Here is something to put on your calendar (only we don't know which day!) - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 4:1,

"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge..."

Paul couches his charge to Timothy in view of, among other things, his "appearing." What is this appearing? Popularly, this has been referenced as the "second coming of Christ." We read about it in various places in our Bibles, such as Hebrews 9:28, "... Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

Jesus' disciples asked him when he would be coming back to planet earth, and what the signs would be accompanying his second coming, "Tell us... when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Matthew 24:3. Jesus responded that there would be many impostors who would claim to be him and "deceive many." About his return, he said, "... as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24:27.

Jesus taught that when he comes, there would be a great mourning - as the people of the world see him return. This is due to their rejection of Jesus Christ when they had the chance to embrace him in faith and inherit eternal life. When Jesus comes again, it will be too late for anyone to turn to him. This age will be brought to a close and when he comes, "he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other." Matthew 24:31. The "elect" here is a reference to all God has chosen for himself: those who exercised their free will to embrace him in faith. God has chosen for himself all who chose him.

Jesus will return to planet earth to bring judgement against all unbelievers and to bring his salvation for those of us who have embraced him in faith. Until then, as Peter said, "Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets." Acts 3:21.

Just as surely as the first coming of Jesus Christ was prophesied and fulfilled, so also will be his second coming. For the world, it will be a day of gloom and darkness. For believers, it will be the wonderful fulfillment of excited anticipation. Jesus Christ is coming for us, and, as the writer of Hebrews says, he will be bringing with him the salvation he has for all who have trusted in him.

Today we face in anticipation one of the greatest of all events in human history: the return of Jesus Christ!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

The big picture! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 4:1,

"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge..."

Paul tells Timothy to discharge the duties given him and to be prepared at all times. As Paul does so, he does "in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who will judge the living and the dead." In short, everyone faces this judgement.

Some folks have not figured out what Christianity is all about - the bigger picture. As we all know, some attend church as the "spiritual" component of an otherwise healthy lifestyle. Much like going to the gym, reading informative books, attending career-enhancing seminars, investing wisely, etc. Its just "good" to insure we are addressing what we might consider to be those "spiritual things" in our lives. Others, I am quite certain, attend church to make sure their teenage children get started on the right foot, hoping that youth group will keep the kids from drugs, alcohol and sexual promiscuity. Many may attend because it is the way they were raised, that it is the right thing to do. Some may get involved in church in an effort to save their marriage, to straighten out their husbands or wives. Some may go to church as they face a frightening illness or infirmity, or due to the bereavement of losing a loved one - a place to find solace. Church is also a great place to make friends and meet the right kind of people when moving into a new area.

I'm sure there are many reasons why folks get involved in a fellowship. While many of these reasons are legitimate and needful, none of the ones I mentioned approach what Christianity is primarily about - "the bigger picture."

The bigger picture is that we are all sinners. Since Adam and Eve, all have sinned. Because of this, we all face God's judgment, "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment..." Hebrews 9:27. This is what Christianity is all about, bottom line. The big picture is that God is both a God of love and a God of justice, "let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight." Jeremiah 9:24. Because of God's justice, we all face judgement. Because of God's love, he has made a way for us to escape the punishment of his judgement (to be cast into a fiery lake of burning sulfur, Revelation 21:8), and beyond that, to be included in his family, forgiven of all sins, given eternal life, a place at God's table and an inheritance for all those who are his. This is the big picture.

The big picture is that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life, John 14:6. Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me." Christianity is not just another religion - it is the only way to God and the only way to escape his judgement. It is the way of faith in Jesus Christ, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..." John 1:12.

This is the big picture. And those other things people may attend church for? All of that is wonderful icing on the cake! However, don't miss the cake! Otherwise the really important thing will be missed!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Are you politically correct or righteous? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Tiimothy 4:8,

"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."

A crown of righteousness.... what is "righteousness"? The definition in the dictionary is "free from quilt or sin... morally right or justifiable." Very simply it means to be in good standing with God. However, it can be a term used to describe the standing of someone in relation to something or someone else (not necessarily God): a good standing. A good standing in the community can be thought of as having a righteous standing with that community.

