonder if Joseph questioned whether he would ever be freed from that place or if life would ever take a turn for the better. 

It is clear from scripture that Joseph’s faith in God remained strong, but I wonder if Joseph ever had a day where he despaired of the life and the situation that remained the same-day after day and prayer after prayer.   

I wonder if he questioned whether things would ever change.

Joseph was not saved from his situation in the way he would have imagined, but he was saved.  In an instant Joseph’s life completely and drastically changed. 

This salvation did not come from Joseph’s carefully crafted plan, but from God’s mighty and unfailing plan.

-           

      God gave Pharaoh a dream that no one in the entire kingdom, but Joseph could interpret. 

-          God caused the baker to remember the “young Hebrew” who had a knack for interpreting dreams. 

-          God gave Joseph wisdom to give Pharaoh the true meaning of his dream.

-          God moved and Joseph’s head was lifted.  His sorrow was forgotten in an instant.

Joseph went from a ragged and dirty prisoner to someone second in command to Pharaoh himself.  He was stripped of his filthy clothes and clothed in garments of fine linen and a gold chain was placed around his neck.   

Joseph was given a wife and within 7 years Joseph had two sons. 

Joseph’s story fills me with hope and reminds me that hard times and trials can change in an instant.  God has resources and plans that I cannot imagine or even conceive. 

It also reminds me that God does not need my plans or ideas.  I need only to be patient and faithful, waiting on God; remembering that when He moves there is no one who can hinder his plan.

Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" - Isaiah 43:13

God is Faithful

Genesis 39

Good and bad decisions alike can cause hard consequences after the choice has been made.  The difference though, is that godly decisions may have initial hard consequences, but when followed through, God always redeems those decisions and His good, perfect and pleasing plan always prevails. 

Joseph was a perfect example of this truth playing out. 

Just like us, I’m sure Joseph’s life was full of decisions. 

One decision Joseph made cost him dearly. 

Joseph had been sold by his brothers into slavery but scripture tells us that Joseph found favor in the eyes of his new master, Potiphar, who was one of Pharaoh’s officials. 

When Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph in all that he did, he put Joseph in charge of his household, and entrusted him with all that he owned.

It was while serving Potiphar faithfully that Joseph was faced with a decision to obey God or not.

Potiphar's wife had set her sights on Joseph and demanded that he sleep with her.

 Joseph again and again refused.

One would think that Joseph would have been immediately blessed for his godliness and faithful decision making.  However, instead of blessings, Joseph faced the wrath of his master and found himself sitting in a jail cell falsely accused.

But scripture tells us that “The Lord was with Joseph”. 

We too, may make godly decisions and be faced with consequences that seem hard and unfair. 
 But, The Lord is with us too.  He is working His plan out and all we must do is remain faithful to Him. 
Trusting and relying on His name and His goodness; obeying, even when it is hard or painful.

Joseph clung to the Lord, despite it all, and in time God blessed him abundantly and unfathomably. 

Joseph went from prisoner to second in command of all Egypt.

God blessed him with sons and a restored relationship with his brothers.

God was not mocked, and what Joseph sowed he eventually reaped.  Probably much more so than he ever could have imagined or conceived. 

We serve the same God today.  Hold on and be faithful through the days that seem dark.  God is working and He is faithful.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts   than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55:9