Third Timothy

06/19/2026

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans‬ ‭12:2‬a)

What are the behaviors and customs of this world? You can look anywhere with only one eye open, or half open, just a squint—or even completely closed but feeling the vibe of those around you—and realize that something is terribly amiss.

Hate is a behavior. Anger is a behavior. Greed is a custom. Self-centeredness is a custom. Or vice versa. Unhappiness. Lost hope. Bewilderment. Maybe mix them all together and call it dysfunction on an epic scale. People are a mess. Sin is caustic, like an acid that wears away at the feelings, the body, the mind, our relationships, everything. And then death.

Why would anyone want to cling to any of that? Certainly they are ridiculous behaviors to copy, to make customary, or to try and normalize. No. It’s not the way God created us. So he wants to transform us to the original model, to make new again what we made old and broken. What does that look like? It all starts with thinking differently.

According to the rest of the verse, God’s will is for us to be good and pleasing and perfect! Easy. Well, not in our own power but with his. The only part we play in this tremendous spiritual movement is to let him work. Let him transform you.

06/18/2026

“When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees.” (Genesis‬ ‭3:8‬)

I have never yet seen a relationship get stronger with distance. The old adage that “absence makes the heart grow fonder” may work in a fairy tale, but you won’t find two lovers in the real world who long for a lengthy separation—or even a short one.

A forced absence is one thing, voluntary is another. If one party is intentionally avoiding contact, something else is happening. In the case of Adam and Eve, they had sinned and were ashamed for the Lord to catch them in it. What is keeping you from his presence?

We need to face the reality that we can’t hide from God. He sees us wherever we are, and we are mostly happy about it when it’s time for a rescue; it’s when we are living on the edge or in questionable lifestyles that we would prefer he not come around.

But he sees us anyway. Decide to welcome his care and attention no matter when it is. Instead of hiding, stand up. Nothing bad will ever come of letting the Lord into your life. Even when you are ashamed.

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

“Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. ‘You have so little faith,’ Jesus said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’” (Matthew‬ ‭14:31‬)

Today I want to celebrate weakness, I want to rejoice in the value of little faith. Why? Because it’s not zero faith; doubt or questioning is not the same as unbelief or a complete refusal to trust.

Peter went over the side of the boat when Jesus invited him. Almost as soon as his foot touched water he looked around, distracted and terrified by the heavy wind and crashing waves, and began to sink—within a few steps he was crying out to the Lord to be saved. But Peter walked on water! The rest of the guys watched from their seats.

Weak faith can grow into strong faith, little faith can become big. Faith of any size will lead you into adventures with Jesus. When Peter shouted, Jesus instantly reached out to grab him. You can’t get any closer than that.

Take what little faith you have and do something with it. Do something! It’s faith in Jesus, not faith in yourself. Your faith may be weak because you compare it to faith you’ve had in other sources that have failed you. This isn’t the same. Get out of the boat.

06/16/2026

“Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.” (Psalms‬ ‭119:35‬)

Every trouble in life starts with your feet. Look down and see where you’re standing and it will give an indication of why you have or why you don’t have peace and joy.

Joseph was sold to slave traders. Jeremiah was thrown into a well. Esther was placed in a king’s harem. Peter was chained between two soldiers. But all were in the perfect place of God’s appointment.

The presence of peace does not mean the absence of pain. Being joyful frequently includes tears. Walking in the way of the Lord sometimes leads to a cross.

But God is doing bigger things. Take time to look back along the path and see the plan and purpose of your Creator. And you will also see what happened when you got sidetracked. Stay on the path.

06/15/2026

“When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees.” (Genesis‬ ‭3:8‬)

I've never yet seen a relationship get stronger with distance. The old adage that “absence makes the heart grow fonder” may work in a fairy tale, but you won't find two lovers in the real world who long for a lengthy separation—or even a short one.

A forced absence is one thing, voluntary is another. If one party is intentionally avoiding contact, something else is happening. In the case of Adam and Eve, they had sinned and were ashamed for the Lord to catch them in it. What is keeping you from his presence?

We need to face the reality that we can't hide from God. He sees us wherever we are, and we're mostly happy about it when it's time for a rescue. It's when we're living on the edge or in questionable lifestyles that we would prefer he not come around.

But he sees us anyway. Decide to welcome his care and attention no matter when it is. Instead of hiding, stand up. Nothing bad will ever come of letting the Lord into your life. Even if you're embarrassed.

06/14/2026

“The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.” (Lamentations‬ ‭3‬:‭25‬-‭26)

06/14/2026

You may believe him or reject him, but he is impossible to ignore.

06/14/2026

“I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it.” (Matthew ‭13:17‬)

Jesus explained to his disciples that he revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom of God in parables and short stories so they could be more easily understood by those who would listen.

You must have an open mind and open spirit in order for God to enter. In Revelation 3:20 Jesus says, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in.”

There are many who claim to be educated in the ways of God—schooled in theology and possessing degrees, pedigrees, and board memberships—but are actually far from him; it may sound contradictory, but their intellect has closed the door to learning. And although Jesus revealed himself to everyone, it was the shepherds and fishermen and common people who saw him. The religious leaders put him on a cross.

I would suggest that if you are having trouble seeing Jesus, set aside your preconceived notions of who he is—even put away for a moment all the structure of your training and upbringing. Listen to Jesus in his own words. Read your Bible; I highly recommend reading the book of Luke. Luke writes from an investigative point of view, laying out the facts and history he discovered, and he asks the reader to make a decision based on the evidence. You may see a different Jesus than the one you think you know.

“If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” (Jeremiah ‭29:13)