ALL

“That kid is beyond help. That kid will never learn, he’s (she’s) just plain bad. There’s no hope for them.”

That kind of talk begs the question, for whom did Jesus Christ die on the cross?

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. Titus 2:11(NLT)

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB)

Everyone on this earth is a creation of the almighty God. He provided salvation for ALL people. Who are we to say that a person cannot be helped, cannot be saved by God? So what is our responsibility? Look at the next verse in Titus…

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, Titus 2:12 (NLT)

We are to remain faithful to God and His plan. We are to tell others about the hope that we have in Jesus Christ and pray that they see the change He has made in our lives.

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NASB)

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WHOLESOME

Sometimes we can be so careless about what we say to people. We assume things that may or may not be true. We let the words fly and think about it later (maybe).

Here’s what Paul had to say about that to the people in the church at Ephesus:

²⁹Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

In today’s world, our mouths are not the only thing that can have unwholesome talk spewing forth. We now have email, IM (instant messaging) and texting on our cell phones.

If Paul were alive today, I’m almost positive he would have said,

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, or in your emails, IM’s or your text messages…

BE CAREFUL about what you say to each other and how you say it, whether it is verbal or written. What you say reflects on the character of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Don’t fall into the category of those deny God by their actions:

¹⁵To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. ¹⁶They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. Titus 1:15 - 16 (NIV)

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WORK

Have you ever known someone that asked for people’s opinions, including yours, but seemingly always went with the one that pleased them the most regardless of its truthfulness? Perhaps a better picture is the one who is wearing a new outfit which is not at all flattering but people tell them they look good to avoid the embarrassing truth.

The truth may at times be hard to take, or even embarrassing, but it remains the truth. Here is an example from Paul’s letter to Timothy about those who modified the truth of the Bible…

³For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. ⁴They will reject the truth and chase after myths. ⁵But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 2 Timothy 4:3 - 5 (NLT)

We live in such a time. New Age and custom-made religions pop up all the time and are a potpourri of ideas that people have chosen out of several different religions. They take ones that are pleasing and mix them together to create a custom religion that won’t bear the “burdens” of the difficulty of faith in God or following the commands that God has relayed to everyone in His Word.

Despite all of that, those of us that believe in God and His Son Jesus Christ are commanded to “work at telling others the Good News” of our Lord. Work is not always pleasant but it is fruitful. God’s Truth in its entirety is our handbook. Work at learning it. Work at sharing it.

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RUN

Some people run to lose weight and others run to exercise their cardiovascular system. Either way, running takes work and discipline if it is to be effective.

Paul writes to Timothy about running:

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT)

Eugene Peterson put it like this in The Message:

Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God

Run away from things that are bad for you and run toward things that are good for you. Running in this sense also takes work and discipline if it is to be effective.

I recall hearing some apply this verse to the young, but what it says is, run away from “youthful” lusts. Even older people can have “youthful lusts,” longing for something that might make them feel young, at least for a moment in time. I think that is why the Message answers that with “Run after mature righteousness,” etc. Everybody has to grow up sometime! Follow God’s plan…

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PRINCIPLES

High Schools, Colleges and Universities teach the Bible as literature. Many incredible principles may be found in its pages whether you believe in Christ or not. You would think it might cause someone to ask, “Why would it be helpful in some cases and lying in others?” Of course, those of us that believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord know that every word is true.

Here is an example from the Old Testament Prophet, Jeremiah that gives us some valuable principles:

The people pleaded with Jeremiah,

Please pray to the LORD your God for us. As you can see, we are only a tiny remnant compared to what we were before. ³Pray that the LORD your God will show us what to do and where to go.” Jeremiah 42:1-3 (NLT)

Jeremiah agreed to pray for them. The petitioners made the following promise:

Whether we like it or not, we will obey the LORD our God to whom we are sending you with our plea. For if we obey him, everything will turn out well for us.” Jeremiah 42:6 (NLT)

Jeremiah prayed until he heard from the Lord.

Ten days later the LORD gave his reply to Jeremiah. Jeremiah 42:7 (NLT)

God simply told them not to go to Egypt. However, the people called Jeremiah a liar…

and all the people refused to obey the LORD’s command to stay in Judah. Jeremiah 43:4 (NLT)

While the people made the wrong choice in the end and were punished, we can glean some powerful principles from this passage:

1. Seek the Lord’s guidance
2. Wait for His answer…regardless of how long it takes
3. Obey Him…don’t make promises you cannot or do not intend to keep.

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FIGHT

Superman, Batman, Catwoman, Spiderman…. What do they all have in common? Yes, they are fictional characters (sorry if you didn’t know) and they all started as cartoon heroes before becoming “movie stars.” However, there is something deeper at the center of each of these characters and their stories; they all fight evil.

Rather than fighting evil, you and I merely have to “flee” from it or avoid it, when we have Jesus Christ on our side. He is our chief warrior in the battle.

The fight for us begins with fleeing evil, but continues with pursuing good…

For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. ¹¹But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. ¹²Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:10 - 12 (NLT)

Concentrate on pursuing things that are good and doing the right thing

Get better at living a life that no one can find fault in

Work on increasing your faith in God and His plan

Strive to love, even those you don’t like!

Don’t give up and be gentle with those who don’t agree with you…

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