Tomorrow we're off and running. Orlando, Mexico, Honduras, Belize, Nassau, Orlando, and the great big Atlantic Ocean are coming our way. I will try to keep a daily journal and blog it when I return. Know that I'll be away for a week making family memories and having a wonderful time. Keep us in your prayers and your thoughts.
Maybe next year you can come with us. The more the merrier. I was speaking to James and said maybe one day we could fill up the ship with friends and loved ones. Wouldn't that be cool.
Here is the Carnival link.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Hebrews 2
A Warning against Drifting Away 1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.
Jesus, the Man 5 And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. 6 For in one place the Scriptures say,
“What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man[a] that you should care for him? 7 Yet you made them only a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.[b] 8 You gave them authority over all things.”[c]
Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. 9 What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.
11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.[d] 12 For he said to God,
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.”[e]
13 He also said,
“I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.”[f]
14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had[g] the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters,[h] so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
A Warning against Drifting Away 1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.
Jesus, the Man 5 And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. 6 For in one place the Scriptures say,
“What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man[a] that you should care for him? 7 Yet you made them only a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.[b] 8 You gave them authority over all things.”[c]
Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. 9 What we do see is Jesus, who was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.
11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.[d] 12 For he said to God,
“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.”[e]
13 He also said,
“I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.”[f]
14 Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had[g] the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
16 We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. 17 Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters,[h] so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Hebrews 1
Jesus Christ Is God’s Son 1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
The Son Is Greater Than the Angels 5 For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:
“You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.[a]”
God also said,
“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.”[b]
6 And when he brought his firstborn Son into the world, God said,[c]
“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”[d]
7 Regarding the angels, he says,
“He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”[e]
8 But to the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. 9 You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”[f]
10 He also says to the Son,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. 12 You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.”[g]
13 And God never said to any of the angels,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”[h]
14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
Jesus Christ Is God’s Son 1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son he created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names.
The Son Is Greater Than the Angels 5 For God never said to any angel what he said to Jesus:
“You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.[a]”
God also said,
“I will be his Father, and he will be my Son.”[b]
6 And when he brought his firstborn Son into the world, God said,[c]
“Let all of God’s angels worship him.”[d]
7 Regarding the angels, he says,
“He sends his angels like the winds, his servants like flames of fire.”[e]
8 But to the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice. 9 You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”[f]
10 He also says to the Son,
“In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain forever. They will wear out like old clothing. 12 You will fold them up like a cloak and discard them like old clothing. But you are always the same; you will live forever.”[g]
13 And God never said to any of the angels,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.”[h]
14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
What do you do when crisis occurs in your life. How do you handle it? What do you do first? How do you get through it. Those where some of the questions I asked myself when I was going through Jan's illness and susequent surgery. But it is not only health issues, there are financial issues, marrital issues, decisions that need to be made, wisdom that's needed.
First I'll say, I am so grateful to all my prayer partners. The first thing I have learned to do in any storm of life is to pray and to seek God's guidance and peace through that particuliar need.
Then I go to the WORD and see if God says anything in relationship to what I'm going through.
Over and over The Lord has said fear not, do not be afraid, I'm going to take care of the problem, or see you through the storm. That has given me peace, which is wonderful.
Faith, God want to build our faith I have also observed. I guess sometimes He directs circumstances which make us rely on Him, trust in Him, wait on Him. I think He want to produce patience. That's not my long suit, but the older I get the more patience I think I am attaining. Or maybe it's faith, or trust, or a combination thereof.
I know that each day God was faithful and I got through it. I know that God provided for all of our needs and there was never a need that was not met.
Have faith, look up, trust, and have peace for our God is the great I AM for every need.
First I'll say, I am so grateful to all my prayer partners. The first thing I have learned to do in any storm of life is to pray and to seek God's guidance and peace through that particuliar need.
Then I go to the WORD and see if God says anything in relationship to what I'm going through.
Over and over The Lord has said fear not, do not be afraid, I'm going to take care of the problem, or see you through the storm. That has given me peace, which is wonderful.
Faith, God want to build our faith I have also observed. I guess sometimes He directs circumstances which make us rely on Him, trust in Him, wait on Him. I think He want to produce patience. That's not my long suit, but the older I get the more patience I think I am attaining. Or maybe it's faith, or trust, or a combination thereof.
I know that each day God was faithful and I got through it. I know that God provided for all of our needs and there was never a need that was not met.
Have faith, look up, trust, and have peace for our God is the great I AM for every need.
http://www.careerplanner.com/Career-Articles/so_you_lost_your_job.htm
Great articles on what to do when you have lost your job due to no fault of your own. Good site for resources and links.
So You Lost Your Job What Do You Do Now?
By
Michael T RobinsonCareerPlanner.com
OK so you lost your job or maybe you just quit, or maybe you are thinking of quiting. The best thing you can do for yourself is get right into an aggressive job search campaign where you can re-direct the energies, the frustration, the emotion and the creativity that you normally channeled into your regular job.
This Will Change Your Life
But wait. There is even something much more powerful that you can do before beginning your job search. We have found that the absolute best thing that you can do for yourself, when making one of these major life changes, is to start a regular program of vigorous exercise. Really vigorous exercise will:
Clear your mind
Energize your entire being
Burn off any excess emotion or anxiety
So, besides focusing your energies on your new job search, we want you to start getting some very vigorous exercise every morning. If you can't jog, or do aerobics, go out for a long, brisk power walk everyday. Basically, if you are not going into the office each morning, we want you getting exercise and fresh air each morning. It will make all the difference in your attitude, your mood, and your well being.
We recently met one out of work gentleman who walked 10 miles every morning on a mountain road near our office. After seeing him power walking every morning for several months we saw him the day after he accepted a job offer. He was smiling ear to ear about getting a new job. His biggest regret was that he would now only be able to take these power walks on weekends. The exercise had become a major part of his life.
If you are at all overweight , or just a bit flabby, use this time to get in shape. Between now and when you go back to work you will have almost total control over how you spend your time, how and what you eat, and what you use your brain to think about. Use the time wisely. This can be the best time of your life.
Before You Leave Your Job
If by chance you haven't left your job yet, we want you to do three things. First, make sure the cell phone you are using and the account for the phone is yours and does not belong to the company you work for. Second, make sure you have a personal email account of your own. Third, make sure you copy all the phone numbers and email addresses to your own computer.
Owning your own email address and cell phone account is paramount to your staying in touch. The minute you quit, resign, get fired, get laid of, the company you worked for will pull the plug on both the cell phone and the email address.
Just before you leave, and before they pull the plug you will want to send out emails to people to let them know how to contact you. You need continuity in your phone number and email address to do this.
When a very good friend of mine flew back to headquarters to resign his position, the company, in a fit of anger pulled the plug on all of his communications. Having been a dedicated "company man" and a very highly placed executive, he always used the company cell phone and email and that was about the only way we all knew how to get in touch with him. They cut him off while he was in a foreign city, with no way to contact anyone. All of his phone numbers were stored in that cell phone. All of is email addresses were in the laptop the company confiscated.
High Anxiety
Losing a job, being out of work, or changing careers brings it's share of anxiety. When you did have a job, the routine of going into work everyday created an illusion of stability for both you and those around you. Even if you hated the thought of going into work, the mere thought of going into work gave you a sense of purpose. Being out of work, and not knowing what the future holds might cause even more anxiety than having a job you hate.
Guess what. The future was always uncertain. Whether you had a stable job or not, the future holds uncertainty. We have no idea what tomarrow will bring. That is why you will want to start getting more control over your life. Exercising, eating better, eating less, and focusing on creating your future goes a long way towards giving you more control over your destiny.
If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night feeling like you've just been screwed and abused by your employer, or you wake up worrying about the future, get out of bed and work on your job search. With a PC and a good Internet connection you can work on your job search any time, night or day.
One last tip. If you are experiencing a lot of anxiety, we recommend that you take classes in yoga and meditation. These two ancient practices will go a long way towards reducing anxiety and helping you plot a new direction for your life.
Let's Get Started on Your Job Search
Here are the ways people are finding new jobs today. You will use most if not all of these methods:
1) Resume posting on internet Job Boards like Monster.com
2) Resume submission to employer web sites
3) Resume mass mailing - sending out hundreds of resumes to recruiters
4) Networking - cold calling everyone you know and everyone they know
5) News paper classified ads
6) Targeting selected companies
Where Do You Start?
If you are the outgoing, extroverted type, start with the networking first. I once knew a senior sales executive who was so well networked (it came naturally to him), that after being laid off, he found a better job in just three days. I'm sure he got to bank several months of severance pay as well. But the point is, he knew so many people and he was so comfortable calling them, that once he put the word out, offers started pouring in.
Let's say you're a bit more introverted. Perhaps you are more the technical type and you don't get out that much. The best place for you to start your job search is with the Internet resume posting and resume mass mailing. You can do all these from the comfort of your home. At some point you will still have to network, but if you do these things right you can minimize the effort and pain of cold calling, and you get get people to start calling you.
What Type of Work Do You Want To Do?
Are you sure you know what type of work you want to do? If you are having any doubts about what type of work is best for you take our online Career Test. It will help you understand what type of work is right for you and what types of work you should avoid. When people are passionate about the work they do, success comes quickly and work is a joy. When people are not passionate about their work, the quality suffers and self sabotage sets in. Make sure you know what type of work fires up your passion.
Even if you think you know what type of work is best for you, this career assesment tool can do two things for you. It will confirm that you are doing the right type of work or not, and it will remind you of types of work you used to enjoy but you may have forgotten about.
