"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS"

1st Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/18/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Paul was writing this letter to encourage his young associate in ministry Timothy. He also, of course, wrote 2nd Timothy.
The purpose of both letters were to explain to Timothy how to conduct himself in the church, and gave him instruction related to issues that were of concern to Timothy and the church in Ephesus.

The one single verse we are looking at is it seems a moment where Paul the Apostle simply burst out into praise and adoration of God whom He had been speaking about. In this verse we have many great and wonderful truths expressed and defined for us about God. May You be blessed greatly as you consider them, and may the Lord direct you into whatever application He has for you.

1. There is no question that the things of God are a great mystery to us.

1st Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”

Simply put, God and the truths of God are not easily put into a box if you will.
It's a mystery.
Meaning that these truths have to be revealed by God.
And, that God has to give us the ability through His Spirit to understand them.
And, God wants us to understand them.

2. There is no question that God became a man.

1st Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”

Paul tells us that God was manifest in the flesh.
God took on a human body.
Jesus Christ is God.
Jesus left glory and took upon Himself human flesh.
God became a man.

3. There is no question that God/Jesus was justified in the Spirit.

1st Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”

In other words, the Holy Spirit affirmed the truthfulness of Jesus Christ being God in the flesh.
Take, for example, the Gospel of John.
It was written primarily to prove that Jesus Christ is God.
The miracles recorded in John were recorded so men would believe in Jesus Christ.
Jesus fulfilled many, many prophecies about the Messiah.
Thus proving He was God.
Jesus was justified by the Spirit of God.

4. There is no question either that Jesus was seen of angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.

1st Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.”

These four truths are without question.
They are part of what makes this mystery so grand and glorious.

Angels beheld the incarnation of Jesus, in fact, they announced His birth.
Christ was preached not only to the Jews but to the Gentiles as well, just as the Old Testament said He would be.
And, Jesus has been believed in by multitudes, myself included, and I pray you also.
He came here to be believed on, so that people could be saved from their sins.
Finally, after Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead, He ascended up into heaven where He sits today.

Questions:

1. Isn't it a lot to take in when you really consider these truths about God?

2. Does it make you realize how much there is to learn about Jesus Christ, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit?

3. When did you first really have your eyes opened to the truth about Jesus?

4. When (if you have) did you first believe in Christ to save you?

5. Do you know that one day, because of salvation, you also will be taken up into heaven to be with God forever?

A Prayer:

Father, indeed to say the least great is the mystery of Godliness. Who is like You? There is none like You. You alone are God almighty.
Thank You for sending Jesus into the world. Thank You Jesus that You came into this world and died on the cross to save us from our sins. And thank You Holy Spirit for dwelling in us, and teaching us more and more about Jesus. We pray for You to continue guiding us, especially in these very difficult days our world is going through right now. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE DESIRE OF GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE DESIRE OF GOD"

1st Timothy 2:4 “Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/17/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Paul was writing this and 2nd Timothy to a pastor named Timothy. He wrote him to encourage him during a difficult and challenging time in his life and ministry. And, to give him very specific guidelines about how to conduct himself in the church. And how the church was to conduct itself in doing the will of God. Chapter 2 starts off by placing prayer in the church as a priority of ministry. And then Paul begins speaking about God's nature and desire for men to be saved. This one short and simple verse is filled with profound truth about our God.
And, it is a verse that I hope will encourage you to pray for anyone you know who needs to be saved.

1. God has desires just like we do.

1st Timothy 2:4 “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

We are made in the image of God.
We have desires and so does God.
Desire here means, desirous, would to like to do a thing, be fond of doing. take delight in, have pleasure.

God clearly takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.
He does not want man to die in his sins, because then man would be separated from God forever.

What God desires and takes great pleasure in, is a person being saved from their sins.
Christ came to save His people from their sins by dying on the cross to pay for their sins.

God wants all men to be saved.

2. God's desires have to do with the greatest need mankind has.

1st Timothy 2:4 “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

There are many things that a person needs in life.
But the greatest of all needs is to have their sins forgiven,
God desires or wants this for all men as well.

He also wants all men to understand the truth.
The truths is "Jesus Christ" .
Satan has blinded the minds of unbelievers.
They cannot understand the truth.
But, God wants them to understand it.

3. God clearly desires that all men would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

1st Timothy 2:4 “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

Having said what has been said, it does not mean that all men will automatically be saved.
Though God desires all men to be saved, they must first repent of their sins, and believe in Jesus Christ.
If a person will do that, then God's desire will be met.

