Today in the Word for June 24-28

Today in The Word

Monday June 24, 2019

In the last letter of his life, Paul offers Timothy fatherly advice on how his spiritual life is like that of an athlete’s. Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. II Timothy 2:5 reads:

 “…anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.”

 And Hebrews 12:1 reads:

 “…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,”

 The athlete has to be more than talented. The athlete has to be disciplined. In fact, I believe that that the primary task of youth sports is to develop character, not just win games. Isn’t that why most youth coaches get involved? —to grow the character of young people?

 It is the same spiritually. God is more interested in developing our character than in our success. That is why we are called as Christ-followers to obey God’s commands and toss away any sinful behavior that would tangle us up. The fastest 100-yard dasher isn’t much good if he keeps tripping on his own shoelace and falling flat.

 Just like an athlete, our character is more important than our success.

 And that’s the Word from Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.

Today in The Word

Tuesday June 25, 2019

In the last letter of his life, Paul offers Timothy fatherly advice on how his spiritual life is like that of a farmer. Welcome to The Word with Pastor David. II Timothy 2:6 reads:

 “The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.”

 What does Paul mean? II Thessalonians 3:11-13 helps:

 “We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy, they are busybodies. Such people we…urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat…never tire of doing what is good.”

 Farmers and ranchers work hard all year long for the one day when they sell their crops or herds and get paid. They work diligently 364 days a year for one payday. As Christians we need to trust that there is a value to hard work. God knows of our effort, and he will reward. We are not to be lazy, which can make us disruptive, but rather hardworking.

 Don’t lose hope and burn out. Keep working for the Kingdom. God is aware of what you need and how you’ve served. Trust his payday.

 And that’s the Word from David Baker of Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana. 

Today in the Word

Wednesday June 26, 2019

Have you ever tried to sell something door-to-door and had the door slammed in your face? Jesus tells several stories about the closed door. Luke 13:24-27 reads:

 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us...We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’

But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me…’”

 Why is the door to heaven closed in their face? After all, they had been at parties that Jesus had been at. They had attended church services that Jesus had preached at. What was the problem? I think they imagined a relationship with the doorkeeper that they did not have. They knew a few things about Jesus, but they did not have an actual relationship with him. Their relationship with Jesus was more like that of a Facebook friend than an actual friend.

 This is a sobering message for us all. Have we started a real relationship with Jesus or are we simply acknowledging the existence of the ‘Man Upstairs’? Do we know him and more importantly, have we let him know us? If there is not a real relationship, we could find the door closed.

 And that’s the Word from Pastor David of Deer Lodge Assembly.  Join our adult Bible tonight at 6:30 for more of The Word.  

 Today in the Word

Thursday June 27, 2019

 Can a person bring freedom to someone who does not think they are a slave? Welcome to the Word with Pastor David. Jesus explains in John 8:31-39:

 “…If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

Jesus replied,” …everyone who sins is a slave to sin…So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed…”

“Abraham is our father,” they answered.

“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did.”

 Jesus’ audience had trouble accepting Jesus’ salvation because they were convinced they did not need saving. They claimed to never be slaves at the same moment that politically they were enslaved to Rome. Jesus explains that sin creates the ultimate slavery. And until they were willing to admit that they were enslaved to sin, he could do little to set them free.

 The same is true of us. The truth will only set us free if we are willing to admit we are enslaved.

 And that is the Word from Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana. 

 Today in the Word

Friday June 28, 2019

Does it really matter what we do in private? Welcome to the Word with Pastor David. In Matthew 24:37-40 Jesus says: 

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark…That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.” 

The world of Noah’s time had become completely corrupt. Genesis 7:15-16 tells us:

 “Pairs of all creatures…came to Noah and entered the ark…Then the Lord shut him in.”

 God closed the door of the ark. The people of that time thought they could ‘do whatever’ and there would be no Day of Reckoning. Yet there was a Day when the rain started to fall, and the door to their rescue was shut. Their behavior produced a day of judgment.

 And Jesus says that he is coming back someday. It will also be a Day of Reckoning for many. Some will be taken to be with him forever and some will be left behind. What we do in private does matter, because it is not private from Jesus. We need to follow his commands in both public and private. He is coming back someday and I want him to come for me!

  And that’s the Word.  You can enjoy more of the Word this Sunday at 10:45 at Deer Lodge Assembly on the corner of 5th and Montana.