We had a client who was a very succesful software engineer. His job was high paying but not totally fulfilling. He would have been crazy to leave the succesful career, but something was still missing. Our career test reminded him that he had once been a very talented musician. He had completly forgotten about that side of his life while he was busy earning a living. Within months he was succesfully producing and selling his own music, in his spare time. So our career test can remind you of things that you used to love to do before you got caught up in earning a living and raising a family.
The "Internet Resume Posting" Approach to Job Searching
Let's assume you know what type of work you want to do and you are just looking for the right company, lots of stock options, good people to work with, and a capable boss. If you really want fast action and fast response, post your resume on the Internet.
It may sound frightening to let everyone on the web see your credentials and know you are out looking, but you will get calls from recruiters and hiring companies very quickly.
This approach is especially useful if you don't feel particularly needed and loved right now. You will get attention soon. The Internet has a number of job boards that list available jobs and allow you to post your resume for potential employers and recruiters to see. It's free to you. The hiring companies pay to list jobs and to view resumes. Many headhunters will scan the new resumes as they show up.
Click here to see our links to the best Job Boards
Click here to understand the negatives about using Job Boards
Click for Links to Resume Services
These sites also allow you to send resumes directly to the hiring companies via E-mail.
For most jobs using email to send your resume is more practical than sending it the old fashion way on paper through the post office because it allows the HR people to distribute your resume without having to stand at the copy machine.
There is one drawback to this electronic method. Most of the job boards will want your resume in "plain text file", without all the fancy formatting you have worked so hard to achieve.
Plain text resumes look terrible and are hard to read. Whenever you have a chance, send E-mails and attach your glorious, well-formatted, artistically conceived resume, rather than sending the plain text files these sites like to use.
The file name should contain your name so that the recipient can quickly save and distribute the file.
Many high level positions will not show up on job boards due to privacy and security reasons. However, a quick scan of the job boards will show you that there are some Vice President and CEO positions listed. Job boards will also show you who is hiring. Even if you do not see your type of job, post your resume. I know of a Senior VP who posted his resume on four job boards and was getting calls from recruiters the next day.
Caution. If you are still employed you probably do not want your resume showing up on the Internet, at least not with your name or your present employer listed. The Human Resource group in your present company probably search these boards to find new people and they may run across your resume. Some job boards promise to block your resume from your present company.
The best job boards are listed on our web site at:
http://www.CareerPlanner.com/Links/Links-JobSearch.cfm
The largest job search boards are:
http://www.monster.com/
http://www.careerbuilder.com/
http://www.jobcenter.com/http://www.dice.com/
The "Mass Mailing" Approach to Job Searching
Resume mass mailing is still one of my personal favorite ways to find a great position. You can't rely on this method alone, but this method has the potential of opening up doors that you did not know even existed.
Back in 1999 when the first version of this article was published, very few people were aware of this method for getting one's resume in front of recruiters. However, during the last few years, several internet based services have come on line offering the service.
I first heard about this mass mailing technique from a fellow who always landed new and exciting jobs, seemingly at will and whenever he wanted one. This individual had no fears about changing jobs and companies.
What you will do is email several hundred resumes and cover letters to a selected mailing list of retained and contingency recruiters. You might send out as many as 1000 or more. If you were a hiring manager before you became a job seeker, the mass mailing method may be a bit counter-intuitive. To do your hiring you probably used a handful of recruiters who were specialized in your field. In this case you are going to reverse the process and contact over 1000 recruiters in hopes of finding the one who can help you.
Why send out so many resumes? Can't you just contact one or two headhunters?
Entry level jobs and non-managerial jobs are posted just about everywhere and you don't need a mass mailing to find them. However, most management positions and most senior level positions will not be posted for public notice. Yes you can still find Vice President and CEO jobs on the Internet job boards, but most management jobs are known only to a few recruiters and the hiring manager. The trick is finding the recruiter who knows about the position that is ideal for you.
For most management jobs, you can assume there is one, maybe two recruiting firms working on it. Usually, the hiring company will use their favorite recruiter. They may in fact "retain" him or her, thus giving that recruiter an exclusive on filling the job.
Recruiters love to be paid in advance. It really helps their cash flow. In the US there are over 4000 recruiting firms. Some may be small two person offices. Some may be large national search firms with over a hundred recruiters and 30 branch offices. The odds are that only one of these firms knows about your perfect job. How do you find that firm?
When you were hiring, perhaps you had to pay (retain) a recruiter up front, or perhaps your company had a few contingency recruiters they liked to use. In any case you worked with a very limited number of headhunters, probably those approved by your HR people. Assume that a hiring company uses only one favorite recruiting firm and this firm is the only one to know about the open position. How do you find this search firm? Well, you mail out a high volume of resumes to a mailing list of search firms and you hope one lands at the door of the search firm that knows about the open position.
So when you are the hiring manager you will work with just a few recruiters. When you are the job searcher, you will contact as many recruiters as possible. That is counter-intuitive for most people.
There is one other problem with using just a few recruiters to help you find a job. You are probably hoping that your favorite recruiter will aggressively shop you around. Perhaps you expect him / her to call several firms that could use your skill set. In fact they might do this. The problem is, if they are not the approved recruiter at the hiring company, they won't get past the front door.
For example, I was recently filling a high tech position using two preferred recruiters. A non-approved recruiter called up and told me he had the ideal candidate for my slot. Unfortunately I could not even discuss the position with him because our HR people did not approve him. Had he sent me the person's resume, and had it been the same resume we received from the approved recruiter, we would have had a battle over who got paid. HR people really hate these sort of mix ups and they take a long time to forgive the person who caused them.
The bottom line is that you need to get your resume in front of as many recruiters as possible. You never know which one is working on the job that is perfect for you.Click to see out list of Resume Mailing Services
If you want total control of where your resume is sent, you can purchase a CD Rom of recruiters from Kennedy Info:http://www.kennedyinfo.com/er/estore.html
A Bit Of Mass Mailing Nostalgia
In 1999, we used hard copies and the US Postal Service instead of email. Why? At that time it was still hard to find the email addresses of most recruiters.
Just for kicks, have a look at the cost of sending out 400 paper based resumes. It worked out to about $.50 each, not including the cost of buying a mailing list which ran $200.
Postage was the major cost. Sending out 2000 resumes would have cost $1000. Stuffing and licking envelopes was also an obstacle.
Postage
$132.00
@ 33 cents per stamp
Labels
$25.00
Envelopes
$05.00
2 page resume
$08.00
1 cent per page
1 page cover letter
$04.00
Toner or Ink cartridge
$75.00
Sub Total
$249.00
Today, there are several "resume blasting" services on the internet that will distribute your resume for $50 to $150.
The "Networking" Approach to Job Searching
The purpose of networking is to ultimately call the hiring manager and personally give him your best sales pitch.
First, you want to let as many people as possible know you are in the job market and you are available to do ____ type of work. Basically, you hope that someone with whom you have networked will hear of a good job, and will mention your name or refer you to the hiring person.
If you have any shame or embarrassment about losing your job, get over it. Do not hide the fact that you are out of work and back in the job market. Keeping it a secret will not help you find the next job.
Build a positive story in your mind. You're not sorry you were laid off. You are looking forward to the opportunity to join a new company. You are excited about meeting and working with new people. You're hoping to find a different type of job. Being in the job market is refreshing and stimulating. You should have left that company years ago.
Start to phone your friends and people you have met through your job. Make a long list and go back to people you have known for several years. It just might be that guy who left your company six years ago who knows about a new job opening that is perfect for you. If you have a targeted list of companies that you want to work for, then you need contacts in those firms. Ask anyone you network with if they know anyone at company _____.
When you are networking, communicate these messages:
I'm in the job market and it's exciting and refreshing
I'm looking for ____ type of work at ______ level.
Do you know of any open positions?
Do you have any contacts that might know of an opening?
Do you know anyone at my target company _____?
Why don't we stay in touch? How about if I give you a call in a few weeks? How about lunch when you are in town?
Keep a notebook showing whom you called, when, and how they responded to the messages above.
Keep calling people back every three to four weeks otherwise people will forget about you and your job search.
The "Newspaper Ad and Internet" Approach to Job Searching
If you have ever tried to find a job by reading those tiny job postings in the classified section of the Sunday paper, you will be glad to know that you know longer have to do that.
Besides the fact that they are hard to read, it's very inefficient to have to circle the ad and then come back later to cut and paste it on a sheet of paper. It's not done that way anymore.
There are sites on the Internet that contain all the jobs posted in your Sunday newspaper. You can sort through these postings using the search tools provided by each site.
http://www.careerbuilder.com/ contains the job postings from over 90 newspapers.
Several other Internet sites show job postings that are paid for by the hiring firm. See the Internet Job Search Sites listed earlier in this paper.
The "Targeted Company" Approach to Job Searching
If you are lucky enough to know what company you want to work for, then your task is much more simple and perhaps you can avoid the resume mass mailing and a lot of the networking.
Many job search experts recommend that you should focus on a few selected companies and do everything in your power to penetrate them and get a job there.
I think selecting the right company to work for is the hardest task of all. Years ago when life long employment was still a reality there were always a few name brand firms that people aspired to. Names like IBM, GM, Ford, Intel, and GE come to mind. Today it might be Cisco, Microsoft, and Toyota, but life long employment is dead, unless you own your own firm.
Assuming you have a list of companies you are attracted to, here are some things to look for:
What is the profit history of the firm? Companies with higher gross margins will be less likely to have lay-offs than firms with low margins. How many quarters has the company been profitable? Look at whether stock analysts are recommending to buy the stock or sell it. If they rate the company as a strong buy then that's the place to be. You can find all this information on the Yahoo web site.
How strong is their balance sheet? Are they in debt or do they have a lot of cash in the bank? A company with a lot of cash might be acquiring other firms and that is usually good for you. A company with a lot of debt will not be able to take good care of you. Companies with a lot of debt and little cash usually get aquired and the management treams fired.
