2 TIMOTHY 4:2 LONGANIMITY

2 TIMOTHY 4:2

LONGANIMITY

Preach the word; be instant in season, 

out of season;

reprove, rebuke, exhort 

with all long suffering³¹¹⁵ 

and doctrine.

One meaning of “longsuffering” is longanimity. The definition according to Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language:

Longanimity - Forbearance; patience; disposition to endure long under offenses.

Timothy’s overarching purpose was to proclaim the Gospel fearlessly, with abandonment, and without shame. He was to teach the principles of godly living to the believers in Ephesus. He was to identify, isolate, and rebuke the sin of the believers at Ephesus and any others within the sphere of his influence. However, this was to be done with all patience and love, exemplifying the character of Christ.

It is never easy to confront a brother or sister in Christ concerning sin in his or her life. Teaching on how to do so is often lacking in modern churches. Because of this, many people stay stuck on the hamster wheel of sin instead of being lovingly led to victorious living. Their spiritual growth is stunted because a more mature brother or sister failed to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). Therefore, the entire body, the congregation is stunted.

I once had to confront a friend about performing in an inappropriate manner during his musical act. It was not easy. It was not pleasant for me. However, he needed to think about his witness for Jesus. If I had not said something to him, I feel I would have been sinning by refusing to speak the truth in love. He actually thanked me for caring enough to point it out. When you approach a person about wrongdoing, it is because you respect and love them enough to do so. It should not be done with a judgmental attitude but gently with patience to wait on the Holy Spirit to convict. The response may not be gratitude immediately. That’s where the longanimity comes in.

Be bold to speak the truth, but be sure you do so with gentleness and patience. 

GALATIANS 4:6 ABBA, FATHER

ABBA, FATHER

Galatians 4:6

And because ye are sons,

God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

I was blessed to have a good daddy. Ray Hale wasn’t perfect, but he and I had a relationship of love, understanding, and respect. I remember when I was a small child standing on his feet and walking with him. Saturday morning bike rides around our neighborhood were a great bonding time in my early teens as was working on projects around our church; and when I was in high school, we golfed and bowled together. I knew in my heart that if I were ever in any type of trouble, small or large, I could run to him. If I fell off that bike or tumbled down a hill while hiking, I knew my daddy would pick me up and tend to my wounds. I remember one time I fell into a yucca plant and a thorn embedded itself in my knee. It was not pleasant while Daddy was removing that thorn, but I trusted that he knew what was best.

Not everyone has the privilege of growing up with a loving father. Some children see their fathers abuse their mothers or are even subjected to abuse, if not physically, emotionally, at the hands of the man they call “Dad.” Perhaps you are one of these children, now an adult, and have a difficult time relating to the image of God as Father. Perhaps to you, a father is someone you can never please no matter how hard you try. Maybe your dad portioned out “love” based on your performance as the “perfect” child. Or you may have had an “absentee” father, one who walked out of your life, abandoning you.

I have good news for you. Our heavenly Father desires only the best for His children. When He adopts you into His forever family, He wipes away your past mistakes and loves you unconditionally. He promises to be with you every step of the way. You may fall, and there may be thorns that need to be removed from your life. At times the Father’s love may seem painful, but you can trust that God the Father is only doing and allowing the things that are for your ultimate good, to make you more like Jesus (Romans 8:28-29). If you have not already done so, surrender your rights to yourself and fall into the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27). This Father, the perfect Daddy, will keep you safe in His hands forever (John 10:29). The Lord promises He will never leave nor forsake His children (Hebrews 13:5). Trust Him like a child who squeals “Catch me, Daddy,” as she throws herself off the side of the pool with total abandon and freedom. Cry out to God, “Abba, Father!”

LUKE 15:22-24 FORGIVING FOREVER FATHER

FORGIVING FOREVER FATHER

But the father said to his servants,

Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him;

and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it;

and let us eat, and be merry:

For this my son was dead, and is alive again;

he was lost, and is found.

And they began to be merry.

Luke 15:22-24

He had squandered his inheritance in wicked rebellion

and found himself wallowing with detestable pigs.

He felt he could no longer be a part of his family.

His rejection of his father and his sin was too big.

But when he returned home, confessing his wrongdoing,

And planning to beg to be a hired-hand,

His father threw off his dignity, running to meet him

And wouldn’t let him finish the speech he had planned.

“Bring my son a fine robe as my guest of honor.

Place on his finger the family signet ring.

Put shoes on his feet for my son is no slave.

