LifeLink Devotional

Thursday, May 10, 2018

2 Timothy 2:1 – 4  You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

After three surgeries, Spc. Christopher Taffoya still had three pieces of shrapnel in his legs from a grenade blast. But his commitment to service kept him fighting in Iraq. One evening, in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk, Taffoya and two other soldiers were on a neighborhood patrol only a few hundred meters from their unit’s safe house. The trio was talking to a woman who was warning them to keep an eye on her neighbor, who was a member of Saddam Hussein’s regime before it fell. This warning would be an eerie forecast of what was to come. Not five minutes later, that neighbor’s son threw a grenade from the rooftop, landing about three feet behind Taffoya.

Taffoya recalls the event. “After it blew up and I realized what happened, I made sure my two buddies were ahead of me and we started heading back to the safe house.” When it happened, my adrenaline was pumping at full speed. I kept my wits about me and was fully alert. Everything that we usually do in training just came as instinct. I knew I got hit, but I didn’t know the extent of it. Nothing hurt, but I saw some blood and was walking funny so I knew something had happened.”

The injured soldiers hobbled the short distance back to the safe house. Taffoya was evacuated to Kuwait and then to Landstuhl, Germany. While in Germany, he was presented the Purple Heart. Taffoya had nine shrapnel wounds to his feet and ankles and spent the summer recovering in Vicenza, Italy.

He’s just returned to Iraq and is finishing out his unit’s rotation with his comrades.

As the Apostle Paul describes the personal and spiritual characteristics of Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25-30, he calls him first a brother, then a fellow worker, and now a fellow soldier. There is a natural progression of maturity expressed in these descriptive terms. Brothers become co-workers, and co-workers become soldiers. Brotherly love matures into a servant heart, which matures into a sacrificial spirit. Soldiers are willing to make any sacrifice to accomplish the mission.

In the Scripture passage above, Paul used the soldier analogy to challenge Timothy’s commitment to Christ. He brought out three truths that will help us.

1. A good soldier believes in his commanding officer, and wants to please him. He trusts him. He knows his commander has been trained and has experienced the hardships of battle. He knows that what he will be asked to do comes from a heart of understanding and strength. Jesus Christ has been through the battle, and has experienced every hardship, trial, and temptation known to man. His orders can be trusted.
2. A good soldier is faithful to his commanding officer. He doesn’t get sidetracked into civilian affairs, but remains true to his mission and his orders. As good soldiers of Jesus Christ we wear his uniform proudly and continuously, never taking on the appearance of the enemy.
3. A good soldier believes that the cause is greater than the cost. He will endure any hardship to accomplish the mission. No matter how much it hurts us or those we love, good soldiers of Jesus Christ never hurt the cause by going AWOL. Even after being wounded, we get back to our battalion and finish the mission. And even if we die while serving, we know that a greater cause than our lives has been served – FREEDOM. Freedom from sin and its consequences for all who will surrender to our Commander.

So be a good soldier. Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

It’s time to stand up and fight for the cause of Christ.

Pastor John

Life Link Devotional

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

My brother Paul and I were very close in age – only 15 months apart – but we were never really close in relationship until the summer after I graduated from high school. Paul and I decided to become partners in a painting business to paint barns, farm buildings, and houses in rural North Dakota. I think we even painted a fence or two. It was hot work, and it was scary work because of the height of some of the barns, and I don’t like being up high on a shaky ladder.

Prior to that summer, I knew that my brother Paul was always there to help me if I needed it and that I would do the same for him; but it was as we worked together for a common goal that things changed in our relationship. In fact, the following year, when he graduated from high school, he called me at college to ask if he could be my roommate for the following year. That was really cool! Being a brother is one thing, but working together as brothers adds a new and more fulfilling dimension to the relationship.

This week we are studying the life of Epaphroditus based on the Apostle Paul’s description of him in Philippians 2:25-30. Yesterday we described his life as a brother to the believers and especially to Paul. To be a brother is the beginning step in becoming a complete follower of Jesus Christ. The next step is to become a worker, and Paul describes Epaphroditus as his “fellow worker”, which is the translation of a single Greek word meaning “to labor together for a common goal.”  Paul’s relationship with Epaphroditus was more than just brothers who would respond to a need; it was a relationship of shared work motivated by a spiritual objective and solidified by mutual trust and respect. They had grown beyond friendship and had become interdependent upon one another for the accomplishment of God’s purpose.