How does your target company share the wealth? Do all employees get stock options? How much do they contribute to 401K? Are all the employees on a bonus plan? What is their recent bonus paying history.
When was their last major reorganization? Are they planning a major consolidation? Are any key people approaching retirement age? When you have a targeted company, there are numerous ways to contact them:
Meet their people at trade shows and conferences.
Send E-mail or cold call potential hiring managers whose names appear in print or on their web site.
Call the operator and ask for the manager of whatever department you want to work in.
E-mail their HR people who are listed on the job site boards.
Visit them at job fairs.
The list goes on. Be creative. If you know what company you want to work for, never give up.
Some Tips on Resumes
Unless you are extremely well networked you will need a good resume.
Think of your resume as a portrait of yourself that you hand people to tell them who you are, what you do, and how you can add value to their particular endeavor.
Your resume is your brochure. You are the product.
Your resume is your 60 second commercial spot.
Your resume should be good enough to get you an interview. Then it is up to you to close the sale. Because resumes are so important, you will want to spend some time getting it right. Spend a few hours each day over an entire week if needed. Keep coming back to it with a fresh perspective.
You will also want to have a few recruiters and human resource people have a look. There are now Internet sites which provide advice on how to make your resume really sizzle.
Conclusion
OK, so you've lost your job. This is probably the best thing to happen to you in years.
You now have the opportunity to create a new life for yourself. The job you were in was probably toxic to your health anyway.
Hopefully you have some severance pay so that you can afford to be particular about your next job.
If you know what kind of work you want to be doing, this article should help you find a place to do it.
If you are not sure about what type of work you want to be doing, take CareerPlanner.com's online Career Test. It's a quick and affordable way to ensure you are doing the work you were meant to do.
Whatever you do, we wish you the best of luck in building a new career and a new life.
Great articles on what to do when you have lost your job due to no fault of your own. Good site for resources and links.
So You Lost Your Job What Do You Do Now?
By
Michael T RobinsonCareerPlanner.com
OK so you lost your job or maybe you just quit, or maybe you are thinking of quiting. The best thing you can do for yourself is get right into an aggressive job search campaign where you can re-direct the energies, the frustration, the emotion and the creativity that you normally channeled into your regular job.
This Will Change Your Life
But wait. There is even something much more powerful that you can do before beginning your job search. We have found that the absolute best thing that you can do for yourself, when making one of these major life changes, is to start a regular program of vigorous exercise. Really vigorous exercise will:
Clear your mind
Energize your entire being
Burn off any excess emotion or anxiety
So, besides focusing your energies on your new job search, we want you to start getting some very vigorous exercise every morning. If you can't jog, or do aerobics, go out for a long, brisk power walk everyday. Basically, if you are not going into the office each morning, we want you getting exercise and fresh air each morning. It will make all the difference in your attitude, your mood, and your well being.
We recently met one out of work gentleman who walked 10 miles every morning on a mountain road near our office. After seeing him power walking every morning for several months we saw him the day after he accepted a job offer. He was smiling ear to ear about getting a new job. His biggest regret was that he would now only be able to take these power walks on weekends. The exercise had become a major part of his life.
If you are at all overweight , or just a bit flabby, use this time to get in shape. Between now and when you go back to work you will have almost total control over how you spend your time, how and what you eat, and what you use your brain to think about. Use the time wisely. This can be the best time of your life.
Before You Leave Your Job
If by chance you haven't left your job yet, we want you to do three things. First, make sure the cell phone you are using and the account for the phone is yours and does not belong to the company you work for. Second, make sure you have a personal email account of your own. Third, make sure you copy all the phone numbers and email addresses to your own computer.
Owning your own email address and cell phone account is paramount to your staying in touch. The minute you quit, resign, get fired, get laid of, the company you worked for will pull the plug on both the cell phone and the email address.
Just before you leave, and before they pull the plug you will want to send out emails to people to let them know how to contact you. You need continuity in your phone number and email address to do this.
When a very good friend of mine flew back to headquarters to resign his position, the company, in a fit of anger pulled the plug on all of his communications. Having been a dedicated "company man" and a very highly placed executive, he always used the company cell phone and email and that was about the only way we all knew how to get in touch with him. They cut him off while he was in a foreign city, with no way to contact anyone. All of his phone numbers were stored in that cell phone. All of is email addresses were in the laptop the company confiscated.
High Anxiety
Losing a job, being out of work, or changing careers brings it's share of anxiety. When you did have a job, the routine of going into work everyday created an illusion of stability for both you and those around you. Even if you hated the thought of going into work, the mere thought of going into work gave you a sense of purpose. Being out of work, and not knowing what the future holds might cause even more anxiety than having a job you hate.
Guess what. The future was always uncertain. Whether you had a stable job or not, the future holds uncertainty. We have no idea what tomarrow will bring. That is why you will want to start getting more control over your life. Exercising, eating better, eating less, and focusing on creating your future goes a long way towards giving you more control over your destiny.
If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night feeling like you've just been screwed and abused by your employer, or you wake up worrying about the future, get out of bed and work on your job search. With a PC and a good Internet connection you can work on your job search any time, night or day.
One last tip. If you are experiencing a lot of anxiety, we recommend that you take classes in yoga and meditation. These two ancient practices will go a long way towards reducing anxiety and helping you plot a new direction for your life.
Let's Get Started on Your Job Search
Here are the ways people are finding new jobs today. You will use most if not all of these methods:
1) Resume posting on internet Job Boards like Monster.com
2) Resume submission to employer web sites
3) Resume mass mailing - sending out hundreds of resumes to recruiters
4) Networking - cold calling everyone you know and everyone they know
5) News paper classified ads
6) Targeting selected companies
Where Do You Start?
If you are the outgoing, extroverted type, start with the networking first. I once knew a senior sales executive who was so well networked (it came naturally to him), that after being laid off, he found a better job in just three days. I'm sure he got to bank several months of severance pay as well. But the point is, he knew so many people and he was so comfortable calling them, that once he put the word out, offers started pouring in.
Let's say you're a bit more introverted. Perhaps you are more the technical type and you don't get out that much. The best place for you to start your job search is with the Internet resume posting and resume mass mailing. You can do all these from the comfort of your home. At some point you will still have to network, but if you do these things right you can minimize the effort and pain of cold calling, and you get get people to start calling you.
What Type of Work Do You Want To Do?
Are you sure you know what type of work you want to do? If you are having any doubts about what type of work is best for you take our online Career Test. It will help you understand what type of work is right for you and what types of work you should avoid. When people are passionate about the work they do, success comes quickly and work is a joy. When people are not passionate about their work, the quality suffers and self sabotage sets in. Make sure you know what type of work fires up your passion.
Even if you think you know what type of work is best for you, this career assesment tool can do two things for you. It will confirm that you are doing the right type of work or not, and it will remind you of types of work you used to enjoy but you may have forgotten about.
We had a client who was a very succesful software engineer. His job was high paying but not totally fulfilling. He would have been crazy to leave the succesful career, but something was still missing. Our career test reminded him that he had once been a very talented musician. He had completly forgotten about that side of his life while he was busy earning a living. Within months he was succesfully producing and selling his own music, in his spare time. So our career test can remind you of things that you used to love to do before you got caught up in earning a living and raising a family.
The "Internet Resume Posting" Approach to Job Searching
Let's assume you know what type of work you want to do and you are just looking for the right company, lots of stock options, good people to work with, and a capable boss. If you really want fast action and fast response, post your resume on the Internet.
It may sound frightening to let everyone on the web see your credentials and know you are out looking, but you will get calls from recruiters and hiring companies very quickly.
This approach is especially useful if you don't feel particularly needed and loved right now. You will get attention soon. The Internet has a number of job boards that list available jobs and allow you to post your resume for potential employers and recruiters to see. It's free to you. The hiring companies pay to list jobs and to view resumes. Many headhunters will scan the new resumes as they show up.
Click here to see our links to the best Job Boards
Click here to understand the negatives about using Job Boards
Click for Links to Resume Services
These sites also allow you to send resumes directly to the hiring companies via E-mail.
For most jobs using email to send your resume is more practical than sending it the old fashion way on paper through the post office because it allows the HR people to distribute your resume without having to stand at the copy machine.
There is one drawback to this electronic method. Most of the job boards will want your resume in "plain text file", without all the fancy formatting you have worked so hard to achieve.
Plain text resumes look terrible and are hard to read. Whenever you have a chance, send E-mails and attach your glorious, well-formatted, artistically conceived resume, rather than sending the plain text files these sites like to use.
The file name should contain your name so that the recipient can quickly save and distribute the file.
Many high level positions will not show up on job boards due to privacy and security reasons. However, a quick scan of the job boards will show you that there are some Vice President and CEO positions listed. Job boards will also show you who is hiring. Even if you do not see your type of job, post your resume. I know of a Senior VP who posted his resume on four job boards and was getting calls from recruiters the next day.
Caution. If you are still employed you probably do not want your resume showing up on the Internet, at least not with your name or your present employer listed. The Human Resource group in your present company probably search these boards to find new people and they may run across your resume. Some job boards promise to block your resume from your present company.
The best job boards are listed on our web site at:
http://www.CareerPlanner.com/Links/Links-JobSearch.cfm
The largest job search boards are:
http://www.monster.com/
http://www.careerbuilder.com/
http://www.jobcenter.com/http://www.dice.com/
The "Mass Mailing" Approach to Job Searching
Resume mass mailing is still one of my personal favorite ways to find a great position. You can't rely on this method alone, but this method has the potential of opening up doors that you did not know even existed.
