I Came to Help You!
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved Sibling, Yes, I know some of you who read this have trouble thinking of Me as your older brother. Through the Father’s grace, that is Who I AM to you. I taught My disciples to pray to “Our Father…” (Matthew 6:9). As My beloved writer of Hebrews emphasized in the verses you will read today, My disciples are also My “brothers and sisters.” You have been born into My family (John 3:5-8). I “took on flesh and blood” and lived among you, as one of you so you could be part of My family. My concern was not for My comfort and prestige. My focus was not on any heavenly messenger or angel. My concern was for you. My focus was on those I wanted to become My brothers and sisters. I came to honor the Father and to “destroy the one who held power over death.” I came to free you from fear. I came to share your world. I came to assure you that you could come to the Father through Me and always “find mercy and grace to help when [you] need it most”! I AM your great High Priest. I not only offered a sacrifice for you, but I offered Myself as the once-for-all-time atoning sacrifice for your sin. I brought “reconciliation” between you and the Father. I AM your great High Priest. I AM now “approaching God on behalf of” you. I AM your great High Priest. I AM acquainted with “suffering.” Like you, I also offered up “prayers and pleas, groans and tears” to the Father. As your great High Priest, I can promise you these things: You don’t have to fear death. I have conquered death and the devil who uses it to wound and maim and destroy. Your sin is forgiven. You stand before God as righteous and holy. You can be sure that I can help you when you are tested. I was tested as you are, yet I did not sin. When you are facing trials and temptations — even if you succumb to these temptations and sin — you can come with confidence to the “throne of grace.” You can come confidently knowing that you will “find mercy and grace to help when [you] need it most.” Verses to Live Today’s readings come from chapters 2, 5, and 4 in your book of Hebrews. I have put them in this order so you can have a deeper appreciation of what it means for Me to be your merciful and faithful High Priest! Read these passages in this order several times. The first time, jot down all I did and endured to experience mortality. You can be confident that I understand human weakness, not just as God the Son Who is omniscient, but as a mortal man, God in human flesh. Now, when you read through these verses again, jot down all that they mean for you as you approach the Father seeking grace. It only makes sense that God, by Whom and for Whom everything exists, would choose to bring many of us to His side by using suffering to perfect Jesus, the founder of our faith, the pioneer of our salvation. As I will show you, it’s important that the One Who brings us to God and those who are brought to God become one, since we are all from one Father. This is why Jesus was not ashamed to call us His family [His brothers and sisters], saying, in the words of the psalmist, I will speak Your Name to My brothers and sisters when I praise You in the midst of the community. And in the words of Isaiah, I will wait for the Eternal One. And again, Look, here I am with the children God has given Me. Since we, the children, are all creatures of flesh and blood, Jesus took on flesh and blood, so that by dying He could destroy the one who held power over death — the devil — and destroy the fear of death that has always held people captive. So notice — His concern here is not for the welfare of the heavenly messengers, but for the children of Abraham. He had to become as human as His sisters and brothers so that when the time came, He could become a merciful and faithful high priest of God, called to reconcile a sinful people. Since He has also been tested by suffering, He can help us when we are tested. (Hebrews 2:10-18) The job of every high priest is reconciliation: approaching God on behalf of others and offering Him gifts and sacrifices to repair the damage caused by our sins against God and each other. The high priest should have compassion for those who are ignorant of the faith and those who fall out of the faith because he also has wrestled with human weakness, and so the priest must offer sacrifices both for his sins and for those of the people. … When Jesus was on the earth, a man of flesh and blood, He offered up prayers and pleas, groans and tears to the One Who could save Him from death. He was heard because He approached God with reverence. Although He was a Son, Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered. And once He was perfected through that suffering He became the way of eternal salvation for all those who hear and follow Him, for God appointed Him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:1-3; Hebrews 5:7-10) Since we have a great High Priest, Jesus, the Son of God Who has passed through the heavens from death into new life with God, let us hold tightly to our faith. For Jesus is not some high priest who has no sympathy for our weaknesses and flaws. He has already been tested in every way that we are tested; but He emerged victorious, without failing God.
Better!