Our relationships within the body of Christ need to grow to this point of maturity. So many of our friendships with other Christians are just surface acquaintances, but lack the depth of trust and respect because we have not come together to accomplish a common goal. As followers of Jesus and fellow workers with other Christians, we are to band together to accomplish God’s purpose. We are motivated by our love Jesus, our love for each other, and the knowledge that our labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Years ago we had young couple in our church going through a very difficult time because of some serious medical issues with their 6-day-old baby. Another couple in our church sent me an email to deliver to the hurting parents as they watched over their baby at the Mayo hospital in Rochester, MN. The names have been changed to protect their humble spirits, but you can clearly see the hearts of two people who have grown beyond being just “brothers” and have become “fellow workers.”

Hey, thanks so much, Pastor, for the sending out the update on Ben and Helen and baby Mary. Listen, would you do me a huge favor? This whole thing has been very difficult on my wife as she and Helen have become close over the last months, and Ben and I have been developing a close friendship as well.

Would you just take a big hug and our thoughts to them when you go over there today? Tell them we love them so much and we are praying for them and the baby. Tell them that we would like to come out and see them soon but know that they need to be with each other and family right now. Also, tell them that if they need anything….meals, money, someone to come over and do laundry or clean their house, we are there for them. Thanks so much PJ. I know this would mean a lot to my wife and it does me as well. 

We Love you Ben and Helen. Give Mary a big kiss from us when you can. 

Lovingly, The Andersons

That’s what Epaphroditus was to Paul. That’s what we all should be to one another. Move beyond being a brother, and become a fellow worker. Get involved in living out the love of Jesus by laboring with and for one another as fellow workers.

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,  equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20 – 21)

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Philippians 2:25  I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,

 The second chapter of Philippians has already taught us so much about being a true servant of Jesus Christ. We heard two challenges to live in unity and harmony with one another, and we have already learned those principles by seeing two examples people who successfully did it –  Jesus Christ and Timothy. Now Paul gives us a third example in the life of Epaphroditus.

Based on his name, Epaphroditus (from the Greek goddess Aphrodite) was of Greek descent, probably born and raised in Philippi. Because of the outreach ministries of the church Paul planted in that city, Epaphroditus became a disciple of Jesus Christ. He became a very well-respected member of the church. He must have given up whatever secular employment he had to accept an appointment from the church to leave Philippi and make the forty-day trip to Rome to be with Paul and care for him while he was in prison. Paul was so impressed with the faith and commitment of Epaphroditus that he uses him as an example of a dedicated servant of Jesus. Paul tells us five things that were true of his life.

1. He was a brother
2. He was a fellow worker
3. He was a fellow soldier
4. He was a messenger
5. He was a minister

In his commentary on Philippians, John MacArthur writes this about Epaphroditus:

“His level of sacrificial service to the Lord is especially instructive and encouraging for the believer, for whom the examples of great preachers and pastors such as Paul and Timothy may seem beyond reach. He exemplifies the spirit of sacrifice for the sake of Christ that involves no public acclaim, no prominence, no high office, no great talents or gifts. He was not a noted preacher, teacher, or leader; therefore his example seems to be more relevant and attainable.”

We can all relate to him because he was average, and yet we can all learn from him because he excelled at serving Jesus.

The first thing he did well was to be a brother to Paul. The body of Christ is built on brotherhood with Jesus. At the moment of our salvation we were made to be sons of God (See John 1:12) (see note below on use of the masculine term, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ of all eternal rewards (See Romans 8:17 and Galatians 4:7). Following His resurrection from the dead, Jesus called His disciples brothers, and since we are His brothers we are also brothers with one another. So what does true Christian brotherhood look like?

First, we bring strength to one another. No man an island unto himself. If we try to be, we soon discover we are much weaker going solo than if we are in a band of brothers. Jesus said to Peter in Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Second, as brothers we are to serve one another in love. Paul tells the churches in Galatia, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Epaphroditus modeled this kind of servant heart for us when he left his family, home, and career to serve Paul in prison.

Third, brothers support and encourage one another even when they fail. Again, writing to the Galatians, Paul says, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.” Brothers don’t jump on family members who are down, or condemn those who have failed, but rather they hold out a hand to lift and support.

