God's Goodness and Love

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Sunday, February 22, 2026

WARNING

WARNING: The leaven of the Herodians plagues this generation in the body of Christ. It is always the lust of the flesh & lust of the eyes that causes separation from God: 1 John 2:16-17 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, & the lust of the eyes, & the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world & the world is passing away & the lust thereof: but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

Do we have bodily appetites which proceed from an evil nature? Do we have a thirst, a lust to see who liked us on Facebook? Do we hurriedly check the number of likes to figure out if we will have a good day or bad day because of the very number we see? Do we have a lust for what we see with our eyes when shopping for a child's shoes and buy something for us instead? Do we have to have what our neighbor has? Do we demand our children to do what we never accomplished? Do we want them to like what we like or desire greatly? Will they make the Olympics or will they make the basketball team in college? Will they succeed where you were less than gifted in a specific thing??

Remember Herodias with her daughter Salome? She had her daughter to dance a most lustful flesh action to get that king to do what her evil heart desired! He was hooked by a feeling! He was hooked by his youth so far past that he leaped into that flesh hoping to retrieve his ego of that said youth and sank terribly. Those that walk according to the lusts of their flesh will never succeed in the kingdom of God, but we must crucify our flesh with the lusts thereof. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ: it is no longer I who live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

This woman Heoridas wanted more from others. She desired the king's heart but he had only eyes for Salome.

Proverbs 14:12 NKJV 12 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

The letter to the Colossians presents us with a good example of the warning here. The church members had been presented with something that looked attractive, something they were told would enhance their worship of God, but it was actually a pagan idea. Contrary to the sales pitch they were hearing, they needed to get it out of their lives, out of their worship of God, or it would eventually lead them completely astray.

They were being deceived by something that appeared right. It seemed so good, and it indeed had its positive qualities, in a way. Paul, though, could see that death waited at its end. The people, apparently, were deluded into thinking about it an entirely different way.

Humanly, God has given us multiple ways to express our personalities that have nothing at all to do with sin or necessarily, with His way. But there is only one "Way," and that is His. When it is alloyed with other ways, it is not improved by any means. The Word of God is pure, and when things are added to it, it is not made stronger or enhanced. Added things actually make it worse and can make it weaker.

Even today people try making lives easier but only cause either the body, your car, or your child weaker. You can give your children spam to eat. What is spam? Is it safe to eat? Oh yeah, a President from several terms ago set forth the spam thing for students in school lunches. Or how about giving you a shot to make you lose weight? Oh, you do not have a sugar problem but just fat. Well some have taken those shots who face a backside totally void of any fat. Sad! Then how about like the President from time past who set in motion some time in his first presidency with "new car makes" to install a "Stop" button to stop you if they "the government or police needed to stop you now". Praise the Lord we have a President today who removed that horrendous thing from vehicles!

We can express our personalities in things like fashion. Look how many different designs there are to clothing. The same applies to furniture or automobiles. Their makers change them on us every so often to make them appealing as in color, good looks and high powered. Today it is electric vehicles but the gas guzzler works for us. We like passing others on those passes when electric cars slow down to the right hand or shoulder. People buy things that appeal to the expression of their personalities. The same is true with houses and yards. Look at the landscaping varieties that there are—hundreds of different flowers, bushes, and trees that we can put in our yards to express a little bit of the beauty of God in our own way. Food and drink are other examples of variety in personal expression. But their food is "caviar" and their drink wine. Too much and it will cause fungus in the body. Many individuals like being "Chef" and create some great new foods to enjoy. But it is God who gave us that mind to use for His glory and praise!

But in terms of morality and spirituality, the Way is extremely narrow. "Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, . . . [yet] narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it" (Matthew 7:13-14). This is the principle we are dealing with in this case. In Colosse', the Christians were victims of yet another attempt to syncretize something moral and spiritual—but humanly devised—to God's Way.

In this case, it was a philosophy of asceticism and the worship of demons, which they were being told would enhance their worship of God. It appeared to be so spiritual, but it was effectively cutting them off from the true Object of their faith and their Source of power to overcome—Christ.

(Heard that Muslims have taken over Times Square this weekend with chants of death to America. Where are the Christian leaders in this hours? Why are they taking over space in their threats over believers in Jesus Christ? Who has the right?

