Third Timothy

09/07/2026

09/07/2026

“He gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” (Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭45‬)

A somewhat argumentative comment turned into an interesting discussion regarding the Lord rescuing crushed spirits that he “causes.” The implication being that God could simply stop painful events from happening instead of having to always save us from them.

I agree that hardships are hard, but no one ever complains about enjoying unearned blessings—sunlight and rain, in the example from this verse, that we didn’t have anything to do with producing. Sin makes a mess; you won’t find too many people arguing against that, and the fallout from punishment for it, and the associated calamity, can spill over onto others. But he gave us Jesus to remedy the final outcome of sin, which is death.

Most people don’t want to admit their part in putting Jesus on the cross, and that’s the real problem. If there is no personal reflection, no understanding of accountability, then it makes the whole conversation pointless—“I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (Mark‬ ‭2‬:‭17‬)

If a person can’t be honest with themselves there is no hope in them ever honestly acknowledging Jesus.

09/06/2026

Read. Every. Day.

09/06/2026

“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away.” (James‬ ‭1:14‬)

Clerow “Flip” Wilson Jr was an American comedian and actor who died from liver cancer in 1998. I remember watching his television shows as a kid, and a phrase one of his characters popularized at the time was, “The devil made me do it.” It was funny as delivered because it always came right after being caught in some silly act for which he wanted to escape responsibility. Of course reality doesn’t work that way.

James is writing here that you can’t blame God either. Our personal choices are the only culprit when it comes to laying blame for the paths we take. A lot of people will argue with this, that environment and upbringing, culture, financial status, health—unlimited reasons exist for why we do the things we do. But I will side with these scriptures and agree that life all boils down to the decisions one makes at the moment of testing.

The problem with owning the responsibility for the troubles in your life means only you can change them. What drives your desires? Who do you allow to influence you? When do you decide to look for God’s insight and guidance? Can you love the unlovable? Will you forgive the unforgivable?

You may have been born in a back alley. Your innocence may have been challenged before you were old enough to spell the word. You may be surrounded by enemies who hate you. Join the club. “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.” (1 Peter‬ ‭2:21‬)

09/05/2026

“Moses protested again, ‘What if they won’t believe me or listen to me? What if they say, “The Lord never appeared to you”?’” (Exodus‬ ‭4:1‬)

The biggest, scariest, most threatening monster in the world is called What If. It’s our doubts that get us into more trouble than our ignorance or mistakes. Ignorance can be educated and mistakes can be fixed; doubts never even get out the door.

God was telling Moses his plans for a trip back to Egypt to rescue the Hebrew slaves and all Moses could come up with were possibilities of why it might not work, or excuses for why he wasn’t the right guy to go. Fear is a close neighbor to doubt and the two of them never get anything done.

What’s the worst that could happen if you obey God—in whatever he tells you, no matter how poorly you feel equipped to succeed? The people you meet might not believe you. Or they might not believe it’s God’s work you are doing. So what?

It’s not up to you to convince or persuade or judge, it’s up to you to obey. Jesus said when the Holy Spirit comes, “he will convict the world.” It’s not your job. A lot of mission work gets bogged down with measuring numbers, evaluating impact. But we can’t see the end from the beginning like God can. Let him tally, you just go.

09/04/2026

“May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬-‭26‬)

09/04/2026

“Jesus responded, ‘Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?’” (John‬ ‭11:40‬)

Martha protested the Lord’s command; Lazarus had died days before and when Jesus arrived at the tomb he told them to roll back the stone that covered the entrance. “The smell will be terrible!”

Jesus doesn’t tell us to do things without already knowing the outcome; he doesn’t act on speculation or suffer from second thoughts. He is always right.

We don’t see God’s glory because our doubt obstructs the view. Our capacity to understand is severely limited, and it seems that his commands are increasingly ridiculous.

We live in a paradox, squeezed tight between marvel and disbelief, surrender and resistance. Love my enemies? Forgive those who offend me? “That stinks!” So we continue to operate under the illusion that we can better predict the future than Jesus, who has already determined to heal, to bring dead relationships back to life. And we sometimes leave the stone rolled over God’s glory.

09/03/2026

09/03/2026

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.” (Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬)

Depending on the translation, the word “savior” is replaced with “warrior.” That adds a new dimension to the picture of this living Lord: he fights to save us.

It’s exciting to consider this view because it helps us to realize how strongly the enemy holds on to his prize, which is the destruction of our souls, and he doesn’t intend to give them up lightly. In John 3:18 it says that Jesus didn’t come to judge or condemn us because we already stand condemned for our disbelief. His work is to turn us to belief.

Changing the way someone believes is excruciatingly difficult. People will dig in their heels and go to great lengths to resist change if it means admitting that they are wrong; I know many who would rather suffer much pain than to concede error. It is quite remarkable.

So Jesus has to fight. Not only does he have to wrestle with the enemy, literally to death, but he has to find ways to convince us that he—our Creator who knows us better than we do—is right. Don’t make it harder than necessary. Surrender to him and receive the blessings that await.