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Friday, February 18, 2011
A happy face barn also makes my heart cheerful!
This barn is near Reinholds in northeastern Lancaster County, PA.
(Note: This is not doctored by photo shop.
This barn really does have this smile face painted on it!)
"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (2 Timothy 1:12).
Presently
there's a song we enjoy that is used in a commercial for Travelers
Insurance featuring lots of red umbrellas. It has an interesting tune but I suppose most intriguing is
the rather distinct voice of the musician, a fellow by the name of Langhorne
Slim. (Turns out he's from Langhorne, Pennsylvania and he
does
appear to be rather slightly built!)
"And if you got worries, then you're like me. Don't worry now, I won't desert you."
I suppose Travelers uses it as a reminder that when you buy insurance from them they have you covered regardless of the circumstances. The ad ends with the announcer declaring, "When it comes to protecting the things you care about leave nothing to chance."
Protecting things you care about and leaving nothing to chance is good advice and supremely so when it comes to that which is most important; our soul that lives for all eternity.
Today we will conclude our series from 2 Timothy 1:12. Paul writes of the assurance that he has in regard to that which he has committed to the Lord. He is confident that Christ whom he believes in is able to keep or guard that which he entrusted to His care.
In
the New Testament the word translated "commit" has a very interesting
background, meaning to "deposit as a trust or for
protection". I
find it to be a present tense type of experience in my own life since
there are times when I want to hold on to the deposit, turn it over in
my hands a few times, or temporarily tuck it "under
the mattress" until I'm sure! I begin to rely on my own
understanding as I think through every angle. The "what if"
questions begin to mess up my mind, stir anxiety within my emotions,
and drive me further from the plan
God has for me. Trusting in Him is vital so that we can confidently
hand over our deposit to the One who is ever trustworthy. In doing so
we will
experience His peace as He brings His will to pass in our lives.
F.B. Meyer wrote concerning this passage: "There is a double deposit
here, and the comparison comes out clear and marked in the Greek. When
we give our most precious treasure into the custodianship of Jesus, He
turns to honor us by entrusting His own treasure to our care. Oh that
we might be as eager to keep that which He entrusts to us, as He is
that which we entrust to Him; so that He might be able to say of us, 'I
know them in whom I have trusted, and am persuaded that they will never
fail to do whatever needs to be done for My honor and glory.'"
I don't know about you, but Meyer's words bring a stinging conviction to my sometimes vacillating heart. As I continue to mature in my Christian walk I want my life to resolutely declare that I can be trusted to faithfully do that which brings glory and honor to God.
What was it that Paul believed Christ was able to keep until that day? There are various thoughts regarding that which he does not expound upon, so perhaps we can do a little conjecturing based upon Paul's life and his work for Christ. Surely Paul was speaking of an inner peace regarding his ability to remain faithful to his apostolic calling no matter the extent of his suffering or the dreaded circumstances of his martyrdom in which he would be summoned to give his final account. He trusted Christ that his soul would live on. Though wicked men might destroy his physical body, they could not destroy his soul.
Perhaps he was thinking of the beloved Gospel message that he had been preaching since the time of his miraculous conversion. Who would God raise up to take his place, to carry out the duties that he cared so deeply about, to follow up on new converts and the churches he had established? Paul knew that God could easily overrule the sentence of a painful, unjust death if this was His will, but in his heart he had likely committed this weighty matter to the Lord as well.
It is my prayer that each of us would learn to have this same kind of confident hope in Christ Jesus our Lord. But it comes only as we die to ourselves, build our lives on the firm foundation of Christ, and lean wholly on His name:
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
Prayer: Father,
today we survey our own hearts and ask, Are we ashamed to bear Your
name? Do we really know You in whom we believe? Do we fully
believe that You are able to keep that which we have committed to You
until that appointed day? Reveal to us that which needs our
attention so that we gain full confidence in Christ Jesus our Lord, for
here and now, and for the future date when He returns to earth or we meet Him
through death. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Note: The final phrase in 2 Timothy 1:12 "until that Day" was covered (although out of order) in our message February 8.