Back in 1999 when the first version of this article was published, very few people were aware of this method for getting one's resume in front of recruiters. However, during the last few years, several internet based services have come on line offering the service.
I first heard about this mass mailing technique from a fellow who always landed new and exciting jobs, seemingly at will and whenever he wanted one. This individual had no fears about changing jobs and companies.
What you will do is email several hundred resumes and cover letters to a selected mailing list of retained and contingency recruiters. You might send out as many as 1000 or more. If you were a hiring manager before you became a job seeker, the mass mailing method may be a bit counter-intuitive. To do your hiring you probably used a handful of recruiters who were specialized in your field. In this case you are going to reverse the process and contact over 1000 recruiters in hopes of finding the one who can help you.
Why send out so many resumes? Can't you just contact one or two headhunters?
Entry level jobs and non-managerial jobs are posted just about everywhere and you don't need a mass mailing to find them. However, most management positions and most senior level positions will not be posted for public notice. Yes you can still find Vice President and CEO jobs on the Internet job boards, but most management jobs are known only to a few recruiters and the hiring manager. The trick is finding the recruiter who knows about the position that is ideal for you.
For most management jobs, you can assume there is one, maybe two recruiting firms working on it. Usually, the hiring company will use their favorite recruiter. They may in fact "retain" him or her, thus giving that recruiter an exclusive on filling the job.
Recruiters love to be paid in advance. It really helps their cash flow. In the US there are over 4000 recruiting firms. Some may be small two person offices. Some may be large national search firms with over a hundred recruiters and 30 branch offices. The odds are that only one of these firms knows about your perfect job. How do you find that firm?
When you were hiring, perhaps you had to pay (retain) a recruiter up front, or perhaps your company had a few contingency recruiters they liked to use. In any case you worked with a very limited number of headhunters, probably those approved by your HR people. Assume that a hiring company uses only one favorite recruiting firm and this firm is the only one to know about the open position. How do you find this search firm? Well, you mail out a high volume of resumes to a mailing list of search firms and you hope one lands at the door of the search firm that knows about the open position.
So when you are the hiring manager you will work with just a few recruiters. When you are the job searcher, you will contact as many recruiters as possible. That is counter-intuitive for most people.
There is one other problem with using just a few recruiters to help you find a job. You are probably hoping that your favorite recruiter will aggressively shop you around. Perhaps you expect him / her to call several firms that could use your skill set. In fact they might do this. The problem is, if they are not the approved recruiter at the hiring company, they won't get past the front door.
For example, I was recently filling a high tech position using two preferred recruiters. A non-approved recruiter called up and told me he had the ideal candidate for my slot. Unfortunately I could not even discuss the position with him because our HR people did not approve him. Had he sent me the person's resume, and had it been the same resume we received from the approved recruiter, we would have had a battle over who got paid. HR people really hate these sort of mix ups and they take a long time to forgive the person who caused them.
The bottom line is that you need to get your resume in front of as many recruiters as possible. You never know which one is working on the job that is perfect for you.Click to see out list of Resume Mailing Services
If you want total control of where your resume is sent, you can purchase a CD Rom of recruiters from Kennedy Info:http://www.kennedyinfo.com/er/estore.html
A Bit Of Mass Mailing Nostalgia
In 1999, we used hard copies and the US Postal Service instead of email. Why? At that time it was still hard to find the email addresses of most recruiters.
Just for kicks, have a look at the cost of sending out 400 paper based resumes. It worked out to about $.50 each, not including the cost of buying a mailing list which ran $200.
Postage was the major cost. Sending out 2000 resumes would have cost $1000. Stuffing and licking envelopes was also an obstacle.
Postage
$132.00
@ 33 cents per stamp
Labels
$25.00
Envelopes
$05.00
2 page resume
$08.00
1 cent per page
1 page cover letter
$04.00
Toner or Ink cartridge
$75.00
Sub Total
$249.00
Today, there are several "resume blasting" services on the internet that will distribute your resume for $50 to $150.
The "Networking" Approach to Job Searching
The purpose of networking is to ultimately call the hiring manager and personally give him your best sales pitch.
First, you want to let as many people as possible know you are in the job market and you are available to do ____ type of work. Basically, you hope that someone with whom you have networked will hear of a good job, and will mention your name or refer you to the hiring person.
If you have any shame or embarrassment about losing your job, get over it. Do not hide the fact that you are out of work and back in the job market. Keeping it a secret will not help you find the next job.
Build a positive story in your mind. You're not sorry you were laid off. You are looking forward to the opportunity to join a new company. You are excited about meeting and working with new people. You're hoping to find a different type of job. Being in the job market is refreshing and stimulating. You should have left that company years ago.
Start to phone your friends and people you have met through your job. Make a long list and go back to people you have known for several years. It just might be that guy who left your company six years ago who knows about a new job opening that is perfect for you. If you have a targeted list of companies that you want to work for, then you need contacts in those firms. Ask anyone you network with if they know anyone at company _____.
When you are networking, communicate these messages:
I'm in the job market and it's exciting and refreshing
I'm looking for ____ type of work at ______ level.
Do you know of any open positions?
Do you have any contacts that might know of an opening?
Do you know anyone at my target company _____?
Why don't we stay in touch? How about if I give you a call in a few weeks? How about lunch when you are in town?
Keep a notebook showing whom you called, when, and how they responded to the messages above.
Keep calling people back every three to four weeks otherwise people will forget about you and your job search.
The "Newspaper Ad and Internet" Approach to Job Searching
If you have ever tried to find a job by reading those tiny job postings in the classified section of the Sunday paper, you will be glad to know that you know longer have to do that.
Besides the fact that they are hard to read, it's very inefficient to have to circle the ad and then come back later to cut and paste it on a sheet of paper. It's not done that way anymore.
There are sites on the Internet that contain all the jobs posted in your Sunday newspaper. You can sort through these postings using the search tools provided by each site.
http://www.careerbuilder.com/ contains the job postings from over 90 newspapers.
Several other Internet sites show job postings that are paid for by the hiring firm. See the Internet Job Search Sites listed earlier in this paper.
The "Targeted Company" Approach to Job Searching
If you are lucky enough to know what company you want to work for, then your task is much more simple and perhaps you can avoid the resume mass mailing and a lot of the networking.
Many job search experts recommend that you should focus on a few selected companies and do everything in your power to penetrate them and get a job there.
I think selecting the right company to work for is the hardest task of all. Years ago when life long employment was still a reality there were always a few name brand firms that people aspired to. Names like IBM, GM, Ford, Intel, and GE come to mind. Today it might be Cisco, Microsoft, and Toyota, but life long employment is dead, unless you own your own firm.
Assuming you have a list of companies you are attracted to, here are some things to look for:
What is the profit history of the firm? Companies with higher gross margins will be less likely to have lay-offs than firms with low margins. How many quarters has the company been profitable? Look at whether stock analysts are recommending to buy the stock or sell it. If they rate the company as a strong buy then that's the place to be. You can find all this information on the Yahoo web site.
How strong is their balance sheet? Are they in debt or do they have a lot of cash in the bank? A company with a lot of cash might be acquiring other firms and that is usually good for you. A company with a lot of debt will not be able to take good care of you. Companies with a lot of debt and little cash usually get aquired and the management treams fired.
How does your target company share the wealth? Do all employees get stock options? How much do they contribute to 401K? Are all the employees on a bonus plan? What is their recent bonus paying history.
When was their last major reorganization? Are they planning a major consolidation? Are any key people approaching retirement age? When you have a targeted company, there are numerous ways to contact them:
Meet their people at trade shows and conferences.
Send E-mail or cold call potential hiring managers whose names appear in print or on their web site.
Call the operator and ask for the manager of whatever department you want to work in.
E-mail their HR people who are listed on the job site boards.
Visit them at job fairs.
The list goes on. Be creative. If you know what company you want to work for, never give up.
Some Tips on Resumes
Unless you are extremely well networked you will need a good resume.
Think of your resume as a portrait of yourself that you hand people to tell them who you are, what you do, and how you can add value to their particular endeavor.
Your resume is your brochure. You are the product.
Your resume is your 60 second commercial spot.
Your resume should be good enough to get you an interview. Then it is up to you to close the sale. Because resumes are so important, you will want to spend some time getting it right. Spend a few hours each day over an entire week if needed. Keep coming back to it with a fresh perspective.
You will also want to have a few recruiters and human resource people have a look. There are now Internet sites which provide advice on how to make your resume really sizzle.
Conclusion
OK, so you've lost your job. This is probably the best thing to happen to you in years.
You now have the opportunity to create a new life for yourself. The job you were in was probably toxic to your health anyway.
Hopefully you have some severance pay so that you can afford to be particular about your next job.
If you know what kind of work you want to be doing, this article should help you find a place to do it.
If you are not sure about what type of work you want to be doing, take CareerPlanner.com's online Career Test. It's a quick and affordable way to ensure you are doing the work you were meant to do.
Whatever you do, we wish you the best of luck in building a new career and a new life.
Philemon 1
Greetings from Paul 1 This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, 2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your[a] house.
3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer 4 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, 5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. 6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus 8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. 9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.[b]
10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. 11 Onesimus[c] hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. 12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.
13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. 14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. 15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. 16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!
20 Yes, my brother, please do me this favor[d] for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.
21 I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! 22 One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.
Paul’s Final Greetings 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. 24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.
25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Greetings from Paul 1 This letter is from Paul, a prisoner for preaching the Good News about Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
I am writing to Philemon, our beloved co-worker, 2 and to our sister Apphia, and to our fellow soldier Archippus, and to the church that meets in your[a] house.
