Daily Inspirations

  Good morning. Continuing with the idea of certain people teaching strange doctrines: The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. The reason for the strange doctrines: for some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. They were not saying that these things might be this, or could be that, they were saying these doctrines were definitely the way they were proclaiming them. They did not want to receive instruction; they wanted to give instruction to others. Some of them were wanting to bring Christians back under the law. Remember that it was for freedom that Christ set us free – from the law. Father help us to always have love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

  Good morning. Today we begin first Timothy. My Bible says that the two letters to Timothy and the one to Titus are known as the pastoral letters because they give instruction to Timothy and Titus concerning the pastoral care of churches. After his usual greeting, Paul then says, as I urged you upon my departure from Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, not to pay attention to myths and certain endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. Sometimes it seemed like Paul couldn’t leave a church without it coming into corruption. As soon as he left Ephesus, different men brought in different “doctrines“. One of the doctrines was Gnosticism, which we have talked about before. Apparently they were also teaching “old wives tales“; things not based on the gospel which Paul preached, but which were based on speculations. From things said later, Tim...

  Good morning. Paul then talks about how when he was with them he did not take things from them, but worked himself so that they would not have to supply his needs. He wanted to be a model for them. And then the verse that seems to confirm that those who were leading an unruly life were ones that stopped working because they claimed that the return of Jesus was imminent. For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. This again supports the idea of shunning someone. I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. Paul mostly dictated his letters, but usually wro...

  Good morning. Now we command (not just a request) you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (he’s really getting serious when he invokes the name of Jesus), that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. This is probably one of the places where the idea of shunning comes from. In certain religious groups, if someone in the church does something against their beliefs, no one in the church (including family) can have anything to do with that person. When you see it happen in movies or on TV, it always seems too extreme. Family members are not permitted to eat with and many times not even allowed to speak to those who are being shunned. It is true, however, that bad company corrupts good morals. In other words, associating with unruly people will more likely affect you than your good behavior affect them. My Bible says that this reference to leading an unruly life probably refers back to his first letter t...

  Good morning. Pray for us (not that he would be blessed personally) that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful (even when we are not) and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. The word “one“ is in italics, which means that it is not in the Greek as such; in fact it is not even included in the King James version. However it does include the article “the“, which in this case is masculine. That would imply that he is talking about a “person“, and not about “the” evil things. Again Paul’s prayer for them, is my prayer for you: May the Lord direct your heart into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ

  Good morning. It was for this (salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth) He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (That is unbelievable, that we would gain the glory of Jesus) So then stand firm (reminiscent of Ephesians with the full armor of God) and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word-of-mouth or by letter from us. We tend to think of everything in light of our situation; but this was before the New Testament was written. The only things that they had were traditions by word-of-mouth or by letters from people like Paul. Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians is my prayer for you. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace comfort and strengthen your heart in every good work and word.

  Good morning. … Because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. This is reminiscent of Romans 1:24 where it says, “therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them“. This “deluding influence“ is why the antichrist will be able to draw multitudes to himself. When one does not receive the love of the truth, it is much more than just saying “I prefer this sports team to one of its competitors”, or even saying, “I don’t really care for any of them“. It is the rejecting of God’s plan for you, and there are grave consequences for doing that. Paul says to the Thessalonians, “God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth“. Someon...

  Good morning. What happens when he who now restrains the man of lawlessness is taken out of the way? Then that lawless one will be revealed (that would seem to indicate that no one will know who the antichrist is until this “one“ is taken out of the way) whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end (this happens right after the great tribulation before the millennium) by the appearance of His coming, that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. As we will see in the book of Revelation, a lot of “miraculous“ things happen through the antichrist and the false prophet. That’s why we need to be careful when we go to meetings and miraculous things seem to happen. That does not necessarily mean it is God at work. Remember: signs follow believers, not believer...

