Play Dough (Jeremiah 18, 2 Timothy 3)

The Israelites were bent on doing what they wanted to do with their lives instead of following God's plans for their lives (Jeremiah 18:12). Israel had seemingly forgot that God was the potter and that they were the clay. God had given Israel time to repent (18:5-10). However, because Israel would not repent, God announces judgment to come (18:16-17). Jeremiah 19 is yet another example of God being the Potter and Israel being the clay. We are no different than the Israelites. God has given mankind time to repent before the day of Judgment comes. Man tends to forget that God is the Potter and that man is the clay and that no matter what man chooses in this life, God is still in control. Take time to acknowledge today that God is in control despite the choices that you make.

2 Timothy 3:1-9 and 2 Timothy 3:10-17 represent two seperate idealogies. The godless are many in our day (3:1-9), yet the godly man or woman is hard to find (3:10-17). As you read through these two passages, do the characteristics of the first or second passage identify more to your life? What changes can you make to become more like a man or woman of God?

Am I like Jeremiah? (Jeremiah 15-17, 2 Timothy 2)

Jeremiah 15:1 contains some steep words from God's mouth concerning judgment against his people. God's mind had been made up and there was no one who could change it. God, however, would rescue only Jeremiah, if he repented, from the coming doom (15:19, NIV Compact Bible Commentary, p. 377). Just as God delivered Israel from Egypt in the past, He promises to come to their rescue once again to deliver them from their upcoming captivity in Babylon (16:2-15, NIVCBC, p. 377-78). 17:5-8 contrasts a man who trusts God with a man who trusts in himself and others. 17:19-27 contrasts a people who obey God's commands with a people who do not. The man who trusts God and and loves God will know and obey God's commands (John 14:21). What type of person are you? If you are the type who delights in God's Word (15:16), you are like the prophet Jeremiah.

Paul gives some practical insights that apply to all Christ-followers in 2 Timothy 2:1-7. He then tells Timothy to remember Christ (1:8). Paul's letter to Timothy is full of practical advice for a Christ-follower. As you read it, what advice stands out to you that can help you in your walk with Christ?

Testify! (Jeremiah 12-14, 2 Timothy 1)

In Jeremiah 12-14, God pronounces judgment on his people. In Jeremiah 13:1-14, God uses two illustrations to drive this point home (A linen belt and wineskins). Jeremiah cannot understand why the wicked prosper (12:1-4). However, I am sure God's answer brought comfort to Jeremiah (12:5-17). Even before Jeremiah questioned God, he demonstrated humility in his complaint by stating that God was "righteous" (12:1). Part of God's reply to Jeremiah's questioning included the fact that Israel's spiritual leaders were leading others astray (12:10, 14:14-15). One thing we can learn from this passage is that it is ok to question God. Have you asked God, a "why" question lately? What was your attitude like when you asked him? It is important to have an attitude like Jeremiah's and know that God is righteous before you ask him "why".

Because God has given us a "spirit of power, of love, and of self discipline" (2 Tim. 1:7), we should be able to testify and suffer for him (2 Tim. 1:8). We suffer for the sake of the gospel (1:11-12) and have nothing to be ashamed of (1:12). Have you shared Christ recently (at home, school, or work), and suffered for it? Read Matthew 5:11-12!

Scarecrows (Jeremiah 9-11, I Timothy 6)

Jeremiah 9-11 reveals Israel's unfaithfulness to the Lord. Jeremiah, being the prayer-warrior and man of God that he is, is about at his rope's end because of his nation's unfaithfulness to God (Jeremiah 9:1). I doubt many of us have cried over our nation's condition before God like Jeremiah did. Israel had broken covenant with their God (Jeremiah 11) and Jeremiah "identified with his people's sufferings" (8:21, MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 853). Jeremiah compares Israel's false gods to that of scarecrows (10:5) which "cannot speak or walk." What scarecrows (false gods) can you identify in your own life? I think the prophet Jeremiah and the apostle Paul would have made good friends with one another. Both Jeremiah and Paul speak of the importance of boasting in the Lord (Jer. 9:24, 2 Corinthians 10:17). As we remove the false idols found in our lives, I believe that we will find that we have more items to boast about in the Lord.