Some Questions:

1. Who do you know that needs to be saved?

2. Do you have children, siblings, or parents that need salvation?

3. Are you encouraged to know that God wants them to be saved?

4. Do you want them to be saved?

5. You and the Lord are synchronized together in this desire.

6. Will you pray for the persons you have in mind who need salvation?

A Prayer:

Father, how great, gracious, and generous You are. We human beings compared to You are no comparison. You are holy, and we are sinful. Yet You love us and You desire that all men would be saved so that they could be with You forever and ever.
You have gone so far as to send Your own Son to the cross in order to make salvation possible. You use prayer to advance the expansion of Your kingdom. We pray that You might place a new Godly compassion within our hearts that will cause us to be more prayerful.
That we might pray along the lines of Your desires and Your will.
You desire that all men be saved, and we know many who need salvation. Lord, may be grow in our steadfastness to pray for them.
Save now O Lord, Save now.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE PLANS GOD HAS FOR HIS PEOPLE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE PLANS GOD HAS FOR HIS PEOPLE"

Jeremiah 29:10 “For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.”

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:12 “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”

Jeremiah 29:13 “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/16/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, applications, questions and a prayer:

These verses spoken by God through Jeremiah to the children of Judah about what God was going to do.
The people would because of their rebellion and disobedience be taken into captivity by the Babylonians and held there for 70 long years.
But, following those years God was going to visit them and bring blessings upon them, returning them to their homeland. God goes into great detail here about what His thoughts are towards His people. These are some of the most wonderful and encouraging verses in the Bible. I pray that you make them your own, and find tremendous blessing by believing.

1. God's judgement and chastening is followed by God's blessing.

Jeremiah 29:10 “For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.”

Disobedience does not bring blessing.
Judgment came upon God's people because of their disobedience.
But even in the darkest hour God always expresses hope for His people.
It's no different today. There is hope for You also.

God promises to perform His Word.
God cannot lie.
God called it "His good word”.
And good it was.
God brought His people back to their homeland.

2. Here's what God was thinking about and towards His people.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

God thinks.
God knows what His thoughts are just as you know what Yours are.
God's thoughts are towards His people.
God is thinking about you also.

God's thoughts are thoughts of peace and not of evil (or destruction).
God's plan and purpose is to give His people a future and hope.

God also has a plan and purpose for your future.
Here's how it reads in the NLT "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

3. God's people can call upon Him, or pray to Him, and He will listen to them.
Jeremiah 29:12 “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”

What a wonder to behold.
A person can talk to God.
God will hear and listen to that person.

You can, as a Christian, speak to and with God.
God as your Father will hear you and listen to you.
What a blessing it is to know this about our God.

4. You can seek the Lord, and He promises You will find Him when You search for Him with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13 “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.”

Not only can we talk to God and He will listen, but here is another promise.
We can seek the Lord.
He will be found by us.
God explains and encourages us to seek Him with all of our heart.

Through Jesus Christ these things are true for the Christian.
You can seek and find the Lord.
Follow His instruction, put your whole and entire heart into it.
Be sincere.
You will find Him.

Again, here's how this verse reads in the NLT. Jeremiah 29:13 “If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.”
So, let's be earnest and find the Lord.

Questions:

1. Have you ever experienced God's chastening you for disobedience?

2. Do you know what it's like to reap what you have sown?

3. If so, do you know you are not alone, for we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

4. Do you also know there is hope and blessing for you?

5. Are you in a place where you want to seek the Lord?

6. Will you have the confidence that You will find Him?

A Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, may Your name be hallowed in our lives. There is no one like You, Lord. You alone are the true and living God.
Father, Your warnings are sometimes not taken seriously, and we then find that You meant what You said, and we wind up suffering for our disobedience. But, even though we have gotten ourselves in trouble, as it were, You hold out a bright hope and future for us.
Thank You for having such loving thoughts towards us, and thank You for promising us such a great future.
We are overwhelmed with joy when we think about the joy of being with You, and the glories of heaven.
Thank You for making promises that will come true.
We love You, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SOME IMPORTANT THINGS TO PRAY FOR"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SOME IMPORTANT THINGS TO PRAY FOR"

2nd Thessalonians 3:1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,”

2nd Thessalonians 3:2 “and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.”

2nd Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”

2nd Thessalonians 3:4 “And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.”