Here are some additional notes from our study:
"That day" That day (same phrase in 2 Timothy 1:18, 4:8) - This begs the question "What day?" For Paul it would be the day he would see Jesus, either by Jesus coming for Paul (see harpazo - the Rapture) or by Paul going to Jesus (falling asleep in Jesus). The early saints lived with an awareness of imminency of that day, and this was so well known to them that they did not even need to identify it. That Day was enough. Oh, that we would live with such expectancy!
Most expositors favor the view "that day" in this context as reference to the Second Coming of the Lord, when the church will be raptured and then experience the Judgment (bema) Seat of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10). Each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work (I Peter 1:7). If any man's work which he has built upon remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:13, 14,15).
Personal note: Due to an early schedule yesterday we were unable to post a message for Thursday, February 17.
"I Surrender All" Video Vineyard
"In Christ Alone/The Solid Rock" Video Promisekeepers
"When It's All Been Said And Done" Video Robin Mark I heard this song last year at a funeral service for Grace Wolgemuth, who had lived her life in commitment to Christ.
"Take My Life And Let It Be" Video Christ For The Nations Worship Team I suppose I am especially blessed by seeing these young people so fervently worshiping the Lord!
"I Know Whom I Have Believed" Video This is set to a newer tune but maintains the same wonderful words. It is beautifully sung by a worship team in a local church.
"If You Got Worries" Video Langhorne Slim This is the song I referred to in the first part of today's message. Here's the Travelers Insurance commercial with the song.
Here's a beautiful piano version of the same song using the tune we are familiar with. Audio All through our series of messages on 2 Timothy 1:12 we have used this song as a background to our daily podcast.
If
God Is Good . . . Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil
By Randy Alcorn / Random House, Inc
Friday, February 18, 2011
A happy face barn also makes my heart cheerful!
This barn is near Reinholds in northeastern Lancaster County, PA.
(Note: This is not doctored by photo shop.
This barn really does have this smile face painted on it!)
"What I Have Committed"
"For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day" (2 Timothy 1:12).
Presently
there's a song we enjoy that is used in a commercial for Travelers
Insurance featuring lots of red umbrellas. It has an interesting tune but I suppose most intriguing is
the rather distinct voice of the musician, a fellow by the name of Langhorne
Slim. (Turns out he's from Langhorne, Pennsylvania and he
does
appear to be rather slightly built!)"And if you got worries, then you're like me. Don't worry now, I won't desert you."
I suppose Travelers uses it as a reminder that when you buy insurance from them they have you covered regardless of the circumstances. The ad ends with the announcer declaring, "When it comes to protecting the things you care about leave nothing to chance."
Protecting things you care about and leaving nothing to chance is good advice and supremely so when it comes to that which is most important; our soul that lives for all eternity.
Today we will conclude our series from 2 Timothy 1:12. Paul writes of the assurance that he has in regard to that which he has committed to the Lord. He is confident that Christ whom he believes in is able to keep or guard that which he entrusted to His care.
In
the New Testament the word translated "commit" has a very interesting
background, meaning to "deposit as a trust or for
protection". I
find it to be a present tense type of experience in my own life since
there are times when I want to hold on to the deposit, turn it over in
my hands a few times, or temporarily tuck it "under
the mattress" until I'm sure! I begin to rely on my own
understanding as I think through every angle. The "what if"
questions begin to mess up my mind, stir anxiety within my emotions,
and drive me further from the plan
God has for me. Trusting in Him is vital so that we can confidently
hand over our deposit to the One who is ever trustworthy. In doing so
we will
experience His peace as He brings His will to pass in our lives.F.B. Meyer wrote concerning this passage: "There is a double deposit
here, and the comparison comes out clear and marked in the Greek. When
we give our most precious treasure into the custodianship of Jesus, He
turns to honor us by entrusting His own treasure to our care. Oh that
we might be as eager to keep that which He entrusts to us, as He is
that which we entrust to Him; so that He might be able to say of us, 'I
know them in whom I have trusted, and am persuaded that they will never
fail to do whatever needs to be done for My honor and glory.'"I don't know about you, but Meyer's words bring a stinging conviction to my sometimes vacillating heart. As I continue to mature in my Christian walk I want my life to resolutely declare that I can be trusted to faithfully do that which brings glory and honor to God.