And fourth, brothers sacrifice for one another. They are willing to not only lay down their lives for one another but also to lay down their wallets. The Apostle John tells us what this kind of sacrificial love should look like in 1 John 3:16-17. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” Epaphroditus almost died in serving Jesus Christ by ministering to Paul. He was willing to give his life to deliver the sacrificial monetary gifts the Philippian people had given. He and the people of the church loved sacrificially.

Epaphroditus showed us how to be a brother. Now, go and do likewise.

Pastor John

NOTE: The Scriptures call all men and women “sons of God” for the purpose of establishing rights of inheritance. In Christ we are all equal and inherit all of God’s spiritual blessings equally, regardless of gender, race, or color. When the Scriptures use the term “brothers” to describe the body of Christ, it includes “sisters”.

LifeLink Devotional

Monday, May 7, 2018

Philippians 2:22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 4:17 For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

 One of the greatest joys in my life is to be able to spend time with my children and grandchildren. Whenever I have some time off from the busyness of ministry and I’m able to go do something I enjoy doing, my first option is to call one or both of my sons and see if they are free to join me. As much as I love to hunt, fish, and golf, I get the most pleasure when I can do those things with my kids. It is getting harder because their families are growing and they have the same longings to be with their children. I’m thrilled that they are that committed to their families, but it’s hard that I don’t get to spend as much time with them as I would like to. But the grandkids seem to always be available for fishing or hunting, so that helps. Now if just one of them would learn to golf.

In Paul’s day, sons usually became apprentices in their father’s business, and they spent every day together pursuing a common interest and skill. The father was honored to pass on his heritage and legacy to the son and watch him become successful. I have had that privilege with my sons as we have worked together so they could learn the skills needed to be well-rounded husbands and fathers. The relational bonding that takes place during all those times is far more significant than any of the skills that are learned. The love and friendship that are shared while in the boat fishing are far more significant than the number or size of fish caught (which is a good thing because I’m not that good of a fisherman).

That’s how Paul felt about Timothy. Paul had spiritually adopted Timothy as his son. Timothy had come along side of Paul and become his apprentice in the ministry. Timothy served with him in the work of the gospel just as a son serves with his father in their family business. This has important lessons for us.

First, Timothy was commended for being a son. A healthy father-son relationship involves respect, honor, and submission on the part of the son and confidence, patience, and encouragement on the part of the father. When we find ourselves in the humble position of an apprentice, be like Timothy who treated his mentor with respect, honor, and submission. When we find ourselves in the privileged position of a mentor, be like Paul who trained his apprentice with confidence, patience, and encouragement. The goal of an apprentice is to learn all the skills necessary to carry on the work after the mentor is gone, and the goal of the mentor is to train the apprentice to be more successful than themselves.

Second, Timothy was commended for being a servant. Servants are obedient to their masters. Our first thought is that Timothy was obedient to Paul, but Paul was not his master. Paul says that Timothy served with him, so that means Paul was a servant also. Jesus Christ was their Master, and they both obeyed Him. No matter how we advance to be leaders of people, remember that we are still servants of Jesus.

Third, Timothy was commended for being similar. Timothy had excelled at his training to the point that Paul could send him to the churches to be the model of Paul’s teachings. Paul said, “He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” As much as it hurt Paul to be separated from Timothy, his confidence in Timothy’s faith and character allowed him to send him to complete the work that had been started; not because he was similar to Paul, but because both Paul and Timothy were similar to Christ.

When I call my sons and they are not able to join me for a round of golf because of their obligations to their families, I am disappointed for myself but thrilled for their wives and children, because I am confident of their faith and their character. I know they will be representing Jesus Christ to their families because I trained them to do it. They may not do it perfectly yet, but neither do I. But I am proud of my sons and my daughter. As a mentor, this is the culmination of ministry and the fulfillment of joy. As an apprentice, this is your goal.

So, whether you are a mentor or an apprentice, be faithful and excel at what you do, knowing that you do it as a servant of Jesus Christ.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional

Friday, May 4, 2018

Philippians 2:22 But you know that Timothy has proven himself…

I wonder what motivated Timothy to sign on to Paul’s second missionary journey. Like many of us, the excitement of traveling to far off lands could have captivated him. Like so many young people, he may have been bored with his home town and been stifled with the limited number of opportunities for career advancement. Maybe he was a natural risk-taker and he was looking for the next emotional high. Maybe he was ready to finally get out from under his parent’s wings. So many of us make choices based on these types of criteria. However, I don’t think that’s what Timothy did.