Blending the lies of this world with the truth of God produces a foul mixture called syncretism found in James 3:10-13. What we know of Christian religions of this world have mixed the traditions of paganism with some of the truth of God's Word. There is no difference from what Israel was doing when Amos wrote back in 760 BC. Since their rejection of the house of David under Jeroboam 1, the Israelites had practiced a syncretistic religion found in Amos 5:21-26 and 1 Kings 12:25-33.

Fire Symbolizes Divine Rejection : Amos 5:6 NKJV 6 Seek the LORD and live, Lest He break out like fire in the house of Joseph, And devour it, With no one to quench it in Bethel— 7 You who turn justice to wormwood, and lay righteousness to rest in the earth!” 8 He made the Pleiades and Orion, He turns the shadow of death into morning and makes the day dark as night. He calls for the waters of the sea And pours them out on the face of the earth; the LORD is His name. 9 He rains ruin upon the strong so that fury comes upon the fortress. 10 they hate the one who rebukes in the gate, and they abhor the one who speaks uprightly. 11 Therefore, because you tread down the poor and take grain taxes from him, though you have built houses of hewn stone, yet you shall not dwell in them; you have planted pleasant vineyards, but you shall not drink wine from them; 12 for I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins; Afflicting the just and taking bribes, diverting the poor from justice at the gate. 13 Therefore the prudent keep silent at that time, for it is an evil time. 14 Seek good and not evil, that you may live. So the LORD God of hosts will be with you , as you have spoken 15 Hate evil, love good; establish justice in the gate. It may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. 16 Therefore the LORD God of hosts, the Lord, says this: “There shall be wailing in all streets, and they shall say in all the highways, ‘Alas! Alas! They shall call the farmer to mourning, and skillful lamenters to wailing. 17 In all vineyards there shall be wailing, for I will pass through you,” says the LORD. 18 Woe to you desire the day of the LORD!” for what good is the day of the LORD to you? 19 It will be darkness and not light. 19 It will be as though a man fled from a lion, and a bear met him! Or as though he went into the house, leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him!” 20 Is it not very dark, with no brightness in it!” 21 I hate , I despise your feast days, and I do not savor your sacred assemblies. 22 thought you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them. Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. 23 Take away from Me the noise of your sons, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. 24 But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream.

1. God threatens to send fire, symbolizing divine rejection and purification (Malachi 4:1), upon Israel because of her false religion.

2. Malachi 4:1 For behold the day is coming, burning like an oxen, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up.” Says the Lord of hosts, that will leave them neither root nor branch.

3. The Bible, though ultimately written for His spiritual children, focuses on ancient Israel because she is comprised of God's chosen people. We too should see our own lives in their examples

4. Amos proves through the Israelite s' disobedience and corruption that they had no relationship with God. They had not allowed their privileged position under the covenant to transform them into godly people. Thus, God must send a purifying destruction upon them.

Amos 5 highlights three critical assumptions, all of which are factors in a doctrine evangelical Christians term "eternal security." The context of the chapter shows a wealth of religious activity (verses 21-26). Amos mentions religious festivals, animal sacrifices, and music they believed to be glorifying to God, all indicating worship services of some kind. They went in for religion in a big way! Undoubtedly, they were wholehearted about it, so it was probably emotionally satisfying to them. But what good is worship if it does not get through to God? This is what Amos reveals to them. All of their enthusiasm was for naught because their daily lives did not match God's standards.

We are assured of making it into God's Kingdom on the strength of His ability to prepare us. So what is the problem? Verse 24 gives us some insight: "But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream."

The first phrase can just as easily read, "Let justice [or, judgment] roll down." There is a clever play on a word here, as Gilgal means "the rolling." The people attended the festivals in Gilgal, but before their arrival and after they returned home, justice and righteousness failed to roll down—we might say "trickle down"—into their everyday life. Things went on as before. They had fun at the feast all right, but nothing changed spiritually.

Justice is the fruit of righteousness. When linked as they are in this verse, justice stands for correct moral practice in daily life, and righteousness for the cultivation of correct moral principles. Justice is external, righteousness is internal. The trouble with Gilgal was that the people allowed their human nature to keep their religion in a box with no way for it to influence daily life. It is three illustrations showing that in our own relationship with God is not a game to be played. In this present hour, we as believers exist to witness the gospel to the world by our lives we live honoring Him. It is letting others know of His goodness in the land of the living. And you and I cannot witness well in this hour without preparation.

If we do not allow God’s justice to roll down like waters and His righteousness like an ever-flowing stream, then we will see the result of Amos 6:12…… but as for the wicked, God says “you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood and wormwood means “bitter” so when justice is forsaken, all the land is left bitter and poisoned.

