27/06/2009 by John Marsden.

Don’t be Ashamed

2 Timothy 1:8-12So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. 

While Paul was writing 2 Timothy, he was in prison again.  Paul had been in prison before.  He’d been beaten.  He’d been lied about.  He’d been mocked, criticized, and rejected.  He was given so many opportunities to be ashamed of Jesus that if anyone knew how to follow Him without shame, it was Paul.

Paul’s key to keep following Jesus without being ashamed was that he knew without a doubt that he’d been called by the One who conquered all, to collect others into the same calling.  You can have the same conviction in your heart, and follow Jesus without any shame. 

YOU’VE BEEN CALLED…

1. Saved“[God] has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” – 2 Timothy 1:9a

• Paul told Timothy that the first key to following Jesus without shame was to understand what He did – that He saved you and called you to a “holy life.”
• God didn’t save you because of anything you did, but just because He wanted to do it (Ephesians 2:5).
• God even rescued you from a life of sin while you didn’t care anything about Him (Romans 5:10).  And He’s always ready to keep rescuing you if you need it.
• If you’re a Christian, what did God save you from?
• By God’s character, He has always been a “God who saves.”  He always brings “escape from death” (Psalm 68:20).  Nowhere is this more evident than in what Jesus did by taking our place on the cross.
• Jesus loved you enough to die for you!  How can you be ashamed of that?

2. Set Apart“And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.” – 2 Timothy 1:11

• Paul knew that God had not only saved him but also set him apart and called him to work for Him as an apostle.
• God has called each of us and set us apart as His own people (Leviticus 20:26).
• In Ephesians 1:18, Paul said that God sees us as His “glorious inheritance.”  (See Psalm 4:3 for more.)
• In addition to these general callings as the people of God, you have been set apart with a specific destiny to fulfill, one that only you can accomplish (Romans 8:28).
• How does it make you feel to know that God has set you apart for Himself?

BY THE ONE WHO CONQUERED…

1. Sin“Christ Jesus ..  has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” – 2 Timothy 1:10b

• What else kept Paul following Jesus without shame?
• Paul knew what God had done for Him, but he also knew that Jesus was the one who “destroyed death” and “brought life and immortality to light.”
• Jesus destroyed death by conquering sin when He died on the cross and rose again (Romans 5:20-21).
• 1 John 3:8 says Jesus came to destroy sin and the works of the devil.  Genesis 3:15 says the same, that the devil struck Jesus, but that He crushed Satan’s head.
• Because Jesus died in our place, we can now die to sin and “live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24).  Also see Hebrews 10:11-14.

2. Sickness“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5

• What else did Jesus conquer by His death and resurrection on the cross?
• When Jesus died on the cross, He died to conquer sickness.  Isaiah prophesied that “by his wounds we are healed.”
• When Jesus was on earth, he regularly healed “all who were sick” who came to Him (Matthew 8:16).  He’s no different today.
• Also while on earth, Jesus told His disciples to follow in His footsteps and heal the sick like He did (Matthew 10:8).
• In Matthew 28:18, Jesus says that He’s been given “all authority,” so it follows that He has even more power over sickness now that He’s risen from the dead, and that we can appeal to that authority when confronted with sickness.  Also read John 13:3.

3. Sorrow“Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…” – Isaiah 53:4a

• When Jesus died on the cross and rose again, He conquered sin, sickness, and also sorrows.
• Paul found strength to preach the gospel and serve God without shame because he knew that Jesus had conquered all sorrow.
• Ephesians 1:22 says that God placed “all things” under Jesus’ feet, including every sorrow and difficulty in this world.  Even including the shame you might sometimes feel when sharing the Gospel.
• This doesn’t mean that everything will go perfectly, but that you’ll be able to endure until the day God permanently gets rid of all mourning (Revelation 21:4).
• What would you say brings the greatest sorrow in the world?
• Death probably brings the most sorrow, and Jesus has conquered it (Revelation 1:18, Revelation 20:14, Isaiah 25:8, and 1 Corinthians 15:2

So don’t be ashamed

“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God… – 2 Timothy 1:8

• Knowing that you’re called by the One who conquered all things to collect others into His kingdom means you can follow God without shame or embarrassment.
• Don’t be ashamed to speak up about God!
• When you trust in God and just speak for Him, He’ll defend you (Isaiah 28:16).
• As you look to Jesus and gain His strength, you can serve Him without being ashamed (Psalm 34:5), so you can bring His words to the world (Psalm 40:10).
• Jesus told us to go and preach, so go do it without being ashamed!  See Mark 10:7-8

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” – Romans 1:16 

• To be a follower of Jesus, you can’t be ashamed of Him.  If you’re struggling with that, you can win the battle!
• Know that the Gospel is the power of God – it really changes lives and is something great!
• The Gospel brings salvation – people need it and want it, so let ‘them have it!