Note from Jesus Dear Child of the Father, Today you begin a short journey through the wonderful “word of exhortation” (Hebrews 13:22) you call the book of Hebrews. This special document is a collection of short exhortations built upon the comparison of Old Covenant images with their fulfillment in the New Covenant brought by My sacrifice on the cross, by My resurrection, and through My pouring out the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and subsequently to you also. Notice the word “better” when you read this “word of exhortation.” It occurs repeatedly in later sections of Hebrews to refer to Me and the salvation that I offer. I brought the world a “better” covenant, built on “better” promises and leading to a “better” hope, provided by a “better” and once-for-all sacrifice so that I could become a “better” high priest for My people and ensure a “better” Sabbath rest for the people of God. Today’s verses come from the first two chapters of the book of Hebrews. Even though the word “better” is not used in today’s verses, they nevertheless have a clear message: I AM “better” than the angels or “heavenly messengers.” I bring a “better,” complete, fulfilled, and incarnated message from the Father. I came as the Father’s Son. I was God’s very presence among you (Matthew 1:23). I am superior to the angels who brought the first covenant and who were part of many messengers involved in the Old Covenant. As the Son, I came and brought the Father’s greatest and final message. No messenger compares to Me as God’s Son. My chosen vessel who wrote Hebrews adds a powerful exhortation to this truth of My superiority. You must “pay even closer attention” to My message than to any message you have previously received. You don’t want to “drift away” from this message and ignore the “great salvation”! To “ignore” this message would invite your own “destruction”! Verses to Live Hebrews is not only a “word of exhortation,” but it is also a message of urgency. It is a spiritual alarm clock sent to warn those who heard its message to awaken from their spiritual slumber. They needed to shake off their spiritual lethargy because of the better things they had received from Me. I hope you will hear the same alarm. I want you to awaken to the “better” things that I have planned for you. Long ago, at different times and in various ways, God’s voice came to our ancestors through the Hebrew prophets. But in these last days, it has come to us through His Son, the One Who has been given dominion over all things and through Whom all worlds were made. This is the One Who — imprinted with God’s image, shimmering with His glory — sustains all that exists through the power of His word. He was seated at the right hand of God once He Himself had made the offering that purified us from all our sins. This Son of God is elevated as far above the heavenly messengers [angels] as His holy name is elevated above theirs. For no heavenly messengers have ever heard God address them with these words of the psalms: You are My Son. Today I have become Your Father. Or heard Him promise, I will be to You a Father, and You will be My Son. Now, when the Son, the firstborn of God, was brought into the world, God said, Let all My heavenly messengers worship Him. … And God continues, In the beginning, You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth and set the skies above us with Your own hands. But while they will someday pass away, You remain forever; when they wear out like old clothes, You will roll them up and change them into something new. But You will never change; Your years will never come to an end. Did God ever say to any of the heavenly messengers, Sit here, at My right hand, in the seat of honor; and I’ll put all Your enemies under Your feet? No, of course not. The heavenly messengers are only spirits and servants, sent out to minister to those who will certainly inherit salvation. That is why we ought to pay even closer attention to the voice that has been speaking so that we will never drift away from it. For if the words of instruction and inspiration brought by heaven’s messengers were valid, and if we live in a universe where sin and disobedience receive their just rewards, then how will we escape destruction if we ignore this great salvation? We heard it first from our Lord Jesus, then from those who passed on His teaching. God also testifies to this truth by signs and wonders and miracles and the gifts of the Holy Spirit lighting on those He chooses. (Hebrews 1:1-6; Hebrews 1:10-14; Hebrews 2:1-4) Response in Prayer O Father, I recognize that Jesus is Your greatest messenger Who brings Your greatest message. I commit to hearing that message and respond with urgency and passion. Open my eyes to Your truth in this interesting and challenging “word of exhortation.” I ask for the Holy Spirit’s help in understanding and applying its important messages to my life as I live to honor You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Be Faithful!
Note from Jesus Dear Friend, I want you to feel the urgency in today’s words that Paul wrote to Timothy. They come from the last of Paul’s writings to his son in the faith. These words plead for Timothy to join Paul in his life of faith in two specific ways: Be faithful to the call he had received to proclaim My message and do it with truth and passion. Join Paul in his last days so that he could be of assistance to Paul and so that these days could have an impact on the lost world and strengthen new churches to live for Me and the kingdom of God. Paul was realistic but not pessimistic about the future awaiting him. He was fully confident in My coming with power and glory. This faith in Me helped him to remain loyal to Me, to be strong in his faith, to be inspired by the Scriptures, and to be faithful even to death. He was urging Timothy to be faithful, too. As Paul often did at the end of his letters, he mentioned people who were both faithful and unfaithful to him and to Me. This is just another way for Paul to appeal to Timothy’s heart and challenge him to do the following: [S]tay focused and be alert at all times. Accomplish the good work of an evangelist, and complete the ministry to which you [Timothy] have been called. [L]ove and long for His [My] appearing. Come to me [Paul] … as