Is fear compatible with faith? 

The definition of fear is “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.” Being afraid points to an emotion and deep belief that something bad is going to happen. 

Paul is reminding Timothy that God has not given us a spirit of fear but a spirit that has power, love, and wisdom. We do not have to be crippled by fear. The spirit that God gives is of faith and belief that God will lead you through what He is calling you to.  Life may be difficult, but we are in the care of the God of the universe. God is guiding and providing.  

God has promised to walk with His people and to be present in the life of His creation. Bad things will happen on earth as a result of sin. There are plenty of things to be afraid of in this world – loss, finances, health, other people, natural disasters, and the list goes on. When fear creeps into the deep recesses of our minds, we are plagued with doubts and worry. God does not want His people to operate from fear but from faith. 

• Faith that God has not forgotten us. 
• Faith that Jesus’ sacrifice is enough. 
• Faith that God is who He says He is. 
• Faith that Jesus’ mercy is never-failing. 
• Faith that God will provide for our spiritual needs. 
• Faith that calls us to rely on God as He calls us to move. 

Live It: 

• What areas of life does fear try to keep you from following Jesus? 
• How can you walk by faith when fear is trying to stop you in your tracks? 

Have you ever tried to correct someone but they did not receive it well? 

This proverb tells us that fools hate correction and wise people receive it. Few people like confrontation – most normal people dislike getting into conversations that have to do with the wrong that they have done. “Being told I’m wrong” isn’t high on people’s weekend agendas or to-do lists. We avoid awkward conversations, especially when we are at fault. 

It is important to note that the rebuke mentioned here is a correction that is offered in a loving manner that is aimed at building the person up, not tearing them down. We are not talking about harsh, unloving criticisms but loving corrections to make us more like Jesus. 

But notice that this passage doesn’t say that correction only happens to the foolish. Both the fools and the wise are rebuked and corrected. Wise people still make mistakes.

The difference between the foolish and the wise isn’t whether or not mistakes are made, but whether or not the correction has been received and applied. 

A wise person will realize that they have messed up and will take the necessary steps to move forward in a new way of thinking and action. The foolish man will dismiss the fact that they have done wrong and hate the person who approached them with the truth. 

• Foolish people lack self-awareness and humility. 
• Foolish people reject the correction and the person offering help. 

Do this enough times, and the foolish person will surround himself with foolish people who are unable and unwilling to lovingly point out their flaws in an effort to help them live more like Jesus. This is the core reason some people avoid Jesus, the church, small groups, or discipleship opportunities – they want to pretend that they are perfect and are unwilling to admit that they could use some help. They do not want to be correct, called out, or led. Truth becomes relative and no one has the right to offer another person advice. People living this way will eventually find a group of people who will never challenge them to live the life that Jesus intends for them to live – a life of hope, renewal, and encouragement – and reject anyone who speaks truth. 

Live It: 

• How do you respond when a trusted friend points out a mistake you made or flaw in your character? 
• How can you lovingly speak truth so that it builds another person up? 
• Do you have a trusted community who will lovingly tell you biblical truth?

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Some questions can change the course of your life. 

• Where do you want to go to college? 
• Will you marry me? 
• Will you accept the job? 

No matter what answer your give, your life will change when you answer one of these questions. 

During a conversation with the disciples, Jesus asked one of the biggest questions of their life – Who do you say I am? 

Jesus didn’t start the conversation here – he  started the conversation by asking them what other people said about the Son of Man. The disciples responded that people say that he is a prophet, Elijiah, Jeremiah, or John the Baptist. The disciples had an answer for what everyone else said about Jesus but what did they believe?

Jesus turns the conversation by shifting from what others say to what the disciples believe. Their answer? Peter says that Jesus is the Messiah – the one who would rescue God’s people. 

CS Lewis famously said that Jesus is either a liar who portrayed himself as something he wasn’t, a lunatic who believed he was something that he wasn’t, or Lord because he is who he says he is. 

The Bible teaches that Jesus is more than a good teacher or a prophet. Jesus is the Son of Man, the creator of creation, the Messiah, the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

Each person has the free will to choose what they want to believe – if Jesus is a liar, lunatic, or Lord. However, there is a day coming where every knee will bow and confess that Jesus is Lord. At that time, your devotion to Jesus or to yourself will determine your eternity. 

“so that at the name of Jesus

every knee will bow—

in heaven and on earth

and under the earth—

and every tongue will confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.” 

Philippians 2:10-11

Live It: 

• How would you respond if Jesus asked you “Who do you say I am?” 
• Does your life reflect that Jesus is the Lord of your life? 

 What does it mean to rejoice always? Is it even possible to rejoice always?

Life has a way of knocking you down at the knees. One minute you are standing strong and the next minute your foundation is shaking. 

Why does your foundation shake? Our foundations shake because we place our hope in the wrong foundations. We place our hope in our finances, jobs, families, government, health, and career goals. These things are not bad pursuits, however, they make a terrible god. When we realize that we have been worshipping created things instead of the Creator frustration will settle in. This frustration can manifest itself through complaining, worrying, comparing yourself to others, and being ungrateful. 

A foundation on the things of this world will lead to a frustration with the things of this world. 

Only a foundation in Jesus Christ will stand through every phase and season of your life. Jesus is unchanging and unwavering. He is strong enough for you to build your life on. 

Paul’s instructions are to “rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything.” The Christians in Thessalonica had little reason to rejoice. Following Jesus brought persecution, rejection, and relational tension. By human standards, there was nothing to bring joy. 

Why were these Christians joyful and how what would they rejoice in? They realized that rejoicing has nothing to do with your outward circumstances and everything to do with your inward hope. Their inward hope wasn’t fixed on created items but on Jesus, the Creator of their lives. This allowed them to rejoice, even while experiencing persecution. Life is good, not because of the good things happening, but because God showed up in the form of Jesus. 

Live It: 

• What have you placed your hope in?
• What can you give God thanks for today? 
• What do you need to rejoice about? 
• What do you need to pray for?

When you work, do you put your heart in it? 

One thing that I tell young professionals is that their job will involve 80% of the things that they don’t want to do – like expense reports, meetings, strategic planning, cold calls – that will enable them to do the 20% of the things that they love to do. 

Today’s verse is a reminder that every task, conversation, and action should be done as if we are serving Jesus in that moment. Isn’t every moment an opportunity to know Jesus and to make Jesus known? Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) and God has created you for good works (Ephesians 2:10). 

Activating our hearts when we work is easier for some people. These people live with a sense of God’s Spirit that is at work in everything that we do and it allows them to fully step into the work that God has for them. Stepping out with your energy, effort, intellect, and emotions is risky. How can we live with an awareness of the things of God that ultimately drives us to live for the ways of God? 

Two ways you can put your heart in everything that you do: 

1. Your heart will follow your eyes. Keep your gaze on Jesus and God’s Word and your heart will reflect the goodness of Jesus. 
2. Find one thing to be grateful for each day. This will produce a recognition of how God is at work and how we can work for His glory. 

 Live It: 

• What has caught the attention of your eyes? Has it affected what your heart longs for? 
• What is one thing that you can be grateful for? 

• Does worry rule your mind?
• Which of these six areas can you dwell on today?