The fourth identifying mark of a spiritual role model is that he has proven himself to have a true servant spirit.

When Paul arrived in Lystra and began to minister there, the men of the church spoke highly of a young man named Timothy. They saw the working of the Holy Spirit in Timothy’s life. His consistent commitment to Jesus Christ was evident to them all. When Paul met Timothy, he confirmed all that was being said about him. He decided that Timothy would be of great value to his church planting efforts. He asked Timothy to join him in the adventure of the gospel.

I’m reasonably sure that these men talked about where they would go and the difficulties they would encounter. I’m sure Timothy had a realistic understanding of the hardships that were ahead. But none of that mattered because in his heart and spirit he had heard the call of God to this ministry. Apart from all the personal reasons he could have considered to either go or stay at home, he had only one criteria for what he would decide – what God was telling him to do.

Years ago, God revealed to me that a young man in our church was being called to future leadership in the church. I remember well the day that I called him up and asked him to go to lunch with me. As I shared with him what I knew God was doing in his life, and how he was highly regarded for his consistent commitment to Jesus Christ, a tear came to his eye, which of course brought tears to mine. As we talked, this young man’s humble spirit became the spirit of a servant, and he accepted the challenge to take whatever steps were necessary to eventually become an elder in our church. For twelve years he humbly served in various positions and proved himself faithful in each one. He is well respected by the body of Christ, and today, even though it is not at Calvary, he is an Elder in his church. It is outside his natural comfort zones, but he heard the call of God and made his choice based on that alone.

It is obvious that Timothy made his choice for the same reason. His first assignment as a missionary was to submit to the painful procedure of circumcision. God tested his commitment right from the start, and Timothy proved himself faithful. I wonder how many times we have backed down from a commitment because it turned out to be tougher than we expected. In Romans 5:3-4, Paul writes, “we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

The test of commitment is the first step in the process of maturity. Far too many people have dropped out before they experience any blessing because they can’t pass the first test. But look at what happens if you persevere – you develop character. That word character in Romans 5:4 is the same word used to describe Timothy in Philippians 2:22 when Paul says he has proven himself. That is significant. Timothy’s commitment to the cause of Christ, no matter what the test, trial, hardship, or suffering, gave him character. He had proven himself faithful.

What is being said about us by the people around us? Do they see consistent commitment to God’s call? Can they say honestly that we have proven ourselves faithful? Beyond that, regardless of what people say, what does God see?

My friends, after all has been considered, listen to God’s call alone, and be faithful to it. It is only when we have been proven to have character that we experience hope.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional

Thursday, May 3, 2019

Philippians 2:21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The third identifying mark of a spiritual role model, according to Paul, is this: they understand that genuine interest in others must be centered in the purpose of Jesus Christ for their lives;

In the beginning of chapter 2 of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he advised us to have the same attitude of Jesus Christ – a humble heart and a serving spirit. He emphasized the importance of not being self-focused, but rather being others focused. In using Timothy as an illustration of this principle Paul gives us the all-important key to putting this principle into practice – our interests are to be identical to those of Jesus Christ.

Let’s reflect again on Paul’s progression of thought. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. In essence Paul says, “If it matches up with what Jesus wants, I will send Timothy to you. He is not like everyone else whose primary focus is on their own interests, but he is like me because he has a genuine interest in what Jesus Christ wants for you.”

The principle that I glean from this is that I have not shown a genuine concern for another person unless my concern matches the concern Jesus has for that person.

I wonder how well you would grade yourself in this area. For example, even when we agree to pray for someone in need, we generally use personal objectives as the basis for our prayers. Here’s a possible sequence we go through in our minds:

1. We want the circumstance causing the problem to be removed so that we don’t have to deal with it any more. Then, when we realize how selfish it is to want stressors removed from our lives…
2. We ask for the circumstance to be removed so that the person being affected doesn’t have to deal with it any more. Then, when we realize that maybe they are supposed to learn something from it…
3. We think about all the things that they need to learn, and we ask God to use this circumstance to fix them. Then, when we realize that we really don’t know the purpose of God for their life and that we don’t have the right to be so judgmental…
4. We humble ourselves and ask God to show us His purpose for allowing this circumstance and to accomplish His will in the person’s life, and in ours.

