training in godliness

Good morning friends,
This week's theme is God speaking to us through scripture. Today, Paul gives Timothy some advice about being a leader in the church. Part of that advice is to focus on reading and teaching scripture, which helps us become more godly.

Blessings on your journey,
Sam

1 Timothy 4:7-16

⁷Have nothing to do with profane myths and old wives’ tales. Train yourself in godliness, ⁸for, while physical training is of some value, godliness is valuable in every way, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. ⁹The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. ¹⁰For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. ¹¹These are the things you must insist on and teach.

¹²Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ¹³Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. ¹⁴Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. ¹⁵Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. ¹⁶Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Happy are those...

Good morning friends,
For some of the next few weeks we'll be reading from Psalm 119. This is the longest of the Psalms and one of several Psalms about the joy of following God's way. There are lots of different words the psalmist uses to talk about God's way: ordinances, commandments, decrees, law. The term the Old Testament often uses to encompass all of these ideas is Torah, usually translated Law. We talk about the Torah as the first five books of the Old Testament since that's where most of the religious law is found. Law is only part of what Torah means, however. It also means instruction or teaching.

As we can see from the psalmist's enthusiasm as we continue in the days to come, following God's law means more than sticking strictly to a rulebook. It means rooting our whole life in God's word and God's way for our life. We were talking yesterday afternoon about how confirmation is a great opportunity for kids to dive into the Bible. We were also wishing there were more opportunity for adults to do the same, but time is always a challenge in making that happen. Anyone who spends a lot of time with the scriptures can testify that the word is sweet and nourishing for our life. I pray this Psalm will help us appreciate that sweetness and encourage us to find the happiness of God's instruction.

God bless,
Sam

Psalm 119:1-8
1Happy are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord.
2Happy are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart,
3who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways.
4You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
5O that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
6Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous ordinances.
8I will observe your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.

peace and justice

Good morning all,
We've heard Isaiah preaching judgment on Israel; today he preaches God's bright future. Once Israel repents and God restores them to health in their land they will not only be independent, but also a beacon of light for others. One day other nations will come to the city of Jerusalem to learn God's law and peace will fill the earth. Notice that God's correct judgment is at the center of that peace. After all real peace only works when there is true peace. Lord, may we see and be a part of that day when we would not need to study war anymore.
Blessings,
Sam

Isaiah 2:1-5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. 3Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!