Slaughter the fattest calf to celebrate this thing,

For my son who was dead has come back to life,

My son who was lost is in my arms again.”

He prepared a great feast and threw a big party

Inviting all their neighbors and all of their friends.

I was lost and far from our Heavenly Father,

Destitute, hungry, and utterly dead in my sin.

Then the Spirit drew me to come to my senses,

And the Father welcomed me when I came to Him.

He placed the robe of Jesus’s righteousness upon me,

Sealed me with the presence of His Spirit within.

Then He shod my feet with His Gospel of peace

That I might spread the Good News with all men

That God Almighty takes repentant, humble sinners

And adopts them to be His sons and daughters.

We feast on the Bread of Life and Living Water,

And will dwell forever with our loving Father. 

GENESIS 22:2 FIRST USE OF LOVE

Genesis 22:2

FIRST USE OF “LOVE”

And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

The first mention of love in the Bible occurs in the passage concerning Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac. This is a foreshadowing or “type” of the heavenly Father’s sacrifice of His only begotten Son Jesus.

We are not told that Adam loved his wife or that Noah loved his children, although it could be argued that this unstated love was demonstrated. We are not even told that Sarah loved Abraham. It is fitting that the first mention of love in the Bible is a father’s love for his son. We begin to understand some basic concepts about love: 1) Abraham loved his son as a father should, 2) Obedience to God supersedes human love, 3) God loved Abraham and provided the ram to replace Isaac, 4) God loves humans enough to sacrifice His beloved Son, Jesus, 5) As God’s children we are to emulate His sacrificial love.

The first fruit of the Spirit is love. Loving as the Father has loved us. Self-sacrificing love for God and for people. This kind of love can only be cultivated in you if the Holy Spirit is flowing through you. Because Father God willingly offered His Son on the cross, those who believe are the beneficiaries of this tremendously selfless gift of love. Once we come to accept and embrace the love of God our Father, we are filled with His Holy Spirit who enables us to increasingly love others as Jesus first loved us.

Have you experienced the Father’s love? If you have, are you searching out ways to share this love God so graciously bestowed upon you with those within the sphere of your influence? Jesus freely gave His love. Freely give love to others.

GALATIANS 3:26 CHILD OF GOD THROUGH FAITH

Child of God

Through Faith

For you [who are born-again

have been reborn from above—

spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges]

through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26 (AMP)

Faith, trusting in the Lord Jesus, is the only way to a right, intimate, and fulfilling relationship with God as our Father. It is through our faith in the redeeming power of Jesus’s sacrifice of Himself on the cross and subsequent resurrection, that we receive adoption into God’s forever family. Jesus is the only way to the Father (John 14:6), the only way to secure adoption into the family. As a part of that adoption, we give up our rights to our plans, our agenda, ourselves in order to fulfill God’s plan and His kingdom purposes. We have a new Father whom we are to obey. In return, we are made joint-heirs with Jesus, inheriting eternal life in the Father’s house. Our past is wiped clean, and we have a new future as children of God with all the privileges that entails. Through faith, I am a daughter of the King of kings! Through faith, I am His jewel, His precious treasure. Through faith in Christ, I have all spiritual blessings. Through faith, God says I am sitting in heavenly places. Through faith in Jesus, I have boldness and access to God with confidence. Through faith, I can call the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, “Daddy!”

LUKE 15:10 HEAVENLY CELEBRATION

HEAVENLY CELEBRATION

Likewise, I say unto you,

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Luke 15:10

      The shepherd rejoiced when he found the lost sheep and invited his friends to celebrate its return. The woman rejoiced when she found her lost coin and called in all her neighbors to share in her joy. The father rejoiced when the prodigal son returned, and he killed the fatted calf to have a joyful feast with guests. Then Jesus makes the main point: There is great joy in the presence of the angels when one lost sinner trusts in Jesus. Who is seated in the midst of the angels? Father God! His pleasure, too, is a joy that must be shared. The angels sing praises and throw a party when someone on earth is adopted into God’s forever family. My friend adopted two young children. The day the adoption was finalized became “Sullivan Celebration Day.” She cooked a special meal symbolizing her Irish heritage, and they had a delicious desert. It was a time of rejoicing over the newest members of their family. It was a small but joy-filled celebration. Imagine the fantastic, elaborate celebration in Heaven when you became a member of God’s family. If you are a believer in Jesus, God has chosen to adopt you. CELEBRATE!

