PAULINE EPISTLES

I read from Colossians through Titus this morning, and then I drove my dear wife to the Vestal's home to be taken to the airport with three other ladies.  They are attending a Ladies Conference at Dr. Mike Ray's church in Napa, CA.  She is one of the speakers, and I know God will use her to bless and encourage the other ladies.  Here are a few highlights of what I read this morning: 1) SAVED TO SERVE- Colossians 3:24 says:  "Knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance:  for ye serve the LORD Christ."  and then in I Thess. 1:9 it says:  "... how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God."   It is so clear throughout the New Testament that we are saved to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.  Dear friend, are you serving Him somewhere, somehow?  SAVED TO SERVE! 2) HOLD THE TRADITIONS- Traditions are not always looked upon as being very good, and today we have churches throwing out all of the traditions and look down on a traditional church that has a traditional church service.  But, may I say, that God also looks down upon such a church to bless them for keeping His Word.  II Thessalonians 2:15 says:  "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle."   There it is!  We are to hold the traditions that are biblical. 3) THE SPIRIT OF FEAR- Again, this morning I read:  II Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  Now, notice the context:  vs. 6  "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."  Paul ordained Timothy and then tells him to "stir up the gift of God" and then reminds him that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear".  You see, this was written to Pastors!  Since we work with people, we are mindful to be fearful of losing them, offending them, not pleasing them, and the list goes on and on.  We lose people that hurt our hearts, but God's Word reminds us that He has not given us the "spirit of fear", but of "power and of love, and of a sound mind".  We need constantly to remind ourselves (those in ministry) that it is Christ's Church people accept or reject.... not ours!  We are just vessels doing our duty.  If we keep our focus on Christ.... we will not fear! 4) WARMETH AND WISDOM- II Timothy 4:13 says:  "The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments."  WARMETH ---THE CLOAK --- FOR THE BODY WISDOM --- THE BOOKS --- FOR THE SOUL WISDOM --- THE PARCHMENTS --- FOR THE SPIRIT Well, hope you have a blessed day today!  May God bless you!  Pastor Mike Mutchler