It would show spiritual maturity if we would start with number 4 and never think about numbers 1-3. God has an eternal purpose for every situation and circumstance in our lives, and we are showing genuine concern for one another only when we seek God’s outcomes in their lives. It’s not easy, I know. But it is important. Whose kingdom are we building, anyway? Ours? Or God’s!

Be like Timothy, and show genuine, Christ-centered concern for others.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional

May 2, 2018

Philippians 2:19 – 20  ¹⁹I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.  ²⁰I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.

Stop for a moment and count how many friends you have who you believe truly care for the welfare of others. Go ahead, I’ll wait………

How many did you count? I hope you have many. The Apostle Paul only had one or two. In this passage of Philippians, he tells us about the most commendable role model he knew in this regard. He describes Timothy as a friend who takes a genuine interest in the welfare of people.

Timothy gave up everything in his life to follow Jesus and become the servant of Jesus Christ. He served the Lord by serving Paul. He sacrificed his family, his home, his security, and even more, because he loved Jesus more than anything. He was so dedicated to Christ’s purpose that he spent time in prison with Paul to encourage him and help him.

As Paul’s servant in the spreading of the Gospel, Timothy was asked to leave Paul on several occasions and travel across the country to visit churches and deliver Paul’s letters and teachings. Sometimes he made these trips alone, not knowing what he would encounter along the way or how he would be treated by the church people when he arrived.

In those churches that greeted him warmly, he would be welcomed into a home, given food and shelter, and be praised for his ministry to them and to Paul. He would probably be offered employment to help him out financially while he was there. He would enjoy the comforts and security of friends and society. When the time came to leave and return to Paul, he may have been tempted to stay and enjoy the benefits of freedom and prosperity. But he didn’t. He was committed to the ministry God had given him and he would return to a life of poverty and pain to minister to Paul.

When Paul describes Timothy, he says that he has a genuine interest in people. The Greek word for genuine means natural, and comes from another word that means legitimately born. Timothy’s interest in people was not contrived or insincere; it was the natural expression of a heart that had been legitimately born again by the spirit of God. There was nothing fake about his concern for people.

The Greek word for interest means to be anxious, and is the same word Jesus used when He warned us not to be anxious about what we are going to wear and what we are going to eat, but rather to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the other things will be provided for us as well. Timothy’s interest in people carried the same measure of concern that we show when we are concerned about the price of food, clothes, housing, or fuel.

Timothy was commended for his genuine concern for the welfare of people because it was the honest expression of his heart, and because he cared deeply enough to get involved. The needs of people were always at the forefront of his thinking, and his own needs never took priority over the needs of others. That’s why Paul could say that he had no other friend like him.

Now, go back over your list of friends again using Timothy as your model. How many of them truly care about the welfare of others? I hope you don’t have to scratch a few names off your original list. But I also hope that other people didn’t have to scratch you off their list. My prayer is that you are one of the remaining names on someone’s list of friends who truly, genuinely, and sincerely care about the welfare of other people? Praise God if you are!

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Philippians 2:19 – 23 (NIV) ¹⁹I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.  ²⁰I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.  ²¹For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²²But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.

We all need role models. Our choice of role models will have a lasting impact on our life.

Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons animated television series, responded to complaints that Bart Simpson is a bad role model with the following statement. “I now have a 7-year-old boy and a 9-year-old boy, so all I can say is, I apologize. Now I know what you guys were talking about.”

The Apostle Paul has been teaching us about the true spirit of humility that is essential to the experience of lasting joy. Knowing our need for role models, the Holy Spirit introduces us to a man named Timothy. He serves as the practical example of a humble lifestyle.

Timothy was being trained by Paul for ministry. (See footnote below for more detail on Timothy’s life.) In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul commends Timothy to them for five reasons:

1. He is a faithful communicator of truth;
2. He has a genuine interest in the welfare of people;
3. He understands that genuine interest in others must be centered in the purpose of Jesus Christ for their lives;
4. He has proven himself to have a true servant spirit;
5. He has been faithful to the work of the gospel no matter what the obstacles.

Let’s look at number one today. Paul trusted Timothy with eternal information. Timothy would faithfully bring Paul’s teachings to the church and would also faithfully report the spiritual status of the church back to Paul. This required Timothy to be a man of honesty, integrity, and personal strength.