Who or what that something or someone is that extends the standing is all important. To have a good standing with someone corrupt, lazy and shiftless doesn't mean much, but to have a good standing with God is everything.

The whole notion of being "righteous", of having "a righteous standing" is rampant in our current culture. The term is not used, but the evaluation and designation inherent in the concept of having a "righteous standing" is applied to everybody, in terms of our culture. Think of the political candidate that may "misspeak", violating some "politically correct" perspective.

Politically correct speech is a big example of this. In our culture, "climate-change deniers" like me are not considered to have our "head right." We are not considered to have a right standing with our culture. "Homophobes" (whether you are afraid of homosexuality or just disgusted with it doesn't matter) is a term used to designate one's righteous standing with today's pop culture. Racist, bigot, misogynist, "one-percenter", are all terms used to describe someone's lack of "righteousness" with today's society.

Of course, these examples of evaluating everyone's "rightness" or "righteousness" are based on our culture's perspective on what is just, fair and appropriate - how we measure up with what our culture deems appropriate and "good". Considering the reality that our culture's standards are simply the collective expression of the sinful nature of society, I'm not too worried whether I fit in, and I hope you are not as well.

Where the culture has absolutely no basis for its fickle, capricious, fluid and inconsistent standards to evaluate someone's good standing, and particularly when there is no reasonable justification for the supposed standards, how different it is when the Scriptures speak of a standing of righteousness with God: it is always based on God's expression of himself within its pages. If God considers us acceptable to him - it is everything!

God never changes, so what he finds as acceptable never changes. He won't "evolve" on the question of same-sex marriage.  What he finds acceptable is rooted in his never changing character and nature. When we are righteous in his sight, we have his acceptance, he makes a place for us in his family, he gives us eternal life in his kingdom.

Unfortunately for me, I don't measure up to God's standards. I have thought, said and done things that God finds sinful. The life I have lived does not merit me God's acceptance, a place in his family, eternal life. What my life merits me is a place in the "fiery lake of burning sulfur" that is mentioned in Revelation 21:8.

Very, very fortunately for me is that God loves me. He loves all of us and sent his Son, Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for every one of my sins and every one of your sins. Having all my sins paid for provides me with a right standing with him, provides me all he has promised for those having that right standing with him, the standing of a "crown of righteousness." This he offers us if we simply place our faith and trust in him.

"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Romans 3:21-11. How wonderful is that?!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Where to go??? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 3:16-17,

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

While pinheads and liberal theologians debate the veracity of the Scriptures, challenge the authorship of its various authors, advocate for an absurd late-dating of the content, stripping it of all that is supernatural (what they determine is not believable while attempting to de-mythologize it - "the historical Jesus", etc.) and deny its divine inspiration, Paul points the way.

We need to follow Paul's perspective on the Scriptures. He knew from where it came from, as he shared in co-authoring thirteen of our twenty-seven New Testament books. We need to follow Peter who recognized how the Scriptures came to be through a marvelous co-authorship of prophet and the Holy Spirit, "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 2 Peter 1:20-21. Peter, knowing this, acknowledged Paul's writings as inspired, "His [Paul's] letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:16.

We need to follow Jesus' perspective on the Scriptures as well. Jesus never spoke against the Scriptures, considered by the Jews in his day as the very word of God. He used Scripture to teach, to encourage and to direct. He even used the forms of words and the tenses of verbs.

I suspect having the debate affords many the opportunity to ignore the Scripture's claims on each of us. Paul steps past all the smoke and mirrors and gets directly to the truth of Scripture. God inspired the prophets who wrote the Scriptures and he illuminates them, brings them to life, breathes the breath of life into them as we read them, study them, meditate upon them and memorize them.

The Scriptures are not like any other literature we have on our bookshelves. It is within its pages we learn of God and find how we may draw close to him. It is in the pages of Scripture we are invited by God to join his family. It is in its pages we read of God's grace and of the pivotal issue faith plays. Here in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we find that it is to the Scriptures we need to go for teaching, and for rebuke when needed. It is to the Scriptures we need to go for the corrections in life, and for training in righteousness. 