soon as you can. Bring Mark with you because he is useful in this work and will help look after me. [P]ick up the cloak I [Paul] left with Carpus in Troas, and bring the scrolls — especially the parchments. [W]atch your back because he [Alexander the metal worker] has gone overboard to oppose our message. Give my regards to Prisca, Aquila, and everyone over at Onesiphorus’s house. At first glance, these excerpts from the verses below appear to be miscellaneous instructions and requests thrown in at the end of a letter. However, look closely, and you will see Paul’s focus on being faithful in every area of life: to all the people in his life, to the ministry he had been called to complete, and to the people to whom I had called him to mentor and serve. Most of all, Paul finished with a reminder of how I was faithful to him even when everyone else abandoned him: He [Me, Jesus] stood by me, strengthened me, and backed the truth I proclaimed with power… Paul’s example of faithfulness was a challenge for Timothy to be faithful in every area of his life, his relationships, and his ministry. I want it to be a challenge to you to be faithful in every area of your life as well! Verses to Live Are you a faithful person? Do you live up to your word? Do you stand by your friends? Are you committed to faithfully living out your commitments to Me? I hope Paul’s words to Timothy challenge you to be faithful in every area of your life and ministry. Be faithful! And now I bring you this charge before God and Jesus the Anointed, the one destined to judge the living and the dead, at His glorious appearance and His kingdom: go out and preach the word! Go whether it’s an opportune time or not! Reprove, warn, and encourage; but do so with all the patience and instruction needed to fulfill your calling because a time will come when some will no longer tolerate sound teaching. Instead, they will live by their own desires; they’ll scratch their itching ears by surrounding themselves with teachers who approve of their lifestyles and tell them what they want to hear. They will turn away from the real truth you have to offer because they prefer the sound of fables and myths. But you must stay focused and be alert at all times. Tolerate suffering. Accomplish the good work of an evangelist, and complete the ministry to which you have been called. For I am already being poured out, and the last drops of this drink offering are all that remain; it’s almost time for me to leave. I have fought the good fight, I have stayed on course and finished the race, and through it all, I have kept believing. I look forward to what’s in store for me: a crown of righteousness that the Lord — the always right and just judge — will give me that day (but it is not only for me, but for all those who love and long for His appearing). Come to me, Timothy, as soon as you can. You see, Demas has fallen for this world, abandoned me, and headed off to Thessalonica. Crescens took off for Galatia. Titus has gone to Dalmatia. Luke is the only one left. Bring Mark with you because he is useful in this work and will help look after me. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. On your way here, pick up the cloak I left with Carpus in Troas, and bring the scrolls — especially the parchments. Keep your eye out for Alexander the coppersmith! He came against me with all sorts of evil — may the Lord pay him back accordingly — so watch your back because he has gone overboard to oppose our message. When it was time for my first defense, no one showed up to support me. Everyone abandoned me (may it not be held against them) except the Lord. He stood by me, strengthened me, and backed the truth I proclaimed with power so it may be heard by all the non-Jews. He rescued me, pried open the lion’s jaw, and snatched me from its teeth. And I know the Lord will continue to rescue me from every trip, trap, snare, and pitfall of evil and carry me safely to His heavenly kingdom. May He be glorified throughout eternity.
Be Inspired!
Note from Jesus Dear Faithful Follower, You need to be inspired if you are going to face the challenges of living in these last days. As Paul warned Timothy, there are a lot of people who are mean, uncaring, unrighteous, and spiritually counterfeit. Stay away from these kinds of people. They will seek to involve you and entrap you in their sin. The way to resist their influence is learning to recognize what is good, right, and holy. So stay close to godly people who live for Me. They display My righteous character in their lives. They show My gracious compassion to those in need. Read about the martyrs and heroes of the faith who were faithful even in the face of death. Look at the things they invested their time and efforts in doing. Spend time in the holy Scriptures. Read about My heroes of faith. The inspired Scriptures are given to you so you can understand the Father’s will and live the way the Father intended for you. These holy Scriptures are God-breathed. They are inspired by the Father and breathed into the hearts of those who wrote them. These Scriptures are practical and useful. So spend time with the Scriptures, always asking the Holy Spirit to help you hear My voice. I want you to know what you are to feel and what you are to do based on what these Scriptures say. Rather than complicating and confining your life, these Scriptures are given to you to inspire you to holy living, courageous action, and victorious commitment. So be inspired! Verses to Live Paul didn’t pull any punches with Timothy when he talked about how hard it was to live in the last days. Timothy knew Paul was imprisoned and awaiting death. Timothy had known that this would likely happen because he knew that Paul had been stoned and left for dead in Lystra by people who hated him (Acts 14:8-20). To remain loyal and to be strong, Paul knew Timothy needed to be inspired. I want you to be inspired by Paul’s words today, too. And know this: in the last days, times will be hard. You see, the world will be filled with narcissistic, money-grubbing, pretentious, arrogant, and abusive people. They will rebel against their parents and will be ungrateful, unholy, uncaring, coldhearted, accusing, without restraint, savage, and haters of anything good. Expect them to be