If anyone knows Melissa…

2 Timothy

About the year AD 65 Paul was arrested and put into a dungeon, bound to a guard 24/7. He was likely in pain, probably hungry and cold and uncomfortable, he was probably humiliated, he was deserted and lonely. His associates (except for Luke) has all left him. Probably because of fear. In this prison, he was facing certain death! Yet in this place he wrote 2 Timothy which was his last letter.

Paul wrote to Timothy in this letter encouraging him to be faithful.

But Paul’s concern was not himself, but for Timothy and the success of the Gospel ministry.

Who was Timothy? Timothy was the pastor of the church of Ephesus. He was timid, suffered from physical ailments, tempted to let others take advantage of him, and he had issues asserting his authority as a pastor. But here Paul was writing one of the most personal letters that he wrote. It was full of advice and warnings and instruction but also lots of encouragement to follow in Paul’s footsteps as a true and faithful witness for Jesus.

Just in the first chapter Paul gave Timothy the essentials that he must possess to have success in ministry and the encouragement to possess them.

1. Courage – no place for fear

Enthusiasm –  Paul encouraged Timothy to keep the fire burning brightly by stirring up the gift of God so that the power of God could work through his life. Timothy did not need any new thing. All he had to do was “stir up” what he already had.

Reminders/Encouragement: 1. His love 2. His prayers 3. His confidence in Timothy’s faith 4. God’s call and ordination

2. Be unashamed of the Gospel, of suffering for the Gospel and the sufferer – Part of faithfulness is to be unashamed!

Reminders/Encouragement: 1. God gives power 2. God called both by His grace 3. Christ defeated death

Important that we stand true to Jesus and be willing to suffer for Him and not be ashamed.

Also important that we stand by God’s servants who are suffering for righteousness sake.

3. Loyal
4. Be loyal to God’s word

God gave to Paul > Paul gave to Timothy > Now Timothy’s responsibility to “hold fast” and “keep” truth and pass it along to others.

Timothy needed to hold fast to truth or he would have nothing by which to test other teachers and preachers and we need to hold fast to what Paul taught for the exact same reason.

But also note that doctrine was to be tempered in “faith and love.”

Speak truth in love (Eph 4:15)

1. Be loyal to God’s servants

The Asian believers did not stand by Paul. They were ashamed of him and so (whether they knew it or not) they were also ashamed of Jesus Christ.

Be courageous, enthusiastic, unashamed, loyal, and faithful.

Faithfulness is important concept that runs throughout the Bible.  Be faithful to the Word, Be faithful to the work set before you, Be faithful to God’s servants, BE FAITHFUL TO GOD!!!! The more faithful we become, the more responsibility God can give us in regard to the ongoing work of the Great Commission.

Great Commission –  Matthew 28:16-20

Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.

¹⁷ And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

¹⁸ And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

¹⁹ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Psalm 119:169-176

for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. ~ Luke 6:45

What is in our hearts today? Is praise pouring forth from your heart to your mouth? If not, why?

For years and years and years, I was good at doing. Doing, specifically, for God. Oh yes, I loved Him and I was grateful for His grace. I grew up learning the Bible…but the Bible, this Word hadn’t permeated my heart. I didn’t really get it. And so, the doing took place of praise flowing out of my heart and onto my lips. There was no praise because there was not deep understanding, or admittance, of God’s statutes. 

I am reminded of story of the disciples on the Road to Emmaus. Two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus on the day that Jesus rose from the dead. Another man joined them. It was the resurrected Jesus but the disciples didn’t recognize Him. They told him the events of the previous days and He began to teach them the Scriptures. They stopped to eat and then their eyes were opened that this was Jesus. But of His teach the disciples said in Luke 24:32 – And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

Their hearts burned. When you truly look at God’s statutes, the commandments, and measure yourself. When you meditate on it…you can’t help but be changed by it and realize how bad it is.  How bad you are and how much you need Him. How much you need to call upon Him. It wasn’t until I understood really deep down at a heart level just how sinful and flawed I really was that I understood what David is saying in these verses today.

TAV – is the name of man calling upon God; it is the name of man singing praises.

This passage is a prayer to the Lord and the focus of his prayer is on God’s wonderful ability to meet his needs as he trusted Him. But when you read it -make it personal!!!