• Timothy could be trusted to not be tempted to give a false report for the sake of personal protection or gratification.
• Paul knew that Timothy would resist the temptation to look out for his own interests by trying to fit in with the majority.
• Timothy could be trusted to deal righteously with any conflict in the church if they disagreed with what Paul said.
• When the church at Corinth began to have serious problems, Paul trusted Timothy to be the strong messenger needed to bring corrective teaching to that church. “Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” (1 Cor. 4:16-17)
• Paul declares Timothy to be a man of integrity, faithful in the Lord, and able to live life honestly and consistently.
• Paul even told the church at Corinth to be careful not to cause any problems for the messenger – “If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am.  No one, then, should refuse to accept him.” (1 Corinthians 16:10 – 11)

Timothy was commended to the churches for being a faithful communicator of truth.

• Can we be commended for the same honesty, integrity, and consistency with the truth of Jesus Christ?
• When the truth is not popular, are we tempted to follow the path of popularity?
• Do we compromise our stand for God for the sake of protecting our standing with people?
• Can we handle bad news as well as good news, knowing that the interests of Jesus Christ are being advanced?

Timothy was capable, and committed to doing it. May we commit ourselves today and every day to being faithful communicators of the truth of Jesus Christ.

Pastor John

Footnote: Here are a few things about Timothy’s background: He was from Lystra and was probably saved during Paul’s first missionary trip to that city. His father was a pagan Greek, but his mother (Eunice) and grandmother (Lois) were godly Jewish women, and they had brought Timothy up on God’s Word. Timothy may have been a somewhat reserved individual who did not always enjoy robust health. Paul regarded him as his own son in the faith, and Timothy became a faithful coworker with the Apostle Paul. He was invited by Paul to “join the team” during the apostle’s second missionary trip. This team would consist of Silas, Paul, and Luke. Timothy may have been chosen to take John Mark’s place. He was circumcised by Paul so that he might have freedom to preach the gospel in various Jewish synagogues. Timothy was formally ordained for ministry by Paul and the elders. He also accompanied Paul during the third missionary trip.  He became Paul’s close companion during the apostle’s first imprisonment. In fact, Paul’s final request before his martyrdom in Rome was for Timothy to be at his side. At the apostle’s request, Timothy performed a ministry in at least five New Testament churches: Thessalonica, Corinth, Berea, Ephesus, and here at Philippi.

LifeLink Devotional

Monday, April 30, 2018

Philippians 2:16-18  …so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

How well do you know American history? The Homestead Act of 1862 declared that any citizen or intended citizen of the United States could claim 160 acres of surveyed government land west of the Mississippi River, simply by going to the land and staking a claim. Claimants were required to improve the plot with a dwelling and grow crops. After five years, if the original filer was still on the land, it was his property, free and clear. Thousands of people moved west in an attempt to own a part of what they thought would be paradise, though in most cases it wasn’t. Only a small percentage of the original claimants were able to last five years and receive the full blessing of land ownership.

Imagine the excitement of that era. It appeals to the adventuresome spirit in me. I know the thrill that would flow through me if I had been there to hear about a land to the west that offered risk and reward. I know I would have been one of those going to stake a claim. Once on that land I would have worked it with all my strength and guarded it with all my heart. I would have posted the claim papers on the wall of my cabin as soon as it was completed, to remind me of my long-term objective. I would have worked hard to accomplish that goal.

In much the same way, we have heard about a land called heaven, and we have staked our claim to it by faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. We did not have to work for it; we simply had to go for it. We ran to the open arms of Jesus and received from Him our ownership papers. But here’s one big difference – we don’t have to earn the permanent ownership of the land by working for it. God has granted us a permanent inheritance and it is kept for us by His power, not ours. (1 Peter 1:3 – 5 says “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  ⁴and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,  ⁵who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”)

Along with the claim to the place, comes a responsibility to act like an owner. The homesteader had to act like an owner of the land because his eventual ownership depended on it. As Christians we act like owners of the land because of the guarantee of possession of heaven. But far too many of us are not claiming all the rights that go with ownership. We have the privilege to claim the right to build, to plant, to harvest, to occupy, and to boldly proclaim our ownership, and we are authorized as owners to claim the blessings that go with it. How foolish it would have been to travel all that distance to stake a claim to a piece of land and then never do anything with it. How equally foolish it is for us as Christians to have been granted a claim to heaven and then not do anything to claim all of the benefits that go with it.

