Ezekiel 33:7-9 – “Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. 8 “When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. 9 “But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life.” NASB

I do not want to be political in my devotional, but I have to ask is it always right to be silent?  A time back, I became aware of a ‘racy advertisement’ out of Colorado that used beer and sex to promote the Affordable Health Care Act.  It’s been a few years back but still speaks to today.

The picture was of a young woman with a guy standing beside her and the caption was “Let’s Get Physical OMG, he’s hot!  Let’s hope he’s as easy to get as this birth control.  My health insurance covers the pill, which means all I have to worry about is getting him between the covers.”  I got insurance.  Now you can too.  Thanks, Obamacare!”  Am I, as a Christian supposed to ignore that immoral nature of that and not speak out in condemnation of that kind of advertising?  I Cannot!

In fact, I find that on more than one occasion in the Bible God considered ‘silence’ as being complicit in the action.  If you will recall when Moses was commanded to ‘speak to the rock’ and with Aaron standing beside him in anger he smote the rock.  The rock was a type of Christ and God did not take Moses’ disobedience lightly nor did he take Aaron’s silence as his brother committed this act lightly.  They were both Banned from entering the Promised Land.  Therefore, I have to wonder if I would be guilty and complicit if I remained silent while this type of action is taken on behalf of a government program! 

Regardless of whether God would hold me guilty with those who did this my repulsion for this type of encouraged declension morally is more than I can tolerate.  I don’t care what political party you identify with, hopefully, you identify with God first and foremost and are appalled at this.  It is time that we speak out against evil no matter where it originates and with whom it originates.  My purpose is not to be political in a devotional, but we must allow the Holy Spirit to so touch our hearts that we are deeply troubled by the apparent depravity of our country in allowing this and encouraging this. 

There are times when I believe that we as Christians must rise up and Speak and Express our Revulsion to some things.  This kind of public behavior is one of those for me.  I pray to God that as America where the motto on our money is still, “In God We Trust” that we unite in prayer for revival in this land.  If this is an indication of where we are morally then we are in deep trouble as a nation.

God bless you as you go through your day!

John 8:31-36 – “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.  35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.  36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”  NKJV

You can be in chains and not be a slave or be without bond and be enslaved.  Chains do not determine Freedom.  The heart and mind do!  Unfortunately, nothing we do will eradicate human bondage and men will enslave other men against their wills in the natural.  I can only imagine the physical, mental, and even spiritual torture that being captive brings.  My heart breaks for anyone who has endured that condition either as a prisoner of war, a human slave against their will, a hostage, or anything of the like. 

I know two men who although captives, were never Enslaved in their hearts and minds.  One was a Japanese prisoner during WWII and escaped the other was held in Hanoi by the Vietnamese and endured years of horrific inhumane torture and abuse.  Both professed that their faith in God and belief in the Word of God kept them Free though in chains.  They were and are examples of True Freedom!

The only True Freedom is through the shed blood of Jesus and the Grace of God.  If we receive the forgiveness of sin and are born again we experience True Freedom.  A person that is thusly free can be imprisoned, chained, and otherwise enslaved physically but they will Never be a Slave in their heart or mind because the Son has set them free!

Today, in America, we still celebrate our Independence, and yet multiplied thousands are still enslaved in some form.  Enslavement of the mind is possibly worse than being enslaved in the flesh for if a person’s mind is captive the attitude and actions will reflect that condition.  Breaking free and living life to the full is virtually impossible because the mind is in chains to wrong thinking, victimization, and false premises.  But if we receive the Freedom that Jesus came and brought we CANNOT be enslaved.  Remember, if God is for who can be against us or as a friend always says what difference does it make who is against us if God is for us.

God bless you and BE FREE in Jesus. 

Habakkuk 1:1-4 – “The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw. 2 How long, O LORD, will I call for help, and You will not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save. 3 Why do You make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises. 4 Therefore the law is ignored and justice is never upheld. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore justice comes out perverted.”  NASB

I can hear the pain in the words of the prophet of old.  He is praying, preaching, and warning but nothing is happening.  God seems to be a million miles from him and his world around him crumbling.  I can hear the depressions, frustration, and anxiety in his words and confess, I have felt that way before. 

