Carry On

2 Kings 2:8-15

During my time on earth, I’ve had the immense joy of “doing life” with some amazing women.  The world can be a crazy place, so to have people you trust who you can turn to when you’re not sure what to do, is beyond comforting.  Women who’ve been there, done that and who’ve lived a life of honest faith can have a resounding impact on your life.  I truly believe there is nothing better than having a mentor - or two or three.

In today’s story, Elijah served as a mentor to Elisha.  They cared for each other and before they were separated, Elisha said he wanted to be like Elijah and do the things he did.  Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

Now I will admit, none of my mentors have been able to divide water with their coats, but they’ve done some pretty amazing things by sharing their faith with others.  I hope I’m able to do the same.

Will I one day witness them being taken to heaven in a chariot of fire, most likely not, though that would be cool.  I do hope that when their work here on earth is done, part of their spirit will live on in me.  Just as Elisha carried on Elijah’s mission of prophecy, so too do I want to be a good steward of their legacy.

Father, you are the ultimate mentor.  Thank you for placing people in our lives to show us the way.  May we each seek out others we can share your kingdom mission with.  Amen 

Mary is Encouraged

December 13 

                                                                                

Scripture Reading
Read Luke 1:39-45 and reflect on the passage.

An Angel of the Lord appeared to Mary and told her she was to be the mother of God-Incarnate. Wow, that's a lot for such a young woman to take in. She did what many young girls might do when confronted with startling news; she went to visit a favorite aunt. She needed some time to process and to prepare her heart for the future.

Mary needed the wisdom of an older woman, and probably just wanted to go off by herself to think and see if she could understand all this. It turned out, the visit became just what Mary needed. Her Aunt Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting and the baby in Elizabeth's womb moved; scripture says the baby leaped. At that moment, Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!"

Elizabeth turned out to be the perfect woman for Mary to reach out to. We don't know all the conversations they shared, but probably lots of advice was given and prayers raised up. Elizabeth affirmed Mary and her blessed condition. No doubt, Mary and Elizabeth probably retold this story many time over the years.

Questions

1. Do you think the wisdom of an older woman, who was also expecting, was helpful to Mary?

2. Do you ever seek the wise counsel of others when faced with difficult situations? Have you considered finding a mentor, someone older and wiser?

Prayer

Father, thank you for telling us the amazing story behind the birth of Your Son. Give us a true sense of joy this season. Amen

                                                                                                                                                            Judy Webb

Coaches! Who needs ‘em!

2 Timothy 3:1-2, 10-17

My experience with high school coaches was not very positive. First off, they always called you by your last name. They couldn’t say Joe; it had to be “Hey Williams”. It wasn’t very friendly. Secondly, they always yelled at you like you had committed the worst unpardonable sin; as if there was something wrong with you personally.

I remember one football practice when I was blocking a defender and the running back ran into me. The coach yelled, “WILLIAMS! WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU!!!” My thought was, “What about the running back. Couldn’t he have run around me instead of into me? Why don’t you yell at him”?  But, like I said, it was a “thought”.

My coaches were never encouraging. Their instructions were always negative; putting you down; saying what was wrong with you. To make things worse, they did this not just to you privately, but in front of the whole team; all of my peers that I wanted to impress... Coaches! Who needs ‘em!

However, Paul was Timothy’s coach. He wrote 2 Timothy while in prison, knowing that his time on earth was short. He wanted to instruct and encourage Timothy in his faith. Here’s what he wrote to his “dear son” in the faith.

¹⁰ You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹ persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.     NIV

Paul was preparing Timothy for ministry by instructing him, in the context of their relationship, while living out his life before him. Granted, scripture is to be used, not just for teaching and encouragement, but also “rebuking and correcting”. But Paul makes the point that this is done in the context of a loving, patient relationship with an eye towards the Lord.