It is to the Scriptures we all need to go in order to be equipped, thoroughly equipped, not for some things, but for "every good work." 

It this important? How are you ordering the things in your life?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Celebrate what is ours in the Scriptures! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 3:14-15,

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and ... have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

Paul encourages Timothy to continue in those things he has become "convinced of", that is, those things of his faith. Paul points to himself ("those from whom you learned it"), Timothy's mother Eunice, his grandmother, Lois, as well as others who may have played a part that led to the development of Timothy's faith and life in Jesus Christ. From these influences, Timothy had found it was the Scriptures that point to exciting things.

While many may see simply an exhortation from Paul to continue in adherence to good doctrine and a godly life, while I am sure that is the case, I think there may be more to look at here  From a place of suffering, being chained as a criminal, the apostle Paul encourages Timothy. Paul is entirely convinced of the tremendous hope we all have as believers in Jesus Christ, as he writes this letter "in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 1:1.

At times, in the "dos" and "don'ts" promoted by the church, the never ending accusations from the pulpit as to how we all can and should be doing better, and doing more, the promotion of new ministries and building programs it is important to stop and consider those things we "have become convinced of". Here, great encouragement is found in the things we know from the Scriptures.

The Scriptures speak of a lavish love God has expressed to us. We are the recipients of the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, Romans 2:4. The Scriptures speak of God, "who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all", Romans 8:32. They tell us of God's great love for us, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

The Scriptures tell us that God will never forsake or leave us. "He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9. In Jude's wonderful doxology we read that when judgment day comes, we have a wonderful event awaiting us, "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy..." Jude 24.

As believers in Jesus Christ, no matter how bad things may get here on planet earth, no matter how bad things may get for us in terms of our country, our families, our occupations, our fellowships, our friends, our marriages, our health, we are on the winning side. We are aligned with our Creator, our Savior and no matter what happens, we win. We have a future of eternal life, eternal pleasures at the right hand of God, Psalm 16:8. If we live, we know we live in the embrace of God's love. If we die, we know we go directly into his presence, his love, and all that he has for us as co-heirs with Jesus Christ.

The Scriptures are pregnant with many things for us to get excited about, to celebrate in, to look forward to with eager anticipation! We, like Timothy, need to continue in those things we have learned and have become convinced of in the pages of Scripture.

Take heart and celebrate! Ours is the inheritance of God's family!  

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Who wins the election? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 2:10,

"Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory."

Paul said he endured "everything" for the sake of the "elect". What was it Paul endured and who is this group of folks called "the elect"?

Paul spoke of his suffering due to his faithfulness in carrying out his responsibilities as an apostle. The work of evangelizing and establishing fellowships was fraught with opposition and dangers due to the nature of challenging the existing power structures and faulty beliefs of the day. He said to Timothy, "This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal." Verses 8-9. A more full list of challenges that caused Paul suffering can be found in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33.

Who is "the elect", that group of people for whose sake Paul was willing to endure this suffering? "The elect", of course refers to chosen ones, in this case, God's chosen ones. The Scriptures speak of God's activity in the world today to build his kingdom. As Jesus proclaimed, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.", Matthew 4:17. God's kingdom, his family, will be built of those who take a new direction (repent) in their lives.

Paul devotes much of his letter to the church at Rome to speak of those whom God has chosen. God has chosen all who will embrace him in faith. He uses Abraham as our example, as he reminds his readers of Genesis 15:6, "What does Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'" Romans 4:3. Paul goes on to say, "To the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness." Romans 4:5. Also, "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace..." Verse 16.

In Romans 10:17 Paul tells us that it is through the proclamation of the gospel that the opportunity for faith presents itself, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." There is no other way but the way of faith. Even attempts at keeping the ten commands and other laws God has given will not result in being chosen by God for salvation. In Romans 3:28 we read, "For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."

God is busy populating his kingdom, his family, in this age. There will be a time when he determines his family is full and will bring this age to a close. All those who choose God will be chosen by God. All who embrace God in faith will become a member of God's "elect''.

Don't believe anyone who tells you we have no opportunity to determine our spiritual destiny. God has not pre-selected some for himself, and pre-selected others to condemn to hell. God has made man with individual volition, and he has decided, he has "elected", all who choose or "elect" him!