treacherous, reckless, swollen with self-importance, and given to loving pleasure more than they love God. Even though they may look or act like godly people, they’re not. They deny His power. I tell you: Stay away from the likes of these. They’re snakes slithering into the houses of vulnerable women, women gaudy with sin, to seduce them. These reptiles can capture them because these women are weak and easily swayed by their desires. They seem always to be learning, but they never seem to gain the full measure of the truth. And, just as Jannes and Jambres rose up against Moses, these ungodly people defy the truth. Their minds are corrupt, and their faith is absolutely worthless. But they won’t get too far because their stupidity will be noticed by everyone, just as it was with Jannes and Jambres. You have been a good student. You have closely observed how I have lived. You’ve followed my instructions, my habits, my purpose, my faith, my patience. You’ve watched how I love and have seen how I endure. You have been with me through persecutions and sufferings — remember what they did to me in Antioch? in Iconium and Lystra? I endured all of it, and the Lord rescued me from it all! Anyone wishing to live a godly life in Jesus the Anointed will be hunted down and persecuted. But as for the wicked and the imposters, they will keep leading and following each other further and further away from the truth. So surely you ought to stick to what you know is certain. All you have learned comes from people you know and trust because since childhood you have known the holy Scriptures, which enable you to be wise and lead to salvation through faith in Jesus the Anointed. All of Scripture is God-breathed; in its inspired voice, we hear useful teaching, rebuke, correction, instruction, and training for a life that is right so that God’s people may be up to the task ahead and have all they need to accomplish every good work. (2 Timothy 3:1-17) Response in Prayer O Father, forgive me for not spending enough time in your Scriptures. I thank You for the inspiring stories of courage about men and women of faith. I thank You for the words of warning and the examples of the bad consequences for those who do not heed those words. I thank You for the many practical teachings in the Scriptures. Father, I thank You that as I read these words of inspiration, the same Spirit Who inspired the Scriptures is at work in me to apply them to my life, to open my eyes to Your deeper truths, and to conform me to be more like You each day. I ask for Your inspiration to be at work on me and in me to conform me to Your will. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Be Strong!
Note from Jesus Dear Disciple, In today’s verses Paul was urging Timothy to be strong. I urge you as well to be strong in Me. With Paul’s impending martyrdom, he was passing the torch of leadership, mission, and equipping of new leaders to Timothy. To do all the things Timothy needed to do, he had to choose to be strong and “empowered by the grace that is in” Me! He needed to soldier on through possible suffering. He needed to endure and complete his race of faith. He needed to work hard until he was able to enjoy the harvest of all of his work. Timothy needed to be strong in the simple and clear message of My good news. He needed to be strong and not let the threat of prison, or even death, steal away the truth that nothing can stop My message and the cause for which he lived. He needed to be strong in confronting those who dissipated the strength of My people with their “bickering over words” and “meritless arguments” and “ungodly babbling”. Timothy needed to be strong in completing his mission and in not being ashamed of My message. He needed to be strong morally and pursue the right things by avoiding immorality and evil in all its forms. My dear disciple, being strong is not just about your will power. It is also about your commitment to be strong through the power of the Holy Spirit living in you. Nevertheless, being strong does mean you have chosen to be strong before your strength is tested. It is about a commitment to stay on track with things that matter. It is the discipline not to feel like you have to show yourself strong in things that don’t matter. I want you to be strong in the Scriptures. I want you always to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. I want you to trust the Spirit to strengthen you to make the right choices and do the right things, whether those choices and things seem easy or difficult. Choose to be strong and you will find that the holy reservoir of strength within you may surprise you! As Paul said to the Thessalonians: [T]he Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. (2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 NIV) Verses to Live As you read these verses, not only see how Paul encouraged Timothy to be strong, but also write down what the Holy Spirit is saying to you about being strong! But as for you, my child, be empowered by the grace that is in Jesus, the Anointed One. Whatever you heard me teach before an audience of witnesses, I want you to pass along to trustworthy people who have the ability to teach others too. As a good soldier of Jesus the Anointed, be ready to suffer with me. Remember that soldiers on active duty don’t get wrapped up in civilian matters because they want to satisfy those who recruited them. Look at it another way: if someone competes as an athlete, he won’t win the race and be crowned with the wreath if he breaks the rules. And the farmer who exhausts himself in the field should be the first to taste his harvest. Think about what I am telling you, and let the Lord give you clarity on all of it. Remember Jesus the Anointed, raised from the dead, descended from David’s royal line. This is the crux of my good news! This is why I suffer and why I am bound and chained like a lawbreaker. But God’s word is not in chains! That’s why I endure everything for the sake of God’s chosen: so that they might experience salvation with lasting, eternal glory through Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King. Here’s a statement you can trust: If we died with Him, we will live with Him. If we remain with Him, we will reign alongside Him. If we deny Him, we will be denied by