Fourthstream

As I have once again considering the letters to Timothy I am amazed about a few things. 1 Timothy 4:1,2 has captured my imagination with all that is unfolding around us right now.

The phrase doctrines of demons deserves a closer look. The original language (Greek) appears to amplify that these are the teaching instructions (we are being educated) of evil spirits of destiny (demons).

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron…” – 1 Timothy 4:1,2/New American Standard

And from the Message: “The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on the faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars. These liars have lied so well and for so long that they’ve lost their capacity for truth.”  – Timothy 4:1,2/The Message

This can help me/us to pray about both COVID and the election fraud which seems to have occurred. It tells me why the educating process in our culture looks the way it does.

Consider the worldly fables (4:7/short story narratives with nothing behind them) which have arisen in our culture in just the last 50 years. There are many – but consider these: social justice, abortion, sexual impurity, there is no God, there are no absolutes, the world is grey – not black and white, gender ID, all roads lead to the same destination, there is no evil (hell) and there is no ultimate good (heaven), data defines us, and we ARE gods. And these are just a few popular core narratives.

It is almost as though we are willing to throw God’s Word over-board for cheap novels which speak to our itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3). The branding iron part explains our hardness of heart. We are seared by burning. We have exchanged our God identity for that of another master. We are being branded by and for a new owner. God forgive us and deliver us from evil.

The Rx?

2 Timothy 4.1-5
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Selah.
Serious stuff.

A Warrior Song for Warfare Days

Lately I have gotten caught up in the book of Micah from the God Story. Here are a few of the highlights. You may find some correlation to things you see around you right now.

First you may wish to read about the Kings and conditions which were occurring during the time Micah spoke on behalf of God. Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah ruled in Judah (southern kingdom in Israel) during the time of Micah’s prophecies (2 Kings 15-20).

The people: “Doom to those who plot evil, who go to bed dreaming up crimes! As soon at it’s morning, they’re off, full of energy, doing what they’ve planned. They covet fields and grab them, find homes and take them. They bully the neighbor and his family, see people only for what they can get out of them.”  – Micah 2:1-2/Message

The leaders: “Here is GOD’S Message to the prophets, the preachers who lie to my people. For as long as they’re well paid and well fed, the prophets preach, ‘Isn’t life wonderful! Peace to all!’ But if you don’t pay up and jump on their bandwagon, their ‘God bless you’ turns into ‘God damn you.’ Therefore, you’re going blind. You’ll see nothing. You’ll live in deep shadows and know nothing. The sun has set on the prophets. They’ve had their day; from now on it’s night. Visionaries will be confused, experts will be all mixed up. They’ll hide behind their reputations and make lame excuses to cover up their God-ignorance.”
– Micah 3:5-7/Message

The Jesus promise: “But you, Bethlehem, David’s country, the (least of the tribes) – from you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule Israel. He’ll be no upstart, no pretender. His family tree is ancient and distinguished. Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes until the birth pangs are over and the child is born, and the scattered brothers come back home to the family of Israel. He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by GOD’S strength, centered in the majesty of GOD Revealed. And the people will have a good and safe home, for the whole world will hold him in respect – (this One will be our peace!)” – Micah 5:2-5/Message

God’s unchanging mercy: “But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; though I dwell in darkness, the LORD is a light for me…Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob and unchanging love to Abraham, which You swore to our forefathers from the days of old.”  – Micah 7:7,8,18-20/NASB

What do you think? What makes a sad nation? Where do we stand? Thank God for His deep, unchanging love!
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8

Justice. That sounds good.

Dave

Deeper in Micah
The Kings & the Prophets Timeline
A Prophet Song

As I read the letters to Timothy I am struck by Paul’s description of the condition of people in what the God Story terms the last days. It is chilling and strikingly accurate, don’t you think?

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these.”  – 2 Timothy 3:1-5

It would be short-sighted to think we are not highly impacted by the conditions around us. How do we cope as spiritual beings? How do we hold on to what is right?