This is why we say that God's salvation is the ultimate expression of love and grace. If any one of us decides we want God, if we choose him, God will embrace us with open arms.

How wonderful is that?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

What's it worth? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 2:3,

"Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus."

As Paul was imprisoned and chained, he wrote this letter to Timothy. In it he invites Timothy to suffer with him, "like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." Quite an invitation!

Why should Timothy want to suffer? Why would Paul ask him to do so? Perhaps that answer is found a few verses later. As Paul speaks of himself, he says, "I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory." Verse 10.

Paul considered salvation to be the very best thing anyone in life could attain. In speaking of his concern for his own countrymen, he says, "For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel." Romans 9:3-4. Coupled with the fact that salvation is attainable for anyone who desires it, who desires God, Paul spent his life proclaiming and furthering the gospel. He made every effort to reach as many as he could, as he built fellowships to continue and further that very work. For Paul, any suffering in this life simply could not have any negative impact on the awesome opportunity represented for each of us in the gospel. In Romans 8:18 he says, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

Additionally, as we recognize that Jesus Christ came to suffer a miserable death on the cross to build his kingdom, a family for himself, we must consider whether his death on the cross for each of us compels us to ensure that his sacrifice not be in vain. If the Lord was willing to come and die a miserable death to pay for my sins and for your sins, might not we, in turn, be willing to give ourselves to further his efforts in bringing in as many as we can for him, no matter what kind of suffering we may encounter to do so?

Any opposition Paul faced, any hardship he endured, any suffering he experienced could not deter Paul from taking the gospel to as many as he could and to build up fellowships to do likewise - just like the fellowships we belong to. By extension through Timothy, we are likewise asked to suffer for the sake of the gospel enterprise, for the sake of souls, for the sake of God's agenda to build his family out of us.

While we here in this country may not face the dangers Paul did two millenia ago, many do so in other parts of the world today. They face the invitation Paul made to Timothy and are willing, and, I am certain, eager to face whatever dangers, whatever suffering, whatever hardships may come their way by being effective in furthering the gospel message.

What part, in the Lord's building of his family, does he want me to pursue? What am I willing to suffer in pursuit of what it is he asks of me? "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." What are we willing to demonstrate in our love of God? What does that demonstration say about our love for him? Are we willing to join Paul and Timothy in whatever suffering, whatever opposition, whatever "uncomfortable consequence" we may endure for Jesus Christ?

What do you think?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

The unchained word of God! - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 2:8-9,

"This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained."

As Paul writes this second letter to Timothy, he is not being held under house arrest as we read of in Acts 28:30. Now, at this time, he is held as a chained prisoner, quite likely in a dungeon or other facility of incarceration. As such he points out to Timothy that although he is chained, God's word, for which he had given his life and for which he was imprisoned, was not and is not chained.

God's word cannot be chained, cannot be contained, cannot be stopped. The gospel has its own power, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." The gospel is a powerful message, and as in Paul's day and ever since, the attempts to contain the gospel have been utterly futile.

I am reminded of Isaiah 55:10-11, "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

In today's world, we see little puny man shaking his little puny fists up toward heaven, as pictured in Psalm 2:1-5, "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 'Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.' The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath..." This is expressed these days in the "global community" movement, such as what we read about in the tower of Babel story. Mankind is working to join forces "for the good of all mankind." In a rejection of God they seek to displace him by attempting to create "safety nets" for all. No need of God's blessing when we are assured the government will provide us an income, housing, medical care, etc. The drive to define what constitutes marriage, redefine homosexuality as legitimate, and the claim of the ability to control creation through a godless environmental movement, etc. all point to little man shaking his little fists in God's face.

However, as we read in Psalm 2:1-5, the Lord simply laughs and then will terrify those of the world in his wrath. No matter how hard mankind tries to "chain up", contain, control, limit God's word, it simply cannot be done. God's word will prevail and all mankind will have to give an account of themselves before his presence on judgment day. "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13.

