In the beginning of chapter 3, Paul said that in the last days would be difficult because of how evil people will be, and he listed some of the characteristics they would have. Here’s the list again: lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips,…
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As we closed out the book of 1 Samuel, we saw the death of Saul and his sons. We pick up right there as we begin 2 Samuel. David is anointed as King in chapter 2, and the rest of the book tells about David’s forty year reign. The man who brought the report of…
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In chapter 16, Job finally tells his friends how he would be speaking to one of them if the tables were switched. He tells them that he would speak encouraging and consoling words, instead of the hurtful, accusatory things they’ve been saying to him. He tells them that they’ve put him in a no win…
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Remember that Paul considered Timothy his son in the faith. It was he that brought the Gospel to Timothy and introduced him to Jesus. And now, as Paul is in prison and unsure of his future, he has some final words of advice. Since he is in prison because of his faith, foremost in his…
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After David left the Philistines, they went to Ziklag, where he had recruited the 600 men who went with him and supported him. And the Philistines destroyed the city, and carried off all the people. When David and his men got to Ziklag and found what had happened, they were devastated. And many of his…
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In chapter 14, Job talks about the frailty of man, the short time that he is here on Earth, and the fact that once he is gone, he’ll not return. He ends with the idea that once we are gone, we’ll not even know what becomes of our children. As a parent, I pray for…
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Paul’s advice to Timothy on how to deal with different age groups is very good. I have known of young pastors who went counter to this advice, very much to the detriment of their ministry. When a young so-called leader does not properly honor the more senior members, feelings are hurt and it is very…
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Saul seldom fails to the wrong thing, does he? He is terrified at the prospect of fighting the Philistines, who have gathered an army to fight Israel. Had Saul been willing to turn to God, had he truly repented of his previous sinful actions, he wouldn’t be facing the Philistines here and now, and God…
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In chapter eleven, Zophar has had enough of what he considers to be just a rash of wordy nonsense. In essence he accuses Job of running off at the mouth. He asks, “Just because you like to hear yourself talk, are we supposed to shut up?” And he accuses Job of saying things he didn’t…
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Paul has good advice for Timothy on pastoring a church. One of the most important parts of being an effective pastor is having a godly support team. Different churches have different names for them, but in the translation we’re using, the words bishop and deacon are used. Their functions and qualifications differ, but the bottom…
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