Though he was a giant of the faith, he was a real man, with real emotions, and personality. As we read his letters, and this his last, we get a glimpse of the man. And, I think the Apostle Paul must have been a patriotic, sports fan. He sure uses lots of soldier and sportsContinue reading “This, FIRST!”
Tag Archives: live the Word
Where are the faithful?
I wonder, have we forgotten the importance, the incredible value of FAITHFULNESS , in those we look to as our teachers? Paul encouraged Timothy to commit the things he had heard from him to FAITHFUL men who would be able to teach others. (2 Tim 2:2) Are we more drawn to big personalities, who canContinue reading “Where are the faithful?”
Others are going to hurt us.
Others are going to hurt us this side of Heaven. And, it seems, those closest to us can hurt us the most. As Paul sat in prison, he had been abandoned and betrayed by his friends Phygellus and Hermogenes (2 Tim 1:15). Paul felt this hurt. It’s significant to me that Paul did not complainContinue reading “Others are going to hurt us.”
When they call you names
Yesterday, a young, full of himself and this world person, called me “”Karen” after I shared something he didn’t like. While he meant it in a derogatory way, I smiled because one of the most godly women I have ever known was named “Karen”. She is with Jesus now, and she was my friend andContinue reading “When they call you names”
Hang on! We’re going to see the VICTORY!
Paul is about to end his letter to Timothy in the same way he started it -to challenge Timothy to “wage the good warfare” (I Tim 1:18). As his old hands are about to lay his pen down, roll the letter up and dispatch it to his prodigy, he writes the words, “fight the goodContinue reading “Hang on! We’re going to see the VICTORY!”
Nothing to FEAR
Take a slow read of these words the Apostle Paul penned so very long ago. May we take them to heart in this day. May we not live in fear, but be warned and so very careful about who we allow to speak into our lives – “If anyoneteaches otherwiseand does not consentto wholesome words,evenContinue reading “Nothing to FEAR”
Ever had trouble with another person?
Having trouble with a fellow believer? No… surely not! The thing is, it’s pretty common. But the truth is, we are called to serve others and respect them. Always. When Paul wrote his letter to Timothy, Christians owned other Christians (can you imagine?) Yet Paul encouraged them, that if they were a slave to aContinue reading “Ever had trouble with another person?”
Drinking and Dancing…well sorta
Drinking and dancing. Now, those topics could “open a can of worms” as we like to say here in the south. And here,in the south,in the Bible Belt,…we’ve known since we’ve known much of anything, that Baptists don’t drink and some won’t even dance. Well, not in public anyways! But THE APOSTLE Paul says, “NoContinue reading “Drinking and Dancing…well sorta”
Hold on!
As I pick up my Bible again to I Timothy, here’s Timothy, he’s Paul’s prodigy. He’s wise beyond his years and well studied in the Scriptures. He is trusted with evangelizing and teaching in the early churches in Corinth and Thessalonica. Yet, Paul feels the need to warn Timothy with strong words, “I charge youContinue reading “Hold on!”
Pay the man!
“You know, if we just slide a little bit of that tithe money over here, our bathroom could be Pinterest perfect.” Oh, I’ve been tempted with such things as I think about allocation of finances. Have you? The Apostle Paul has been talking about the allocation of finances in the church (I Tim 5) HeContinue reading “Pay the man!”
A little confession
In First Timothy, Paul talks about benevolence. First, he makes it clear that a man is to provide for his own family. He is to work. (1 Tim 5:8) And your first thought might be, like I confess mine was— “they” need to reform those welfare programs. But hang on. Paul is getting into theContinue reading “A little confession”
Does your heart need a reset to hope this Monday morning?
The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy about how the church should conduct itself, but his words in 5:6 cause me to pause. “But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.” (1 Tim 5:6) She who lives for herself and her own pleasure is dead. Dead.Empty.Never satisfied. Living for ourselves, will neverContinue reading “Does your heart need a reset to hope this Monday morning?”
This has NOT changed.
Yesterday, the words of Hebrews 10:39 kept coming to me-“But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” We, who have faith, are not of those who shrink back. We are not of those who draw back. We are those who believe.AndContinue reading “This has NOT changed.”
Those OTHER people
Dealing with people has always been hard. In fact, someone I know, jokes that “ministry would be great if it didn’t involve people.” Except, if we’ve lived anywhere, except maybe in a bubble, we know this isn’t entirely a joke! Paul gets into the nitty gritty of dealing with people in the church. He wantsContinue reading “Those OTHER people”
Hold on. Do you know who you are?
Do you know who you are? I’m not talking about some enneagram number or other test to help you discover yourself. No, this is powerful.This is supernatural.And it’s TRUE. If Jesus is your Savior, YOU are the church of the LIVING GOD, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Tim 3:15) As the churchContinue reading “Hold on. Do you know who you are?”
When you are in the battle…
Paul is about to challenge Timothy to “wage the good warfare”. (I Tim 1:18) Let’s just stop here, and notice that Paul characterizes service to the Lord as waging warfare. The life of a true Christ follower is not one of ease in this life. We are in a battle and lately, that seems allContinue reading “When you are in the battle…”
When the hard things pile up
Sometimes, the hard things pile up, and we can feel like Job. Even those who don’t read the Bible know about the tragedies of Job. In the midst of it all, the Bible tells us, Job walked forward, but could not see God. He looked backward, but could not perceive Him. (Job 23:8) Where wasContinue reading “When the hard things pile up”
You know it’s going to be okay, right?
You know it’s going to be okay, right? Of course, I want the election to go the way of religious freedom, protecting the lives of the unborn, the sanctity of marriage, ….but it may not. And our world may get harder.Our country may look very different. But as I think about all this, I rememberContinue reading “You know it’s going to be okay, right?”
Don’t grow weary.
There is nothing like the right word, at just the right time, to lift your soul. Paul is about to set his pen down on his second letter to the believers in Thessalonica, when he says, “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.” (2 Thess 3:13) And my weary, wornContinue reading “Don’t grow weary.”
I almost didn’t write this.
It’s controversial.Many churches refuse to do it. It certainly isn’t popular, or politically correct, in our world today. But Paul, emphatically commanded Christians to withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly (2 Thess 3:6) That’s kind of a big subject that he places at the end of his letter. Honestly, part of me was temptedContinue reading “I almost didn’t write this.”
Kim Jaggers Ministry 