Is 1-3 Titus 3

Unlike the times of the kings, today we elect our leaders on the consensus of public opinion which changes like the wind. It is easy for our leaders to lose favor through controversies and negative media yet Paul tells us to pray for our leaders and act righteously and honestly. Submission to authority is relevant and appropriate at all levels of life. Having a humble, self-effacing attitude is an important aspect of living before the Lord and supporting those who lead us at all levels.

Amos 7-9; Ps 104; Titus 2

Amos was called to rebuke a nation by standing in the authority of the Lord. Titus’s call was similar but on a much smaller scale. It's a valuable message to all of us; maintain the plumbline of a godly standard, do not be dissuaded by criticism and opposition, encourage others to stand with you and love the Lord with all you've got. Come on! Do it! These are similar days to those Amos spoke to.

Amos 4-6; Ps 86-87; Titus 1

At the time of Amos’s warnings to Israel, they were quite well off and unable to see past their wealth and comparative security to the warnings of God's judgement. It's no different today. I can be comfortable and preoccupied with my own well-being and forget that God sees the suffering of those around me. It is important to be reliant on God and live honestly and righteously in Christ so that I can stand permanently before him.

Amos 1-3; Ps 80; 2 Ti 4

As the Old Testament prophet cries out, “You have deserted the God of your fathers and provoked him to anger …”, so Paul cries out to all of us, “Don't put up with nonsense, preach Christ, stay focused”. When we truly know Christ we don't have to ask the questions “why God?” because all of our questions are answered at the cross. Yes, there is suffering in our faith but Christ endured the suffering of the Cross. He suffered the loss of all things for the sake of righteousness. We can expect no less because he draws us into a higher place. His presence. There are consequences to upholding Christ and I must be ready at all times to stand in these.

2 Ki 13-14; 2 Chr 25; 2 Ti 3

The sad tale of the kings of Israel and Judah continually highlights the justice and righteousness of God. When a nation ignores God, poverty and oppression become their standard way of life and it will prove to be no different in our current day. Paul is more succinct in describing the characteristics of a nation failing before God. The ugliness of sin is evident everywhere. I must seize a sense of desperateness in my relationship with the Lord and not slide into the sludge of lukewarmness. In doing this I know the Watchman will keep watch over my soul.

Jonah 1-4; 2 Ti 2

Jonah, in running from the Lord, unwittingly created a typology which Christ later used in explaining his rising from the dead. We may excuse Jonah's actions because God used him greatly in the conversion of Nineveh but Paul's message to Timothy is more grounded; don't lose your focus, don't get sidetracked by trivial issues, keep Christ and his message as the goal of ministry. I would love to get the results Jonah got but as a soldier of mediocre rank I must first and foremost be grounded in Christ and his message to an unsaved world.

Joel 1-3; 2 Tim 1

Joel paints the disastrous picture of the end of days and Paul teaches how we should live in approaching it. “Guard the deposit that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us” (2nd Timothy 1:14) Even though science and technology has become the god of the 21st century I will not be deceived by it's atheistic claims. God still rules by the authority of his word. In it I am reminded that his word proclaims “the fool says in his heart, there is no God” (Psalm 14:1)

2 Ki 11-12; 2 Chr 24; 1 Ti 6

Paul continually expresses the thought that we are to resist the godlessness of the world and place our hope and trust in Christ. Our hope is therefore expressed in our righteous living, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. These qualities must be a hallmark of my life and even though I see failings in my own heart and life I must keep on pressing into God for his strength everyday. I can never relax. Everyday is a battle for the Lord.

1 Ki 10; 2 Chr 22-23; 1 Ti 5

When the righteous are ruling is running the country (and organisations) there is peace and order. When Godlessness rules the people do whatever they like. Paul's instructions to Timothy shows me how important holy and righteous leadership is to the church. Even the smallest deviation can have horrendous outcomes. As a church member I must continue to pray for my leaders and others in the church for God's blessing, discernment and power. I am as equally important to God as the most accredited leader, and a valuable part of the body of Christ.

2 Ki 8-9; 2 Chr 21; 1 Ti 4

The Apostle Paul tells us that in the last days some will abandon faith and seek deceiving spirits. They make weird interpretations about the truth of God and lead many astray. We are to have nothing to do with them and their teaching. Train yourselves to be godly. Teach people to put their hope in God, devote yourself to the public reading a scripture and teaching, always live out biblical doctrine and be wary.