2 TIMOTHY 2:13 MOST FAITHFUL TRUSTEE

2 TIMOTHY 2:13 (AMPC)

MOST FAITHFUL TRUSTEE

If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him],

He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character),

for He cannot deny Himself.

Jesus must remain true to His word because He is the Word made flesh (John 1:14) and the embodiment of truth. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus also said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” He Himself is the Truth we must know and trust in order to be set free from sin and death.

The Lord has promised that those who believe in, trust in, rely on Jesus will be given eternal life and dwell with Him forever. He cannot and will not break His promise to His children. Romans 10:9 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Jesus promises us that He will hold on to us and never let us go: John 10:27-28 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

Sadly, the opposite is also true. If one lacks faith, refuses to believe, and does not trust Jesus, then Jesus will deny him or her. He cannot deny His own holiness by giving eternal life to someone who has never followed Him and been cleansed by the blood of His sacrifice as the final perfect Lamb of God. His blood serves as the soap of His love to clean us from all unrighteousness.

Have you entrusted your life and your future to the only One who is completely trustworthy and faithful? Have you named Jesus as the sole trustee over everything you are, everything you have, and everything you hope to be? If not, today could be the day Jesus changes your life forever. If you have surrendered your will to His, one day I will meet you joyfully in our forever home where the Lamb of Glory will reign in majesty.

PROVERBS 17:6 GRANDPARENTS

In honor of Grandparent's Day

PSALM 119:171 PRAISE HIM!

Praise Him

June 1984

by Karen Sue Hale  ©1985

It’s something that I learned a long, long time ago.

Yet it’s something I keep learning new each day…

That no matter what the circumstances,

No matter come what may,

I just need to praise His name.

It’s easy, Lord, to praise you when I’m happy,

And it’s easy, Lord, to praise on sunny days.

But when my world is upside down

and everything looks gray,

Still I need to praise your name.

     After delineating the power and purpose of God’s word, the psalmist wraps up with a cry for understanding, a desire to live a life of praise, and a prayer for deliverance. 

Allowing the Holy Spirit to illumine God’s word as we read leads to an increased longing to know more of the Lord.  The more I know of him, the more I want to know.  It’s like being in love.  It IS being in love with perfect Love (I John 4:8 “God is love.”)  The Bible is God’s love letter to each of us. We need to delight in it, sing about it, and choose it above all other literature.  We need to ask the Lord to help us understand his word.

       When I’m in love, I can talk of almost nothing else but the person I want to be with.  Ask my friends, and they’ll tell you I can be absolutely obnoxious when I’m infatuated with someone.  If I’m truly in love with the Lord, my lips should “overflow with praise.”  I should be telling everyone all the wonderful things the Lord of love has done for me and listing all his amazing attributes for all who would listen.  My life should be lived in order to bring praise and glory to my Savior.

       Because the Lord has helped me understand his word, I can have confidence that he will deliver me and sustain me.  When I strayed like a lost sheep, he sought me and brought me back to the fold. Praise the Lord! 

LUKE 14:33 JEWELS AT THE FOOT OF HIS CROSS

JEWELS AT THE FOOT OF HIS CROSS

      

So then, any of you who does not forsake

(renounce, surrender claim to, give up, say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple.

LUKE 14:33 (AMPC)

       True discipleship is a total surrender of everything I have and everything I am to the lordship of Jesus. We no longer have lords and serfs, so it can be explained as Jesus being the big boss. He is a King in the true sense, not just a figurehead who answers to a parliament. He is the one in total control of His kingdom and its subjects.

       The logo for Precious Jewels Ministries is an illustration of this concept. The PJM is on the cross symbolizing our death to ourselves to be made alive by Jesus (Galatians 2:20). The jewels at the foot of the cross symbolize that we surrender not only who we were but who He has re-created us to be, His precious jewels.  “And they shall be Mine, says the Lord of hosts, in that day when I publicly recognize and openly declare them to be My jewels (My special possession, My peculiar treasure)” (Malachi 3:17a AMPC). The jewels also represent the good works the Lord has called us to do and enables us to do (Ephesians 2:10). We are the living stones that make up God’s kingdom and offer the sacrifice of ourselves, our possessions, and our deeds to the Savior at the foot of His cross (1 Peter 2:4-5).

       We are God’s “Precious Jewels,” not because of our own merit but because He has clothed us in the righteousness of His Son and adorned us to be the bride of Christ (Ephesian 5:25-27). Our surrender is the sweet surrender of one who knows her Lord will completely meet her needs and care for her forever.

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.