Him. If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, For He is not able to deny Himself. Remind others about these things that I’m telling you. Warn them before God to stop their useless bickering over words. After all, splitting hairs does no good; it only ruins those forced to listen to their meritless arguments. Timothy, do everything you can to present yourself to God as a man who is fully genuine, a worker unashamed of your mission, a guide capable of leading others along the correct path defined by the word of truth. Stay away from ungodly babbling because it will only lead deeper into a godless lifestyle. Once these empty voices start to speak, Timothy, they infect and spread; and soon the body is consumed with its cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus fell victim to it, and they walked away from the truth by claiming that the day of resurrection has already arrived. They are clearly disrupting the faith of some who are not well grounded. Regardless of what they do or say, God’s foundation is strong and firmly in place, etched with this seal: “The Lord knows the ones who belong to Him,” and, “Everyone who invokes the name of the Lord ought to stop doing what they know to be wrong.” Look, in the mansions of the rich and powerful you will find everything from silver and gold serving bowls to wooden containers and clay jars; some are used for special occasions — where honor is important — others are used for more mundane tasks. So tell them, if they will clean up their lives and purify themselves from dishonorable teachings that lead people astray, then they can become honorable vessels, consecrated and useful to the
Be Loyal
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved, Today and the next three days, I want to share with you one key concept from each of the four chapters in your book of 2 Timothy. Today’s key thought is this: be loyal! This short letter from Paul was an urgent message to his beloved son in the faith, Timothy. Paul knew his time before being martyred for his faith was short (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Some of Paul’s cherished converts and even some of his apprentices had turned back from him and from their faith in Me. This abandonment broke Paul’s heart. Over the next several days, you will hear this brokenness in some of the words he wrote to Timothy. These circumstances also created a sense of urgency to share some important words of encouragement and challenge with Timothy. Leaders who would take My good news to the world were lacking. Leadership among My disciples was now going to rest in the hands of a new generation of people like Timothy. So in today’s verses, the opening part of his letter, Paul reminded Timothy to be loyal. He challenged Timothy to be loyal to the gospel of grace that gave people “the promise of life” in Me. He was to be loyal to the calling and the anointing to ministry that he had received. Timothy was to show himself loyal to the upbringing and training he had received from his mother and grandmother. He was to remain loyal to Paul and to the message Paul proclaimed. He was to be loyal like Onesiphorus, who found Paul in prison and came to him and refreshed his spirit. Loyalty is an essential virtue. When loyalty is violated, broken, or abandoned, disloyalty deeply wounds all the people involved. Remember that My closest disciples forsook me and fled when I was arrested and crucified. Remember that Judas betrayed Me. Peter denied he knew Me. My other apostles abandoned Me. Abandoning loyalty to your call to minister to others short circuits My desire to use you to channel My grace to others. Disloyalty in marriage creates separation between lovers and sows the seeds of destruction in the relationship. Being disloyal in your relationships also breaks something inside of you. You hurt in your soul because you know that you have done something wrong. However, if you simply ignore your conscience and the Spirit within you calling to you to own your disloyalty, confess it, and turn from it, and if you refuse to seek forgiveness for your disloyalty and refuse to seek reconciliation, then that brokenness can become crippling to you and your relationships. Disloyalty to your faith does much the same thing. Worst of all, your abandoning loyalty to your faith impacts all those around you and affects you eternally. So I want you to feel the emotion of the old apostle Paul as he writes to his now “not so young” apprentice minister, Timothy. Paul is imprisoned and awaiting death. He is almost completely alone. Many have abandoned him. Others have deserted the faith he shared with them. Just as he pleads for Timothy to be loyal to all those things that had been entrusted to him, I want you to hear My call to you to be loyal. Be loyal to Me, to My grace, to My work, to My call in your life, to My leaders, to My disciples, and to My message — all of which include being loyal to all of your commitments to Me as well as to others. Be loyal! It won’t be easy. It might be costly. It could even be dangerous. But be loyal! Being loyal opens the door for My work in you to make you more than you are now, to make you better than you are now, and to make you more fully whole as a human being and as a child of your Father in heaven. Be loyal! Verses to Live As you read Paul’s challenge to Timothy to be loyal in every area of his life and ministry, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the areas where you need to be more loyal. Also, ask yourself if there is a person to whom you have been disloyal and with whom you need to reconcile (Matthew 5:23-24). Paul, an emissary of Jesus the Anointed commissioned by God’s will according to the promise of life found only in Jesus the Anointed, to you, my dear child Timothy. May grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and our Lord Jesus the Anointed be yours. Timothy, you are constantly in my prayers. Day and night I remember you before God and give thanks to Him Whom I serve with a clean conscience, as did my ancestors. I really want to see you, especially when I remember how you cried the last time we were together. Yes, I know it would make me joyful to see you again. What strikes me most is how natural and sincere your faith is. I am convinced that the same faith that dwelt in your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice, abides in you as well. This is why I write to remind you to stir up the gift of God that was conveyed to you when I laid my hands upon you. You see, God did not give us a cowardly spirit but a powerful, loving, and disciplined spirit. So don’t be embarrassed to testify about our Lord or for me, His prisoner. Join us in suffering for the good news by the strength and power of God. God has already saved us and called us to this holy calling — not because of any good works we may have done, but because of His own intention and because eons and eons ago (before time itself existed), He gave us this grace in Jesus the Anointed, the Liberating King. And now, the time has come! That grace was revealed when our Savior, Jesus the Anointed, appeared; and