I felt like Elijah after his confrontation and victory over Jezebel and the prophets of Baal.  He sat under the juniper tree wallowing in his plight and complained to God, “I did what you said, and now it’s just me… Nobody cares, so let me die… Woe is me!”  God spoke to him, “Get up and quit wallowing in your self-pity.  I am still God and will act in My time and My way.  Your job is to do what I say.  You are not responsible for the outcome or attitude of others.”   God quickened my heart and I repented before Him and, in His time and His way, the victory came or is coming! 

I love the response of God to the prophet that begins in v 5 and God says, “Open your eyes and look around.”  When we do that.  When we really open our eyes spiritually, we are often Astonished and Awed by God’s ways and works. 

I love the statement in the latter portion of that verse, “Because I am doing something in your days – You would not believe if you were told.”  We must shake yourself and come out of the doldrums and tunnel vision of our on immediate reality to see what God is doing.  We should remember that He (God) sees the end from the beginning, and we can only see the beginning from the end.  He is Omnipotent, Omniscient, and Omnipresent.  He is infinite but we are finite.  He is unlimited but we are limited.  He is God the Creator of Everything and we are the created. 

It is like the little lady talking about faith saying, “If God tells me to jump through a hole in the wall it is my business or responsibility to jump and His to make the hole in the wall.”  The key is GOD Telling us not us deciding to jump.

Yes, our world is troubled and terrible things are happening all around us.  The genocide of abortion, the despotism that is bringing chaos to the world and misery to millions is a reality.  The darkness of sin seems to be growing stronger and stronger and evil men are waxing worse all the time.  Yet, God is still God and greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.  With God, all things are possible, and we are in God. 

There is a shaking happening and perilous times are upon us but at the same time there is a harvest and an awakening in the Spirit realm that is mighty and awesome.  We simply need to allow the Holy Spirit to Open our Eyes and enable us to see beyond the natural into the supernatural. 

When you have been praying and nothing seems to be happening, remember the words of the angel to Daniel, “We heard you on the first day…”  Hold the words of 1 John 5:14-15 near your heart, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.”  NASB

Do not lose heart and do not give up!  Weeping may last for the night, but joy and victory are coming!   

God, bless you richly is my prayer!

Nahum 1:1-3 – “The oracle of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. 2 A jealous and avenging God is the LORD; The LORD is avenging and wrathful. The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies.  3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” NASB

Most of us would rather talk about “God is Love” rather than “God is a Consuming Fire.”  We like the Mercies of God, not the Judgments, and rightly so.  No one wants to be judged or punished.  We want mercy and forgiveness and that is the ultimate heart of God as revealed in both the Old and New Testaments.  I have often said, “God is more willing to give pardon than we are to receive it.”  In that I mean, He is always looking for a way to restore, and sometimes we are too full of pride to truly repent and submit ourselves to Him in humility, repentance, and faith.

This is an incredibly interesting prophecy for it deals with a city that repented when Jonah preached to them of impending destruction.  Now, this city has drifted back to its former state and God’s patience has worn thin.  If we only had this book of the Bible to understand who God is, we would not see Him as He really is but only as a vengeful being with the power to crush mankind like a bug. 

When I read, “A jealous and avenging God is the LORD…”  I tremble.  When I continue reading and hear, “The LORD is avenging and wrathful…”  I am terrified.  When I read, “The LORD takes vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies.”  I want to find a hiding place, but quickly realize there is none. 

Who are the enemies of the LORD immediately becomes my question and quest to discover so I can avoid being among that number?  He becomes that image many have of God that He is “carrying a big stick and just waiting for us to step out of line so He can beat us over the head.” 

That image of God prevents the one adhering to that concept from every developing a loving and learning relationship with Him.  We dare not become too visible and certainly would never want to get too near out of paralytic fear.  When we read, “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished” we become hopeless.  What if we are the ones deemed guilty and guilty, we are for “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”?  What do we do?  Where do we turn?  Where is our Hope?

Thankfully this is not the only reference concerning God in the Bible.  We do need to understand His Power and that at a word He can cause the sea to become dry, the clouds obey His command, the soil and cities of the Earth are under His power.  Nothing escapes His eye and there is no place to hide from His presence.  So, if we align ourselves with the devil directly or indirectly, intentionally, or unintentionally and allow our devices to become a scheme against God Look Out!  We sometimes fret over the lack of obvious judgment for the wicked and those who openly oppose God and His people but take heart God promises or warns that whatever anyone schemes against Him will come to nothing. 

