1 Tim. 2

Paul gives emphatic instruction to Timothy to encourage men (and women, of course) to pray. Whats more, he gives insight into effective prayer posture … that of lifting the hands while praying. We already know from David’s writings how valuable it is to lift hands in thanks and praise, but Paul extends the value to prayer. [Ps. 141:2]

Try this; say “Praise you, Jesus” with your hands by your side. Now, lift your hands to the Lord and say it again. Feel the difference?

Personally, I don’t have my hands raised the entire time I pray, but I surely lift them to put my prayers into turbo mode. Through the years I have experienced GREAT RESULTS to prayers with hands raised. I could tell you MANY testimonials.

1 Timothy 1 [The Message]

Although he was directly addressing Timothy, his son in the faith, the Apostle Paul is also relaying the commission to you and me. We also are given the task of building disciples who will grow in their faith and teach others.

Years ago, two young couples in seminary sat at their apartment dinner table and conceived a plan to start a church with this mission … “Being and building disciples.” They labored and persisted until now, the church they started is one of the largest and most impacting in the Atlanta area … Crossroads Church. Ken and Val Adams took the mission seriously and have mightily impacted the lives of thousands. I can only imagine how Ken’s greeting in Heaven will be … “Well done, Thou good and faithful servant.”

Val was one of the two first High School teachers hired at Trinity Christian School. Her heart for the Gospel and God’s Word have touched the lives of hundreds of TCS students.

2 Thess. 3 [The Message]

Some people are more diligent than others by nature, but the home is where a strong work ethic is cultivated, regardless of the child’s inclination.

My wife was born in a farming family. Her dad was a hard worker. He worked an 8 hour day for the local government, then came home and farmed another 8 hours. His children were likewise held to a high work standard. Besides being a hard worker, he was very particular. He wanted it done well and done right. Guess what!?! That’s the way Patty and her siblings are too.

If you cultivate a strong work ethic in your children, you are giving them a lifelong gift of success and satisfaction.

1 Thess. 1-5 [The Message]

Paul’s main concern for the churches he established was that their faith would be healthy and grow. Hence the reason for his letters to the churches.

In the same sense, his letters are for us. When we read them, we too hear his father’s heart that we mature and thereby help the faith of others.

What good is your faith if it can’t help someone else. Great, you’re on your way to heaven and live in the blessings of grace. Now, share your faith, teach others, pray for the weaker. We ARE our brother’s keeper.

1 Thessalonians 1 [The Message]

Christians have lived in hopeful anticipation of Christ’s Second Coming for many years now. Let’s face it … if Paul talked about it when he wrote, how much more is it true today.

They were “awaiting” Christ’s arrival. Think about it … there’s a difference between “waiting” and “awaiting.” When a child knows he is going to get a spanking when Dad gets home from work (I remember those days), he is waiting (and sweating). When a child is looking forward to opening Christmas gifts, he is AWAITING.

A Biblical word for awaiting is “Maranatha.” I[1 Cor. 16:22] It means, “O Lord, come!” It was a watchword among the Christians of the Early Church. This could be a good word for us to begin using.

Col. 4 [The Message]

Paul knew, probably through experience, that opportunities for evangelism increased because of prayer.

I am not throwing rocks at making decisions to witness to be obedient to the Great Commission, but I personally know how energizing and fluid it is to share Christ when it is clear He created the Divine Encounter.

Luke Butler is an impressive young man who was a strength and conditioning coach at Auburn. He and his wife and young son responded to a Facebook Marketplace ad I placed to sell a fridge. As a result of our Divine Encounter, he is now on staff at Trinity Christian School and has a profound opportunity to impact our young athletes. How else can that happen except through God’s providential working and our prayers?

Psalm 46:1

God IS our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Regardless of the trouble your are experiencing, you can hide in God’s presence and get through it. Don’t expect to be pulled out of it, but find the strength to endure and come out victorious on the other side. You can’t have a testimony without a test.

Can you imagine the fear and anxiety Molly (Anthony) Wickes experienced when her youngest son walked right into a hanging fishing hook which punctured his eye and lodged there. (You know how mothers are) He was rushed by ambulance two hours away to a good hospital in Grand Rapids Michigan. When the doctor was ready to examine him. he lifted the eyelid and the hook miraculously popped out. Glory to God. They have a fabulous testimony now.

Col. 3 [The Message}

Hove you ever given your very best to a task? Maybe yes, but sadly, maybe not.

My cousin Diane has a daughter who bakes cookies. I guarantee you’ve NEVER seen a cookie like Lydia’s cookies. The beauty and detail of her frostings are unbelievably perfect. It’s almost as if she uses a microscope to apply the ornate decorations of multi-colored frostings to her works of art. Yes, they are good enough tb be shown in an art gallery, She does her BEST. When she gets married, her family will be in the 99th percentile of pampered loved ones.

Paul says “Give your best as unto Christi.” He gave us HIS BEST!

Here are two of Lydia’s cookies.

Col. 1 [[J.B. Phillips]

since we are in Colossians chapter 1, I simply cannot move past a key verse at the end of this chapter. JB Phillips, to me, says it most clearly.

So, naturally, we proclaim Christ! We warn everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we can, all that we know about him, so that, if possible, we may bring every man up to his full maturity in Christ. This is what I am working at all the time, with all the strength that God gives me.

There you have it! If we all take this verse to heart and become obedient to it, the job will get done

Colossians 1 [The Message]

From the Word, communion through prayer, and from experience with God, we learn how He works. Moses knew God’s Ways but the children of Israel only saw His acts.

After 52 years of marriage I can just about predict what my wife will do or say in certain circumstances. I know her and she knows me. I’ve discovered what’s truly important to her … what pleases or displeases her.

We were created for God’s pleasure, not our own. As we learn His ways, we set our hearts to please Him with our everyday lives.