May you and I not be left bitter in any way. We should not poison others but lift them to God in righteousness and truth! The word of God should not be shelved on the bookshelf in our office but in our hearts where faith grows!

Teaching at: Voice of Prayer

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Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Painful Thorns

What a difference 50 years makes in one's life!

What was held in disgust years ago, people do it so willingly today. Was seeing a teaching on what the swimsuits looked like in the twenties and thirties of the 20th century. Everyone had on clothes, but was meant for swimming. Each dressed, the man in his slacks and the woman in a two piece suit covering from the neck to passed the knees. Today it is anything goes. You have a display of nudity in all forms on the beaches today. Sad to say, many have fallen into the culture theme of being free in sin. I remember the Rockettes of yesteryear. Those dancers in NYC were in the Macy's parade over Thanksgiving. What appeared were very thin women. What once looked like healthy dancers, with an amount of muscle on the legs and arms, today they are skin and bone ....Was wondering if it had to do with people losing weight just to be thin. What would Jesus think today?

Jesus was the “meek” man. He humbled Himself before the Father to walk in His steps regarding His image and the foundation of the work to be set forever in His word.

In God's perspective, people who humble themselves, are these people who are strong, while from a human perspective, it depends on whom they want to impress. You can see that in the story of those who impressed David’s son instead of staying alongside David as the King! ( of Ahithophel’s advice to the King seen in 2 Samuel 16, 17, and what occurs in 18) Ahithophel commits suicide out of bitterness in 2 Samuel 17:23.

At the point of Grace, we choose whom we will serve. We are told over and over to forgive those who have done something against us. Yes, and that can occur daily in this world we live in today!

But Humility is so important that God gave Paul some help to make sure that he would stay humble: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10 NKJV 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Yet, this “thorn” in the flesh is a person. We know this because we see it in the Old Testament: Ezekiel 28:22- 24 NKJV “Behold, I am against you, O Sidon; I will be glorified in your midst; and they shall know that I am the LORD, when I executed judgments in her and am hallowed in her. For I will send pestilence upon her and blood in her streets; the wounded shall be judge in her midst by the sword against her on every side; then they shall know that I am the LORD. 24 “And there shall not longer be a pricking brier or a “painful thorn for the house of Israel from among all who around them, who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the LORD GOD.”

From this verse 24, we see that insults of the nations are compared to prickly briers and painful thorns. Numbers 33:55 ‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell. 56 Moreover it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them.’”

In this year, we certainly have the irritants of painful thorns. You expect truth and get that which relates to honoring the evil and to destroy the good!

From the time of Jesus, His walk was about the persistent heart giving the kingdom of God that had come: the Gospel! Jesus was effective in that He laid down His life and could take it up again because He spoke it into being. Paul saw the power of Jesus’ walk and proved to be an effective servant of God.

So humility has a dominant thrust in it where appears a willingness to submit to God, to what is His truth and remain in it to give to others. These two willingly submit to giving their whole life into God’s glory. So what would be the level of our humble hearts? Ephesians 4:3 …endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Unity with each begins in the unity each of us has with God. And it is within that unity with God you can keep unity with others.

So in returning to Ahithophel we find a most fascinating character. In 2 Samuel 15: 12 Ahithophel was a trusted counselor to King David. He was also a member of his cabinet. The King relied on Ahithophel’s advise as if he spoke from God himself seen 2 Samuel 16:23.

Ah yes, but things changed for the “bad”. It was David’s son Absalom that led a rebellion against him. and in this rebellion Ahithophel betrayed David by joining with rebellious Abasalom. AND we can know the king’s heart on this matter when David recounts those painful laments of heart when a trusted Ahithophel betrayed him in Psalm 41:8-9 and Psalm 55:12-15.

Psalm 55:12-16 NKJV For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. 13 but it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together and walked to the house of God in the throng. 15 Let death seize them; let them do down alive into hell, for wickedness is in their dwellings and among them. 16 As for me, I will call upon God, and the LORD shall save me.

AHITHOPHEL: whose name means “foolishness” certainly proved to be the foolish man and it was indicated in his first meeting with Absalom in 2 Samuel 15:12. Yes the rebellion was on! And some parts of historical record give a light on what occurred to make Ahithophel do what he did to the king! In historic background, Ahithophel was the father Eliam found in 1 Chronicles 3:5. And then the grandfather of Bathsheba, so this was a personal ordeal for the man who knew the king and had worked side by side with him. Yes, David as the king with loose morals at this time defiled another man’s wife. Instead of being on the front lines in battle with his men, David stayed in the palace and then had his eye on the lovely Bathsheba bathing. So in this corrupted action on David’s part, Ahithophel’s sense of wrong crowded his thinking.