As believers, we all need to take great assurance in God's sovereignty, self-determination and his indomitable, ferocious and all-consuming power. All things will come together in his timing, so take heart and celebrate the new life we have in him. After all, we are on the winning team! 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

How to pursue our part - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 2:4-7,

"No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this."

These instructions to Timothy, I believe, are for all of us. Paul provides Timothy three truths to consider as he asks him to focus on "the gift of God, which is in you though the laying on my hands." 2 Timothy 1:6. It is good for us to contemplate these truths ourselves.

The first is, that if we are going to be productive in doing our part in God's agenda of the redemption of mankind, do not get distracted. If we want to be productive for the Lord's kingdom, we cannot get sidelined by those things that lead us from what we need to be doing for the Lord. Just as a soldier should not get distracted by civilian affairs, so the believer should not allow himself to get distracted by other things. We all know exactly what those distractions are in each of our lives.

Secondly, to be effective, just as the winning athlete is effective, participation in the God's agenda of redemption needs to be done "according to the rules", God's way, not some other way. We may feel we have a better idea, but when we are counseled in the Scriptures as to how to participate in what God is doing, we need to drop our best thoughts to pursue what we are told. Not my way, but God's way.

Third, be aware there is reward in participating in the effort of populating God's kingdom through his program of redemption. If we keep ourselves from being distracted and engage our part according to how the Lord wants us to pursue it, there is reward in it... great reward. Just as the farmer is first to share in the harvest, so we share the benefits that accrue to our successful participation in working together with God as he grows his family, his kingdom.

It is pretty fascinating how the Lord invites us to share in what he is doing, isn't it? Something here to mull over today.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Strong in grace - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 2:1,

"You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

Here is something you don't hear too often: God's grace and God's power are two things that go together.

Here are a few samples: "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them." Acts 4:33-34. Note that God's grace was "so powerfully at work in them all." "Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people." Acts 6:8. In this verse we read of God's grace and power, together at work in Stephen.

We read in Acts 11:23 that God's grace accomplishes things. It is powerful, potent and produces what is desired, "When he [Barnabas] arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts." In Acts 15:11 Peter made his point at the council of Jerusalem that the Gentiles could be saved, just like the Jews, and that through God's grace, "We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." Through the grace of God, what cannot be done is done.

God's response to Paul's appeal to remove a "thorn" in his flesh includes God's comment about how his power is made perfect. It is through weakness and so God tells him his grace (which, in weakness, makes God's power perfect) is sufficient for him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Paul accounted for his apostleship as coming from God's grace through his power, "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power." Ephesians 3:7. He acknowledged the strength he had received from God was due to the grace (as well as faith and love) God had poured out on him, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service...The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 1:12-14.

It is by grace that our hearts are strengthened, "Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so." Hebrews 13:9. It is through grace God strengthens us, "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10.

The power and strength God provides is inextricably tied to his grace he pours out on us... just an observation of something we don't often hear. God's grace and God's power are two things that go together.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

The challenge of faith - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 4:3,

"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

What is it that folks desire when they gather to themselves teachers who tell them what they want to hear? What is it they are seeking from these teachers?

We have a listing of what people will become "in the last days". We read in 3:1-5, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."

This morning my mind is on those who have a "form of godliness but denying its power." These would be religious people with their "form of godliness". They look the part and they play the part... but when it comes to faith, they deny the power of godliness.

Faith and the power of God are inextricably tied. The faith that the Scriptures teach us about, faith that leads to a righteous standing with God is bound to the confidence we must have in the power of God. We can have faith in anything. I crossed a bridge to get to work this morning, being confident it would hold up under the weight of my car and the others crossing with me. But it is not faith in bridges that brings salvation.

Abraham is presented to us as the example of the kind of faith God looks for in each of us. Paul tells us, "Yet he [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why 'it was credited to him as righteousness.' The words 'it was credited to him' were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." Romans 4:20-24. Abraham was "fully persuaded" in God's power.

In another place Paul provides the definitive answer to the question, "how do we get saved", in his explanation of the gospel. He says, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10. Note again, the issue of our salvation rests on our being persuaded of God's power... the power he demonstrated when he raised Jesus from the dead.