Paul says that at the end of His life, he wanted to be able to look back and boast about what He was able to accomplish for God so that his life would not have been for nothing. When we stand before the Father in heaven one day, and He reviews our lives, will He be able to say to us, “Well done! You are a good and faithful servant”?  We will not lose the possession of heaven, but we certainly will miss out on a great blessing – blessings that could have been ours if we had acted like owners and heirs.

We may be missing out on some great blessings today because we are living beneath our privilege. God has promised His heirs the blessings of joy, peace, contentment, confidence, and security. All these and more come from having an abiding faith in the work of God in our lives.

Paul says that even though his life is being poured out as a sacrifice on behalf of others (he was in prison near the end of his life when he wrote this), he is glad and rejoices that the people were living their lives in faithful service to Jesus Christ. He even asked them to rejoice with him over his current situation.

That’s the blessing I think we need to claim – that in the darkest times of our lives we can rejoice that we are faithfully serving God and His work is being accomplished. Stake your claim to that kind of joy, and start living like an owner of it.

Pastor John

LifeLink Devotional

Friday, April 27, 2018

Philippians 2:16 …as you hold out the word of life…

In Philippians 2:14-16, Paul is describing for us what a Christian’s life should look like when God’s work is being done in it. Such a life will be blameless in its character and conduct, and it will shine brightly with the glory of God.

Another characteristic of a Christ-like life of joy will be boldness to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ to a lost world. Paul says that we will shine light stars in the universe as we hold out the word of life.

Notice first that we are not to hold the truth in, but we are to hold it out. When I was young I remember the camping trips we used to take as a family. My favorite part was setting up the fire pit and getting it ready for use. One of the items dad had for night time use was a kerosene lantern. This was in the “good old days” before they sold the little propane tanks that screw onto the bottom of the lantern. This one had a kerosene tank on the bottom and the kerosene had to be pressurized. He taught me how to put my thumb over the hole in the pressure pump and pump it up so that the fuel could reach the mantle and be ignited to provide light.

Then, when it was dark, we would light the lantern and hang it from a tree branch as high as possible. The object was to light up as large an area as possible. We not only wanted everyone in our family to be safe, but we also wanted anyone camping around us who might come over for a visit to be able to find us and be safe getting to us. We boldly placed our light for everyone to see.

In the same way, we are to boldly hold forth the light of the word of life. The Apostle John tells us what that means in 1 John 1:1-2. We are to proclaim Jesus Christ as the word of life. We are not being sufficiently bold when we hold out philosophies that are derived from the teachings of Jesus. We are not yet bold enough when we preach and teach principles that we have discovered from the life and teachings of Jesus. We are not being truly bold when we disguise the truth inside politically correct terminology or socially acceptable language. We are being bold only when we hold forth the truth of Jesus Christ, who is the Word of Life.

In his letter, John tells us there are 5 things that we are to proclaim about Jesus:

1. Proclaim His eternal nature – He is God. That which was from the beginning…
2. Declare the things we have heard from Jesus. …which we have heard…Not the things we have heard about Him, but the things we have heard from Him. Don’t share the latest trendy information about Jesus that is being promoted by man, but rather get your information about Jesus directly from Him.
3. Testify to the things we have seen Jesus do…which we have seen with our eyes…”Aha!” you say. We can’t see Jesus. Yes, we can. We see Him every time we open our Bibles and every time we look at the marvel of our own salvation and transformed life. Jesus lives in us, the hope of glory, and we see Him.
4. Express the intimacy of relationship with Jesus… which we have looked at… This is different than seeing. The Greek word means to “view attentively and contemplate with admiration.” There is a depth of intimacy that we have with Jesus that is available to anyone, and that needs to be proclaimed to people boldly.
5. Announce boldly the things we have experienced because of Christ’s work in us… our hands have touched…We have been permitted to touch the life and work of Jesus, and we have much to share with others about who He is and what He can do.

The main point of all of this is that we become followers of Jesus who boldly proclaim Jesus to the world. Every opportunity we get to talk with an unsaved person must lead to a discussion of Jesus Christ.

We do not boldly hold forth words of philosophy, social reform, or tolerance, but rather we hold forth the Word of Life. May we be bold enough to proclaim Jesus anywhere we are, without fear, so people can hear the truth and be saved.

Pastor John