Paul's advice to Timothy has been applied to millions of church leaders throughout the Christian age. It is advice that has kept the church strong and resilient. His advice applies to us all individually as well; be strong in the knowledge of the scriptures and don't put up with myths and heresy. Tell it like it is. Encourage each other in the hope we have in Christ.

2 Ki 6-7; 2 Chr 20; 1 Ti 3

The enemies of God have always tried to attack and intimidate God's people. But when God's people pray and seek the Lord and God delivers them, word gets around and God gets the glory. So I need not get stressed and worried. I need to apply the word of God to my life and faithfully trust him.

2 Ki 4-5; Ps 83; 1 Ti 2

For many people life is hard. Sickness and poverty wait at the door and it only takes a small misadventure to land us in the midst of trouble. It's this fear of a poor life outcome that drives men to seek solace with God, whoever they see him to be. Scripture assures me that a prayerful, respectful and holy life where Christ is at the centre is the best insurance policy offered to mankind. I take it with a whole heart knowing that whatever happens to me in life, Jesus has my back.

2 Ki 1-3; Ps 82; 1Ti 1

Sometimes we may feel God is too big and important for us to take our petty problems to, but nothing could be further from the truth. God loves us so much that he wants us to take all our fears and concerns to him. He is never to busy to attend to our prayers and petitions. I know I can get preoccupied and try to solve my own problems rather than taking them to the Lord. If I am to be truly strong then his strength must flow through me.

1 Ki 22; 2 Chro 18-19; Col 4

Even though Jehosophat was one of the better Kings of Judah, he sincerely worshiped the Lord and actively encourage his people to do so, it is a mystery why he formed an alliance with Ahab. He even married into his family. Scripture tells us that the Lord did not approve of this either. It seems Paul is aware of this failing of character when he writes to the Colossians, “be watchful” and implies we are not to be deceived. I must always be aware that I firstly belong to God, he bought me with his blood, I do not need to side with the world. My attitude and behaviour needs to be honouring to God but I am not to ‘hold hands’ with the world. There is a point where friendship with the world will make us compromise our relationship with God. I do not want to be guilty of that.

1 Ki 20-21; 2 Chro 17; Col 3

The start of a godly work begins in the heart and progresses to the mind where plans and strategies are formed. It is critical that the heart, when filled with Christ, is given full authority over the dictates of the mind. I must make every effort to continually subjugate the mind to the love of Christ. Asa, a somewhat godly man, forgot about God in his last days and did not seek the Lord. I have no excuses. The more I learn to trust Christ the stronger my convictions of heart will become.

1 Ki 17-19; Col 2

In the midst of turmoil and upheaval I must keep the focus on Christ. I must not run to ‘experts’ and those who think they know everything. I must stay calm in the Lord. I am to protect those whom I love and care about with prayer and diligent service. These are difficult times and I must fall firmly on the Lord’s side so that I may be an encouragement to others to believe and trust God.

1 Ki 16: 2 Chron 15-16; Col 1

In studying the kings of Israel and Judah they were not able to keep a perfect attitude before the Lord. Some failed dismally. The final king, Jesus, ended the reign of self-serving evil and won the crown permanently when God raised him from the dead. Now nobody can take his crown from him. My goal is to serve him until my last breath, glorifying him perpetually.

1 Ki 15; 2 Chron 14-14; Phil 4

Trouble sneaks up on us and can catch us unawares. Before we know it we are drawn into a battle we are reluctant to fight. When these dark clouds of turmoil arise I must retreat into the Lord and look to him for deliverance. No matter how big or dire the situation is, the Lord is able to rescue his people. “Rejoice in the Lord always” (vs 4)

1 Ki 13-14; 2 Chron 12; Phil 3

The kings of old became overconfident in their position and forgot about the Lord. God had to remind them but bringing them back was a painful process. They had to recognise their error, repent and change. It's the same today. It is easy for me to get so wrapped up in daily living I can forget about the Lord. I can become too involved in process and not in worship. I need continual reminders to reference all of my day to the Lord. Work is work-ship.

1 Ki 12; 2 Chron 10-11; Phil 2

The humility and love for others should be combined with a willingness to serve others. To regard others as more important is a necessary quality in building the body of Christ. I must be willing to build this aspect more consciously in my Christian life. Unity can only work when the body respect itself and works the way Christ intended it to.

