soldier, athlete, farmer

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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soldier, athlete, farmer

2 Timothy 2:1-7 (JDV)

2 Timothy 2:1 You, therefore, my child, be strengthened by the favor that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:2 What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful humans who will be able to teach others also.
2 Timothy 2:3 Join in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the enlisting officer.
2 Timothy 2:5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2 Timothy 2:6 The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops.
2 Timothy 2:7 Consider what I say because the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Paul had just told Timothy how sad he was about those who had once been his friends and supported his ministry but had now turned away.

He encourages Timothy not to become one of these. Instead, he should stay strong, and keep up the work. He needed to stay focused on the work, and not get distracted — to be a good soldier. He needed to compete according to the rules, and like a good athlete, he would get the crown. He needed to stay focused on the crop, and as a good farmer, he would be the first to share its fruit.

Lord, help us to stay strong and focused on the mission.

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turned away

Posted on June 12, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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turned away

2 Timothy 1:15-18 (JDV)

2 Timothy 1:15 You know that all those in the province of Asia have turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
2 Timothy 1:16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.
2 Timothy 1:17 Indeed, when he was in Rome, he diligently searched for me and found me.
2 Timothy 1:18 May the Lord grant that he obtain mercy from him on that day. You know very well how many ways he assisted at Ephesus.

turned away

What sad words the apostle pens. His feelings of rejection and betrayal are mixed with his concern and love for those past friends who have now turned away.

We cannot help but feel the anguish Paul is feeling, and recall those who were part of our lives and supporters of our mission, but who have left — turned way.

His prayer is not for revenge, but for mercy to those who have abandoned him. In the midst of his grief over his own loss, he still remembers the joy these people once caused him.

LORD, have mercy on those who have turned away from us.

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until that day

Posted on June 11, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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until that day

2 Timothy 1:8-14 (JDV)

2 Timothy 1:8 So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me his prisoner. Instead, join in suffering for the excellent message, relying on the power of God.
2 Timothy 1:9 He has saved us and invited us with a sacred invitation, not according to our achievements, but according to his own plan and favor, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before ages of time.
2 Timothy 1:10 This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has replaced death and has brought life and immortality to light through the excellent message.
2 Timothy 1:11 For this excellent message I was appointed a preacher, missionary, and teacher,
2 Timothy 1:12 and that is why I suffer these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.
2 Timothy 1:13 Hold on to the pattern of healthy words that you have heard from me, in the faith and care that are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:14 Guard the good deposit through the Sacred Breath who lives in us.

until that day

Christ has brought life and immortality to light, but that does not mean we are already immortal. We wait for him to give us what he has promised. We will not inherit it “until that day.”

Lord, give us the wisdom to stay true to your excellent message, and wait for the day in which your promise will become our possession.

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relationships that matter

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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relationships that matter

2 Timothy 1:3-7 (JDV)

2 Timothy 1:3 I give gratitude to God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day.
2 Timothy 1:4, I long to see you, as I remember your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.
2 Timothy 1:5 I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am persuaded, is in you also.
2 Timothy 1:6 That is why I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands
2 Timothy 1:7 because God has not given us a breath of fear, but one of power, care, and sound judgment.

relationships that matter

Paul had formed a relationship with Timothy and that young man mattered to him. But before Paul entered his life, two women had discipled him: his mother and grandmother. Those three people had molded Timothy into God’s man for God’s mission. Our relationships matter.

Lord, give us godly relationships, and help us to form them with others.

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for the sake of the promise

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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for the sake of the promise

2 Timothy 1:1-2 (JDV)

2 Timothy 1:1 Paul, a missionary of Christ Jesus by God’s preference, for the sake of the promise of life in Christ Jesus:
2 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly cared for child. Favor, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

for the sake of the promise

Why become a missionary? Paul became a missionary “for the sake of the promise of life in Christ Jesus.” All the hardships he faced, all the difficulties he endured — they were all worth it because he was going to inherit a permanent life. He had sold out to Christ, but not for nothing. A promise of permanent life makes the investment worth it.

Lord, thank you for the promise that makes our investment worth it.

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greater Son, greater blessing

Posted on June 8, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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greater Son, greater blessing

Ruth 4:18-22 (JDV)

Ruth 4:18 Now these are the genealogical records of Perez: Perez fathered Hezron,
Ruth 4:19 Hezron fathered Ram, Ram fathered Amminadab,
Ruth 4:20 Amminadab fathered Nahshon, Nahshon fathered Salmon,
Ruth 4:21 Salmon fathered Boaz, Boaz fathered Obed,
Ruth 4:22 Obed fathered Jesse, and Jesse fathered David.

greater Son, greater blessing

This genealogical record shows that Boaz descended from Judah’s family line. It traces the generations from Judah’s son Perez to his greater son, David.

We now know of an even greater Son, who came from the same family line. Jesus — like his human ancestor Obed — was born in Bethlehem. His birth — like Obed’s as well — was recognized as a great blessing from God. Also, when Obed was born, people praised God, but would have done so even more had they known who he really was.