  Good morning. And you know what (this word is neuter) restrains him (the man of lawlessness) now, so that in his time he will be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he (this one is masculine) who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way (actually midst, not way). I indicated the gender of these pronouns because there is debate as to who or what it is that restrains the man of lawlessness. There are those who say that the “he“ refers to the Holy Spirit, and that this indicates that the Christians have been raptured because “he”, the Holy Spirit”, has been taken out of the way; and so, there cannot be any Christians remaining. First: Vines Dictionary says that there is no word present that means removal; i.e. whoever or whatever the “he” is, is not removed. Second: the “he“ who restrains the antichrist does not have to be the Holy Spirit. After all, a “mere” Angel is the one who binds Satan for 1000 years. Third: as mentioned before (i...

  Good morning. That no one in any way deceive you, for it (the day of the Lord) will not come unless the apostasy (a falling away from the faith - my Bible says that Paul is here talking about active rebellion) comes first, and the man of lawlessness (most likely the antichrist of the book of Revelation as the next verse seems to indicate) is revealed (comes from the same word as apocalypse, i.e., revelation), the son of destruction (he causes destruction, and in the end will be destroyed himself. My Bible says that it is the same Greek expression used of Judas where it is translated son of perdition), who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. (This is the part where it seems to indicate that it is the antichrist) Note: he cannot take his seat in the temple of God unless the temple exists. It would of course take time to build - under great opposition. That would ...

  Good morning. Now we request you with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him (that Paul talked about in First Thessalonians), that you not be quickly shaken [My Bible says that this word was often used of a ship adrift from its mooring, and suggests lack of stability] from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come (without them knowing it). It seems that here Paul is associating the day of the Lord, not only with the coming of the Lord Jesus, but also our gathering together to Him. He is saying that this day, when it happens, will not be in secret with nobody, including Christians, knowing that it has happened. Whether it is before the great tribulation or at some other point in time, if you are a Christian, you will know that it has happened. Father thank You that when the believers are gathered together with Jesus, we don’t have to worry that ...

  Good morning. Continuing with “the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night”. While they are saying, “peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child and they will not escape. [My Bible says that the word translated “destruction” does not mean annihilation (it’s more like rotting fruit), but exclusion from the Lord‘s presence, thus the ruin of life and all its proud accomplishments.] When it says they will not escape, the word translated “not“ is a double negative. Unlike in English, in Greek a double negative does not equate to a positive. It means that it is for certain that it will not happen. But you are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; but you are all sons of light and sons of day. So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert (the world needs more “lerts”) and sober. All of this is talking about the coming of the day of the Lord. Father thank You that we are ...

  Good morning. Paul just talked about Jesus‘s return and being caught up into the air with Him. Now as to the times and the epochs (seasons) you have no need of anything to be written to you. [At the beginning of the book of Acts when the disciples asked Jesus if it was at this time He was restoring the kingdom to Israel, He said “it is not for you to know the times or epochs which the Father has fixed”.] For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. There are many, many references to “the day of the Lord“ throughout the Old and New Testaments. There are contrasting things that are supposed to happen on that day, both good and bad, so that there is an implication that it is longer than one 24 hour period. It could mean that it is at some particular period in time, even to the point of “a thousand years is like one day to the Lord“. It references our redemption, and judgment upon the world – some of which does not happen until ...

  Good morning. So how will it happen? For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. (the ones alive will not precede the ones who have fallen asleep) Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. [My Bible says that where it says “caught up“ is the only place in the New Testament where a “rapture“ (from the Latin Vulgate - which was the translation authorized by the Catholic Church) is clearly referred to. Some hold that this will be secret, but Paul seems to be describing something open and public, with loud voices and a trumpet blast.] This is a topic which different groups seem to be very passionate about, and is a place where “angels fear to tread“. Those that believe in it believe that it will happen before the great tribulation. No matter what your beliefs...

  Good morning. Continuing the thought about those who had fallen asleep... For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. (Of course we believe that Jesus died and rose again) They did not die and are gone forever. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord (nowhere is it recorded in the gospels that Jesus said the following, though Jesus did appear to Paul more than once and may have said it, or perhaps this is through a prophecy by someone), that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. By using the word “we“, Paul was not saying that he would still be alive when Jesus returned. Since they were concerned about their loved ones who had fallen asleep, Paul wanted to make it clear what would not happen: that the believers still alive would be taken up, while those who had fallen asleep would stay asleep till the end of the millennium, or perh...