Song 5-8; Phil 1

The strength of the gospel is evident when it separates people. Jesus himself said, “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34) We all love the peace and comfort the gospel brings and avoid the discomfort when we are attacked by unbelievers. We often fail to realise that through these conflicts and sufferings we are to stand strong for Christ. That's why we are supposed to wear armour. Christ is glorified when his church refuses to compromise with worldly peace and comfort. This encourages me to walk taller in my calling and proclaim the gospel everyday in any way I can.

Song 1-4; Eph 6

I am reminded in reading Song of Songs that Jesus’s love for me is very intense and pure. His love is dependable, assuring and engaging. I don't have to worry about him changing his mind about me because he loves me as I am. In reading Ephesians I am reminded that Jesus wants me to be valiant for him and he dresses me in battle armour so I can stand against the evil of this world. In this way he is both protecting and training me. If I train my heart and ears to listen to him and obey him he will complete his work in me.

Ecc 10-12; Ps 94; Eph 5

There are many limitations in our physical world. They extend from the macro to the universal, the biological to the philosophical and search the meaning of life itself. But our faith in Christ allows us to transcend the limitations of our physical world. Miracles of healing are an example of this. It is a glorious and noble quest to discover the workings of God's creation but there will always be an end and where there is an end, faith takes over. Faith doesn't call God to account but simply and in a child-like way innocently believes that he IS.

Ecc 7-7; Eph 4

Everyday I give thanks to God for the gift of life. It is an honour to know his saving grace and to be able to communicate in the spirit with him. No matter what my station in life is I cannot escape the reality of Christ. He is my all and everything and continually calls me to himself. His love for me is indisputable and everlasting and I know when I trust him he will never let me down.

Ecc 4-6; Ps 18; Eph 3

One of the basic tenets of life is to find its meaning. To Solomon it is found through hard work and righteous living. The Psalmist finds it in the mercy of God and Paul discovered it in the grace of God. Who should I ascribe to? They are all biblically correct, but the best response for me is in Jesus. He not only contains the full elements of Solomon and the Psalms but more importantly solves the sin problem. Rich or poor, oppressed or ruler, child or adult, all are loved by Christ. Now that I have accepted his lordship over my life, his love for me is indisputable. He will never desert me or leave me.

Ecc 1-3; Ps 45; Eph 2

The book of Ecclesiastes brings home the point sharply that a Christless life is ultimately unfulfilling. Solomon, for all his wisdom and wealth, was still a sinner and his depressive writings contained a lack of hope. This describes the lot of those cut off from God today. Only when when I accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour did I find the true meaning and satisfaction in life. Through his Grace I find hope and joy in this life and the next.

Prov 30-31; Ps 33; Eph 1

Christ‘s letter to the Ephesian church in Revelation 2:1-7 shows that they became so preoccupied with the business of church that they forgot to love and honour God. Likewise today we can become so busy and getting the functions of planning and working through our church business we forget who we are serving and worship becomes just another thing we tick off. Remember the illustration of the widow's mite? She put God at the absolute centre of her whole life and trusted him personally and implicitly. In the business of our Christian life I should pause and take time to worship and praise him for who he is.

Prov 28-29; Ps 60; Ro 16

The work of the Lord must continue until he calls is home. Every part of the church can do something because when he returns he wants to find us doing. If anything, we need to increase the intensity of our work so that the Lord will be pleased with us on his return.

Prov 25-27; Ro 15

One of the concepts the Christian faith is built on is that all believers work as one in the Body of Christ to the glory of God. Each part is to regard other parts as more important and humbly submit in service to each other. The worldly imitation of this is Communism or Socialism and is a very poor substitute. Man cannot work for the collective good unless there is hope and a hope based on the works of man has never been or ever will be sustainable. A hope based on Christ has eternal consequences but by putting our faith in man ….. well, you make up your own mind, but for me I will serve the Lord.

Prov 22-24; Ro 14

Many of us are not aware of the extent of the full liberty we have in Christ and so are constrained by behaviour or rules we all follow in the hope that by doing so makes us more pleasing and acceptable to God. Some feel, for instance, that regular church attendance is important in pleasing God. I can argue that we are not justified by attending church; we are justified by believing in Christ. However the one who feels justified through Christ by attending church should not be condemned because that behaviour forms part of their faith. We should remember the Christ died for all. We should not be quick to judge others but always be ready to encourage, build up and strengthen the body.