2nd Thessalonians 3:5 “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/15/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

These verses come at the end of this short 3 chapter letter to this congregation in Thessalonica. The letter dealt primarily with Paul trying to protect the church against false teaching regarding the last days, leading to the 2nd coming of Christ. And, with some other problems that had arisen in the church by members who had stopped working since they believed Jesus could come at any moment, and now were in need of financial aid, and had thus become a burden to the body there. But these verses today, are of a more personal note, requesting prayer and that the gospel would be advanced. Also, a clear and sobering truth about some men. And a promise of what God will do in the hearts of His people. May this encourage you, build you up, equip you and bless your walk with our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

1. We can pray for God's Word to run swiftly and be glorified.

2nd Thessalonians 3:1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you,”

God has a message that He has committed to us to preach and teach.
Through prayer we can help God's Word to spread rapidly as it should.
Specifically we can pray for those who minister the Word of God in this respect.
God's Word deserves to be honored, and we pray that it will be by those who preach it and hear it.

2. We can pray for those who minister the Word to be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men.

2nd Thessalonians 3:2 “and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.”

Here is something else to pray for regarding the Word of God.
That those who preach it and teach it will be saved from wicked and evil people.
The reason for this prayer, is that not everyone believes in the Lord.
There are many, many adversaries against the Word of God.
Prayer is a weapon God has given us to help further the progress of His Word in this needy world.

3. We have a promise from God who is faithful to establish His children and guard them from the evil one.

2nd Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”

On another note.
God is faithful, or dependable.
He will do just as He has promised to do.
He will make His people strong.
He will guard them from the evil one.
Being kept from the evil one is something Jesus encouraged us to pray for.
We are living in a spiritual battle zone.
The world is filled with "spiritual terrorists" who are bent on the destruction of God's Work in Christ.

4. We can have confidence in the Lord to do in us what He calls us to do.

2nd Thessalonians 3:4 “And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.”

What a blessing to have confidence in the Lord as Paul did.
We can have that same confidence, because of God's faithfulness and power.
We ought to hope and pray for one another that we are not just hearers but doers of the Word.
And that we would be careful to maintain good works, and finish our course with joy.

5. We can pray for God to direct our hearts into His love, and into the patience of Christ.

2nd Thessalonians 3:5 “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.”

A final thing to pray for in our own lives personally.
That the Lord would bring us into an even deeper understanding of the love of God.
Also, that we would be brought into the endurance that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is able to direct His children into both of these things.
God's love and God's patience of endurance of great blessings to have.

Some Questions:

1. Do you know that God hears Your prayers?

2. Do you know that God will honor your prayers for His will?

3. Do you know that someone most likely prayed for you that you would hear God's Word and be saved by it?

4. Do you know that there are real unreasonable and wicked persons who are enemies of the Gospel and God's Servants?

5. Do you need God's love and patience in your life at this time?

A Prayer:

Father, what a blessing that You have left us with the written Word of God as food for our souls. Thank You for the power of Your Word and that You worked to enable it to reach our lives personally. We pray for those in our body who teach and preach Your Word that You would help them to be courageous and faithful as Your called ministers. Deliver them, we pray, from the wicked and evil enemies of the Gospel. We also thank You, Lord, for being so faithful to accomplish Your work in our lives. We want to cooperate with You, and be in Your will, and bring glory to Your most wonderful name. Your name is above every name. Direct us, Lord, into Your love and patience.
These two blessings are tremendous companions to have in our pilgrim journey to heaven. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT GOD IS AND WHAT GOD DOES FOR HIS PEOPLE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT GOD IS AND WHAT GOD DOES FOR HIS PEOPLE"

Psalm 84:11 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.”

Psalm 84:12 “O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/14/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions, and a prayer:

This Psalm is said to be by the Son's of Korah. And it's a Psalm filled with praise, describing the blessings of knowing the Lord and walking with the Lord, and how wonderful it is to know Him. The Psalm ends with these two verses that speak of what the Lord is and what He will do for the man who puts his trust in Him.

1. Our God is a Sun and shield for us.

Psalm 84:11 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.”

This verse begins by telling us what God is for us.
We know that He is for us.
But here is what He does for us.
Or who He is for us.
He is our Sun and shield.

Or to put it another way, He is our light and our protector.
We need light, and we need protection.
God is both of these for His people.

We do not need to walk in darkness.
Nor do we need to live without Divine protection.

2. The LORD will give us grace and glory.

Psalm 84:11 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.”

Having told us what God is for us, now we are told what He will give to us.
He gives us grace and glory.
Grace is the unmerited, or undeserved favor of God.
Glory is a little harder to describe and understand.

But, we will one day behold His glory.
And we will one day share in His glory.
He will give us glorified bodies, just like His is today.

Glory is in my mind the sum visible total of all His attributes.
His justice, mercy, grace, power, love, joy, truth, righteousness, eternal nature, and every other thing that is told us about God in the Bible.
He will give all of this to us one day,.
We will behold His glory forever and ever.

