Looking For Leaders

Posted on October 26, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 26
Looking for Leaders

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:33-40 | Jeremiah 49:23-50:46 | Titus 1:1-16 | Proverbs 26:13-16

Today’s Scripture Focus: Titus 1

“The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” (Titus 1:5 NIV)

Good leadership is crucial to any organization. Good, spiritual leadership is essential to a healthy church. Paul’s instruction to Titus is a reminder of this. He reminds him of the kinds of qualities to look for in choosing leaders. So what qualities are important in choosing leaders in the church?

Paul tells Titus to look to the home life. Are they faithful to their spouse? If they have children, how did or are they doing in raising them? One’s management of their home life can be an indicator of readiness for leadership.

Paul also recommends character qualities that won’t cause shame or embarrassment to the church: “not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.” The leader should be blameless; they should have a good testimony in the community.

On the positive side, he suggests looking for qualities like these: “must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.” The spiritual leader should be someone who demonstrates a spirit-filled life through the fruit of the spirit.

Another important quality is their knowledge of God’s word and their ability to teach it and defend it against false teaching. This is a safeguard to the church that keeps it from error and from getting sidetracked from the truth.

What is your reaction to reading the list? Do you say, “I could never be a leader” or “I don’t want to be a leader”? I hope not. I’m not sure that Paul intended for this to be a checklist for disqualification—and it is sometimes viewed that way. I’m sure each of us could find a point or two (or more) that would disqualify us if we looked at the list so rigidly. A grace-filled way to look at the list is to realize that these are qualities God wants to build into your life so that you can be used in greater measure for him. They are a measure of the life we should pursue.

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“Itchy Ears” (Oct 25)

Posted on October 26, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 25
Itchy Ears

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:25-32 | Jeremiah 48:1-49:22 | 2 Timothy 4:1-22 | Proverbs 26:9-12

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 4

For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4 NIV)

There is an epidemic of itchy ears today. This should be no surprise, as Paul warned us that this would be the case. Those with itchy ears listen to only what they want to hear. If the preacher steps on their toes, they move on to another place that won’t be so uncomfortable. More than that, they look for and accumulate false teachers that tell them what they want to hear. They turn away from the truth and turn aside to myths–they are easily deceived, especially when it “suits their own desires.”

It makes the job of a pastor ever more difficult and ever more necessary. Pastors must preach the word in season and out of season (when people want to hear it and especially when they don’t). In times of compromise it is especially important for pastors to remain true to the word.

What about you? Do you have “itchy ears”? Through Radio and TV and the Internet and church hopping and books, it is quite possible to accumulate teachers who tell you just what you want to hear. But this is not a time for selective hearing; this is a time for the church to hear clearly and obey. It is time for believers to have open ears and open hearts. It is a time for “Bereans” to search the word to find out if these things “be true.” The determining factor is not “is this what I want to hear?” but rather “What is the Spirit saying to the churches?” When God speaks clearly through his word, it is time for us to obey whether it is what we want to hear or not.

Be watchful and sober-minded, and be careful of those itchy ears.

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Don’t Forget the “So That” (Oct 24)

Posted on October 26, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Quote From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

Quote From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 24
Don’t Forget the “So That”

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:17-24 | Jeremiah 44:24-47:7 | 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17 | Proverbs 26:6-8

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”(2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)

Why did God give us the Bible? Why should we be diligent students of it? The phrase “so that” points us to the reason: “So that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

God gave us his word so that we could be prepared and equipped to do ministry–to minister to one another in the body, as well as reaching out to share the good news with others. Head knowledge is good—but it is not the ultimate reason God has revealed his truth to us in Scripture.

So how do we move from the text to putting it into practice? The process begins by teaching. As students of the word, we make good observations, we read, we dig, we ask questions, and we seek to understand. Observation lays the foundation for interpretation.

As we interpret, we begin the process of application. Through our study of the word, God rebukes us showing us areas where we need to change. He corrects us and helps us to see areas where we need to change our way of thinking and living.