3 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Paul’s Thanksgiving and Prayer 4 I always thank my God when I pray for you, Philemon, 5 because I keep hearing about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God’s people. 6 And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus 8 That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. 9 But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.[b]
10 I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison. 11 Onesimus[c] hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us. 12 I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart.
13 I wanted to keep him here with me while I am in these chains for preaching the Good News, and he would have helped me on your behalf. 14 But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent. I wanted you to help because you were willing, not because you were forced. 15 It seems you lost Onesimus for a little while so that you could have him back forever. 16 He is no longer like a slave to you. He is more than a slave, for he is a beloved brother, especially to me. Now he will mean much more to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it. And I won’t mention that you owe me your very soul!
20 Yes, my brother, please do me this favor[d] for the Lord’s sake. Give me this encouragement in Christ.
21 I am confident as I write this letter that you will do what I ask and even more! 22 One more thing—please prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that God will answer your prayers and let me return to you soon.
Paul’s Final Greetings 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. 24 So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.
25 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Titus 3
Do What Is Good 1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.
4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.[a] 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
9 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees[b] or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. 10 If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. 11 For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.
Paul’s Final Remarks and Greetings 12 I am planning to send either Artemas or Tychicus to you. As soon as one of them arrives, do your best to meet me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to stay there for the winter. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.
15 Everybody here sends greetings. Please give my greetings to the believers—all who love us.
May God’s grace be with you all.
Do What Is Good 1 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.
3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.
4 But—“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.[a] 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” 8 This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.
9 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees[b] or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. 10 If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. 11 For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.
Paul’s Final Remarks and Greetings 12 I am planning to send either Artemas or Tychicus to you. As soon as one of them arrives, do your best to meet me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to stay there for the winter. 13 Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need. 14 Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.
15 Everybody here sends greetings. Please give my greetings to the believers—all who love us.
May God’s grace be with you all.
Monday, October 27, 2008
I found this out on the internet looking for an explaination of Titus 2:4-5. Especially where it says women should submit to their husbands. I have come to believe that God's ways are better than our ways. It takes alot of maturity to see this. You may not agree with all your husbands decisions but there must be one head, and God made that person him. As head he will have to answer to God for his decisions, so it would be good if you could make those decisions together and above all prayfully. I have never been lead astray when I have taken the heavy decisions of life to God in prayer. Read this and tell me your thoughts......
LFL and Titus 2 – Making the Connection
What is Titus 2 for Life?
Titus 2 for Life is a Biblical, pro-life mentoring ministry. It was started in 2002 by Linda Bartlett after she stepped down from the role of national president of LFL. That year, Linda began serving as Director of Outreach for Word of Hope, the abortion healing ministry of LFL. Titus 2 for Life operates under the direction of Word of Hope.
25 years on the speaking trail gave Linda countless opportunities to listen to the stories of women. These women helped her understand that abortion is not a woman’s first choice. It’s a choice that changes her life (and the lives of others), but only after other choices have been made. These choices begin with the decision to trust the world and self rather than God’s Word for life.
Titus 2 for Life is a mentoring model for Lutherans who are frustrated by fellow Christians who defend choices of death when situations of life become desperate.
What is the purpose of Titus 2 for Life?
The purpose of Titus 2 for Life is to:
Assist LFL and pro-life congregations in mentoring a new generation of Biblical leaders.
Lead women (and men) away from loud voices to hear the whisper of the Spirit.
Contrast worldviews (ideas of the world with the Truth of God).
Build a culture of life through Biblical manhood and womanhood.
Reconcile sinful people with their Heavenly Father through the mercy of Jesus Christ.
Titus 2 for Life strives to provide mentoring opportunities and connect women to God’s Word for life through in-home “teas,” campus “coffee houses,” and weekend retreats. Training retreats offer encouragement, resources, and opportunities for outreach to LFL leaders, clergy wives, and pregnancy center workers.
What influence can Titus 2 for Life have on the culture?
When St. Paul was inspired by God to write the young pastor named Titus, the prevailing culture was immoral and embraced pagan ideas. It would seem that there might have been all kinds of suggestions St. Paul could have offered Titus with the goal of encouraging men and women to stand against the immorality and decadence. But, St. Paul was inspired to focus on the importance of “older” men and women teaching and equipping “younger” men and women to live godly lives.
We, too, live in a culture that embraces immoral and ungodly ideas. But, we have been blessed with the divine blueprint for holy living. If we trust that God’s Word is the same today as yesterday, we should also trust the importance of an older generation mentoring the younger. From God’s perspective, this is the best way for Christian men and women to transform the culture.
What is the connection between Titus 2, a Biblical model for mentoring, and Lutherans For Life?
(What follows is Linda’s explanation.)
Long experience in LFL proves that many of us are frustrated by the response of fellow Christians. So many Lutherans, for example, agree that abortion is not a good thing. However, these same people remain silent or even defensive not only about abortion, but many of the choices that come before an abortion such as sex outside of marriage. God’s Word has a lot to say to modern Christians. He even provides a model for life in Titus 2. At this time, let’s note the specific instructions given to women:
“Tell older women to live their lives in a way that shows they are dedicated to God. Tell them not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of virtue. In this way they will teach young women to show love to their husbands and children, to use good judgment, and to be morally pure. Also, tell them to teach young women to be homemakers, to be kind, and to place themselves under their husbands’ authority. Then no one can speak evil of God’s word.” (2:3-5 GOD’S WORD)
In all of my years in LFL, I have yet to meet a woman who said she did not love live. However, many Christian women have told me they felt unable to nurture or protect life. They have told me they did not feel encouraged in their role as wives or mothers. Many of these women are well educated, with successful careers. A Lutheran parish nurse, for example, told me, “I was a young woman in the 70s who believed I could bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan!” She went on to explain that, because she had allowed herself to be deceived by the ideas of the world, her family suffered. Failing to trust God, she could not recognize that motherhood is a vocation with powerful influence on generations to come.
American women are the best educated women in the history of the world, yet a high percentage is ill-informed about their origin and noble purpose. These women are untrained in purity, selflessness, and loving others as themselves. Experience at a caring pregnancy center proves that girls know a lot about recreational sex but very little about marital love and procreation. These girls are untrained in the ways of building healthy families and, therefore, positively influencing society. Even many Christian women have not the faintest clue about how to build a culture of life. When difficulties arise, a high percentage of Christian women seek the “wisdom” of Oprah, Dr. Phil, and “self-help” books rather than trusting the Father God who created and redeemed them.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 best illustrates the need for Titus 2 and also explains its connection to pro-life ministry.
“You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time. People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy, and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God. They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people. Some of these men go into homes and mislead weak-minded women who are burdened with sins and led by all kinds of desires. These women are always studying but are never able to recognize the truth.”
Who are the “weak-willed women” spoken of in Timothy? The Concordia Self-Study Bible notes that these women are “unstable women who are guilt-ridden because of their sins, torn by lust, and victims of various false teachers.”
My friend, Jane, told me, “When my daughter was born, I wanted to be the kind of mother my mom was to me . . . but, I was not encouraged to do so.” Jane explained three things that led her off the path of life. She was without a mentor because she and her husband moved far away from Jane’s father, mother, and church family. Her husband did not share Jane’s faith in Jesus Christ nor did he encourage her to surround herself with Christian friends. She was intimidated by both husband and peers to believe she would never find “identity” in motherhood. This was the “thinking” that resulted in grave consequences including the abortion of her second child and a divorce.
Today’s Christian woman is in need of older women who will teach younger women how to respect themselves as Jesus does, bring out the best in men, make a home, love children, and care for neighbors. Today’s Christian woman needs a model for building a culture of life and a future of hope.
God has provided such a model for living in Titus, chapter two. The model is unpopular, however, for two reasons:
It follows the created order by being gender specific and,
it goes against the grain of modern feminism by teaching God’s ideas of purity, homemaking, and patriarchy.
So, here is another connection between Titus 2 ministry and LFL. Both require all believers in Christ to rebel against the lies we have been told about our origin, gender, and freedoms.
Titus 2 is a simple model for use by Lutherans—and all Christians—who love life. It is foundational for a healthy society because it follows the created order designed by God and explained in Genesis. It is foundational because it transforms the culture beginning in the home. The Christian home is God’s first “training camp” where children learn how to fight for life in the battle against Satan, the world, and our own sinful flesh. Today’s Christian needs a model for life that does not wrap Jesus around worldly ideas but, instead, consistently leads believers away from chaos to peace, from despair to hope, from death to life. Titus 2 is that model.
By now, you may better understand the connection between the mentoring ministry of Titus 2 and Lutherans For Life. But . . .
What are the specific connections between God’s Word in Titus 2 and choosing life? Healing from an abortion? Dating and courtship? Marriage and family? Bio-ethical issues? End-of-life issues?
The connections, as Linda and other pro-life Lutherans view them, might be explained in the following way:
CHOOSING LIFE: God’s Word in Titus 2 tells women to “live their lives in a way that shows they are dedicated to God” (2:3) and . . . “show love to husbands and children” (2:4). Being dedicated to God means hungering after truth and then trying to trust it and live it. Dedication to the Creator God means seeing Him as the Master Designer not only of each human life, but of the way each life should be lived. There is order in loving first a husband and then a child. A Titus 2 woman appreciates the protective covering and support of a godly husband’s love which encourages her to choose life for her child and, therefore, build family. Families are the foundation for healthy, thriving societies.
HEALING FROM AN ABORTION: God’s Word in Titus 2 encourages older women (in age, experience, or spiritual maturity) to “teach young women.” Women who have been wounded by abortion but then experienced the forgiveness and merciful healing of their Savior, Jesus Christ, can steer younger women away from the choice of death. An older woman can offer hope to the younger woman who lives in denial or despair following an abortion.
