Hebrews 2 [The Message]

The writer (probably Paul) states, “By embracing death, taking it into himself (Christ Jesus), he destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death.” Jesus removed from us the sting and fear of death. Because we know the reward that awaits us in Heaven, we may even look forward to death. I know my father, David Demos, did.

Paul said to be absent from the flesh was to be present with the Lord. [2 Cor. 5:8] I have been diagnosed with an incurable blood cancer, Multiple Myeloma. Do I fear death? Absolutely NOT. “The life which I live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” [1 Jn. 5:12] Each day I live is a gift and an opportunity to serve the Lord and enjoy the family that I LOVE!

Titus 2 [The Message]

Paul encouraged both Timothy and Titus to lead exemplary lives that brought credit and integrity to the ministry. In that they were commissioned to appoint and ordain leaders in the young churches, they themselves were held to a high standard of conduct.

Jesus said the pure in heart would see God … be a continual eminence of God’s Light.. Their motives were to shine and reflect the glory of God to all onlookers.

By God’s grace, this needs to be you and me. Whenever we are out and around, Christ’s Kingdom needs to on display.

2 Timothy 3 [The Message]

Paul told Timothy that he had been a good apprentice.

Apprenticeship is a Biblical method of learning ministry skills. God arranged for me to sit under Moses Vegh. My son, Mark, sat under Kevin Jonas Sr.., the father of the Jonas Brothers. From a mentor you gain a day to day perspective on how God’s leaders conduct themselves. Sometimes you learn from their mistakes or excesses. In the Old Testament, musicians in the Levitical priesthood were under the hands and tutelage of their fathers. My dad was a union electrical contractor. Such unions rely heavily upon apprenticeship training to keep their trade alive.

For a Christian, this relationship is not something you apply for for sign up to receive. It’s purely arranged by God. When I see God’s hand upon a young Christian, I anticipate seeing that youth come under the mentorship of a God-ordained role model.

1 Tim. 6 [The Message]

In yesterday’s news was an article about a preacher who was scolding his congregation for not honoring him with a luxury watch. He said he didn’t want them to give him McDonalds money. He wanted Gucci money.

This is probably what Paul meant when he warned against leaders who are controlled by a lust for money. Reminding us that we came into this world penniless and we shall certainly leave that way, we have this life to honor Christ with our money rather than ourselves.

Be generous. Be liberal in giving. I LOVE it when I can give a good tip to a waitress. It gives me joy and might help her pay her bills.

When you can give it away, your own it … it doesn’t own you.

1 Tim. 4 [The Message]

My daughters keep fit both spiritually and physically. They are faithful to spend their time in God[‘s Word and in the gym. To me, that’s the ideal. (My boys don’t do bad either)

Paul makes it clear that exercising the body DOES profit, but that putting effort into spiritual fitness is the most important.

Here’s a fresh example of the value of being fit: I had to buy 4 new batteries for the used RV I just purchased. They are bulky and clumsy to handle and weigh 65 lbs. each. I could just see myself putting my back out and being down in bed for days if I tried to manhandle them. Hark! My Ashley handles that weight weekly in her fitness routine. She grabbed them lickity-split and had the job done in a heartbeat. Her devotion to fitness came in SO HANDY. More importantly, she had spent the entire weekend sharing her faith with an old HS friend who was hurting. Both areas of fitness were used and were a blessing because she STAYS FIT.

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.