Then we begin to live out the truths and are trained in righteousness. We take the truth as the Holy Spirit has applied it to our hearts, and we begin to obey that truth. As we obey we are being trained in righteousness.

The reason for the teaching and application and living out the truth, is so that we are fully equipped to do ministry — both ministering to one another and also reaching out to the world around us with his good news.

Each of us is a part of a mission to take the good news to the ends of the world. Each of us has a part in that. God has given us his inspired word so that we can be trained in righteousness and equipped for service. This is true for all of us–not just pastors and missionaries (Ephesians 4:11-16). If we are not being equipped for service and using what we know in ministry, then we have missed the point of Bible Study. We have forgotten the “so that” of this passage.

Allow God to transform your life through his word, to teach you, rebuke you, correct you, train you in righteousness and equip you for his service. That is what he desires to do in you and through you as you diligently study his word.

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Purity (Oct 23)

Posted on October 23, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

Quote from Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverson

October 23
Purity

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:9-16 | Jeremiah 42:1-44:23 | 2 Timothy 2:1-21 | Proverbs 26:3-5

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 1:1-18

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word” (Psalm 119:9 NIV)

It’s not easy to live in purity, especially in the impure world we live in. But God has given us his word to guide us along the path. As we live according to its principles our way is kept pure.

But it is not a casual reading of the word that will enable us to live blamelessly and in purity. This passage calls for more than that. We must first “seek the Lord with all our hearts” (10). There must be a wholehearted desire to follow the Lord–to seek Him and do what is right. Unless the longing for God and his will is there, our efforts will not be successful. But as we seek Him diligently, our hearts and wills are changed; we become “eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:14).

The Psalmist also speaks of the value of meditating on the word. “I have hidden your word in my heart.” (11). He verbally recounts the word with his lips (13). “He meditates on the Lord’s precepts and considers his ways” (15). As we repeat the word verbally and meditate on it, we are helped greatly in our efforts to live pure lives. We not only are clear about the will of the Lord, but we also have the ammunition we need to fight temptation hidden in our hearts.

The Psalmist “rejoices” in following the statutes and principles of the word (14). He delights in the decrees of the Lord (16). When we realize that the principles of the Word have been given to us by a loving and gracious God who only desires the best for us, we will delight in the Word and rejoice in our obedience to it. Our motivation for obedience moves from “have to” to “want to,” and that is a much more powerful motivation that can indeed enable us to walk in purity.

We must be people of the Word if we are going to live in purity. We must come with a “seeking heart,” verbally recounting the precepts and meditating on them, to hide them in our hearts. As we realize that God has given them for our good–and so that we won’t miss out on all the blessings he has for us–we rejoice in the Word and delight in our obedience.

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Replacing Fear with Boldness (Oct 22)

Posted on October 23, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

Boldness3

October 22
Replacing Fear with Boldness

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 119:1-8 | Jeremiah 39:1- 41:18 | 2 Timothy 1:1-18 | Proverbs 26:1-2

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 1:1-18

“Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:6 NIV)

Fear keeps many of us from accomplishing the great things God has for us. We feel intimidated by others–sometimes even pushed around and controlled. We back off from doing what we know we should do. It especially affects our attempts to share the good news with others. Paul calls it a “spirit of fear,” and it is. It is one of Satan’s best tools in keeping us from being fruitful and effective in the kingdom.

Standing in the victory of Christ, we can resist the spirit of fear. Empowered by the Spirit we can find boldness in our walk with Christ, and in our witness.

Paul urged Timothy, not be intimidated, but to rely on the Holy Spirit who had given him the spiritual gifts to do the ministry he was called to. He is encouraged to “stir up the gifts given by the laying on of hands.” The key to boldness is the power of the Spirit. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” (Acts 4:31). As he empowers, anoints and gifts us he enables us to overcome our fears and accomplish the ministry he has given us to do.

God chose to use “timid Timothy” to be a bold witness and leader in the church. He often choses the “foolish things to confound the wise.” Perhaps you think God could never use you and you give in to your fears, remember Paul’s advice to Timothy and find the victory that is yours in Christ to overcome the spirit of fear and to walk in the power of the Spirit.