You and I have no reason whatsoever to be ashamed, rather lift your head high, look the world right in the eye and remember you are a child of the Living God.

Have a great day

John

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26/06/2009 by John Marsden.

Aim High

Aiming High means that there are some things that we must be 

For instance BE:

1. Kind“And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone…” – 1 Timothy 2:24

• One of the requirements of following after Jesus is to be kind to everyone.
• Paul went so far as to say that rather than returning evil for evil, we should be kind to someone who harms us (1 Thessalonians 5:15).
• Have you noticed that people usually treat you better when you’re kind to them?
• Proverbs says “a kind-hearted woman gains respect” and “a kind man benefits himself” (Proverbs 11:16-17).  Being kind to others doesn’t just make their lives easier – it makes your life better too!
• Even God shows kindness, even though we don’t really deserve it (Genesis 39:21, Jeremiah 9:24).

2. Forgiving“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

• God expects those who follow him to be ready to forgive, because He always is.
• Even though God doesn’t need to forgive us, He is always quick to do it whenever we seek Him (Psalm 86:5, Psalm 130:3-4).
• Jesus went so far even as to teach that if we don’t forgive people when they sin against us, God won’t forgive us either (Matthew 6:14-15).
• We need to forgive people no matter what they’ve done.  As we forgive them, Paul said it can bring healing to their lives (2 Corinthians 2:5-8).

3. Gentle“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2

• There are certain qualities everyone wants – bravery, good looks, a sense of humor, etc. – but God tells us to aim high and pursue humbleness, gentleness, patience, and other less exciting character qualities.
• Raise your hand: would you rather be an eagle or a little yellow duckling?  Most of us would rather be the eagle, which is fine, but when God says to pursue gentleness, it’s like he’s pointing out that we should want to be the duckling too.
• Paul told us to “clothe” ourselves with gentleness (Colossians 3:12).  When you’re clothed in it, that’s all people will see.
• Even Jesus, as strong and brave as He was, was also gentle (Matthew 11:29).  Same goes for Paul (1 Thessalonians 2:7).
• According to Proverbs, gentleness is actually stronger than it looks (Proverbs 15:1, 25:15).  There’s a lot of power in being gentle.

Just look at these words from the Lord Jesus Himself

“…If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” – Matthew 16:24

• Following Jesus means you need to aim high and not be content with just sliding by.
• Jesus said that those who want to follow Him need to do three things: 
• First, you need to deny yourself.
• Second, you need to take up your cross.  When you take up your cross, you’re going to your death.  To follow Jesus, you’ve got to do some things that would “kill you.”  Maybe it’s being gentle, or forgiving someone or letting go of lust or an argumentative attitude.
• Third, you need to just take a deep breath, jump in, and follow Him wherever He takes you.

Have a great day walking with the Lord

John

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25/06/2009 by John Marsden.

Aim High

2 Timothy 2:22-26Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 

In 2 Timothy, Paul emphasized the life of the man or woman who decided to follow Jesus for real.  He wrote hoping to encourage Timothy to keep following, despite hardships and setbacks that may come.

It all begins by aiming high.  It begins by leaving behind sinful desires and motives, pursuing godly attitudes, and being upright in character.  If you set these in your heart, you will be able to follow Jesus for years to come, like Paul and Timothy before you.
FLEE…

1. Evil Desires“Flee the evil desires of youth…” – 2 Timothy 2:22a

• Paul told Timothy that in order to follow Jesus, he would have to flee the evil desires of youth.
• What might some of these “evil desires of youth” be?
• One of the biggest “evil desires of youth” you need to guard against is lust that can show up in fornication, pornography, and bad relationships.  Proverbs 7:7-27 talks about how dangerous it is to play around with sexual sin.
• 1 Corinthians 6:18 says that sexual sin is more dangerous than other sins, because you sin against yourself.
• We also have to guard against idolatry, whether it be making idols out of celebrities, clothes, money, school, or anything else (1 Corinthians 10:14).
• God has called us to run away from all evil desires and no longer be enslaved to sin (Romans 6:6-7).  See also Romans 6:11-12.

2. Arguments“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” – 2 Timothy 2:23

• Besides fleeing evil desires, Paul told Timothy to make sure he didn’t get involved with “stupid arguments.”
• What sorts of “stupid arguments” have you heard recently, maybe even from your own mouth?
• Paul told Titus the same advice he gave Timothy – “avoid foolish… arguments and quarrels about the law” (Titus 3:9).
• It’s easy to get sucked into stupid arguments.  Even Jesus’ disciples did it (Luke 9:46).  And so did John’s disciples (John 3:25).
• Rather than getting sucked into “stupid arguments,” Paul said it’s our job to “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:5).  State the truth, but don’t get sucked into arguments about useless things.
• Proverbs 29:8 says that a wise man can turn away anger during an argument.