Faith demands we recognize God's ability to save us. It provides us confidence in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, paying the penalty for our sins. It persuades us of Jesus Christ's divinity and the Father's acceptance of his sacrificial death on the cross as full payment for our sins.

We are saved through faith. Faith in God, a faith that recognizes the power of God. Some, who apparently struggle with this kind of faith advance other ideas, hence, gathering to themselves teachers who teach what their "itching ears want to hear." At times the truth that salvation is by faith is replaced with a laundry list of religious things that must be done. Other times faith is taught as not bringing salvation but merely manifesting salvation. These folks believe in salvation by appointment, rejecting even the possibility that we can have faith without manipulation by God (which, of course denies genuine faith.)

Paul's perspective in salvation by faith, specifically in God's power, is underscored when he speaks of the gospel itself, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Romans 1:16-17.

Faith is a struggle for many. It requires us to have a heart for God. It requires we have a confidence in God's love for us and a fear of God's judgment at the end of the age. Salvation is by faith, faith in the power of God.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

The great contest of wills... are you willing? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 1:1,

"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus..."

In his salutation to Timothy, Paul points out that his apostleship was due to God's will. It was God's choice Paul be an apostle. God's decision. Paul did not claim his apostleship was his decision, the decision of the leadership of the church in Jerusalem or the decision of the Gentiles to whom Paul would focus his ministry. It was God's will, God's decision and God's choice.

I am overstating this obvious point for a reason. Many of us fail so often to recognize God's will. We displace the pursuit of God's will for our own. All too often we seek out what we want and assign it as "God's will". We pursue what it is we desire, what we may feel brings us the best advantage in life, what we think might be most fulfilling or most fun.

Of course, there is nothing new here. Folks have been displacing God's will for their own all the way back to the very first two humans God created: Adam and Eve. In Paul's letter here to Timothy, he speaks of those who have displaced God's will for their own, "Warn them [God's people] before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen." Folks do those kinds of things, "quarreling about words" when they displace God's will in their lives for their own.

Those who truly seek God's will have a different perspective. "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." That is, they must displace or subordinate their own will, influenced by their own sinful nature, in favor of God's will. Paul asks Timothy, "Flee 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." Why should Timothy want to do such? Because it is God's will to do so. 

God has his will and we have ours. The question is, whose will wins in the choices each of us make about what we think, say and do? The choice is ours. I suspect the real question is: Is it our will to follow God's will?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Don't forget the Lord - Ruminating in the Word of Gopd

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 2:8,

"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David."

Here is something that can be viewed as astonishing. Paul asks Timothy to "Remember Jesus Christ..."! I find it startling to see Paul tell Timothy to remember the Lord.

I am certain Paul's exhortation to Timothy to do so is with the view of insuring Timothy keeps Jesus Christ front and center in his thinking, in his teaching, in his theology and in his life. It is not just Timothy that is asked to remember the Lord, we are all asked to do so.

As startling as it may be that we are exhorted to "remember" the Lord, it must be an important point for all of us. After all, as we celebrate communion, we are asked to so in remembrance of the Lord, "The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'" 1 Corinthians 11:23-25.

Jesus Christ came to planet earth to die a miserable death to pay the penalty for my sins - how could I ever forget him? Jesus Christ extended his invitation to me to join his family - how could I ever forget him? Jesus Christ came to make a way for me to eternal life - how could I ever forget him? Jesus Christ has extended an incomprehensible love to me in offering to share his inheritance from God the Father with me - how could I ever forget him?

Yet, sadly, I have to admit there are times when it seems my mind is miles from him. Things come up during the day, my mind goes to other places and after a while the thought may strike me, "Oh, yeah... what an amazing thing the Lord has done for me!" He "drifts" back into my conscious awareness. I need reminding!

Timothy faced opposition from false teachers. He had his things to do in the execution of his responsibilities as a member of Paul's team. I suspect he was pushed and pulled in a variety of ways by those he worked with. He was to maintain good doctrine and live a life pleasing to the Lord, "Watch your life and doctrine closely." 1 Timothy 4:16.