The needs of the psalmist were same things I need.

• I need His Word. We never outgrow our need for God’s Word, no matter how long we walk with Him. There will always be something new. The psalmist asked for understanding and deliverance, for he knew that the truth would set him free (John 8:32)
• I need His Hand. The idols of his world have hands that do not move or feel, but God’s hand is active on behalf of His people. His hand is righteous.
• I need His salvation. Our ultimate salvation was found on the cross when Jesus died and then was put in that tomb and then raised on that 3^rd But our need for His salvation means even more than that…if you can grasp it. Here salvation also meant deliverance from his enemies who were threatening him, but salvation can mean freedom from worry, healing from sickness, provision of funds to pay a bill, or deliverance from satanic oppression.
• I need His help. The writer prayed, HELP ME earlier in verse 86 and isn’t that our cry. God’s hand can help us but so can His judgements. Judgements is another word for the Word of God, but it can also refer to the working of God’s providence in this world. The two go together, because God always obeys His own Word when He works in this world. God helps us as He arranges the affairs of His world and our lives. He will accomplish His will.
• I need to say as the psalmist to the Lord…I am Your servant. The psalmist did not say that he had greatly sinned against the Lord or that he was rebelling. But even still, he had come to know through it all his own weakness and ignorance. I need to come to that place too.

During the spiritual journey of Psalm 119 the psalmist experienced many ups and downs but he always stayed himself on the Word of God.

How fitting is the last verse of 119. Psalm 119:176. After 175 verses of proclaiming how great God’s Word is; how we treasure it; how we seek to follow with our whole heart. But then still the psalmist ended up saying and we so often end up saying…

“I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.”

He was still the servant of God and not the servant of sin, and he still remembered God’s Word, so he won’t stray for long.

And that takes me back up where we began in our passage– Back to I NEED YOUR WORD: after learning the statutes of God, after having them opened up to you; meditating on them…the psalmist began to praise the Lord and speak the Word. The disciples began to praise the Lord – their hearts burned!!! Not only that but they couldn’t wait to tell that Jesus was risen. It is the same with us! Study and preaching the Word and praise and worship belong together.

When the Word is opened up to us because we have meditated on it. When John 1:1 becomes alive in our hearts too we can’t help but realize that even though we are so prone to wander and stray and rebel…when we called upon Him that we were

FORGIVEN. ACCEPTED. LOVED.  This is what brings us to our knees in worship of the Almighty God. For WHO He is, and what He has done for us.

And what does God desires from us. He wants our love. Our praise. When we meditate on the Word our hearts are changed. The overflow of our hearts is love and the overflow of our love is praise and speaking His Word and then we DO…. He wants us to be obedient to what He tells us to DO but the doing comes as a “byproduct” of our love and praise. It is part of our worship!

Philippians 2:9-11 – this is so powerful..

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Let’s think about this verse!

God also highly exalted Him (WHO? JESUS) and given Him (JESUS) a name which is above – what? Every Name

Don’t miss that! It is above every name.  The verse says at the name of Jesus every knee will bow – powerful.

BOW DOWN

Hebrews 1 says that when His first born came into the world The Father said for every angel to worship Him. You don’t find that one time to any prophet. You don’t find that to any preachers.  But when GOD sent His son He said every angel come to the manger in Bethlehem and worship My Son. Oh and this child has a name that is above every name.

And it says in this verse in Philippians that at His name every knee will should bow. Of things in heaven, things in earth, things under the earth.  That means angels, men and demons.  3 worlds to be dealt with heaven, earth and under the earth.  Every knee will bow. Think about it pleaseIt’s interesting too that the Greek words for “bow” just means “bow low” I like it bc it says every knee will bow low. Everything! Everything in heaven, earth and under the earth bows low.  Not even just a little (bow). No, no, no it’s all the way – you’re going down.

CONFESS

And it is not even that it is going to be a little quiet worship. No, no, no.  It‘s a loud one bc  it says here – every tongue will also confess. And every tongue will confess.  Angels, men, and demons – that Jesus Christ is LORD! Confess in the Greek there means audibly, vocally, publicly, declare as a fact. To speak it loud.

That means Mohammed will say – JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! That means every Hindu; every Buddhist, every atheist; EVERY nation, tribe and tongue… will say – JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

That means Lucifer will say – JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! While he is bowing low.

Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.  Love that!

Can you imagine the sound of that worship? Every man or being that has ever been created…ever, ever! Think of how that will sound through the heavens! Billions of people, innumerable angels, everything with a tongue…and the demons themselves all declaring loudly, JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! As a fact!

YOUR CHOICE

In heaven, it’s the saints – bought by His blood

In hell, it’s those that have chosen to reject His Lordship on earth. Have you accepted Him today?

^{Acts 4:12} Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Romans 10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

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.” 

You have to confess it – say it with your mouth! I am here today to tell you, on this earth at this moment you have a choice…will you accept the Lord as your Savior or will you reject Him…But one day whatever your choice – you too will BOW DOWN AT THE NAME OF JESUS! You will CONFESS  Jesus Christ is LORD!

HONOR HIS NAME  JESUS – is not just any name! It is not for us just to repeat like a parrot either. That’s not the point. And certainly not to speak lightly or irreverently. NO! It is precious and holy and it to be honored and glorified. You’ve got to know the ONE with the name and you’ve got to know what is behind His Name.

HAVE FAITH IN HIS NAME –  THEN…You’ve got to have faith in His Name!  How do you have faith in His Name? Accept Him, ask the Holy Ghost to give you understanding/revelation of His Word as you read His Word bc – Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.   Few more scriptures

John 14:13 – And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Last words of Jesus recorded in Mark 16: 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.  19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

We are His disciples and this command is for us too. When we use the Name of Jesus we are being obedient to His commands. And just like the disciples when we will go forth and preach the Gospel the Lord will also work with us, confirming the WORD with signs following. He is the same – YESTERDAY, TODAY, and FOREVER!

Victory is in that Name!  HEALING! DELIVERANCE! SALVATION!

His authority, all authority is in that Name!  His nature is in that Name! His power is in that Name!

That everything heaven is and that heaven has for us is in HIS NAME!  That’s powerful.

JESUS! Oh there is something about that name.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

There’s just something about that name

Master, Savior, Jesus

Like the fragrance after the rain

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Let all heaven and earth proclaim

Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away

But there’s something about that name.

When I see or hear that name of JESUS I see every need that we have supplied. Every sickness that we may ever have healed. Every demon that we will ever encountered defeated. Every blessing provided.  

His Name – JESUS – It is HOLY! It is to be reverenced! It is to be honored and glorified.

God bless you today In the Name of Jesus!

Acts 6:1b – And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied

Background – Early days of church. Probably a few weeks or at most a few months after Pentecost and the church was really growing. 3000 – one day! They began to meet in homes

Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans, Ethiopians were becoming believers

Various cultures came together – these were cultures not used to being together

As matter of fact these new believers were very racially segregated and did not like one another. They had persecuted one another, defamed one another, and now here they were in the same Body of Christ.

Saved, Sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost – and they were working together and it was going well.

On the Day of Pentecost not only did people speak in other tongues and not only did others heart in their own languages BUT,

Different races, different genders, different backgrounds, different economic classes were all there worshipping together, serving together and loving one another.

Jesus said in John 13:35 – By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Here were His Words made manifest – Jesus said this is the kind of love that will make the world know that you are My disciples and this is the kind of love that will cause people to believe in Me.

Meditating on this in light of things going on in my own life

Tanzania. Street ministry with ladies involved in sex trafficking. Only focus!

Not much physical prep, so I asked God – then how do I prepare my heart? God gave me such a Word and while sometimes Words are just for us, I believe with my whole heart this is for all of us.

HE SAID: Love is patient and love is kind.

1 Corinthians 13:4a – Charity suffereth long, and is kind

MISSION TRIPS – different dress, different body language, different ways of doing things like eating.

What is appropriate for us may not be appropriate for them (and vice versa)

Patient and kind as it regards their culture and beliefs. To honor them because when we honor them, we honor God.

Maybe easier to get in that mind of Christ for a mission trip but what about in your family or on your job or in the grocery store; your everyday life?

FAMILY VACATIONS –  Even or maybe especially here, you are representing Christ. The Hope of Glory.

Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Christ lives in me! God is love (1 John 4:8). Love is patient and love is Kind.

Romans 2:4b – the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance

Romans 12:10 – Be kindly affectioned one to another with brother love; in honor preferring one another.

Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with ALL men.

• Jesus Christ lives in you so it is possible!!!!

God said to me, Love is patient and love is kind. He has now said it to you!

What does it mean to be patient and kind?

Patient – bearing the provocation, annoyance, misfortune, hardship, pain without complaint, anger, loss of temper, irritation or the like. The ability and willingness to suppress restlessness or annoyance when confronted with delay. Quiet, steady perseverance; even tempered care; to be diligent. Undergoing the action of another.

Kind – a good or benevolent nature or disposition. Having, showing or proceeding from benevolence (expressing goodwill or kind feelings). Desiring to help others. Indulgent or showing some tolerance, considerate or showing awareness or regard for another’s feelings or circumstances. Helpful. Mild, gentle.

Be patient and kind in your words and your actions

Israeli Teacher –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0Lar94iNFM

Story on FB of Chen Miller as she told the story of a little boy with big eyes. It was the story of a student of hers who cursed, spat, screamed daily convinced that he was disturbed.

She showed patience and kindness as his teacher. She didn’t argue with him or fight with him. She didn’t agree with him or his parents or previous teachers.

Instead she just said to him, “I know you have a big heart. I know that you’re clever. I know that you’re a good boy.”

She repeated these phrases to him every week until one day he began to believe the words for himself!

Have you ever had someone speak like that into your life? I have Pat Gilbert

God is going to use you mightily! He has great things in store for you! So no matter what, you keep letting Him use you to minister!

On days when I want to give up or give in. Pastor talked about it some today where I feel inadequate, unprepared and worthless in my calling, I can still hear Sister Pat saying to me….

I was thinking today I am Sister Pat’s fruit and all those ladies in Tanzania that I met last year they are hers too. They are the fruit of many in here too.

YOUR KINDNESS AND YOUR PATIENCE; YOUR KIND, ENCOURAGING, LIFE-GIVING WORDS. YOUR PATIENCE and KINDNESS IN YOUR ACTIONS produce FRUIT!!!!!

LOVE IS PATIENT. LOVE IS KIND.

John 1:35-37 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; ³⁶ And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!³⁷ And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

John and Andrew were disciples of John the Baptist. In fact, they had actually been standing near the prophet when Jesus walked by. As the Baptizer saw Jesus, he cried out, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” and from that moment the two disciples began to follow Jesus (John 1:35-37).

The Book of John is the apostle John’s actual handwritten testimony of how he came to the Son of God and then followed Him. And it gives us revelation and direction regarding our own walk and what we should each ultimately seek when we come to Christ and as we follow Him.

The two have heard and believed John the Baptist’s proclamation about Jesus and are now walking, perhaps hurriedly, to catch up to Jesus. They are within conversation range.

JOHN 1:38-39

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest Thou? He saith unto them, Come and see.

There are many reasons one comes to Christ. We may seek Him for health issues or to possess the keys to prosperity. Perhaps we need deliverance or are burdened with the cares of a loved one. The Lord asked John and Andrew, as He asks each of us: What are you seeking in life? What goals compel you to follow?

When we approach the end of our lives, will the things we have achieved be transferable into eternity? Or will we have spent our time and energies on that which is void of true life?

Jesus asks, “What are you seeking?” It is a very important question. The Lord desires that we take inventory of our passions and objectives. Even today as we walk along following Him, He is still asking us this. Have you emerged from the trials of this past season determined to walk closer to the Lord?

Like John and Andrew, we, too, “behold the Lamb of God.” Just as He asked them, so He turns and asks us, “What are you seeking?”

In response to Jesus’ probing question, the disciples’ answer may seem strange. They did not ask Him for greater power or one of His many spiritual gifts. Instead they asked Jesus something more personal and intimate: “Where dwellest Thou?”

They wanted to know where Jesus lived. There are times when a response reveals the heart. Such is now the case: they are seeking to know the dwelling place of God.

Our Father wants us to ask for spiritual gifts and special blessings of health and financial prosperity. To desire these things is not wrong; it is just not enough. Inside our heart is a desire quest for more. We search for the “dwelling places” of God. In truth, our hearts have been divinely programmed for it. There are within us “the highways to Zion” (Ps. 84:5).