I Timothy 6:3-5 reminds me of the "health, wealth, and prosperity gospel" that is often preached about on television. This is a false gospel and it often lacks talk about the doctrine of God's wrath, hell, and Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Christ did not come to this earth solely to bless us and make us happy. Quite the opposite however is revealed in 2 Timothy 3:12: "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

A Better Day (Isaiah 65-66 / 1 Timothy 2)

Israel had been praying for national deliverance and in Isaiah 65-66, God answers their supplication (MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 838, 840). God reveals to the nation that there is a better day coming. On earth, we have all seen infants die prematurely and old men not live out their days (65:20). However, this will not be the case in the "new heavens" and the "new earth" (65:17). "Israel's future kingdom will include a temporal kingdom of a thousand years (Rev. 20:1-10) and an eternal kingdom in God's new creation (Rev. 21:1-8)"(MBC, p. 841). There will be "peace like a river" (66:12) in this new kingdom. As I was eating lunch yesterday, I overheard a lady talk about life on this beautiful earth. The truth is that this present earth does not always look beautiful to people who are struggling. That is why this passage of Scripture is comforting. There is a better day coming and that better day includes a "new heaven" and a "new earth."

I Timothy 2:12 has often been a centerpiece in the theological discussion/argument concerning the role of women in the church. Many books and journal articles have been written about these matters. The most likely scenario in this case is that there were some women in Ephesus who were desiring to be "public preachers" (MBC, p. 1783). Paul did not say women could not run for a political office, hold key positions in the business world, or do other important tasks. Paul simply says that in the church, the role of the pastor should belong to a man. Paul states this rule on a theological basis that dates back to the creation of man and woman (Genesis 2:18. 3:1-7) rather than just forming his own opinion on the subject. This rule does not imply that men are any better than women. It simply means that from the beginning of time, God has assigned perfect and beautiful roles for biblical manhood and womanhood that should not be abandoned or replaced.

God's Clay (Isaiah 62-64 / 1 Timothy 1)

God's love for his city and his people stand out in Isaiah 62. His people reminisce about the past days in Isaiah 63:11-14 and question God concerning his relationship with their enemies (63:17-19). Isaiah is not saying that God made the Israelites sin (v. 17) but rather that He allowed them to stray off course. Even though no one is righteous (64:6) and no one seeks God (64:7), God is still in the process of forming something good (64:8). It is ok to question God on things you do not understand (64:12). However, it is not ok for the clay to be bitter with its Maker (45:9). Are you experiencing conflict with God? As you talk to the Potter, keep in mind that you are his clay.

Paul constantly kept in mind who he was before he met Christ (I Timothy 1:12-17). It is important that we always remember where we came from. This is the benefit of having a personal testimony to share with the world. People can argue against many things but it is very difficult to argue with one's personal testimony. This is especially true for those who knew who you were and how you acted before you met Christ. How long has it been since you shared your personal testimony?

He is Coming! (Isaiah 59-61 / 2 Thessalonians 3)

As I read Isaiah 59-61, I see grace at work. It appears in Is. 59 that the Israelites were no better than those nations that lived around them. Is. 59:15 says truth and peace were absent in the land while the next verse reads that God saw that there was "no one" to intervene. However, verse 20 changes tone as a Redeemer is promised! This grace is extended to Zion in chapter 60 and chapter 61 reveals who the Redeemer is (in light of the New Testament). Remember Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, read these words (Is. 61:1-2) about Himself in Luke 4:18-19. Likewise, Romans 3:10-11 in the NT reveals that no one is righteous and that there is no one who understands. We are no different than the Israelites and the nations around them. Left to our own means, we remain in sin (Romans 3:20). Praise God today that He sent a Redeemer by the name of Jesus to save us and the nations (Romans 3:21-31).

The Thessalonians had become complacent in their walk with Christ. Knowing that Jesus could come back for them at any moment, they began to take this idea to the extremes by just waiting around for Him (not working, being lazy). In his letter to the church of Thessalonica, Paul urges those brothers who are being slack to get to work. I think our American society operates opposite of what Paul had to deal with in his day. So I would pose this question to you. Are you working so much that you do not take time to reflect on Christ and His Second Coming?