Jesus’ birth is celebrated around the world every year. But even many of those who celebrate fail to see what his birth made possible. His birth was a blessing to us, but his mission was an even greater blessing.

Lord, thank you for the birth of your greater Son, and the blessing of permanent life he brings.

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baby Obed

Posted on June 7, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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Ruth 4:13-17 (JDV)

baby Obed

Ruth 4:13 Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. He had sex with her, and the Lord granted conception to her, and she gave birth to a son.
Ruth 4:14 The women said to Naomi, “Blessed be Yahveh, who has not left you without a family deliverer today. May his name become well known in Israel.
Ruth 4:15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. Indeed, your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.”
Ruth 4:16 Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and became his nurse.
Ruth 4:17 The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

baby Obed

After years of suffering and uncertainty, Naomi and those around her finally God’s the blessing on her life. Boaz was part of the blessing. So was Ruth. So was baby Obed. She had to wait a long time for that grandchild.

Baby Obed would grow up to become the grandfather of king David. God’s blessing to Naomi would become a blessing to her entire nation.

No matter how long we have to wait, the blessing of God are worth waiting for.

Lord, give us courage to trust you, even if the blessings do not arrive early.

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the elders’ blessing

Posted on June 6, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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the elders’ blessing

Ruth 4:7-12 (JDV)

Ruth 4:7 At an earlier periods in Israel, a man removed his sandal and gave it to the other party in order to make any matter legally binding concerning the right of deliverance or the exchange of property. This was the method of legally binding a transaction in Israel.
Ruth 4:8 So the deliverer removed his sandal and said to Boaz, “Buy back the property yourself.”
Ruth 4:9 Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses today that I am buying from Naomi everything that belonged to Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon.
Ruth 4:10 I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to perpetuate the deceased man’s name on his property, so that his name will not disappear among his relatives or from the gate of his hometown. You are witnesses today.”
Ruth 4:11 All the people who were at the city gate, including the elders, said, “We are witnesses. May Yahveh make the woman who is entering your house like Rachel and Leah, who together built the house of Israel. May you be powerful in Ephrathah and your name well known in Bethlehem.
Ruth 4:12 May your house become like the house of Perez, the son Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring Yahveh will give you by this young woman.”

the elders’ blessing

Boaz called on the town elders to witness the legal transaction that would deliver Naomi’s property — and allow him to marry Ruth. The elders also blessed Ruth and prayed for a fruitful marriage. They prayed for Boaz that he would become famous. Check, check and check.

Lord, give us the wisdom to seek the blessing of those who lead our community.

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he overcomes obstacles

Posted on June 5, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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he overcomes obstacles

Ruth 4:1-6 (JDV)

Ruth 4:1 Boaz went up to the gate of the town and sat down there. Soon the family deliverer Boaz had spoken about came by. Boaz said, “Come over here and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.
Ruth 4:2 Then Boaz took ten men of the town’s elders and said, “Sit here.” And they sat down.
Ruth 4:3 He said to the deliverer, “Naomi, who has returned from the territory of Moab, is selling the portion of the field that belonged to our brother Elimelech.
Ruth 4:4 I thought I should inform you: Buy it back in the presence of those seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you want to deliver it, do it. But if you do not want to deliver it, tell me so that I will know, because there isn’t anyone other than you to deliver it, and I am next after you.” “I want to deliver it,” he answered.
Ruth 4:5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from Naomi, you will acquire Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the deceased man, to perpetuate the man’s name on his property.”
Ruth 4:6 The deliverer replied, “I can’t deliver it myself, or I will ruin my own inheritance. Take my right of deliverance, because I can’t deliver it.”

he overcomes obstacles

I imagine a lump in Boaz’s throat developed when he heard his relative say “I want to deliver it.” But he had the presence of mind to tell his relative that he would acquire Ruth in the deal.

We don’t know the exact reasons that this relative rejected the investment. We do know that God had a reason. Boaz was glad to learn that Ruth was going to be his. The Lord made a way.

Thank you Lord, for overcoming obstacles in order to bless us.

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six measures of barley

Posted on June 4, 2022 by Jefferson Vann

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six measures of barley

Ruth 3:14-18 (JDV)

Ruth 3:14 So she lay down at his feet until morning but got up while it was still dark. Then Boaz said, “Don’t let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor.”
Ruth 3:15 And he told Ruth, “Bring the shawl you’re wearing and hold it out.” When she held it out, he shoveled six measures of barley into her shawl, and she went into the town.
Ruth 3:16 She went to her mother-in-law, Naomi, who asked her, “What happened, my daughter?” Then Ruth told her everything the man had done for her.
Ruth 3:17 She said, “He gave me these six measures of barley, because he said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'”
Ruth 3:18 Naomi said, “My daughter, wait until you find out how things go, because he won’t rest unless he resolves this today.”

six measures of barley

Those six measures of barley were a sign to Naomi, and she could read the sign. She knew that Boaz was determined to discover the solution to Ruth’s problem — and his. She knew he would not rest until he has gotten an answer.

Perhaps you have a question today, and you are anxious to determine the answer. You may not get your answer today, but you may get a sign from the Lord that an answer is coming. Be on the look out.

LORD, make us sensitive to your signs today.

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