In the midst of all Timothy was involved in, in the midst of all we get involved in, even in "church stuff" (and, maybe particularly in "church stuff") we need to be sure we are always mindful of the Lord. We need remembrance of his love, his suffering on our behalf, the joy and hope we have in him and the remarkable inheritance we share with him.

Remember the Lord!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

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God's "fountain of youth" - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 1:9b-10,

"This grace [our salvation] 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."

Wikipedia has an interesting article on the "Fountain of Youth", that begins with this comment, "The Fountain of Youth is a spring that supposedly restores the youth of anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters. Tales of such a fountain have been recounted across the world for thousands of years, appearing in writings by Herodotus (5th century BC), the Alexander romance (3rd century CE), and the stories of Prester John (early Crusades, 11th/12th centuries CE). Stories of similar waters were also evidently prominent among the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean during the Age of Exploration (early 15th century), who spoke of the restorative powers of the water in the mythical land of Bimini." I recall reading of Ponce de Leon and his quest for a fountain of youth in grade school when we studied the explorers of the world.

I am quite certain many folks over the years have looked in vain for some relief in facing the specter of death. As we read in Genesis 3, death was not a part of God's creation until Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the garden of Eden. The horror of death has spawned within man a gripping desire to cling to youth and to avoid death, even to the point of looking for a mythical fountain that would spare them the fate.

However, death is inescapable as we read in Hebrews 9:27, "Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment..." we simply cannot avoid it. However, as the writer of Hebrews acknowledges, death is not the end of us. Physical life is followed by resurrection for all people. Some are resurrected to eternal life and some to eternal death. In Revelation 20:4b-6 we read, "They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years." From this we learn of the two resurrections, the first to eternal life and the second to eternal death.

In his letter to Timothy, Paul speaks of where we find our escape from death. It is through Jesus Christ, who has "destroyed death" and brought "immortality to light" in the gospel. It is not escape from physical death - as sinners, we all will face that occurrence (except for those still alive at the Lord's return to earth). However, it is through Jesus Christ that we can enter into what our Creator originally intended for us all: living our lives in eternal bliss and pleasure with him, see Psalm 16:11.

Jesus Christ is not just a religion. He is life itself, life as God has always intended for us. Life free from a shelf-life, life free from infirmity, sickness, disease, life free from a world dominated by a collective sin nature. Beyond the absence of the negative things of this life, eternal life will be a life of eternal pleasure, life lived in the presence of God himself, life full of purposefulness, satisfaction and fulfillment.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Paul's love and passion - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 1:15,

"You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes."

Paul's situation when he wrote 2 Timothy is heart-wrenching. Unlike his imprisonment when he first arrived at Rome, living in a rented house, Acts 28:30, he was now chained in prison, 2 Timothy 1:16 and 2:9. As such he was deserted by some of those whom he counted upon and those he loved. He says that everyone from the province of Asia had deserted him, specifically mentioning Phygelus and Hermogenes. I suspect these two are named specifically because it might be thought that for these two to do so, it provides a measure of Paul's sense of abandonment by those who should have stood at his side.

Paul spoke of his sense of concern and care for many of the churches he helped establish. In 2 Corinthians 11:28-29 he says, "Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?" He tells the Philippian church, "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown..." Philippians 4:1. Listen to his passion for the folks in Thessalonica, "But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy." 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20.

For any fellowship to abandon Paul, many of which he expended his life for, must have been heart-breaking. Paul speaks of his great satisfaction and fulfillment in his work, always acknowledging the Lord as the one who empowered him and enabled him to do the work. As is seen in his feelings for those in the fellowships I have referenced above, to be abandoned by those he loved and expended himself for must have weighed on him heavily.

Paul suffered much in his calling to be the apostle to the Gentiles. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 he speaks of some of the difficulties and hardships he faced in his work, "I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?"

I suspect it was the hardship of being abandoned, due to his love and concern for others, that weighed on him most heavily. Paul had a heart for people. Listen to his concern for his own countrymen who rejected the gospel, "I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, the people of Israel." Paul cared for people dearly, reflecting the love of the Lord himself in his actions and writings.

Isn't it amazing what the Lord can do in a hardened heart? Of himself, as a younger man, before having his encounter with Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, Paul confesses, "I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man..." 1 Timothy 1:13. Now we see a changed man whose heart for others is on clear display: a love and passion for the Lord and a love and passion for people.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

Where to go to know - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 3:14-15,

"As for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."