Yes, David was king but was to be the honorable and here he slipped terribly in the acts of murder of Bathsheba's husband Uriah the Hittite. What Ahithophel proposed in his pursuit of David is given in 2 Samuel 17:1…… Ahithophel gives Absalom advice: “Now let me choose twelve thousand men and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 2 I will come upon him while he is weary and weak and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee and I will strike the king.

It was a personal hostility that Ahithophel held for David. 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world. 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Through the Gospel, revelation of truth is power. And in the operation of God’s power through this gospel is victory over sin and death. But to the Jews, this very message of Christ crucified signaled weakness and proved Jesus the false Messiah. The Jews looked for signs instead of in Messiah’s power ( Isaiah 35; 61) The Jews stumbled in this truth. And of course to the Gentile mind-set, they held no messianic expectations. No, they held only what a deity should be like, so the message of Christ crucified was foolishness to them.

Yes, David did try to hide his corrupted acts. He treated this young woman terribly and her husband even worse. He wanted her to sleep with her own husband to hide his dilemma her creating a child within her womb. But the honorable Uriah would not do that while the men he fought with would not have the same thing available to them. David proceeds with another act of betrayal to place Uriah on the front line of the battle. Yes, death would occur to this young man.

Ahithophel most likely burned in his thinking that became a hate with a force behind it! So Absalom set to take David’s throne, and he, Ahithophel, must have thought some kind of good must have turned towards him in favor, but David prayed in 2 Samuel 15:31 “O LORD I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” Remember David had already prayed in Psalm 55!

In Ahithophel’s counsel to Absalom to immediately attack David before he can regroup, a change occurs in a dramatic way. A loyal friend to David, Hushai pretends to have turned to Absalom’s side and urges him to delay an attack. It was God causing Absalom to heed Husahi’s advice and Ahithophel realizes a fatal mistake. In bitterness, he knows that God will not punish David now. No, because David repented and prayed for God’s hand on the outcome of his own stupid behavior.

In despair it was Ahithophel who would die: “He put his house in order and then hanged himself (2 Sam 17:23). In prayer, David displayed anguish. He wrote of betrayal in Psalm 55:13-14. A seemingly spiritual companion betrayed David in verse 13: “ but it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance”.

2 Samuel 15:31 Then someone told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, “O LORD I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

Humility goes hand in hand with meekness. Jesus the meek had a restraint being held in the “kind, the gentle, and the sensitive to others’ needs. This is done in truth, with no lying and stealing. They are those who will agree with that which is God’s word. They will not argue God’s word, neither will they insist on their own way in it. People could approach Jesus! They could speak with Him and He would return that which was life to them. He was and is the meek but He is not the “weak”! Like Jesus we are to be the firm and the uncompromising regarding following truth. And what is revealed to us is that Jesus did not overwhelm others who were aligned against Him.

God’s grace has been poured out to us! People who know their Lord and God are the blessed and it shows! We too can enjoy this abundance of grace. We should let people go and give them over to God.

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” 15 “But if you do not forgive me their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Jesus hung on a Cross at Calvary and forgave the one who hung there with Him. Jesus told the man that he would be with Him in Paradise. The other went his way into hell. It was one who held onto Jesus the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Painful thorns indeed appear in our walk. But we keep our eyes on Jesus! You can see insanity in the world, but peace is found in the Lord alone!

Teaching at: Voice of Prayer

Visit my You Tube channel Voice of Prayer for more teaching

http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV

Visit Life Giving Wells You Tube Channel for more teaching

http://bit.ly/2wgu1kw

Now Posting to Rumble

Voice of Prayer

And

Life Giving Wells

Life Giving Wells now on Spotify Podcast!

Wednesday, October 22, 2025

Halloween: No FEAR

So, what is the attraction of Halloween? Are people really into ghouls, goblins, spirits, devilry, and monsters? Are Americans really that attracted to the otherworldly theme of the holiday? And who called it a holiday? Unto the contrary, most Americans do not believe in demonic or even angelic spirits enough to think of Halloween as some kind of celebration of them. No, their thought process takes them in a celebration as such. It is in the donning of costumes and the consumption of alcohol: Halloween is the year's biggest escape from reality!