Good morning. Finally then – no, this is not Paul’s third and final closing 😊 : we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instructions as to how you are to walk and please God, that you excel still more. For this is the will of God, your sanctification (in this case in regards to immorality). God did not save us so that we could do anything that we wanted. We need to lead a pure life. Apparently there was some confusion among the Thessalonians as to what would happen to Christians after they died. We do not want you to be uninformed about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do those who have no hope. My Bible says that indications are that first century pagans viewed death with horror, as the end of everything. Christians, however, have a hope that goes beyond the grave. If you had no hope beyond the grave, then you would not care about the consequences; you would do anything that you wanted to do. And that is the way that many non-Chri...

  Good morning. We wanted to come to you more than once, and yet Satan hindered us. As great as we consider Paul to be, it’s hard to believe that anyone or anything could keep him from doing whatever he wanted to do. With most Christians, Satan doesn’t even give a thought about them. Since Paul couldn’t come himself, he sent Timothy to find out how they were doing and to encourage them as to their faith. Paul did not want them to be disturbed by the afflictions that he was suffering. You know that we have been destined for this. For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction. My prayer for you is the same as Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians: May the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

  Good morning. They not only became imitators of Paul, but also of the churches in Judea. You also endured the same suffering at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men; hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. Not so much in this country, but there is a price to be paid for following Christ. If there is even a little opposition, we fold like a cheap lawn chair. It was bad enough that these people Paul was talking about did not want to become believers; they tried to prevent others from becoming believers. Father give the reader wisdom and insight about his/her future. Help him/her to stand steadfast amidst any opposition.

  Good morning. Paul says that he did all that we talked about yesterday: so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. When you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. We go to hear speeches all the time, but they are words of men. What Paul told them did not come from his brain, but from his spirit. Tying in with his statement that the word of God performs its work in them, is the verse in the book of Hebrews which talks about the word of God being living, and active, and sharper than any two edged sword; able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Father help us to listen to Your words, not the words of men in order to change our lives.

  Good morning. For we never came with flattering speech (fishing lure), as you know, nor with a pretext for greed (saying things that would make people give them more money) – God is witness – nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ, we might have asserted our authority. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. That definitely does not sound like the Paul we know. We were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. Paul then talks about when he was there, he worked to support himself; he did not ask for anything from them. He then talks about how blamelessly he lived his life while with them, encouraging them as a father would his own children to walk in a manner worthy of God. Paul’s goal was not to receive money from them, but to help them live the life that God wanted them to live. Father go...

  Good morning. After we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. (Paul repeats what we’ve been saying) For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. We have mentioned before about “evangelists“ coming to an area and preaching something other than the gospel in order to receive money from their preaching. The word translated “deceit“ originally meant a fishing lure, which was used to deceive a fish into thinking that it was food. Paul says, we didn’t do that. We did it because God entrusted us with the task. The “evangelists” said words to please the listeners, so that they would give them more money. God examines the hearts of those “preaching the word“; so He knows their motives. Father help our words to always ...

  Good morning. So how great an example were the Thessalonians? For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in the regions around you, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth. You turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come. They did a complete 180 in their lives. Just like the superheroes in the movies who rush in to save people at the last moment, Jesus will come to rescue us from God‘s wrath. Paul then reminds them of what we’ve been saying from the book of Acts. After we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. This is the tribulation he has been talking about. Father go with the reader and his/her family. Meet all of their needs every day!

  Good morning. So what was the Thessalonians’ response as Paul and Silas preached the gospel in power and the Holy Spirit with full conviction? You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. How would you like for your life to be such an example that people would want to imitate you? With the Jews starting a riot about Paul and Silas‘ preaching, it would’ve been very easy for the Thessalonians to say, “forget about it - if we believe what you say, the same thing could happen to us”. Instead, despite the tribulation, they received it with the joy of the Holy Spirit. In fact, the gospel so changed their lives, that they became an example to everyone in the region. Can people say that about us? Father, no matter what we have to go through, help us to live our lives as an example to others so that they will also want to become C...