What was it that Paul believed Christ was able to keep until that day? There are various thoughts regarding that which he does not expound upon, so perhaps we can do a little conjecturing based upon Paul's life and his work for Christ. Surely Paul was speaking of an inner peace regarding his ability to remain faithful to his apostolic calling no matter the extent of his suffering or the dreaded circumstances of his martyrdom in which he would be summoned to give his final account. He trusted Christ that his soul would live on. Though wicked men might destroy his physical body, they could not destroy his soul.
Perhaps he was thinking of the beloved Gospel message that he had been preaching since the time of his miraculous conversion. Who would God raise up to take his place, to carry out the duties that he cared so deeply about, to follow up on new converts and the churches he had established? Paul knew that God could easily overrule the sentence of a painful, unjust death if this was His will, but in his heart he had likely committed this weighty matter to the Lord as well.
It is my prayer that each of us would learn to have this same kind of confident hope in Christ Jesus our Lord. But it comes only as we die to ourselves, build our lives on the firm foundation of Christ, and lean wholly on His name:
My
hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name. --Mote
Sir James Simpson discovered the anaesthetic properties of chloroform which was used for general medical use in the mid 1800's. When he was on his deathbed, a friend asked him, “Sir, what are your
speculations?” Simpson replied: “Speculations! I
have no speculations!
‘For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is
able to
keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.'”Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name. --Mote
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
Prayer: Father,
today we survey our own hearts and ask, Are we ashamed to bear Your
name? Do we really know You in whom we believe? Do we fully
believe that You are able to keep that which we have committed to You
until that appointed day? Reveal to us that which needs our
attention so that we gain full confidence in Christ Jesus our Lord, for
here and now, and for the future date when He returns to earth or we meet Him
through death. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. Note: The final phrase in 2 Timothy 1:12 "until that Day" was covered (although out of order) in our message February 8.
Here are some additional notes from our study:
"That day" That day (same phrase in 2 Timothy 1:18, 4:8) - This begs the question "What day?" For Paul it would be the day he would see Jesus, either by Jesus coming for Paul (see harpazo - the Rapture) or by Paul going to Jesus (falling asleep in Jesus). The early saints lived with an awareness of imminency of that day, and this was so well known to them that they did not even need to identify it. That Day was enough. Oh, that we would live with such expectancy!
Most expositors favor the view "that day" in this context as reference to the Second Coming of the Lord, when the church will be raptured and then experience the Judgment (bema) Seat of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10). Each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is to be revealed with fire and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work (I Peter 1:7). If any man's work which he has built upon remains, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:13, 14,15).
Personal note: Due to an early schedule yesterday we were unable to post a message for Thursday, February 17.
Today's
Suggested Music
and Supplemental
Resources
"I Surrender All" Video Vineyard
"In Christ Alone/The Solid Rock" Video Promisekeepers
"When It's All Been Said And Done" Video Robin Mark I heard this song last year at a funeral service for Grace Wolgemuth, who had lived her life in commitment to Christ.
"Take My Life And Let It Be" Video Christ For The Nations Worship Team I suppose I am especially blessed by seeing these young people so fervently worshiping the Lord!
"I Know Whom I Have Believed" Video This is set to a newer tune but maintains the same wonderful words. It is beautifully sung by a worship team in a local church.
"If You Got Worries" Video Langhorne Slim This is the song I referred to in the first part of today's message. Here's the Travelers Insurance commercial with the song.
Here's a beautiful piano version of the same song using the tune we are familiar with. Audio All through our series of messages on 2 Timothy 1:12 we have used this song as a background to our daily podcast.
If
God Is Good . . . Faith in the Midst of Suffering and EvilBy Randy Alcorn / Random House, Inc
Difficult
times beg questions about God's goodness and power. Offering compelling
true stories, fresh answers, and biblical insights, Alcorn challenges
the logic of disbelief and reveals the big picture of who God is and
what he's doing in the world---equipping you to share your faith
clearly with those experiencing pain and fear. 432 pages, hardcover
from Multnomah.
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Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
Scripture
references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version.
© 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD
BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation,
New King James
Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the
King
James Version.
Personal
Mission Statement:
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ
I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord.
My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and
to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
Daily
Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com
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Copyright 2011
Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
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