1 Timothy 4:7-8 2/22/2022*

“But reject irreverent, silly myths. Instead, train yourself for godliness. For physical exercise is of limited value, but godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for the present life and for the one to come.”

About 185 million American’s will attempt to diet this year. We will spend 30 billion dollars on gym memberships and will purchase countless nutritional supplements in pursuit of physical health. 

That’s good. However, this verse says there is something better. 

Let’s compare our vigilance regarding physical health - to our attentiveness monitoring what our soul consumes, and our daily spiritual training. 

Isn’t it odd that we count calories and micromanage every meal, while consuming junk media, starving ourselves from scripture, and allowing toxic, immoral images into our mind each day? 

How have we arrived at a point where we are hypersensitive about GMO’s in our national diet, and yet tolerate our children being fed dishonest and illogical information in the classroom?

We are fanatical about our physical wellbeing and have disregarded our souls. It is as if we have become obsessed with the paint job of the car while utterly ignoring the condition of the engine. 

What if you changed that and began looking inward?  How would your thought life be impacted by eliminating pornographic communications? Would your mood change if your entertainment wasn’t filled with violence and depravity?  What would happen to your anxiety if you stopped binging on news designed to frighten and control you?

We have been lulled to sleep… Not making these changes is the spiritual equivalent of eating every meal at Krispy Kreme and thinking we’re going to lose weight. 

God’s word instructs us to reject harmful input. Open your Bible and meditate on scripture focusing on “whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy” (Phil 4:8). Think about the impact on your life if you actually did that.

Eating right helps your body become healthy, fight off illness, and function at a high level.  Your soul responds the same way.

Begin your spiritual training today. Watch what you allow into your soul and exercise your spiritual muscles with prayer and Bible study.  That will not only be beneficial for this life – but for the one to come as well. 

“You are what you eat.’ And that fact applies infinitely more to your soul than it does your body.”

― Craig Lounsbrough

1 Peter 3:14…16 2/15/2022*

“And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone ….”  

“…and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.” 

When the writer tells us not to fear, he is referencing actual physical danger. What persecution will you face today…how will you respond? 

In 1536, William Tyndale was burned at the stake for translating the bible into English that the common man could read. His martyrdom makes my hesitancy to talk about Jesus in some settings seem pathetic. 

Being “prepared to make a defense” means being ready to be ridiculed…It also means being ready to be in danger for the gospel. 

That opportunity is approaching faster than we think. Today in Canada, you must choose between speaking truth about God’s plan for sexuality- and going to jail. In other countries the choice is silence about Jesus -or death. Christ said that serving God would be dangerous…and He was talking about much more than being “canceled”.

We must not only speak up –we must also live with integrity. 

“keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.” 

Is this true of you?  Does your behavior shame those who slander you?  

Does the church have integrity? Do we love those who don’t look, or think like we do?  Those are the people who will disparage us, and unfortunately our conduct sometimes gives them the right to do so. We occasionally forget that we are fighting FOR them…not WITH them. 

Our consistency is what gives our message credibility. Keeping a clear conscience, and living authentically, won’t happen by accident, but it is crucial.

The message we carry is literally a “life or death” situation…we cannot be lulled into thinking this is a game… Hell is real, and no one was clearer about that than Jesus. Our mission is to stop people from going there. 

Determine the value of eternal life for yourself, and those you love.  Then feel free to be frightened, intimidated, or distracted by anything more valuable than that.

“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”

― John Wayne

Nehemiah 8:10 2/8/2022*

 “Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

The people of Israel were weeping because the book of the Lord had pierced their hearts. Nehemiah told them to smile…He told them to celebrate, because the joy of the Lord would make them strong. 

The same is true today. Joyfulness in the Lord gives us power. Yet somehow the church has become the most somber place on earth. Our sharing of the gospel is ineffective because we do it out of duty – not joy. If you ask people what traits they associate with Christianity you will probably hear stuffy, judgmental, boring, maybe arrogant…but you will seldom hear Joyful …and that is one reason the church struggles today.  

If we pursue faith, love, and wisdom and we seek courage, peace will result. And that peace will generate unquenchable joy that is impossible to hide from those who don’t have it. 

I should be that person who is always smiling…Not because nothing ever goes wrong - but because one amazing thing went right – Christ rose from the dead and because of His grace, I will spend eternity with Him. 

The word “Gospel” is the combination of the Hebrew words for “good” and “message”.  So, if we carry God’s good message, how are we not beaming? 

We are not oblivious to the trouble in our lives; however, we are more aware of the deliverance the cross has provided - so joy shines out of us. 

Nehemiah told them to celebrate because the day was holy.  When you are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, every day is holy…and every day should contain Joy. 

If you want more power in your walk and your witness, try smiling. Try focusing on the amazing gift God has given you.  Joy, like peace, is not dependent on circumstances – It is dependent on the fact that God saved you from your sin …That produces joy - and that kind of Joy is unshakeable. 

Once you have the faith, love, and wisdom to know what God wants you to do…if you will do it with Joy, you will be unstoppable.

“Never learn doctrine from someone who doesn’t have a sparkle in their eye” – Anonymous

Philippians 4:9 2/1/2022*

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

The fifth word in our life plan is “peace”.  This verse tells you how to get it – and teaches an important principle. Paul didn’t just say “do what I say” – he said “do what I do” … Can you say that?  That is your target, because obedience produces peace.

Peace is not the absence of difficulty – We need more than that …Mark Twain said “I am an old man and have known many troubles. Most of which never happened.” His point was that even without difficulties we destroy peace with anxiety and worry. 

Peace is not a natural characteristic; it must be acquired. That’s problematic since it is what we need most. Peace is the golden ring of life. It is what we all want when our head hits the pillow at night. 

The world constantly offers peace, but never delivers. Men chase money, drugs, sex, fame…all in a futile attempt to find serenity but there is no source for it on earth. 

The God of peace is its only resource. Psalms says: “He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters.” This beautifully illustrates the contentment and tranquility of a lamb that is guarded by The Shepherd…. That is peace, and whether you are aware of it or not – it is the thing you desire most. 

But how do you get it?

This verse says to obey the gospel…put it into practice.  Seek faith, love, wisdom, and courage - and the God of peace will BE WITH YOU. 

It’s a lifestyle…a state of calmness that comes from a relationship with your creator. Not the absence of trouble but the presence of God. Which makes peace not a fragile condition dependent on circumstances, but a permanent state dependent on the power of The Almighty. That is why we can have peace even when we don’t understand…because it is not based on us but on God.

Persistently obey His Word. Choose faith over fear - and rest in the green pastures and still waters that the presence of your loving Shepherd provides.

“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself because it is not there. There is no such thing.” - C.S. Lewis