PURSUE…

“…pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” – 2 Timothy 2:22b 

1. Righteousness“I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.” – Job 29:14

• Not only does following Jesus mean that you have to flee certain things, but it also means that you need to pursue the things of God.
• Job said that he put on righteousness as clothing.
• What do you think it means that Job’s clothing was righteousness?
• What does it mean to be righteous?
• According to Psalm 5:8, being righteous means that you follow God’s ways.  John said that it means you do righteousness (1 John 3:7).
• When you pursue righteousness, God watches over you (Psalm 1:6), exalts you (Job 36:7), and blesses you (Psalm 5:12).
• Without righteousness, you will not see heaven (Matthew 5:20).  That is why it’s such an awesome thing that Jesus is our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30).

2. Faith“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1

• Besides pursuing righteousness, following Jesus means you pursue faith.
• What do you think it means to pursue faith in God?
• Faith means that you are “sure of what [you] hope for.”  It means you believe God even when it seems like He won’t come through for you.
• When we have faith in God, we are made righteous (Romans 1:17), we can do miracles even greater than Jesus (John 14:12, Matthew 21:21), we can see God move in our lives (Matthew 13:58), and we can be healed (Matthew 9:22, 29).

3. Love“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13

• Paul told the Corinthian Christians that three things would last forever – faith, hope, and love.  Yet he said the greatest of these three was love.
• Why do you think Paul said that love was greater even than faith and hope? 
• How does it last forever?
• Jesus summed up our responsibility to love by saying that the whole law can be wrapped up in loving God and loving other people (Luke 10:27).
• In Luke 6:27-36, Jesus taught that our responsibility to love others even extends to our enemies and those who aren’t easy to love.
• It also means we need to love our fellow Christian brothers and sisters (John 13:34).
• We need to live our whole lives in love (Ephesians 5:2).

4. Peace“The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” – Romans 8:6

• If you are born again and filled with God’s Spirit, then your mind will be controlled by life and peace.
• Having peace doesn’t come easy, but it’s essential to seek it (Psalm 34:14).
• Jesus called us to be at peace with each other (Mark 9:50) and make peace in the world (Matthew 5:9, Romans 12:18).
• God himself is a called a “God of peace” by Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:33.

Aim high and have a great day

John

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24/06/2009 by John Marsden.

Everyone needs to be refreshed

A lot of your friends need to be refreshed and revived. Here’s how you can perform Spiritual CPR and help them return to a passionate life. 

Care enough to get involved

Onesiphorus’ key quality was that he cared. He sought Paul out and served him. In today’s “me” centered world it’s tough to find people who care enough to get involved.

• How can we become more caring?

• How has God shown his care for you and me?

• What gets in the way of caring the way we should?

Persist in your task

Sometimes we get in the middle of caring for someone and want to give up. Maybe they’re too difficult. Maybe others are making fun of us for helping someone that is not in our “group.” Onesiphorus knew Paul had been deserted. He knew he might get labeled for staying so supportive. But he cared more about Paul than anything else, so he persisted.

• How can we stay strong when caring for someone takes longer than anticipated?

• Why do we want to give up so easily?

Christ wanted to give up as well, but he persisted. Why? How can that help you persist? 

Risk stepping out

Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul’s chains. Paul chains could have landed Onesiphorus in jail. Open association with a radical Christian risked personal imprisonment. Those who were out to kill Paul may have also wanted to kill Onesiphorus. What risks are you taking by helping someone?

Are there times when it might be stupid to help? (Picking up a hitchhiker, etc).

Do you have some friends at work that would laugh at you or stop talking to you because you helped someone outside ‘the circle’? 

SURPRISE: When you refresh others guess what? You get refreshed!

“He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed” Prov. 11:25

Have a great refreshing day. 

John

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23/06/2009 by John Marsden.

Everyone needs to be refreshed.

Paul said about Onesiphorus, “He often refreshed me.” That means several things… 

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23/06/2009 by John Marsden.

Extravagant Love

Extravagant love is pleasing to Christ.
(John 12:7-8)  The only voice heard in favor of what Mary did that night was the only one that really mattered. Matthew 26:10, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me.”When we really give our gifts to God He knows it.
Our Lord emphasized the fact that Mary’s gift was for Him. Nothing that we give God will ever go unnoticed by Him.