It seems this period of celebration increases each year. Have seen Halloween products sold with Christmas decorations. So what goes on here, guys?

The ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain (November 1), from which All Saints' Day and All Hallows Eve derive, was a kind of New Year’s as unto a holiday. Along with the days immediately before and after, it was special because the Celts believed that the boundary between this world and the spirit world was relaxed or lifted, allowing spirits to cross between them more easily. As this idea terrified superstitious people, they mollified the spirits by leaving out food and treats so that they would not curse them. Some practiced various forms of divination as in the seance to contact departed loved ones. Druids thought this to be the best time to seek guidance from the dead! Some people would go in the house through the window, and exit the same. ( Makes you think of those who are willing to rob another in their home)

At this time, people do what they desire. They have an enthusiastic attitude to having a great time of entertainment: indoors and outdoors!

Have seen another nation with their folks coming in by an illegal manner worship the dead. They set up tables and worship their dead by telling young school students about an ancient grandmother or such. But skulls are out of line indeed when displayed for a young child to see in this nation. ( now they are making quilts to worship the dead. How sick is that?)

Turning toward Timothy: Three brief letters of First and Second Timothy and Titus were written by the apostle Paul to two evangelists, Timothy and Titus. These three epistles are often called "The Pastoral Epistles." This is a result of misunderstanding who a pastor is according to New Testament teaching. Many people have the mistaken idea that a preacher is the same as a pastor. They always confuse the roles of preachers (evangelists) with that of pastors (elders). The Bible, however, makes a clear distinction between evangelists and pastors. They do not refer to the same work in the church (Reading in Ephesians 4:11).

Since the letters of Timothy and Titus were written to evangelists rather than pastors, it is more accurate to call them "The Evangelistic Epistles." Even though First Timothy and Titus do contain the qualifications of elders (pastors), the letters were specifically written to preachers rather than to elders. Do you know any elders?

In Acts 20, we read of Paul's speech to the elders of the church. He warned them of the coming of false teachers who would draw away disciples after their teaching (Acts 20:28-32). Paul’s prophecy soon came true. It was necessary for him to leave Timothy at Ephesus to "charge some that they teach no other doctrine" (1 Timothy 1:3).

Two verses in First Timothy sum up what the epistle is about: "These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Timothy 3:14,15).

Chapter one of First Timothy speaks of the importance of teaching correct doctrine. Chapter two deals with the place of women in the church. Men and women are equal in salvation (Galatians 3:28), but they have different works in the church. Man is commanded to take the lead in prayers and teaching. Women are to "learn in silence with all submission" (1 Timothy 2:11). They are not to teach publicly where they have authority over men. Two reasons are given for this:

God created man first; Adam was not deceived, but Eve was.

In chapter 3 of Timothy, there are three prime qualifications of elders and deacons. It is God’s plan that each congregation be led by men called elders, or bishops (overseers), or pastors (shepherds). However, one must be qualified before he can serve in this important work. Deacons are special servants of the church. They serve under the elders of the church in works assigned to them. They too must be qualified.

Beginning here Paul to the evangelist Timothy: God has not given us fear, as to being cowardly, that cringing and fawning fear of dread. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

1. Meaning a safe and sound mind is found in Jesus ;It is also the disciplined mind, with the ability to understand and make right decisions

2. The safe or sound mind has the qualities of self-control / self-discipline..

3. One who has the spirit of fear is immobilized and tormented; they are banking on wrong decisions that gives way to bondage

4. 2 Timothy 1:6 tell us to remember our calling: Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in your through the laying on of my hands.

5. Within us, we have the power of God through Holy Spirit, enabling us to be victors and not victims; The perfect love of God has been poured out into our hearts, our lives through Jesus Christ; we have His abiding presence, and His mind to make sound choices

Timothy was given a word by Paul to remember God had given him a overcoming spirit. He had the Holy Spirit, so no fear could abide there. Timothy, who was honoring God---a young disciple became Paul’s companion in many of the journeys. Timothy’s mother Eunice and his grandmother, Lois, are mentioned for their righteousness. At the time of Paul’s second trip or visit to Lystra, Timothy was seen as read in acts 16:2. Acts 16:1-2 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.