Coaches! Who needs ‘em! We do! Life is full of pit falls, hardships and struggles. You can’t avoid them. How you handle your struggles is what makes the difference. How do you learn from those problems? How do you grow? Who helps you?

Scripture tells us that God disciplines those He loves. He does this through, scripture, relationships and life experiences… even coaches. The struggles of life often provide the greatest opportunity for us to strengthen our faith and grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

 Hopefully, each one of us will be able to say with Paul:

 ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.    2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV

God's Word for Relationship Building

Titus 2:1 (NIV) 
  You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. 



Titus 2:7 (HCSB) 
  in everything. Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. 

What subject was your favorite in school? Is the topic still your favorite today? I believe English was my favorite, especially in 10th grade. You see there was this cute teacher...but I digress. Getting back to your favorite subject; did you enjoy learning about it? Did you want to know more and more about it?

This text in Titus is all about teaching/learning. When we are children, we have everything to learn, we are as sponges and we soak up everything. When we get a bit older we can be more selective in what we study and choose to learn. But we never outgrow our need to read the right books, to study the right topics in order to improve our lives and the lives of those we touch.

Over the years, the Bible has become a valued tool I use when I don't know what to do next. When I am stumped as to which way to turn, how to respond to someone's remarks, or simply how to get through another day in this world, God's Word never disappoints.

At the chance of being on the way to losing your attention, I challenge you.  Have you ever tried to read/study your way out of a predicament?  Have you ever turned to The Holy Spirit for the wisdom to get yourself out of a jam? Do you understand how God's Word can help? If not, ask someone who you know follows Jesus.

Find someone to mentor you, and answer your questions. Seek out someone to share your life. You will never be the same. Your relationships will thrive and you will understand what to do so you can live a life of peace and joy.

Titus 2:1-15

The Buddy System

Psalm 34:14 (NIV)
  Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Sometimes it is hard to turn from evil and do ‘good’. We may have arrived at the place where we know what good is, what it looks like, but it is difficult to continue on the good path.

It is like a diet or a new and healthy eating plan. We begin strong, we are even convinced we can do this. We start to feel better as a result and then find it is a challenge to stick with it. There is a strong pull to the foods or treats which used to consume us and propelled us to our unhealthy ways. We fall off the wagon often, but always find our way back. 

When we walk this path with a buddy, someone to help encourage us and hold us accountable, it is, even more, achievable and fun. One day, we claim success. We made it one day then two and then a week. The scale begins to reflect the changes we made and our health has improved.

The same is true for changing our hearts - choosing good over evil is a prayerful process. One we don't want to do alone. Travel this road with someone who has passed this way before and you will have a friend forever. They understand and can help and guide. 

This mentor is critical to our success. When we have someone to follow, someone to rely on for support, before we know it good is the norm. Transformation happens just as with a diet, we must remain diligent and alert, we can overcome evil or poor eating habits or...you fill in the blank.

Prayer: Dear Lord, show me what I need to do and then bring someone in to my life who can come alongside me to guide and pray and love me through the process.

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

  The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:8-18

2 Corinthians 9: 1-9

^{2 Corinthians 9:6-7}  

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

So I guess this means we are not supposed to race around all week, and when we finally slow down and settle into the pew on Sunday, check to see what’s left in our wallet and put that into the collection basket.

Any time activities are well planned and properly orchestrated we are more calm and comfortable. When we are flying by the seat of our pants, we cannot be at peace. It is not wise to take a trip without extensive planning and preparation. It is foolish to simply throw a few things into a suitcase without thinking through what we will truly need for each day of our journey, what it will cost, how we will pay for it, and what our ultimate goal or plan is when we arrive at our destination.

Several years ago my nephew, who was a young Pastor at the time, was traveling with us by car to Ohio. We took turns driving and talking, catching up on each other’s lives and getting to know my nephew again as he had been away for quite some time. I recall some words of wisdom he spoke when reflecting on a mentor of his from seminary; “Ruthlessly eliminate hurry.”