DATING & COURTSHIP: God’s Word in Titus 2 tells older women to be self-controlled (“not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol”) and “examples of virtue” (2:3). “In this way they will teach young women to . . . use good judgment, and to be morally pure” (2:4,5). A Titus 2 woman helps a younger woman discern between the ways of God and the ways of the world in matters of speech, dress, behavior, and life choices.
MARRIAGE & FAMILY: God’s Word in Titus 2 emphasizes the importance of the created order when it tells women to “place themselves under their husbands’ authority” (2:5) The Biblical woman understands this instruction in light of Genesis 2:18, 22 and Ephesians 5:25, 33. She knows that God is a God of peace, not chaos. His created order is for her good and the good of family and society. She sees the role of “homemaker” (2:5) as a noble vocation with generational and societal impact.
BIO-ETHICS & END-OF-LIFE: God’s Word in Titus 2 connects women to bio-ethical issues and end-of-life issues by telling the older generation to train the younger “to be kind” (2:5). God’s kindness is sacrificial. It is true compassion in that God came to earth not to remove suffering but to suffer with us; to suffer for us! “God’s saving kindness has appeared for the benefit of all people” (2:11)! When we practice His kindness, we build a culture of kindness!
What are the consequences of using the Titus 2 Model?
A Titus 2 woman finds joy and hope in God’s guidelines for Christian living. “After all,” says Titus 2:11-13, “God’s saving kindness . . . trains us to avoid ungodly lives filled with worldly desires so that we can live self-controlled, moral, and godly lives in this present world. At the same time we can expect what we hope for—the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ!”
Titus 2 is for life! It’s not a human idea; it’s God’s idea. It’s not a new concept; it’s been used since it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. It’s not for women only; it’s for men, too! (See Titus 2:1-2, 6-8.)
What resources does Titus 2 for Life offer?
Resources provided by Titus 2 for Life include:
Titus 2 “teas,” retreats, and campus “coffeehouses” (Study Guide provided)
Titus 2 Training Retreats (Leader’s Guide provided)
Dressing for Life: Secrets of the Great Cover-up, a purity style show and educational fundraiser for use by LFL chapters, life ministry coordinators, and pro-life congregations who want to mentor younger and older women in modest dress and behavior.
Dressing for Life: Secrets of the Great Cover-up by Linda Bartlett. This Bible study (sent to you via e-mail as a reproducible PDF file) is designed to follow the interactive and educational purity lifestyle show by the same title or it can be used on its own to introduce God’s Truth about dress, behavior, and respecting others as ourselves.
Called to Remember, a Bible study for men
Men, Women, and Relationships: Building a Culture of Life Across the Generations, a 12-lesson Bible study with leader’s guide for women, men, or couples in congregations and on campuses
Not Alone, a devotional for single mothers
Into His Loving Care, a devotional for parents who have lost a child through miscarriage or stillbirth
No More Weeping, devotions for those who grieve an abortion choice
Assorted brochures to help build a culture of life
A website: www.titus2-4life.org
If you are interested in more details, please call Judy Hayen at (712) 425-3328 or e-mail: lindabartlett@mchsi.com or go to www.titus2-4life.org.
LFL and Titus 2 – Making the Connection
What is Titus 2 for Life?
Titus 2 for Life is a Biblical, pro-life mentoring ministry. It was started in 2002 by Linda Bartlett after she stepped down from the role of national president of LFL. That year, Linda began serving as Director of Outreach for Word of Hope, the abortion healing ministry of LFL. Titus 2 for Life operates under the direction of Word of Hope.
25 years on the speaking trail gave Linda countless opportunities to listen to the stories of women. These women helped her understand that abortion is not a woman’s first choice. It’s a choice that changes her life (and the lives of others), but only after other choices have been made. These choices begin with the decision to trust the world and self rather than God’s Word for life.
Titus 2 for Life is a mentoring model for Lutherans who are frustrated by fellow Christians who defend choices of death when situations of life become desperate.
What is the purpose of Titus 2 for Life?
The purpose of Titus 2 for Life is to:
Assist LFL and pro-life congregations in mentoring a new generation of Biblical leaders.
Lead women (and men) away from loud voices to hear the whisper of the Spirit.
Contrast worldviews (ideas of the world with the Truth of God).
Build a culture of life through Biblical manhood and womanhood.
Reconcile sinful people with their Heavenly Father through the mercy of Jesus Christ.
Titus 2 for Life strives to provide mentoring opportunities and connect women to God’s Word for life through in-home “teas,” campus “coffee houses,” and weekend retreats. Training retreats offer encouragement, resources, and opportunities for outreach to LFL leaders, clergy wives, and pregnancy center workers.
What influence can Titus 2 for Life have on the culture?
When St. Paul was inspired by God to write the young pastor named Titus, the prevailing culture was immoral and embraced pagan ideas. It would seem that there might have been all kinds of suggestions St. Paul could have offered Titus with the goal of encouraging men and women to stand against the immorality and decadence. But, St. Paul was inspired to focus on the importance of “older” men and women teaching and equipping “younger” men and women to live godly lives.
We, too, live in a culture that embraces immoral and ungodly ideas. But, we have been blessed with the divine blueprint for holy living. If we trust that God’s Word is the same today as yesterday, we should also trust the importance of an older generation mentoring the younger. From God’s perspective, this is the best way for Christian men and women to transform the culture.
What is the connection between Titus 2, a Biblical model for mentoring, and Lutherans For Life?
(What follows is Linda’s explanation.)
Long experience in LFL proves that many of us are frustrated by the response of fellow Christians. So many Lutherans, for example, agree that abortion is not a good thing. However, these same people remain silent or even defensive not only about abortion, but many of the choices that come before an abortion such as sex outside of marriage. God’s Word has a lot to say to modern Christians. He even provides a model for life in Titus 2. At this time, let’s note the specific instructions given to women:
“Tell older women to live their lives in a way that shows they are dedicated to God. Tell them not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of virtue. In this way they will teach young women to show love to their husbands and children, to use good judgment, and to be morally pure. Also, tell them to teach young women to be homemakers, to be kind, and to place themselves under their husbands’ authority. Then no one can speak evil of God’s word.” (2:3-5 GOD’S WORD)
In all of my years in LFL, I have yet to meet a woman who said she did not love live. However, many Christian women have told me they felt unable to nurture or protect life. They have told me they did not feel encouraged in their role as wives or mothers. Many of these women are well educated, with successful careers. A Lutheran parish nurse, for example, told me, “I was a young woman in the 70s who believed I could bring home the bacon and fry it up in a pan!” She went on to explain that, because she had allowed herself to be deceived by the ideas of the world, her family suffered. Failing to trust God, she could not recognize that motherhood is a vocation with powerful influence on generations to come.
American women are the best educated women in the history of the world, yet a high percentage is ill-informed about their origin and noble purpose. These women are untrained in purity, selflessness, and loving others as themselves. Experience at a caring pregnancy center proves that girls know a lot about recreational sex but very little about marital love and procreation. These girls are untrained in the ways of building healthy families and, therefore, positively influencing society. Even many Christian women have not the faintest clue about how to build a culture of life. When difficulties arise, a high percentage of Christian women seek the “wisdom” of Oprah, Dr. Phil, and “self-help” books rather than trusting the Father God who created and redeemed them.
2 Timothy 3:1-7 best illustrates the need for Titus 2 and also explains its connection to pro-life ministry.
“You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time. People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy, and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God. They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people. Some of these men go into homes and mislead weak-minded women who are burdened with sins and led by all kinds of desires. These women are always studying but are never able to recognize the truth.”
Who are the “weak-willed women” spoken of in Timothy? The Concordia Self-Study Bible notes that these women are “unstable women who are guilt-ridden because of their sins, torn by lust, and victims of various false teachers.”
My friend, Jane, told me, “When my daughter was born, I wanted to be the kind of mother my mom was to me . . . but, I was not encouraged to do so.” Jane explained three things that led her off the path of life. She was without a mentor because she and her husband moved far away from Jane’s father, mother, and church family. Her husband did not share Jane’s faith in Jesus Christ nor did he encourage her to surround herself with Christian friends. She was intimidated by both husband and peers to believe she would never find “identity” in motherhood. This was the “thinking” that resulted in grave consequences including the abortion of her second child and a divorce.
Today’s Christian woman is in need of older women who will teach younger women how to respect themselves as Jesus does, bring out the best in men, make a home, love children, and care for neighbors. Today’s Christian woman needs a model for building a culture of life and a future of hope.
God has provided such a model for living in Titus, chapter two. The model is unpopular, however, for two reasons:
It follows the created order by being gender specific and,
it goes against the grain of modern feminism by teaching God’s ideas of purity, homemaking, and patriarchy.
So, here is another connection between Titus 2 ministry and LFL. Both require all believers in Christ to rebel against the lies we have been told about our origin, gender, and freedoms.
Titus 2 is a simple model for use by Lutherans—and all Christians—who love life. It is foundational for a healthy society because it follows the created order designed by God and explained in Genesis. It is foundational because it transforms the culture beginning in the home. The Christian home is God’s first “training camp” where children learn how to fight for life in the battle against Satan, the world, and our own sinful flesh. Today’s Christian needs a model for life that does not wrap Jesus around worldly ideas but, instead, consistently leads believers away from chaos to peace, from despair to hope, from death to life. Titus 2 is that model.
By now, you may better understand the connection between the mentoring ministry of Titus 2 and Lutherans For Life. But . . .
What are the specific connections between God’s Word in Titus 2 and choosing life? Healing from an abortion? Dating and courtship? Marriage and family? Bio-ethical issues? End-of-life issues?