Hebrews 6:10, “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”You will never give something to God that will be forgotten, when He receives something from us that is precious to us it is pleasing to Him.

In Mark’s account of this event he adds that Christ also said, “She did what she could” (Mark 14:8).
The fragrance of that perfume has long since evaporated but the memory of that woman will survive as long as the gospel is preached. She did what she could and what she did made a difference.
Picture the scene as Phillip Keller described it: “The delicious fragrance ran down over his shining hair. It enfolded His body with its delightful aroma. Even his tunic and flowing undergarment were drenched with its enduring pungency. Wherever he moved during the ensuing days, the perfume would go with Him. Into the Passover; into the Garden of Gethsemane; into Herod’s hall; into Pilate’s patio; even into the cruel hands of those who cast lots for his clothing.”With each crack of the whip, Mary’s gift was remembered. With each nail driven in, her love was felt.

Lord may I be extravagant with Your love today.

Have a great day

John

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22/06/2009 by John Marsden.

Extravagant Love

Extravagant love is confusing to some. (John 12:4-6)… 

“Why wasn’t this perfume sold…”Not everyone is blessed when others give to God extravagantly. Even something beautiful and fragrant to God is a stench to some.

Judas’ statement sounded so spiritual didn’t it? “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and given to the poor?” (I like how John unmasked his hypocrisy though!)
Verse 6, “He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as a keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put in it.”

Did you notice the damage that Judas did? Mary’s sacrifice had drawn all the attention of the house on the Lord Jesus Christ. But Judas, by his arrogance, turned the attention away from the Lord.
He wasn’t in love with Jesus; he was in love with himself. For thirty pieces of silver Judas would later betray the Lord Jesus.

To this day, your extravagant love for God will be perplexing to those who gripe. But don’t let that stop you!
In spite of criticism for doing so, seek to please Christ! More extravagant love is called for if we are to reach the people with God’s extravagant love for them

Have a great day and please let me remind you ‘BE EXTRAVAGANT WITH HIS LOVE’!

 John

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22/06/2009 by John Marsden.

Extravagant Love

Extravagant love is pleasant to others. (John 12:3)  

“And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

The whole house was filled with the fragrance, not just the room in which they were seated. Her gift had an effect on everyone who was present.
Sooner or later everyone would know what had been offered. Even those who were outside would know what had been offered within.

Even those outside of these walls become drawn to the fragrance within.
The people outside of these walls that are starving for truth and life! Don’t be deceived, people hunger for worship and if they are not drawn to the TRUTH, they will settle for the counterfeit. This is why we see highly educated men and women with crystals around their necks in hopes of getting in touch with something beyond themselves and their sad existence. They are starving for HIM, not stories about HIM. And when God’s people give their very best to HIM the aroma will draw people to HIM.

Don’t wait for someone else to do it before you do it.
Just like Mary did, we encourage one another with our sacrifice.

When we hear of someone else’s sacrifice it encourages us to do more for Him. You be that person. Bring your best to HIM. Let Him inhabit your praises!

A God honoring offering is not just precious to us; it is pleasant to others.

Have a great day  John

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21/06/2009 by John Marsden.

Extravagant love is precious to us. (John 12:1-3)

This lady was center stage only three times in scripture and each time she is at our Lord’s feet.
· She sat at his feet to hear His word (Luke 10:38-42).
· She knelt at his feet in sorrow over the death of her brother Lazarus (John 11:32).
· And this time, where she brings her offering.

What a wonderful place to be found…at Jesus’ feet. Perhaps we should ask ourselves if we have been there lately? Have we been to busy? Too proud? Too self-reliant?
At His feet was Mary’s favorite place to be. We see her there in times of sorrow and in times of joy. We see her there in times of receiving and in times of giving. We see her there when the sun is shining and when the storm clouds are gathering.

Her motive was love.
Doing something extravagant like this was fitting for her. Not that it wasn’t expensive, it was! It is just that to her, Jesus was worth so much more.

Could the same be said of us? Have we given anything to God recently, not because we were expected to but because we wanted to? Wherever this kind of love exists in the heart, there is a desire to sacrifice. The object of our devotion is worth every penny.

Many it seems, rather than giving Him everything, are content to just dip their finger into what is precious to them and just dab a little upon him.

Have a great day and be as extravagant as you want to be.

John

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20/06/2009 by John Marsden.

Stay F.O.C.U.S.E.D. 5

Stand firm in your commitment. Read Philippians 4:1You’ll be tempted to give up. You may even have Christian friends who prompt you to just let go and let God. That sounds good, but clichés aren’t always the answer. We have a part in this heavenward process. God has to have our total commitment and willingness to do whatever it takes to reach his goals.

Have agreat day John 

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