Some have fanciful ideas as to how people get saved. Some have long lists of all the things we need to do to get saved, some teach God drops a "roofie" in our drink when we are not looking (figuratively speaking), some have their own "peculiar" teachings about salvation found in the writers who began new religions and denominations, etc. Here Paul points to God's word, the Scriptures to find the true way to salvation.

Paul says to Timothy it is the Scriptures that makes one "wise for salvation." This is because our salvation is through our Savior, Jesus Christ and how we draw near to him is provided us in his word. Paul points out the way is "through faith in Christ Jesus." It doesn't happen by joining a church, by participating in ecclesiastical ordinances or sacraments. Salvation doesn't happen by imploring a priest, bishop, the Pope, pastor or elder. It is not found in mystical religions, through monks, the Dalai Lama, Muhammad or Joseph Smith. It is not found in vestments or appointments to ecclesiastical positions of authority. Salvation is simply through faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

"Yet to all who did receive him [Jesus Christ], to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..." John 1:12. "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them." John 3:36. In this passage we are told what salvation actually is. It is to be saved from "God's wrath." It is God's judgment that determines our eternal destiny, and so it is God's word that provides us with the authentic and authoritative way to salvation.

Here is how Paul put it in Romans 3:21-25a, "But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith."

Salvation comes by faith in Christ Jesus. The Scriptures tell us this. Nothing and no one in this world can approach the Scriptures when it comes to knowing how we can have eternal life, eternal pleasures (Psalm 16:11) at the right hand of God for all eternity!

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com

What equips you? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 3:16-17,

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

We have lots of religions these days. There were in the historical days of early Israel as well, as some things never change. The draw for many of these religions, denominations, "faiths", cults, isms and schisms is that they promote the notion of having for themselves, and them alone, a corner on the truth. No one but them knows the real deal except for them. Often their theology and teachings are accompanied by special writings of their originators or key figures, or writings about them. It is good to be reminded that only the writings we have in our Bibles are authoritative. Sixty-six books, each and every one of them inspired by God. Other writings are not inspired by God. Peter explains what is meant by the term "inspired" in 2 Peter 1:20-21, "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

The "All Scripture" Paul speaks to Timothy of are books we have in our Bibles. While the New Testament was still under formation, the books of what we call the "Old Testament" were the focus of Paul's observation. Our Bibles contain thirty-nine books we refer to as the Old Testament. In Paul's day, those thirty-nine books were arranged somewhat differently into 24 books, or scrolls. However, by the time Paul wrote 2 Timothy, it was being recognized by the early church that the production of newly inspired writings was taking place. Peter speaks of it in 2 Peter 3:16 where he refers to Paul's writings as Scripture (a technical name indicating writings inspired by God himself, as in 2 Peter 1:20-21.)

Our Bibles contain what is deemed to be the inspired word of God, "the Scriptures." It is within our Bible's covers we find the "all Scripture" that Paul informs us is "God-breathed and is what is useful for becoming "thoroughly equipped for every good work." I note the all inclusive words of "All Scripture", "thoroughly equipped" and "every good work." Paul does not refer to some of the Scriptures, he does not say partially equipped and he does not say some good works. All Scripture is God-breathed. By "God-breathed", I understand that it is the Scriptures that God brings to life, illuminating our hearts, minds and spirits through his Holy Spirit as we spend time in them, bringing about the equipping for every good work.

Many people promote other books, other materials, other writings. They have other things to say. However, it is what God has to say that interests me. It is God who sent his Son to die for me, it is God who made a way for me into his family, it is God who has richly blessed me with an inheritance of eternal life, and, so, it is God I want to hear from. It is God who I want to listen to, it is God who will equip me for the work he has for me.

Are there other writings that might be helpful? I'm sure there are. However, it is the Scriptures I look for - for having myself equipped for what the Lord wants me doing.

How about you? Might there be room in your life for further equipping by God? I know there is in my life... and I avail myself of the Scriptures for just this very purpose.

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.

Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com