Paul goes further:

“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  – 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Anything useful as you listen to this song?! Fight the fight – finish the course – keep the faith my friend!
These are difficult days.

Dave

Who has impacted your heart in positive ways? A family member? A teacher? A leader? A neighbor? We can all think of people (both positively and negatively) who have had life-changing influence on us. This is part of the nature of life. If someone encouraged us, they pushed us toward personal growth. If someone hurt us, they also impacted our world view.

Of all the relational growth stories in history, the example of Paul and Timothy stands out as a model for Kingdom impact. Timothy grew beyond his young faith into an indispensable partner of the apostle Paul. Some would say he was Paul’s most strategic companion in life-mission. Many aspiring and developing spiritual leaders have benefited from reading these two letters addressed to Paul’s own son in the faith.

As you read both letters – what picture is painted? What advice is given to Timothy? What is the tone of each letter? What did Paul count on from his relationship with Timothy? In what ways have you operated like Paul? Like Timothy?

Who has mentored you? The book Mentored by God focuses how Jesus was mentored by His Father.

Let’s take some time to let this part of the God Story live deeply within us!

Enjoy!
Dave

Deeper in the book of Timothy
A Great Timothy Song

WE ARE FACING A CHALLENGE OF A LIFETIME!
With the uncertainty surrounding the covid virus and how leadership has addressed it on local and national levels, I feel I need God’s help discerning a valid and effective personal strategy for dealing with the virus process. Here are some questions and principles reflecting the breadth of convictions and emotions of Christ-followers on this issue.

Hopefully these thoughts will help us all to agree on some things – even if we have differing views (which appears to be God’s counsel). This post is not meant to communicate my personal conclusions, but to stimulate conversation, so we can honor Jesus through our choices, our words, and our actions.

Check these out (especially the passages) – I think you’ll be glad you took the time.

Some thoughts as to science, authorities, and experts:
Slow the spread/there are various views as to efficacy of CDC strategies and mask success. This causes confusion for people. I know a number of people associated with the medical community who have very diverse perspectives when addressing covid. What are we supposed to believe?  How do we deal with personal and widespread mistrust of government institutions as to motives and expertise while in the middle of an active crisis? (Titus 3:1-11)

Some thoughts as to wisdom:
Acts 20:25-32  Leaders are supposed to guard the flock (how do we discern what this means with covid?)
Isaiah 31:1-5    Chariots, horses, or the Lord God? (who is Egypt now?/how do we trust God and apply principles of wisdom with this?)
1 Corinthians 8  What is my part in protecting the safety of others by my choices? (This is where some of the wrestling occurs/must we look down on someone with whom we disagree? Does that really mean they have a stronger or weaker conscience?)

As to faith:
Psalm 91 is clear that God is a Sun and a Shield to those who fear Him (see Psalm 84). Both psalms are worth a read – for comfort and perspective!

As to conscience and one another:
Romans 14:23 (because when all is said and done: “Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.”)
1 Corinthians 3:1-4  Are we not all meant to think with sound judgment and not contribute to divisions?

As to fear:
Satan is the father of lies (which produce division). John 8:44
Perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18

There is no need for us to choose sides and be divided over this issue. In fact – we are comprehensively warned by God NOT to do this. (1 Corinthians 1:10,11; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26)  I in no way advocate dividing into faith groups and science groups. This is unrealistic. It seems like this is the perfect storm for division – and a rejection of everything Jesus taught us about loving one another. I must remind myself that the Word of God provides stability to discern all issues in any century (2 Peter 1:4). I also need to remember that there is no greater Scientist than the Lord God, that all Philosophies will one day be subjected to Him, and that the only true Theology is found by searching the woven threads of the God Story.

So – conversation should be invited, openness and kindness should be observed, and an acceptance that we will not all agree must be a recognized reality  – because long after this pandemic is gone we will still be living with each other.  As Christ-followers, let’s refrain from making edicts – we are contending for the faith in dealing with covid as with anything else. Let our personal conviction come from God (Exodus 15:26).

Give preference to one another in love. (Romans 12:10)

Dave