Remember: “He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

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My Strength and My Song (Oct 20)

Posted on October 20, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood
From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverosn

From Open Up Your Heart by Jeff Syverosn

October 20
My Strength and My Song

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 118:5-21 | Jeremiah 35:1-36:32 | I Timothy 5:1-25 | Proverbs 25:25-27

Today’s Scripture Focus: Psalms 118:5-21

“The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation” (Psalms 118:14 NIV)

The Psalmist describes his situation: he feels overwhelmed, surrounded, pushed back and about to fall. Have you ever been there?

In his anguish he cries out to God. He calls Him “my helper” (6), “my strength and my song” (14).

He is “my helper.” Where there is no other place to turn, he is there and he promises to help. When I am aware of His presence, I have no reason to fear. “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (5) With God as my helper, I can anticipate a triumphant victory (7).

He is “my strength.” It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man, or to trust in Princes (8). He is the one who can “set us free” (5), “save us” (14) and help us through those times when everything seems against us. “His right hand is lifted high; His right hand has done mighty things” (16).

He is “my song.” For the Psalmist, the Lord’s intervention brought songs of joy and victory (15). God’s answer to his prayer—his intervention—caused Him to overflow with shouting and singing. He rejoices in the Lord, and the Lord is his reason for singing—the Lord has become “his song.”

What is your situation today? Remember that the LORD with you. He is your helper. He is your strength. He is your song. He has become your salvation!

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A Good Example (Oct 19)

Posted on October 19, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

setanexample

October 19
A Good Example

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalms 118:1-4 | Jeremiah 33:1-34:22 | 1 Timothy 4:1-16 | Proverbs 25:23-24

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Timothy 4:1-16

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV)

Paul had mentored young Timothy and sent him out on a mission to Ephesus to stand up to some false teachers. There is some indication that he was timid by nature, so this may not have been an easy job for him. Nonetheless, he was Paul’s choice for the job. He tells him not to be intimidated by others, but instead to set an example for them.

First, he was to be an example in speech—the tongue betrays the true condition of our hearts. His whole lifestyle, too, was to set an example and was to show the reality of the truth within. He was to be an example in love—especially showing love to those who were opposing him and causing controversy. His example also was to extend to issues of faith and to purity.

Paul also urges him not to neglect his spiritual gifts. He should preach and teach and read the scriptures publicly. He cannot do this in his own power; he needs to rely on the Lord for his strength and empowering.

Perhaps you are a young person, like Timothy. Don’t be intimidated. Set an example in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. You will be a shining light to your generation—and an encouragement to us all.

Yet whatever your age, the principle rings true (Indeed, it would have been a given to Paul that we should look to the example of those older than us). We live in a day looking for people of integrity—examples we can follow. Take Paul’s advice to heart:

“Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

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Never Ending Encouragement (Oct 14)

Posted on October 14, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

eternalencouragement23

October 14
Never Ending Encouragement

Today’s Scripture Readings Psalms 115:14-18 | Jeremiah 23:21-25:38 | 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 | Proverbs 25:15

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Thessalonians 2

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, [17] encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV)

The Thessalonians were going through difficult times of suffering and persecution. They were beat up and bruised by the circumstances of life. They hoped that Jesus would return quickly, but were beginning to wonder if they had missed out somehow.

Paul writes them words of comfort and encouragement. He assures them that they should not lose hope; that they should continue to look forward to Christ’s coming. They should continue to minister and encourage each other in the midst of all their suffering.

Paul also prays a blessing for them: May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, [17] encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians. 2:16-17 NIV)

He reminds them that God loves them and has graced them with encouragement and hope that is eternal. He prays that they might continue to experience more of that encouragement. He prays that they would be strengthened in every thing they do and say.

Perhaps you need a fresh touch of God’s love and encouragement. Maybe you need God to give you a clearer sense of the good hope that is yours in Christ. Maybe you need his strengthening power in every good deed and word today. I pray that Paul’s blessing for the Thessalonians may be yours today. Receive it!