The Mystery of Godliness
Note from Jesus Dear Friend, I love it when one of My servants makes the message about Me and My grace very clear and concise. The apostle Paul was hoping to join Timothy in Ephesus and bless both Timothy and the church. He knew many of those believers well. There were all sorts of discussions, arguments, and speculations in Ephesus about “mysterious” truth. Rather than making the truth about Me difficult, Paul wrote a beautifully simple and poetic statement of truth about Me. You find that truth in the verses below. I share this focus with you today because I want you to have a clear summary of what My incarnation and ministry mean. Paul’s summary can be restated in simple points and put into a more Western form in this way: I came to the world as God in human flesh. The Spirit affirmed My identity as Son of God through My resurrection from the dead. Heavenly messengers announced My birth, comforted Me in the garden, and proclaimed My resurrection. I have been preached throughout the world to all kinds of people. Many different kinds of people — male and female, Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, politically conservative and liberal, as well as slave and free — have all become God’s children through Me. I have ascended to the Father where I intercede for you and pour the Holy Spirit out upon you. Those are the factual truths. Paul’s poem says it succinctly and beautifully. So how would you summarize the good news about me in a few words? What’s the truth that you must know, must share, and must hold in your heart? Put your answers to those questions down in simple, clear, and possibly even poetic form. Use your answers to teach others about Me! That’s what ordinary folks have done for centuries, and they have led millions upon millions to faith in Me. Remember, as you share your essential truth about Me, the Holy Spirit will be with you to remind you of Me and to lead you into all truth. The Holy Spirit will empower you to speak the truth when confronted by those who oppose you. The Spirit can convict the hearts of those with whom you share My message! Verses to Live Paul began his first letter to Timothy with several admonitions to him, his son in the faith. Toward the middle of this letter, Paul told Timothy why he was writing. He also told him he hoped to join him soon in Ephesus. Then Paul gave Timothy a succinct summary of truths about Me. This confessional statement could be used in churches to give them the basic truths about Me and My ministry. These truths are the basis of godly living. I [Paul] am writing all this to you [Timothy], hoping I can come to you before too long; but in case I am delayed, you will know how one ought to behave as a member of God’s family — the assembly of the living God, the pillar and foundation that support the truth — and I think you will agree that the mystery of godliness is great: He [Jesus] was revealed in the flesh, proven right in the Spirit; He was seen by the heavenly messengers, preached to outsider nations. He was believed in the world, taken up to the heavens in glory. (1 Timothy 3:14-16) Response in Prayer Father, I know that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven must become like a child. Please, dear Lord, help me. Help me as I put the great truths of Jesus down into a simple and clear form to remember and to share the truth of Jesus with others. Please give me the confidence to share those words with grace. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
How to Handle Money
Note from Jesus Dear Child of the Father in Heaven, In My earthly ministry, I taught My disciples these essential truths: Some people store up treasures in their homes here on earth. This is a shortsighted practice — don’t undertake it. Moths and rust will eat up any treasure you may store here. Thieves may break into your homes and steal your precious trinkets. Instead, put up your treasures in heaven where moths do not attack, where rust does not corrode, and where thieves are barred at the door. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21) Paul also wrote about these issues to his ministry apprentice Timothy. He sent Timothy the words that you read in your verses today. Paul’s message stressed three principles: Timothy, teach these things, but also make sure you live them. Money and wealth can be a blessing if used appropriately. However, the desire for money and wealth often leads people to destruction. Paul then reminded Timothy that there are three kinds of people: Those who place their confidence in their earthly riches. Those who want to gain earthly riches. Those who are truly rich because they have found contentment in what they have. Paul was part of this last group. He could confidently say: I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances. I know how to survive in tight situations, and I know how to enjoy having plenty. In fact, I have learned how to face any circumstances: fed or hungry, with or without. I can be content in any and every situation through the Anointed One Who is my power and strength. (Philippians 4:11-13) Paul instructed Timothy to follow his example. Timothy needed to learn to be content. He also needed to recognize that godliness has great gain — whether godliness results in worldly riches or not. In fact, many of My people are far wealthier with worldly riches than they realize. Some have gotten caught up in greed and covetousness. Greed and covetousness nearly always get people into serious financial problems as well as being spiritual problems. If you struggle with greed, financial mismanagement, or debt, then spend some time in the book of Proverbs. The book is full of financial advice that will be very helpful to you in avoiding lifestyle things that are harmful and also will help you better know how to manage your money. As My disciple, you need to be generous and willing to share what you have with others. You are a child of heaven’s grace because of the generosity of the Father (2 Corinthians 8:9)! You are most like your Father in heaven when you are generous with your time, your attention, your money, your home, your possessions — with everything that you have. You have been blessed with these things so that you can pass on your blessings to others. Your Father in heaven wants you to be a conduit of blessing. Paul taught the Corinthians this principle, and you will find it a powerful addition to Paul’s words to Timothy. Particularly notice the underlined sentence where Paul pointed out that whatever you have is intended not only for your needs but also to help others. Giving grows out of the heart — otherwise, you’ve reluctantly grumbled “yes” because you felt you had to or because you couldn’t say “no,” but this isn’t the way God wants it. For we know that “God loves a cheerful giver.” God is ready to overwhelm you with more blessings than you could ever imagine so that you’ll always be taken care of in every way and you’ll have more than enough to share. Remember what is written about the One Who trusts in the Lord: He scattered abroad; He gave freely to the poor; His righteousness endures throughout the ages. The same One Who has put seed into the hands of the sower and brought bread to fill our stomachs will provide and multiply the resources you invest and produce an abundant harvest from your righteous actions. You will be made rich in everything so that your generosity will spill over in every direction. Through us your generosity is at work inspiring praise and thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:7-11) Learn to be content and use the blessings of your resources to be a blessing to others. Doing so is an essential part of what it means to be a child of the Father! Verses to Live Some people have a tendency to think of spiritual blessings and material blessings as being separate. For My devoted disciple, no such separation exists. Whatever material things you have are intended to be part of your spiritual life. If you tend to think of spiritual and material things as being separate, carefully note the last three sentences below — the underlined ones. In the first sentence, Paul gave a reminder of how you are to use what you have, and in the last two sentences, he clearly pointed out that there is an eternal implication associated with how you use what you have. [G]odliness, along with contentment, does put us ahead but not in the ways some imagine. You see we came into this world with nothing, and nothing is going with us on the way out! So as long as we are clothed and fed, we should be happy. But those who chase riches are constantly falling into temptation and snares. They are regularly caught by their own stupid and harmful desires, dragged down and pulled under into ruin and destruction. For the love of money — and what it can buy — is the root of all sorts of evil. Some already have wandered away from the true faith because they craved what it had to offer; but when reaching for the prize, they found their hands and hearts pierced with many sorrows. Timothy, don’t let this happen to you — run away from these things! You are a man of
Helping Churches on the Brink
Note from Jesus Dear Beloved, On Paul’s last visit with the Ephesian elders, he warned them: Here are my instructions: diligently guard yourselves, and diligently guard the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has given you oversight. Shepherd the church of God, this precious church which He made His own through the blood of His own Son. I know that after I’ve gone, dangerous wolves will sneak in among you, savaging the flock. Some of you here today will begin twisting the truth, enticing disciples to go your way, to follow you. You must be on guard, and you must remember my way of life among you. For three years, I have kept on, persistently warning everyone, day and night, with tears. So now I put you in God’s hands. I entrust you to the message of God’s grace, a message that has the power to build you up and to give you rich heritage among all who are set apart for God’s holy purposes. (Acts 20:28-32) In many ways, the issues Paul addressed to the Ephesian elders in these verses are the same ones in his letters of 1 Timothy and Titus. Paul sent these two letters to men he mentored from their youth to help them to be missionaries, church planters, and ministers. In their letters to churches, Jude and Peter also had to address those kinds of issues unequivocally and with urgency and strong language. Each of these faithful servants had to be bold in confronting difficult challenges. Many of My churches were on the brink of destruction as they faced a variety of difficult issues. Even in New Testament times, problems arose in churches as they began to grow and age. Some of those problems that were addressed in letters to various churches had to do with persecutions. Some had to do with people who refused to get along with each other. Some had to do with false teachers who spread gangrenous teaching that undermined the gospel. How could Paul guard new churches against these kinds of problems? Where could he turn to provide direction for these churches through their storms? He appointed elders and mentored ministers to appoint elders and to deal with these issues. They warned of coming heresies. They spoke directly about the lure of immorality that could infect and disable their churches and could harm their witness to a lost world. Paul appointed elders in the towns where he planted churches (Acts 14:23). These elders were sometimes called overseers (bishops) (Acts 20:28 NIV). Their job was to shepherd or pastor My people (1 Peter 5:1-4) just as I AM the shepherd for My flock of sheep (John 10:1-18). These elders were to protect the flock of God from false teachers, to correct My disciples when they were not living holy lives, to encourage them in their walk with Me, and to lead by example. At the end of Paul’s life, he had to face several imprisonments while trying to make sure the new churches were stable and protected by wise spiritual leaders. In 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul gave character qualities for both male and female leaders. He warned against fussing and fighting over meaningless arguments. He shared standards of behavior for young ministers as they dealt with different age groups. Paul entrusted this work with churches in Crete to Titus and with churches in Ephesus to Timothy. These men were to carry on Paul’s work, appoint faithful leaders in churches, and be men of courage and character as they led. Paul saw their faithful ministry as the key for the church’s future. His instructions make up what are commonly called the Pastoral Epistles of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus. You will find similar kinds of teaching and concerns in the short letter of Jude and the letter of 2 Peter as they directly addressed these same issues. Verses to Live Today’s verses come from 1 Timothy, Titus, Jude, and 2 Peter. Leadership for the future, guidance for the present, confrontation of false teachers at the moment, and a constant and clear focus on the core gospel and on My ultimate return give strength to churches on the brink. Too often these words are forgotten and ignored today, so I hope you will spend some time letting Paul, Jude, and Peter awaken you to the urgency of living faithfully both in the present and into the future. Paul, an emissary of Jesus the Anointed commissioned by order of God our Savior and Jesus the Anointed, our living and certain hope, to you, Timothy, my true son in the faith. May the grace, mercy, and peace that come only from God the Father and our Lord Jesus the Anointed mark your life. As I said that day I left for Macedonia, stay in Ephesus and instruct the unruly people in the church, once and for all, to stop teaching a different doctrine. Tell them to turn away from fables and endless genealogies. These activities just cause more arguments and confusion. Instead, they should concern themselves with welcoming in and bringing about the reign of God, which is all about faith. (1 Timothy 1:1-4) Here’s another statement you may trust: if anyone is seeking a position as overseer in the church, he desires an honorable and important work. Here are the qualifications to look for in an overseer: a spotless reputation, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, sensible, respectable, welcoming to strangers (allowing them into his home), and gifted to teach. Disqualify any drunk or violent man. Look for a gentle man; no belligerent fellow can follow this calling. And he should be free from money lust. He should exert good control over his own household, and his children should obey and honor him. (If someone can’t manage his own household, then how can he take care of God’s family?) He mustn’t be someone recently converted; otherwise, he may become arrogant and fall into the devil’s condemnation. He should also be
Investing in God’s Future
Note from Jesus Dear Precious Disciple, I appreciate your desire to follow Me and put Me first in your life. Your efforts at faithfulness do not go unnoticed. Your work to honor the Father will not be forgotten. Thank you for your courage to live for Me in a world that so often turns away from My teaching. As you live your life of faith, I urge you to pay attention to Paul’s words to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:1-2). He was reminding Timothy that while living faithfully in your current generation is vital, you must also help build the future of God’s people by investing in the younger generations around you. Live for your grandchildren — both your physical grandchildren and your spiritual grandchildren — to have faith! Don’t write off or dismiss as hopeless those younger than you just because they are immature or find themselves caught up in a culture different from your own. Just as Paul always had several younger men around him that he was training — John Mark, Timothy, Silas, and Titus for example — you must also invest in loving and training those younger than you. Notice that Paul made clear that this principle wasn’t just for men. He challenged Titus to call older women to invest their lives in younger women, as well (Titus 2:4 NLT). This training principle is universal and essential if future generations are going to have faith in Me! The Father has always wanted us to live for future generations to have faith. I lived that way myself, investing in my apostles and telling them to invest in future disciples by training them to obey what I taught (Matthew 28:18-20). Even in my crucifixion, I was investing in future generations to have faith. Remember the Psalm that defined my death? Notice how it begins — my agony — and how it ends — my victory declared to future generations! My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? … Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! (Psalm 22:1, 30-31) Please, dear follower, live for future generations to have faith by investing in them, praying for them, and encouraging them in their life of faith. Verses to Live Notice Paul’s principle that he taught to Timothy, a principle for four generations of faith: You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Timothy 2:1-2) Response in Prayer O Father, I am convicted by Jesus’ call to make disciples and Paul’s challenge to Timothy to invest in future generations. Please use me, dear Father, to make a difference in the lives of future generations. Be with my children and my grandchildren — both physical and spiritual — and guard them as I invest myself in them. Forgive me, dear Lord, for not focusing on them as I should. Give me the wisdom to know best how to bless them for their future and Your glory. In the name of Jesus, I ask for this grace. Amen. ‘A Year with Jesus’ is written by Phil Ware. © 1998-2024, Heartlight, Inc. ‘A Year with Jesus‘ is part of the Heartlight Network.All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Voice™. © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.