I latched onto that line, and have it posted in various locations at home and work as a constant reminder. This world encourages and supports just the opposite. How are we ever going to Be still and know that He is God, if we are constantly on the go until we plop down on Sunday morning?

Planning and preparation have never been my strength, however as the years race by I am learning the beauty in eliminating hurry, and the time it leaves for planning what I am to do for the Kingdom of God…in my daily life, in my prayer life, and in my giving. I urge you to do the same. 

Read/Listen to 2 Corinthians 9:1-9

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Reproofing and Correction

The Sunday Scripture Reading for September remains the same: 

"All scripture is God -breathed, and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Consider the phrase

“He doesn't know what he doesn't know.”

I've used that line myself when referring to new employees at my workplace, I was responsible for mentoring. It takes a while for the fog to clear when people are put into new situations. Everyone else has an understanding of the common goal. Those who surround the newbie are in the know about the importance of the details that need to be addressed. While the rookie thinks he is working hard and doing what is expected, the others are picking up the slack.

As the numbers on the desk calendar are peeled away, his co-workers correct, redirect, explain, and allow mistakes in order to provide understanding and clarity. Through this process of correction, reproofing, experience, and guidance, the new guy settles into a place within the ranks because he now “gets it.”

Perhaps there was a business manual available to assist with understanding the common practices involved with the job. Maybe the new employee was referred to the internet to view a web cam or provided video training CD’s to get an overview of his role and responsibilities. Though valuable tools, the importance of the personal relationships accompanying those training opportunities cannot be overstated.

If we are true Christ followers, we are also spiritual mentors. We have a God given training manual at our fingertips we call the Bible; His Holy Word. We can provide this tool to others, but must also model, guide, correct, and reproof in order to bring our brothers and sisters to a place of understanding their responsibilities as Christians. To help them know what they don't know. 

2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.”

Acts 18:24-28

Was there one person who invested time and energy on you cultivating your faith life?  Most of us can probably point to a person who made this sort of difference for us.  There have been a couple of people in my life who filled this role, patiently guiding and teaching me.

The lesson for today is about Priscilla and Aquila, whom we were introduced to earlier in this chapter, taking Apollos under their wings.  They heard this new believer speak and wanted to help him learn the whole story so he could be more effective for Jesus.


Acts 18:26 (NIV)
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.




The Christians who took time to help me understand God, revealed by example, how exciting it is to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Likewise, Priscilla and Aquila walked alongside Apollos, teaching him that there was more to his faith than repentance.  They unfolded the the rest of the story about Jesus and the salvation He presented to the world.  They taught Apollos about the Holy Spirit and thus enabled him to tell others, just as we are to do.  Is there someone you are mentoring?

Read Acts 18:24-28 here.

Apollos to Corinth - Acts 18:17-28

For years, Paul Harvey hosted a popular radio program called "The Rest of the Story."  This broadcast was famous for searching out people or situations many were familiar with and digging even deeper for more information.  The broadcaster would present an account to the audience that was familiar to most listeners.  He would build up the tension, laying out facts widely known. Then, just before delivering the punch, there would be a commercial break preceded by the words, "In a moment...the rest of the story."

It is this type of situation we find ourselves in today, as we journey to Ephesus with Paul and his missionary team consisting of Aquila and Priscilla.  While in Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila heard a young Jewish man named Apollos, speak in the synagogue. They invited the man to their home and instructed him more fully about Jesus.

It seems Apollos knew of John the Baptist and the repentance he preached so boldly, but did fully understand everything about Baptism.  Once his mentors taught him about Jesus Christ's death, resurrection and our resulting salvation, he was fully equipped.  He knew the rest of the story and could share it with others. And he did.

Heavenly Father, I pray that you would put someone in my path to share Your wisdom with me.  I pray too that I be equipped to mentor disciples for You as well.   Amen.


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