3. No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 84:11 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.”

This is a promise from God for His people.
It speaks to what He will not do.
He will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly.
To walk uprightly, is to do what is right.

God promises not to withhold any good thing from us.
We have more good things coming our way than we can imagine.
God has promised this to us.

May we live and do what is right in His sight.

4. Blessed is the man who trusts in God.

Psalm 84:12 “O LORD of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!”

This last verse now brings man directly into the picture.
The people of God are promised something here.

This verse seems to be a prayer for God's people and a promise for God's people.
May the LORD of hosts (all the angels) is the idea.

Here's the promise.
Blessed is the man who trust in You.
Or happy are the people who trust in You.
Isn't this true.

Some Questions:

1. Have you found these truths about God to be true in your life up to this point?

2. Isn't is a blessing indeed that God would give us light and protection?

3. Don't we need both of these?

4. Do you need grace, do you need some good thing from the Lord?

5. Will you believe Him to give them to You, for He has promised to do so.

6. Have you found the joy and happiness of truly trusting in God?

A Prayer:

Father, who does not love the Psalms? And who has not found an endless comfort and blessing in reading them, and meditating on them.
You have been so gracious to give us these 150 Psalms that seem to speak to every area of our lives. They give us direction, the give us proper warnings, they tell us what lies ahead, and they tell us who You are and what You promise to do for Your people, and what You will do to the wicked and those who do not believe You. We pray for our own faith to grow, and we pray for those we know who do not yet know You, that they would soon come to faith, and begin to enjoy the blessings of being Your children. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN PRAY FOR"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN PRAY FOR"

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,”

2nd Thessalonians 1:12 “that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible 10/13/14)

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Members of the church in Thesalonica were experiencing some of the normal struggles and trials in life. They had gotten in touch with Paul, and he became aware of their situation. He wrote this second letter to address matters of importance in that fellowship.
These two verse are simply one of his prayers for them. But in reading these verses we can see what we can pray for in our own lives, and the lives of others. May You be blessed in Your own personal fellowship with God our Father and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. First of all we can actually pray and be heard.

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,”

The Bible is very clear about this one most wonderful truth.
We can pray, or talk to God, and He will listen to us.
In fact, prayer is something he encourages us to do.
Prayer is something that helps us find God's will for our lives.

Prayer is indicative of a healthy relationship with God.
Prayer shows that we realize we cannot do life alone, we need God.
Prayer helps us to find strength, peace, courage, and grace.

2. We can pray to our generous and gracious Father.

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,”

God is our Father.
God is more gracious than we know this side of heaven.
God takes pleasure in giving us His leadership.
God is just waiting as it were for us to say, "Lord help me today”.
God will do more than help you.
God will do many things, but He wants us to ask Him.

3. We can ask God to count us worthy of His calling in our lives.

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,”

Here is a specific thing we can pray for.
This prayer means that our God would make us worthy of the life to which He has called us to.
To be worthy, means to walk in step with Him and His will for our lives.
That our lives would bring Him pleasure.
That our lives would be a bright witness to the world of what God is like.

4. We can ask God to fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power.

2nd Thessalonians 1:11 “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,”

Here's something else to pray for.
We can pray that God, by His power, will do all that He intends to do in our lives.
And we can pray that we will have good intentions
We can also pray that we will be faithful to walk in the good works He has prepared for us.

5. We can ask God that the name of Jesus Christ may be glorified in our lives according to the grace of God.

2nd Thessalonians 1:12 “that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Here's another specific request.
That name of Christ may be glorified in our lives day by day.
Perhaps this means that others will see Jesus in our lives.
And as they see Him at work in our lives, they will honor Him.
Whatever blessing we may bring, it's all because of, and by His grace, His unmerited favor.

Some Questions:

1. Do you ever wonder what to pray for?

2. Do you know that prayer is primarily asking God for things?

3. Do you know that God helps us to know what to ask for as we read His Word?

4. Do you know that God will answer prayer that is in accordance with His will?

5. Will you with me, ask God to help both of us to be more prayerful in our lives day by day?

A Prayer:

Father, since we have been reading about prayer, this is a good time to pray. We would like to place our heartfelt “ditto" next to, or underneath, all those things that Paul prayed for many, many years ago. The things he prayed for are just as important and needful today as they were back in the day. Lord, would You be gracious to us, and lift up Your face upon us and cause it to shine on our lives and give us peace today. Please transform our lives and use them to bring honor and glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia