Good day dear friends. We continue to pray for those along the path of Hurricane Dennis. We pray for those affected by the terrorist attacks in London. We pray that peace indeed would come to the earth here and everywhere.
Yesterday we shared in sermon two of the series, "The Marks of a Dicsiple," with discipline being the topic. To truly grow in our walk with the Lord we must exercise a life of spiritual disciplines. Among those shared during the sermon: Prayer, scripture reading, worship, giving, service, and evangelism. Those are all part of a complete life of walking with the Lord.
Here is our study guide for today (And this exact devotion is available at http://theuniversityoftheweb.blogspot.com) Feel free to visit our sponsors listed under ADS.
Monday: Read the passages from Sunday again. In the version provided on the reverse side (The Message) Paul says, “keep your eye on what you’re doing.” Discipline is that which allows us to do just that. Do your daily disciplines help you keep your eye on what you’re doing or should be doing as Christ’s disciple? What SHOULD you be doing?
Here is that passage from yesterday:
2 Timothy 4:1 I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, 2 so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple. 3 You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food - catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. 4 They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. 5 But you - keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant. 6 You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. 7 This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. 8 All that’s left now is the shouting - God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming. (The Message)
The above passage is Paul urging the young Timothy to keep on keeping on with what the Lord had shared with him. Paul knew his days on earth were limited and so he urged Timothy to do the work Paul had started. "Proclsim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple." This version of the Bible does share this thought in a bit more intense way, which I believe Paul was wanting. Paul's caution was for Timothy to stay a disciple even when others might be falling away for whatever reason. Yesterday for our stewardship moment prior to the offering I shared a story Nellie read to me from Istanban, Turkey, about some shepherds who decided to have lunch together at the same time leaving their flocks alone. The herd was on some cliffs and one lamb decided to go over the cliff and then another and another, soon 450 sheep fell to their death. I stressed that we have The Good Shepherd watching over us and if we stick with Him we won't be falling off any cliffs. Paul knew that "follow the leader" is a "side street" played out in church sometimes. Whatever little reason that may come up is enough to guide some sheep astray. Paul urges Timothy as he does us, to stay with Jesus. Discipline is that which allows us to do just that.
PRAYER: God of eternal strength, bless us as we seek to walk with you. Let us find in You that which gives us the motivation to walk with you. Let us be more the persons of prayer, scripture reading, worship, giving, service, and evangelsim, as you've called us to be. Give us wisdom to know how, when and where, to share these "marks" that are ours as your disciples. We pray in Christ Jesus' name. Amen.
Have a great and blessed day!
e.v.
