Posted on

Memorize Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:1-2

Chapter four begins Paul’s address of the errors of the false teachers that he’s primarily writing to Timothy about. It’s easy to view this chapter as a new topic, in light of the hymn he quoted at the end of chapter three. However, this isn’t the case; chapter four is a continuation of Paul’s main topic. No, the truth Paul mentioned in 3:15 is the truth the false teachers have abandoned. Paul is about to instruct Timothy on this truth.

You can see the text for yourself in 1 Timothy 4:1-2:

1 Timothy 4:1-2

Paul starts of by proclaiming that the Spirit indicates that in later times some will abandon the faith. Just who is Paul talking about here? A strong case can be established here that Paul isn’t talking about the false teachers, he is referring to members of God’s own household, the church! People of faith are being enticed away from their faith because of the teachings of these false teachers, which Paul calls hypocritical liars in verse 2.

However, these false teachers are not the root of the problem. Paul correctly recognizes that the false teachings come from deceiving spirits and demons. Such teaching comes directly from Satan and his minions.

These demons use “hypocritical liars” to accomplish their false teachings. The Greek here literally means “false words.” These heretical teachings fall short of the truth and lead many astray, including the teachers themselves.

Posted on

Think On These Things… Whatever Is Right

Paul’s third word in his list of what we should dwell on is fairly vague. He calls us to think on what’s right. But what does that mean, exactly? What is “right”?

Whatever Is Right...

Paul has already given us some direction by instructing us to think about things that are true and things that are noble. His third category is things that are right.

My first impression was that this is the opposite of things that are wrong, and while that leans in the right direction, it doesn’t fully grasp the meaning of this word.

Looking at other translations, the word “right” is replaced with the word “just”. But that word is somewhat hard to define as well.

Just what does Paul mean when he says that we are to think about what is right?

In the Greek, the word in question is dikaios. It’s most basic definition is a sense of being straight, describing something that is just or righteous, being in accordance with God’s compelling standards.

But how do we fit that into our daily lives?

Posted on

How To Accomplish More With A Daily Routine

This is part of the series How To Develop A Daily Routine. Check out more from the series!

As a minister, developing a daily routine is crucial. Most of the time, in ministry, there is no one really watching over your shoulder to see if you are getting the work done. As a result, ministry can be a target for the lazy; and often the lazy get away without doing much.

Calendar - Daily Routine

As a minister, I’ve had to develop a strict routine over the years, but keep it in such a way that it can be flexible as needed. For example, I work on my sermons early in the week, blocking off Monday and Tuesday to do the bulk of the study and research. But what if someone comes into the office needing to talk? Or needs financial assistance? My routine is flexible enough to accommodate these types of interruptions, and I still have a significant portion of the week left to get back on track.

But for a long time, I simply had a list of things that needed to be done each week, and no rhyme or reason applied to when I did what. I would catch myself working on things with a very low priority, or getting distracted by social media, and suddenly my week was gone and I felt the pressure of the immediate deadline of the weekend.

In order to combat this, I developed my routine. And to keep me on track, I developed a chart depicting what my ideal week looked like, structured out enough to accomplish what I need to accomplish, while leaving enough flexibility and margin in to keep myself balanced and healthy. Along with this, I developed my Life Plan, identifying the most important aspects of my life, and becoming intentional about growing in these areas. (Thanks to Michael Hyatt for the inspiration and resources for these two items.)

Knowing what I was meant to do, and knowing what I needed to do to make those priorities happen freed me to focus on the truly important things without agonizing over whether or not I was doing the right things, or feeling the stress and pressure of procrastination.

Here are three things I’ve found to be beneficial when it comes to a daily routine.

Posted on

Coffee Break – 06.24.2013

Coffee Break

MistoBox Delivers Coffee To Your Door – This is a pretty cool concept, a coffee subscription. I’m not sure it would work for me though. Either I would receive too much each month, building a stockpile that is going stale, or I would receive too little and be stuck running to the store for that cheap stuff they call coffee in the plastic can. I wonder just how good this stuff is…?

60 Second Adventures In Thought – Sometimes I wish I’d paid more attention in class when I was in school. But since I didn’t, these short videos help me find some of the information I need, or, um… don’t need when I need want it. Anyway, they’re entertaining.

Retaining What You Read: E-Format vs Print – This is an interesting article detailing the minds cognitive ability to retain what is read. While I have a Kindle, and enjoy it, my preference is still for physical books. I found this article fascinating, and suspect it plays a part in my dictating my preferences. I know some of you will adamantly defend your ereaders. That’s ok. But I just wanted you to know.

Dispatches From The Front – This is a pretty cool idea. Dispatches From The Front “highlights the marvelous extent, diversity, and unity of Christ’s Kingdom in our world. The journal format of each episode underscores the daily unfolding of God’s activity on the ‘frontlines,’ bringing viewers up-close with sights and sounds from distant corners of the Kingdom.”

The Snowstorm And The Suffering Servant – As you probably know, I have several children, and one of my greatest desires is to be the best dad that I can be. I found the story of this dad to be very inspiring, and hope that, if circumstances should require it, I would be willing to sacrifice as much as he did for my kids. After all, someone else sacrificed that much and more for me.

It’s The Little Things; OK, It’s The Big Things Too – This week marks the two year anniversary of my dad’s death. Father’s Day was tough. I wanted to call him all day long, just to hear his voice and tell him I loved him. This week also marks the second anniversary of my step-dad’s death. I wanted to call him as well. I miss them both. Even though this article is a couple of months old, it held a very important reminder for me just when I needed to hear it.

You must realize that perhaps the most important moment in the worship service is the moment in which you leave the church. Then it is decided whether you have understood why you spent that hour behind those walls. – Horst Symanoski

Posted on

Memorize Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:16

In conclusion of chapter three, Paul quotes a fragment of what appears to be an early hymn. While there is some discussion about the meaning of these phrases, the beauty and reverence of these six lines is evident.

Look for yourself in 1 Timothy 3:16:

1 Timothy 3:16

Paul refers again to the “mystery.” This is a subject he has already addressed in verse 9, when he wrote of the “deep truths of the faith.” The same word is used in both cases. But what mystery? The mystery of our faith is God’s redemptive work in Jesus, which wasn’t seen in earlier days, but which has now been revealed in Christ. This godliness is, in a very real way, the basis of Christianity.

The next portion of this passage describes this mystery of godliness. It is almost certainly a portion of an early hymn, based upon the structure and flow of the six lines. However, there are a few pieces which aren’t completely clear as to their meaning.

Also, the dynamics can change as well, depending upon where you divide the passage. Is it three stanzas of two lines each? Or two stanzas of three lines each? Most of the commentaries I examined are divided on this issue, with a few even suggesting several different scenarios.

My inclination is to see this as two stanzas of three lines each, enabling us to see something of this mystery.