  Good morning. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. They did not come with a bunch of words to dazzle the Thessalonians. If they had, they would have given up before the Jews started the riot as mentioned last time from the book of Acts. They did so in power and in the Holy Spirit. In Mark after Jesus ascended, it says that the apostles went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed (Full disclosure – this verse appears in the part of Mark that there is doubt about it being in the original version). These were not just some philosophical words, but words that the Holy Spirit gave them to preach to the Thessalonians. They so believed in the words, that they were willing to be beaten by the Jewish religious leaders. They didn’t just talk the talk, they also walke...

  Good morning. Today we start the book of First Thessalonians. When Paul and Silas were there, the Jews stirred up a riot against them. They left and went to Berea. He writes: to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, “grace to you and peace.” We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father, knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you. He lets them know that they are not forgotten even when he’s not there by telling them he prays for them constantly. He uses some words with faith, hope, and love (and the greatest of these is love) that are not normally associated with those words. He talks about their work of faith (remember James: faith without works is dead). You also don’t think about laboring with love; however love constantly works to make relati...

  Good morning. Paul ends Colossians by mentioning a number of people who are coming to them or who send the Colossians their greetings. One of the ones coming is Onesimus. He is the slave that Paul writes about in the book of Philemon. This is the place where Luke is referred to as the beloved physician. Paul directs that after the Colossians have read this letter, to have it also read in the church at Laodicea, and for them to read his letter coming from Laodicea. This was a common practice for the churches to share letters coming from Paul. He ends by saying: I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. In first Corinthians, Paul says “the greeting is in my own hand“. Paul did not personally pen all of his letters. In fact in Romans there is a verse that says: I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the Lord. They were, however, dictated by Paul. Unfortunately, back then they did not have dictation machines or phone apps lik...

  Good morning. And now an admonition that is so relevant for today: conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of your opportunity. We have to walk a fine line, being careful what we say or do when we are with nonbelievers. That does not mean that we approve of what they say or do, nor do we behave like them. In the past, too many times Christians flaunted their Christianity. They openly condemned those who were behaving contrary to what that Christian thought the Bible said. Unfortunately, today it is the other way around – they flaunt their worldliness, and condemn us if we don’t go along with them. So how should we behave? Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Our speech and conduct with non-believers should be “salty“ so that we will make them hungry and thirsty for the things of God. Father help us to conduct ourselves with wisdom towards non-believers speaking wor...

  Good morning. Turnabout fair play: Paul now tells masters to grant their slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Too many times we only pray when there is some emergency. If we devoted ourselves to prayer, perhaps there would not be as many emergencies. Remember in the garden, Jesus admonished His disciples to pray “that you may not enter into temptation“. If your mind is on prayer, it won’t be on something that will get you into trouble. Remember the old adage “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop“. Paul did not ask them to pray that he would have an easy life; he wanted them to pray that God would make it possible for him to spread the word to more p...

  Good morning. And now an important admonition: whatever you do, do you work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men. With its juxtaposition to the words concerning slaves and masters, that is what it was probably intended to be about; but it applies to everything in our lives. This is not just for the workplace, but in everything we do whether for ourselves or for God. There are too many Christians who do their job half heartedly because of some disagreement or conflict at work. We should do it unto the Lord. Why – knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. For it is the Lord Christ whom you serve (which seems to refer back to slaves serving their masters). For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. Father help us to do everything as unto You to the best of our ability.

  Good morning. And now a verse that most likely was wrongly used hundreds of years ago: slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Sadly, this verse was probably used to say that it was OK to own slaves. People may have even heard it coming from the pulpit. People will use the Bible to “prove“ just about anything they want to prove. It is true that the Bible does not come out and directly condemn slavery. There are several explanations of why it does not; but unless we have a revelation from God, we should be careful about saying why it does not. My Bible says that Paul neither condones slavery nor sanctions revolt against masters. Rather, he calls on both slaves and masters to show Christian principles in their relationship and thus to attempt to change the institution from within. He says elsewhere that he who is free, is Christ’s slave; and he who is a ...