Nineveh was informed by Nahum the prophet that though they were strong and full of themselves they would be cut down to nothing.  They had been known for generations as a might people but soon would find their name no longer mentioned in awe and they would be cut off.  Then, the prophet slips in a word concerning the Coming Messiah in v 15, “Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace!”  

That was a word of comfort to the Jewish people and to all of those in generations to come who Believe!  The wicked will not prevail but God will and in Him we will ascend to the mountain of God and worship in His Holy Hill.  We should fear the LORD with reverential fear and know that there is another side to Him beyond Judgment.  He is also the God of Mercy!  He longs for us to COME TO HIM!

God, bless you as you rest in His presence and peace.

Hebrews 1:1-4 – “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.”

In John 1:1-5 we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”  That was the apostle John’s description and definition of Jesus and here in Hebrews, the writer echoes the same thing with a direct application to you and me about who we are, our hope, and our manner of life.

The Bible reveals from Genesis through to Revelation that God is a speaking God!  He talks, He speaks, He uses words to convey His message, ministry, and purpose.  The writer of Hebrews addressed the truth that God had used the prophets of ages past to speak to man and reveal His plan and purposes.  He then reminds the readers that, in that present time the Last Days, God was speaking again through Jesus.  

But who was or is Jesus?  To many of that day, He was merely a carpenter’s son, a Jew, and some even recognized Him as a prophet but not all recognized Him as the Son of God and Messiah.  Yet, if His message is to resonate and have transforming power in our lives we must recognize and receive Him as Messiah, the only begotten Son of God, and Savior of the World.

Hebrews declares that this Jesus was appointed by the Father as ‘heir of all things’ and ‘creator of the world.’  He is described as the Light or the Radiance of God’s Glory and the exact representation of the Father in His nature.  He is the giver and sustainer of life and ‘upholds all things by the Word of His Power’.  Notice it did not say the Power of His Words but the Word of His Power!  He is more than Words! 

He came for the purpose to seek and save mankind, to provide Himself as a sinless sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and redeem mankind from the ownership of the devil.  Once He completed that task of purification He sat down at the right hand of the Father and was Lord of All. 

Romans 14:11 quotes Isaiah 45 and declares of Jesus, “…every knee shall bow… and every tongue shall praise God.”  Philippians 2:10refers to that same prophetic utterance and says of Jesus that He has a name exalted above all names and that one day at the name of Jesus Every Knee will Bow and Every Tongue will Confess that He is Lord! 

Isaiah 9:6 identifies Him as the coming one upon whom the government of God will rest, and His name will declare God’s Glory.  He is Emmanuel.  Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”  Who is Jesus?  He is the sinless Son of God who came and gave His life a ransom for you and me.  He is Messiah! 

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”  He invites us to Come!  He invites us to Call Upon Him!  He invites us to Enter into the New Birth through repentance and confession of sin.  It is by Grace through Faith that we become New Creations transformed from darkness into His marvelous light.  We are invited to depart from a life of sin and enter into a life of righteousness and enjoy the peace that the world cannot give and cannot take away.  We are invited to enjoy Abundant Life and in that have Eternal Life in and through Jesus.

Who is Jesus?  He is the Savior waiting for you to call.  Who is Jesus?  He is the healer waiting to restore you to health.  Who is Jesus?  He is your provider wanting to open heaven’s windows for you and pour out blessings beyond your ability to contain.  Who is Jesus?  He is the one who loves you enough to die for your sins.  Who is Jesus?  He is Savior.  Your savior and my savior.  He is the Light of the World.  He is JESUS!

God, bless you as you embark on today’s leg of life’s journey in Jesus!

Philemon 8-16 – “Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9 yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you — since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus —  10 I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, 11 who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12 I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, so that on your behalf he might minister to me in my imprisonment for the gospel; 14 but without your consent I did not want to do anything, so that your goodness would not be, in effect, by compulsion but of your own free will. 15 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”  NASB

No matter what Paul thought of slavery he recognized it as a legal reality in his day and always sought to do right with a right heart and spirit.  The matter was Philemon, a believer’s slave or servant, Onesimus.  Paul had encountered this slave while in prison and Onesimus had ministered to Paul giving him immeasurable comfort and blessing.  Now Paul addresses the matter with Philemon and asks him to “do the right thing”.  Paul does not instruct him to free this slave but to DO WHAT IS RIGHT and that expresses confidence in God to move on the heart of this fellow believer in a positive manner.

Notice, Paul says, “…though I have enough confidence in Christ to Order You to do what is proper, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you…”  He did not come at Philemon with his gospel guns blazing as we are too often do but based his appeal on LOVE!  The love of Philemon for Paul, the love of people, and more importantly Love for God. 

Paul did the right thing the right way and, in that appeal, opened the door for the Spirit of God to move on Philemon’s heart and everyone could rejoice.  Had he demanded Philemon release Onesimus, Philemon might have done so because of his respect and love for Paul but there would have been a door open for a root of bitterness to spring up and resentment could have taken root.  Paul took the path of Love and Respect and appealed based on Love and Right.

He identified the service Onesimus had provided.  He identified the conversion of Onesimus to the faith.  He addressed the fact that the slave was a runaway and, in that condition, and attitude was of no value to Philemon but as a result of his spiritual experience he was now more valuable than ever. 

Paul acknowledged the legal rights of Philemon in this matter and although he wanted Onesimus to stay with him he informed Philemon that “without his consent”, which recognized the legal rights, he would do nothing.  Then he appealed for Philemon to now regard Onesimus, not as a slave but a brother in Christ. 

Paul could have said, “Slavery is wrong and encouraged Onesimus to continue his desire to escape.”  He could have but instead, appealed to Philemon and Onesimus to Do the Right thing the Right Way.  This is not about slavery and its rightness or wrongness, it is about Love, Respect, and Honoring others.  It is about Loving God to the point that in all things and at all times we seek to Do the Right Thing in the Right Way! 

There is much more that could and should be said on this matter but hopefully, this will challenge your hearts to consider those things you do and consider why you do them.  Right is right, but right done in a wrong way or with a wrong attitude can be as destructive as wrong.  God help us to do right and be right in our attitudes as well as our actions!

God, bless you richly is my desire and prayer!

Titus 3:5-11 – “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. 9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11 knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.”  NASB

Interesting translation of the word in v 10 “hairetikos”.  The KJV translates it heretic and the NASB uses factious.  On the surface, they do not seem the same but when you examine the word in the Greek the word is “itself and schismatic” coming from the word that means ‘to make a choice’ or ‘prefer’.  In that light, I can see both renderings for this individual is one who has made the choice to make self, more important than truth and promotes schisms in the Body of Christ. 

Titus was instructed to ‘reject’ which would be to ‘shun’ or ‘avoid.’  That identifies a root problem in the Church that is too often avoided rather than confronted.  That was one of the purposes of Paul leaving Titus behind.  He was to ‘set in order’ the church and establish godly leadership which included church discipline, a foreign element in the modern church world.  We are too busy trying to keep everybody happy to address issues that separate, divide, and diminish the testimony of the church and hinders the spiritual progress of the members.

We are Saved not based on ‘what we have done’ even righteous acts but by Grace through God’s incredible Mercy!  We have experienced the washing of regeneration and renewal by the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  It is by Grace that we become heirs of God and granted the Hope of Eternal Life.  In our pursuit of God there are times when we must ‘separate’ from people and things in order to pursue God and His righteousness and to maintain a testimony before the world.

The devil likes nothing better than the church or churches to engage in unanswerable questions, hair-splitting, straining at gnats, and debates that do not produce life or win souls.  Thus, we come to the issue of church discipline and marking individuals who continually engage in division. 

Notice, he said that this person was to be warned twice before this drastic action took place and that is in perfect harmony with the instructions of Jesus in Matthew 18:14-20 as He gives the directive on dealing with divisions.  You go to the one who sins or offends and, with a heart of love with the objective or restoration in mind, discuss the matter with him/her.  If that is rejected, you take one or two more with you.  You do not take people on your side but on God’s side who meet the qualifications

Paul lists early in his instructions for leadership.  If that is rejected, you then (third time) take it to the church and if that admonition or plea is rejected and not repentance results you “reject” or “shun” that individual.  Your purpose is never to prove a point but with a heart of redemption.

We need godly people speaking into our lives to reveal our blind spots or in those times we drift from the pathway God has designed and become factious or heretical and cause division and disruption.  We are The Body of Christ and the Body needs all its members to function in a manner that builds up the entire body in love.

God, bless you as you enjoy this day in Jesus!

2 Timothy 1:3-7 – “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, 4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”  NASB

There are several sermons or devotionals in these few verses so I will lump them together and hopefully encourage you in your daily walk and pursuit of your ministry and assignment in life.  Timothy was Paul’s spiritual son and someone he had learned to rely on for encouragement, loyalty, faithfulness, and prayer support to name a few.  In Paul’s address to Timothy, he reveals his heart and the upbringing of Timothy and how important godly examples are in life.

Paul expresses his overflowing heart of thanksgiving declaring that he serves God with a Clear Conscience.  I could spend enough time here to write chapters on the matter of conscience and how powerful this declaration is especially when coupled with a demonstrated life of faithfulness and godliness.  Paul not only addressed his own heart but reminded Timothy of the importance and power of Prayer telling him, “I constantly remember you in my prayers day and night.”  It was not a “God bless Timothy” passing mention but testifies of intercession out of love and longing to be reunited with him. 

He reminded Timothy of how powerful Timothy’s own tears and love touched the great apostle.  Then, Paul called to remembrance the heritage of faith that Timothy had in his mother and grandmother.  He was raised in a godly home and that is a powerful testimony to the directive of Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Your influence and impact on your children are far greater than you might imagine or believe.  You are sowing seeds in them that will produce a harvest so ensure you are sowing to godliness.

Then the apostle reminds Timothy of the gift or gifts of God in him and the power of being ordained of God to function in a particular area of ministry and life.  Then, Paul calls to attention the gravity of this ministry and the reality that not everyone will willingly accept the Gospel message.  He says, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and discipline.”  The KJV says, “sound mind” or “committed/fixed mind” which can be understood in Isaiah 26:3, “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace because he trusts in You.”  We become like a nail driven in a sure place because of our commitment to and devotion to the Lord.  Our minds are stayed on Him and we are bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

We are more than conquerors in Christ and as we are nurtured and developed by godly parents and godly mentors, we find that we gain strength for the struggle and power to overcome.  Righteousness begets righteousness and faithfulness begets faithfulness.  We can learn both as the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.  So, allow your heart to be nurtured and become a nurturing example to those under your care.

God, bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

1 Timothy 1:3-5 – “As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. 5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”  NASB

In Church, I have witnessed some incredibly zealous people who believed it was their God-given assignment to ‘Set People Straight’ when in doctrinal error or perceived doctrinal error.  They were not wholly as the Church of Ephesus of Revelation 2 where they could not tolerate evil men and put to test those who claimed to be apostles and found them false.  No, they were equal opportunity correctors of anyone and everyone who strayed from their doctrinal trail and they SET THEM STRAIGHT.  There were times they would use Paul’s instructions to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1 to justify their actions as well as using the words of Jesus.

However, before we condemn this action or defend it, we should consider a key statement by Paul regarding Timothy’s assignment and their ministry.  In verse 5 Paul says, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”  Simply, the objective in correction is not SETTING THEM STRAIGHT but leading them to the truth so that restoration can transpire. 

That is always the objective in dealing with sin or error.  It is not simply putting people in their place it is leading them to the light.  I am reminded of the ministry of Priscilla and Aquila in dealing with Apollos in Acts 18.  They led him to a more full understanding rather than attempting to put him in his place or set him straight.  The objective as in all ministry is reconciliation and restoration.  It is bringing people to their fullest potential in Christ and the Gospel.

Paul addressed some of the areas these false or deceived teachers were engaging in and identified their ignorance as well as malice.  He does not trash the Law but identifies the truth that the Law is not for the Righteous but the Unrighteous.  He testifies of his own ignorance and persecution of those who believed and rejoiced in the Mercy of God.  He recognized that it is possible for a person to drift into error and through love be led back to the right path and restored. 

I have heard preachers preach hell and judgment so powerfully that one could almost feel the flames of hell leaping at their feet.  When that transpires under the anointing of the Holy Spirit out of a heartbroken in love it is incredibly powerful and beneficial.  However, I have known some who preach hell as though they enjoyed it and demonstrated a Pharisaical attitude looking down their noses as SINNERS!  That is not the heart of God nor was can it be found in Paul’s instruction to Timothy. 

Timothy was given an assignment that would be difficult.  Often false teachers have a devoted following and when you counter their tenets you encounter the wrath of the devotees.  However, if we walk, as Jesus walked and manifest His heart, character, love, and righteousness the Holy Spirit brings conviction to hearts and people are brought back to the right path and enjoy restoration.  Our objective is not to present ourselves as ‘holier than thou’ and our assignment is not to SET THEM STRAIGHT but to speak the truth in love and lift up Jesus!

God, bless you as you embark on today’s leg of your life’s journey in Christ!