The connections, as Linda and other pro-life Lutherans view them, might be explained in the following way:
CHOOSING LIFE: God’s Word in Titus 2 tells women to “live their lives in a way that shows they are dedicated to God” (2:3) and . . . “show love to husbands and children” (2:4). Being dedicated to God means hungering after truth and then trying to trust it and live it. Dedication to the Creator God means seeing Him as the Master Designer not only of each human life, but of the way each life should be lived. There is order in loving first a husband and then a child. A Titus 2 woman appreciates the protective covering and support of a godly husband’s love which encourages her to choose life for her child and, therefore, build family. Families are the foundation for healthy, thriving societies.
HEALING FROM AN ABORTION: God’s Word in Titus 2 encourages older women (in age, experience, or spiritual maturity) to “teach young women.” Women who have been wounded by abortion but then experienced the forgiveness and merciful healing of their Savior, Jesus Christ, can steer younger women away from the choice of death. An older woman can offer hope to the younger woman who lives in denial or despair following an abortion.
DATING & COURTSHIP: God’s Word in Titus 2 tells older women to be self-controlled (“not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol”) and “examples of virtue” (2:3). “In this way they will teach young women to . . . use good judgment, and to be morally pure” (2:4,5). A Titus 2 woman helps a younger woman discern between the ways of God and the ways of the world in matters of speech, dress, behavior, and life choices.
MARRIAGE & FAMILY: God’s Word in Titus 2 emphasizes the importance of the created order when it tells women to “place themselves under their husbands’ authority” (2:5) The Biblical woman understands this instruction in light of Genesis 2:18, 22 and Ephesians 5:25, 33. She knows that God is a God of peace, not chaos. His created order is for her good and the good of family and society. She sees the role of “homemaker” (2:5) as a noble vocation with generational and societal impact.
BIO-ETHICS & END-OF-LIFE: God’s Word in Titus 2 connects women to bio-ethical issues and end-of-life issues by telling the older generation to train the younger “to be kind” (2:5). God’s kindness is sacrificial. It is true compassion in that God came to earth not to remove suffering but to suffer with us; to suffer for us! “God’s saving kindness has appeared for the benefit of all people” (2:11)! When we practice His kindness, we build a culture of kindness!
What are the consequences of using the Titus 2 Model?
A Titus 2 woman finds joy and hope in God’s guidelines for Christian living. “After all,” says Titus 2:11-13, “God’s saving kindness . . . trains us to avoid ungodly lives filled with worldly desires so that we can live self-controlled, moral, and godly lives in this present world. At the same time we can expect what we hope for—the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ!”
Titus 2 is for life! It’s not a human idea; it’s God’s idea. It’s not a new concept; it’s been used since it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. It’s not for women only; it’s for men, too! (See Titus 2:1-2, 6-8.)
What resources does Titus 2 for Life offer?
Resources provided by Titus 2 for Life include:
Titus 2 “teas,” retreats, and campus “coffeehouses” (Study Guide provided)
Titus 2 Training Retreats (Leader’s Guide provided)
Dressing for Life: Secrets of the Great Cover-up, a purity style show and educational fundraiser for use by LFL chapters, life ministry coordinators, and pro-life congregations who want to mentor younger and older women in modest dress and behavior.
Dressing for Life: Secrets of the Great Cover-up by Linda Bartlett. This Bible study (sent to you via e-mail as a reproducible PDF file) is designed to follow the interactive and educational purity lifestyle show by the same title or it can be used on its own to introduce God’s Truth about dress, behavior, and respecting others as ourselves.
Called to Remember, a Bible study for men
Men, Women, and Relationships: Building a Culture of Life Across the Generations, a 12-lesson Bible study with leader’s guide for women, men, or couples in congregations and on campuses
Not Alone, a devotional for single mothers
Into His Loving Care, a devotional for parents who have lost a child through miscarriage or stillbirth
No More Weeping, devotions for those who grieve an abortion choice
Assorted brochures to help build a culture of life
A website: www.titus2-4life.org
If you are interested in more details, please call Judy Hayen at (712) 425-3328 or e-mail: lindabartlett@mchsi.com or go to www.titus2-4life.org.
Titus 2
Promote Right Teaching
1 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
9 Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back 10 or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.
11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.
Promote Right Teaching
1 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
9 Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back 10 or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.
11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. 12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
15 You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
2 Timothy 4
1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Paul’s Final Words
9 Timothy, please come as soon as you can. 10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.[a]
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. 15 Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.
16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.[b] 18 Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
Paul’s Final Greetings 19 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.
21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.[c]
22 May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.
1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Paul’s Final Words
9 Timothy, please come as soon as you can. 10 Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry. 12 I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13 When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers.[a]
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm, but the Lord will judge him for what he has done. 15 Be careful of him, for he fought against everything we said.
16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.[b] 18 Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
Paul’s Final Greetings 19 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila and those living in the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed at Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick at Miletus.
21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters.[c]
22 May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.
Friday, October 24, 2008
NORTH CAROLINA Model Wind Ordinance
The Model Wind Ordinance for Wind Energy Facilities in North Carolina is intended to provide assistance to communities designing a local wind ordinance. The North Carolina Wind Working Group encourages each community to modify the model ordinance to meet their needs.
It is important to note that the setbacks are minimum requirements, designed to protect public safety and mitigate the impacts of noise and shadow flicker. By addressing these concerns through minimum setback requirements, the model wind ordinance omits lot size requirements and height restrictions – which can be found in several North Carolina ordinances. While North Carolina’s primary wind resources are located in mountain and coastal counties, the model ordinance does not consider or account for regional variations – such as hurricanes. Therefore, the Wind Working Group encourages communities to consider important local factors when crafting a wind ordinance.
Finally, communities should also understand that the adoption of a local wind ordinance will not preclude a wind energy facility from the requirements of applicable state and federal regulations.
In January 2008, the Coastal Wind Working Group and the Western Wind Working Group merged to form the North Carolina Wind Working Group. The goals of this group are:
Develop a clear understanding of existing attitudes on wind development
Educate the public and key stakeholders, and address their issues
Generate interest leading to responsible wind development.
One of the first tasks of the group was to develop a model wind ordinance to inform communities considering wind energy development. The group has also been conducting public forums in the western and coastal parts of the state to educate the community about wind energy technologies and address their questions. Bob Leker, Renewables Program Manager at the State Energy Office expects the NC Wind Working Group to continue its efforts in educating the public and local governments about wind energy. Questions about wind energy development or the model wind ordinance can be directed to:
Steve Kalland, NC Solar Center: (919) 515-5666
Bob Leker, NC State Energy Office: (919) 733-1907
Paul Quinlan, NC Sustainable Energy Association: (919) 832-7601
Dennis Scanlin, ASU Energy Center: (828) 262-6361
Download the Model Wind Ordinance for Wind Energy Facilities in North Carolina.
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The Model Wind Ordinance for Wind Energy Facilities in North Carolina is intended to provide assistance to communities designing a local wind ordinance. The North Carolina Wind Working Group encourages each community to modify the model ordinance to meet their needs.
It is important to note that the setbacks are minimum requirements, designed to protect public safety and mitigate the impacts of noise and shadow flicker. By addressing these concerns through minimum setback requirements, the model wind ordinance omits lot size requirements and height restrictions – which can be found in several North Carolina ordinances. While North Carolina’s primary wind resources are located in mountain and coastal counties, the model ordinance does not consider or account for regional variations – such as hurricanes. Therefore, the Wind Working Group encourages communities to consider important local factors when crafting a wind ordinance.
Finally, communities should also understand that the adoption of a local wind ordinance will not preclude a wind energy facility from the requirements of applicable state and federal regulations.
In January 2008, the Coastal Wind Working Group and the Western Wind Working Group merged to form the North Carolina Wind Working Group. The goals of this group are:
Develop a clear understanding of existing attitudes on wind development
Educate the public and key stakeholders, and address their issues
Generate interest leading to responsible wind development.
One of the first tasks of the group was to develop a model wind ordinance to inform communities considering wind energy development. The group has also been conducting public forums in the western and coastal parts of the state to educate the community about wind energy technologies and address their questions. Bob Leker, Renewables Program Manager at the State Energy Office expects the NC Wind Working Group to continue its efforts in educating the public and local governments about wind energy. Questions about wind energy development or the model wind ordinance can be directed to:
Steve Kalland, NC Solar Center: (919) 515-5666
Bob Leker, NC State Energy Office: (919) 733-1907
Paul Quinlan, NC Sustainable Energy Association: (919) 832-7601
Dennis Scanlin, ASU Energy Center: (828) 262-6361
Download the Model Wind Ordinance for Wind Energy Facilities in North Carolina.
<- Back to: News
IREC Programs
Workforce Development
Connecting to the Grid
DSIRE
ISPQ: Training Accreditation
National Outreach
Schools Going Solar
Small Wind Energy
News
Newsletter
Resources + Links
Small WindCertification Corporation
Available Documents
Home
Contact Us
Join IREC
Links
Who Is IREC
National Outreach
IREC Programs
Newsletters + RSS Feeds
Innovation Awards
Sometimes I feel we are living in the last days. What do you think?
2 Timothy 3
The Dangers of the Last Days
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of[a] vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 9 But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.
Paul’s Charge to Timothy 10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2 Timothy 3
The Dangers of the Last Days
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of[a] vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 9 But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.
Paul’s Charge to Timothy 10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance. 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it. 12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Psalm 90
A prayer of Moses, the man of God.
1 Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! 2 Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.
3 You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals!” 4 For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours. 5 You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. 6 In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered. 7 We wither beneath your anger; we are overwhelmed by your fury. 8 You spread out our sins before you— our secret sins—and you see them all. 9 We live our lives beneath your wrath, ending our years with a groan.