Those highways lead us to nothing less than oneness with Christ. The Bible says that all fruitfulness comes from living in spiritual union with Jesus. In contrast, whatever we offer as service to God that is not the result of our union with Christ, is in vain; it is a weak comfort. For apart from Him, we can do nothing.

He may heal us! He may deliver us! He may answer our prayers! But then if we don’t then abide in Him and allow Him to abide in us…isn’t that healing, that deliverance, our prayers in vain?!?

John tells us in 1 John 2:6  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Abiding in Jesus leads to walking like Jesus.

The disciples answered, “Rabbi, where dwellest Thou?” May this become our prayer as well today and as we go forward: Where do You live, O Son of God? Where is Your dwelling place? Is it in me?

Christ says to us what He said to them: “Come and see.”

In 2016, I went with a team led by my former pastor, Sammy Oxendine, on a mission to Moshi, Tanzania, Africa to work alongside missionaries Vince and Vicki Welch. For me, the highlight of that mission was my time with the young women of The Binti Project. “Binti” means “daughter” in Swahili. The Binti Project is a ministry that rescues, restores, and rehabilitates ladies involved in human trafficking.  Once the women (along with their children) enter the Project – they are provided a home and receive physical and emotional care and support, educational and vocational training, and intensive discipleship.

This year, I plan to return to Tanzania in October to work again with the Welches under the leadership of Pastor Sammy. This mission will have one focus – street ministry for The Binti Project. During the day in Moshi, we will conduct prayer walks on the streets of the “red light” district. In the evenings on those same streets, we will share the love of Jesus with the young girls and ladies we meet. We will also invite them to a banquet where they will hear the Gospel message and incredible testimonies of how God is moving and changing lives through the project, and they will have an excellent meal. There will be an explanation of The Binti Project and an invitation to leave the street and become a part of this life changing ministry.

Would you consider giving financially to this mission? Dan and I have paid my travel expenses. Above that, my goal is to raise at least $2000. All funds received will go directly into the mission to cover ministry expenses, to bless The Binti Project home and missionaries, and to provide gifts for the local pastors that invest time and resources into this ministry. Any size donation is helpful and appreciated. If you decide to partner with this year’s mission to Tanzania, you can make a tax-deductible contribution using the enclosed envelope and instructions.

I hope you can tell; The Binti Project is dear to my heart. I count it my great joy to be called of God to go…and I consider it an honor to work alongside these missionaries, my former pastor, and this team. I go as a messenger of Jesus Christ and as a “mama” to sow eternal seed into the lives of His precious daughters, even as my own mom and spiritual mothers have for me.

In closing, may I also ask for your prayers? For the preparation, the team, the journey, the ladies, and the success of this mission! To me, it is the most important thing you can give because God has shown me over and over it is the prayers of many that help carries me where He guides.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this and for your prayerful consideration.

May your joy and peace be full,

Melissa

I read an article once that said Hallmark gave free cards inmates on Mother’s and Father’s Day. They always ran out of cards on Mother’s Day, but the prisoners only used a small percentage of cards for Father’s Day. This says much about our generation. People often struggle in their relationship with God if they’ve had an absentee dad or one who was less than ideal. And because of this, they also struggle with Father’s Day. But regardless of upbringing, Jesus made a statement to Mary that should encourage us all.

Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. ~ John 20:17

From that day forward, no child has ever been an orphan! Jesus bridged the gap and gave each of us an open relationship wth Our Father. And in a great show of His love, He has put people in our lives to reflect Him and His love.  For some, it was your biological dad. But maybe it was someone else like a stepdad, granddad or teacher. Perhaps God showed Himself to you through a Pastor or simply a faithful, obedient man. For me, it was all of the above.

An unknown author said:  A dad is someone who wants to catch you before you fall, but instead, picks you up, brushes you off, and lets you try again. A dad is someone who wants to keep you from making mistakes but instead lets you find your own way, even though his heart breaks in silence when you get hurt. A dad is someone who holds you when you cry, scolds you when you break the rules, shines with pride when you succeed, and has faith in you even when you fail.

Yes, I’ve had all of these – but not through just one man. As I look back at my life, I can see my Heavenly Father was there all along, using many to help mold me. I feel incredibly privileged to have love and respect for more than one father-figure. So on Father’s Day, I am grateful to my Heavenly Father – and each man that He has used. I hope you are too.