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Beyond Good Intentions (Oct 13)

Posted on October 13, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

BeyondGoodIntentions3

October 13
Beyond Good Intentions

Today’s Scripture Readings Psalm 115:9-13 | Jeremiah 22:1-23:20 | 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 | Proverbs 25:11-14

Today’s Scripture Focus: 2 Thessalonians 1

“We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NIV)

Here is another of Paul’s great prayers. Again, I encourage you to make these prayers a regular part of your prayer life.

Note Paul’s consistency: “we constantly pray for you.” Paul understood the need for prayer–persevering prayer. So often we grow tired and give up. Paul kept on praying for them. His prayer life is an example to us–and a challenge to us.

His petition is that “God would count them worthy of his calling.” They were undergoing “persecutions and trials” (4). Paul’s prayer is that they would remain faithful and persevere even through the difficult times, the trials of life are where our faith is tested and proved. It is especially in those times we need this prayer, “God enable me to walk in a way that is worthy of my calling. It’s not easy right now, I need your help.”

Paul then gets specific in his praying. Here is how I’m asking God to do this: “by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” He is asking God to give them the power of the Holy Spirit to follow through and be obedient. They want to live lives that are worthy, but they need the power of the Holy Spirit to do so.

In our own strength, we have many good purposes and many good intentions, but little follow through. Paul is praying for the strength to follow through and accomplish all the good things we intend to do for the Lord. Paul is praying for these Christians to not only be people of good intentions, but people who follow through to finish all that God has called them to do–and to finish well.

The reason for this prayer? “We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” The “so that” of Paul’s prayer–the reason–is that he wants the name of Jesus to be glorified as we live in intimate fellowship with Him by his grace. Following through and living lives in a way that glorifies Jesus, especially when it difficult to do so–when life is hard–that’s real Christianity. That’s the kind of Christianity that offers hope to the world. It’s what we all need.

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Always (Oct 12)

Posted on October 12, 2015 by pastorjeffsneighborhood

always

October 12
Always

Today’s Scripture Readings Psalms 115:1-8 | Jeremiah 19:1-21:14 | 1 Thessalonians 5:4-28 | Proverbs 25:8-10

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 Thessalonians 5

Be joyful always; [17] pray continually; [18] give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

We all have times where we are joyful, times when we pray, and times when we are thankful. But are we always joyful? Do we pray continually (without ceasing)? Are we truly thankful in all circumstances? Words like all and always make these verses difficult. Yet, this is God’s will for you.

God’s intention for you is that you would find joy in all things. Happiness often eludes us in the tough times. But God’s deep down gladness can be found even when times are tough. But it is a choice. “Count it all joy,” James reminds us, “when you face trials of many kinds.”

Joy is produced in us by the Holy Spirit. It flows from our times in the presence of God in prayer and worship. As we spend time in his presence, he fills us with his joy. The overflow of that joy creates a reservoir of the heart. When facing difficult times, dry times, frustrating times, we draw from that reservoir. We are able to find joy in the most unusual times and places. Yet we must keep the reservoir full, and that comes from daily fellowship with the one who loves us.

That leads us to Paul’s second command. Pray continually. Always live “practicing the presence of God.” Our daily times set aside for prayer are necessary. They invite his presence into our lives and into the events of our days. But the “Amen” doesn’t have to be the end of the prayer. We can walk through the day with a sense of his presence wherever we go. When a need develops, we find it easy to move back to prayer—our ongoing conversation partner still very much with us. This brings joy and leads us also to thanksgiving.

God’s will is also that you will be thankful in all circumstances. If “all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28), and that is the testimony of scripture, then God is working good even out of the difficult time you are going through now. There is reason to be thankful. Look to see how God will use this circumstance and thank him for that.

Life is not always easy, but the one who walks in the presence of God continually can find joy and be thankful in each and every circumstance. Take time to open your heart to Jesus everyday in prayer. Walk with him. Enjoy his presence. Allow thanksgiving to fuel the sense of his presence and intensify the joy. Don’t allow the circumstances to take your joy!

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