Paul had high regard for Timothy and saw him as his spiritual son in the Faith. It was Paul who arranged for Timothy to become his companion. IN Acts 16:3 Paul wanted to have him go with him. He had him circumcised because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek. After the circumcision, Paul designated Timothy to the office of an evangelist found in 1 Timothy 4:14. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. They gave him God’s purpose and the gifts God placed in Him. He traveled with Paul through Phrygia, Galatia, Mysia---also to Troas and Philippi in Acts 17.

Timothy followed Paul to Athens and then Paul sent Timothy with Silas to Thessalonica on a mission’s trip. Acts 17:15 and 2 Thessalonica 3:2….and sent Timothy our brother and minister of God and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.

Then Timothy appeared in Corinth: 1 Thessalonica 1:1 and 2 Thessalonica 1:1.

After some years in Corinth, Timothy is later seen with Paul in Ephesus Acts 19:22. When Paul became a prisoner, it was Timothy who came to support him but was also arrested for short while. Hebrews 13:23 know that our brother Timothy has been set free with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

Timothy’s steps were ordered of the Lord. He would become the fearless indeed!

After Paul’s death in Rome, Timothy became Bishop at Ephesus. It was there he would die a martyrs death in A.D. 97! Already over the age of 80 it was the season , the pagan procession of the goddess Artemis. Timothy seeing the group knew many of them to be members of his church or flock. He encouraged them to stop the pagan worship as he preached them the word. In their anger, they raised their poles of wood which they had held in effigy, those faces of men or women, they wanted punished, to be dealt with in hate.

Timothy no longer held fear, but was bold as a lion to preach the word to those who were choosing the darkness over light! He died lifting the word of God, and telling them to repent!

Of Artemis: Ephesus was the center of the worship of Artemis or Diana. At one time when he, Paul was there, some of his companions were attacked by a mob. Paul knew the stress and pressure the church was under. But instead of praying the obvious for them, protection for them, he prays for spiritual development and fruit in them. In Ephesians 1:15-19 we read: “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.”

Here Paul desires them to have spiritual development and fruit in them. It is to know God better.

We are told in the book of Acts and chapter 19 that Paul’s ministry to the Ephesians in Ephesus caused many to turn from idols. A spiritual awakening in the city was widespread that it caused a recession among the idol-makers. The silversmiths lead by Demetrius had a meeting among those of the trade. Gathered together, he thought to stir them to anger and cause an action for their trade was in great danger of great loss in finances, so Demetrius was seeking to make a religious covering pretending this great reverence for Artemis or Diana and her temple. But the silversmiths meeting turned into a mob scene in which the whole city was inflamed. With chants to Diana as the great of the Ephesians, a crowd rushed to seize Paul’s traveling companions: Gaius and Aristarchus with the one purpose of killing them. Interesting truth: in Acts 19:32 many did not know why they were there and why they complained. Conflicting voices were heard at every side you could turn. Paul in his Ephesians prayer was not asking for their protection but for their spiritual growth. Today, I too do not ask for the obvious but I do pray for your spiritual development. That you too would have fruit that spiritual account. Enlightened in the kingdom of God. That you be Enlightened to truth and not wickedness. Proverbs 14:34 Message Bible: God-devotion makes a country strong; God-avoidance leaves people weak. Proverbs 14:34 Amp. Bible Uprightness and right standing with God ( moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation ) elevate a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.

In Closing: Are we as a group of people of a nation that was once under God now under that which masquerades as noble but is evil! Is violence at the door of our mouth? That idol worship is worshiping something that has nothing to do with the way, the life or truth that Jesus preached and Paul proclaimed. The words given by Jesus was to proclaim life that would set captives free: seen as the power of God in the heart of every man and woman who would believe on Jesus Christ. And today they build rockets and send them into space to honor the goddess Diana. They worship giant steps of man and never consider the God who created all this! The way of idol worship is that which is set for man to do that is good in his own eyes. We pray our nation turns back to God! Those dedicated to pride & changing that which God ordained, you too might see those coming down the sidewalk with poles holding those faces held in effigy because they with ash on their own faces, worshiping in the pagan procession of the goddess Artemis are bold in their own religion and worship. They worship dead things. Those he knew who came to the church, now ash on their faces or masks so the demons might not see their arrogant hate of others, Timothy raises his voice! NO longer held in fear, but was bold as a lion to preach the word to those who were choosing the darkness over light! He died lifting the word of God, and telling them to repent! Will we turn someone toward Jesus? Will we speak while there is time? For whatever time remains for each of us, may it be with a heart for God to speak now!

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