10 Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. 11 Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. 12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
13 O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants! 14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. 15 Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. 16 Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. 17 And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
A prayer of Moses, the man of God.
1 Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! 2 Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.
3 You turn people back to dust, saying, “Return to dust, you mortals!” 4 For you, a thousand years are as a passing day, as brief as a few night hours. 5 You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. 6 In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered. 7 We wither beneath your anger; we are overwhelmed by your fury. 8 You spread out our sins before you— our secret sins—and you see them all. 9 We live our lives beneath your wrath, ending our years with a groan.
10 Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. 11 Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. 12 Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
13 O Lord, come back to us! How long will you delay? Take pity on your servants! 14 Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives. 15 Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. 16 Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. 17 And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
2 Timothy 1
Greetings from Paul 1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Encouragement to Be Faithful 3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.
12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him[a] until the day of his return.
13 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
15 As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted me—even Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. 17 When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me. 18 May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of Christ’s return. And you know very well how helpful he was in Ephesus.
Greetings from Paul 1 This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 I am writing to Timothy, my dear son.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Encouragement to Be Faithful 3 Timothy, I thank God for you—the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 I long to see you again, for I remember your tears as we parted. And I will be filled with joy when we are together again.
5 I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. 6 This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.
12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him[a] until the day of his return.
13 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.
15 As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted me—even Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. 17 When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me. 18 May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of Christ’s return. And you know very well how helpful he was in Ephesus.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
1 Timothy 6
1 All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching. 2 If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers[a] who are well loved.
False Teaching and True Riches
Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. 3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.
6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Paul’s Final Instructions
11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. 13 And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 15 For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. 16 He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.
17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.
20 Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. 21 Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness.
May God’s grace be with you all.
1 All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching. 2 If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers[a] who are well loved.
False Teaching and True Riches
Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. 3 Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. 4 Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. 5 These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.
6 Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
Paul’s Final Instructions
11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses. 13 And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 15 For at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. 16 He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.
17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.
20 Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. 21 Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness.
May God’s grace be with you all.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Hi Everyone!
I just made a loan to someone in the developing world using a revolutionary new website called Kiva (www.kiva.org).
You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going. The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.
I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Rosa in Bolivia. They still need another $2,775.00 to complete their loan request of $3,250.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). Help me get this entrepreneur off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Rosa too:
http://admin.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=69703
It's finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build asustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.
Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.
Thanks!
What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:
'Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.'-- BBC
'If you've got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you've now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.'-- CNN Money
'Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.'-- The Wall Street Journal
'An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity...All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.'-- Entrepreneur Magazine
I just made a loan to someone in the developing world using a revolutionary new website called Kiva (www.kiva.org).
You can go to Kiva's website and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business - like raising goats, selling vegetables at market or making bricks. Each loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the entrepreneur is going. The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.
I just made a loan to an entrepreneur named Rosa in Bolivia. They still need another $2,775.00 to complete their loan request of $3,250.00 (you can loan as little as $25.00!). Help me get this entrepreneur off the ground by clicking on the link below to make a loan to Rosa too:
http://admin.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=69703
It's finally easy to actually do something about poverty - using Kiva I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build asustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.
Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.
Thanks!
What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:
'Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.'-- BBC
'If you've got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you've now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.'-- CNN Money
'Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.'-- The Wall Street Journal
'An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity...All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.'-- Entrepreneur Magazine
Jeremiah 32
Jeremiah’s Land Purchase
1 The following message came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of the reign of Zedekiah,[a] king of Judah. This was also the eighteenth year of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.[b] 2 Jerusalem was then under siege from the Babylonian army, and Jeremiah was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace. 3 King Zedekiah had put him there, asking why he kept giving this prophecy: “This is what the Lord says: ‘I am about to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will take it. 4 King Zedekiah will be captured by the Babylonians[c] and taken to meet the king of Babylon face to face. 5 He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, and I will deal with him there,’ says the Lord. ‘If you fight against the Babylonians, you will never succeed.’”
6 At that time the Lord sent me a message. He said, 7 “Your cousin Hanamel son of Shallum will come and say to you, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth. By law you have the right to buy it before it is offered to anyone else.’”
8 Then, just as the Lord had said he would, my cousin Hanamel came and visited me in the prison. He said, “Please buy my field at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. By law you have the right to buy it before it is offered to anyone else, so buy it for yourself.” Then I knew that the message I had heard was from the Lord.
9 So I bought the field at Anathoth, paying Hanamel seventeen pieces[d] of silver for it. 10 I signed and sealed the deed of purchase before witnesses, weighed out the silver, and paid him. 11 Then I took the sealed deed and an unsealed copy of the deed, which contained the terms and conditions of the purchase, 12 and I handed them to Baruch son of Neriah and grandson of Mahseiah. I did all this in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, the witnesses who had signed the deed, and all the men of Judah who were there in the courtyard of the guardhouse.
13 Then I said to Baruch as they all listened, 14 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Take both this sealed deed and the unsealed copy, and put them into a pottery jar to preserve them for a long time.’ 15 For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Someday people will again own property here in this land and will buy and sell houses and vineyards and fields.’”
Jeremiah’s Prayer 16 Then after I had given the papers to Baruch, I prayed to the Lord:
17 “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! 18 You show unfailing love to thousands, but you also bring the consequences of one generation’s sin upon the next. You are the great and powerful God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 19 You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles. You see the conduct of all people, and you give them what they deserve. 20 You performed miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt—things still remembered to this day! And you have continued to do great miracles in Israel and all around the world. You have made your name famous to this day. 21 “You brought Israel out of Egypt with mighty signs and wonders, with a strong hand and powerful arm, and with overwhelming terror. 22 You gave the people of Israel this land that you had promised their ancestors long before—a land flowing with milk and honey. 23 Our ancestors came and conquered it and lived in it, but they refused to obey you or follow your word. They have not done anything you commanded. That is why you have sent this terrible disaster upon them. 24 “See how the siege ramps have been built against the city walls! Through war, famine, and disease, the city will be handed over to the Babylonians, who will conquer it. Everything has happened just as you said. 25 And yet, O Sovereign Lord, you have told me to buy the field—paying good money for it before these witnesses—even though the city will soon be handed over to the Babylonians.”
A Prediction of Jerusalem’s Fall
26 Then this message came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 27 “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me? 28 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I will hand this city over to the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and he will capture it. 29 The Babylonians outside the walls will come in and set fire to the city. They will burn down all these houses where the people provoked my anger by burning incense to Baal on the rooftops and by pouring out liquid offerings to other gods. 30 Israel and Judah have done nothing but wrong since their earliest days. They have infuriated me with all their evil deeds,” says the Lord. 31 “From the time this city was built until now, it has done nothing but anger me, so I am determined to get rid of it.
32 “The sins of Israel and Judah—the sins of the people of Jerusalem, the kings, the officials, the priests, and the prophets—have stirred up my anger. 33 My people have turned their backs on me and have refused to return. Even though I diligently taught them, they would not receive instruction or obey. 34 They have set up their abominable idols right in my own Temple, defiling it. 35 They have built pagan shrines to Baal in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing. What an incredible evil, causing Judah to sin so greatly!
A Promise of Restoration
36 “Now I want to say something more about this city. You have been saying, ‘It will fall to the king of Babylon through war, famine, and disease.’ But this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 37 I will certainly bring my people back again from all the countries where I will scatter them in my fury. I will bring them back to this very city and let them live in peace and safety. 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants. 40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. 41 I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.
42 “This is what the Lord says: Just as I have brought all these calamities on them, so I will do all the good I have promised them. 43 Fields will again be bought and sold in this land about which you now say, ‘It has been ravaged by the Babylonians, a desolate land where people and animals have all disappeared.’ 44 Yes, fields will once again be bought and sold—deeds signed and sealed and witnessed—in the land of Benjamin and here in Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and in the hill country, in the foothills of Judah[e] and in the Negev, too. For someday I will restore prosperity to them. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
Jeremiah’s Land Purchase
1 The following message came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the tenth year of the reign of Zedekiah,[a] king of Judah. This was also the eighteenth year of the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar.[b] 2 Jerusalem was then under siege from the Babylonian army, and Jeremiah was imprisoned in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace. 3 King Zedekiah had put him there, asking why he kept giving this prophecy: “This is what the Lord says: ‘I am about to hand this city over to the king of Babylon, and he will take it. 4 King Zedekiah will be captured by the Babylonians[c] and taken to meet the king of Babylon face to face. 5 He will take Zedekiah to Babylon, and I will deal with him there,’ says the Lord. ‘If you fight against the Babylonians, you will never succeed.’”
6 At that time the Lord sent me a message. He said, 7 “Your cousin Hanamel son of Shallum will come and say to you, ‘Buy my field at Anathoth. By law you have the right to buy it before it is offered to anyone else.’”
8 Then, just as the Lord had said he would, my cousin Hanamel came and visited me in the prison. He said, “Please buy my field at Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. By law you have the right to buy it before it is offered to anyone else, so buy it for yourself.” Then I knew that the message I had heard was from the Lord.
9 So I bought the field at Anathoth, paying Hanamel seventeen pieces[d] of silver for it. 10 I signed and sealed the deed of purchase before witnesses, weighed out the silver, and paid him. 11 Then I took the sealed deed and an unsealed copy of the deed, which contained the terms and conditions of the purchase, 12 and I handed them to Baruch son of Neriah and grandson of Mahseiah. I did all this in the presence of my cousin Hanamel, the witnesses who had signed the deed, and all the men of Judah who were there in the courtyard of the guardhouse.
13 Then I said to Baruch as they all listened, 14 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Take both this sealed deed and the unsealed copy, and put them into a pottery jar to preserve them for a long time.’ 15 For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Someday people will again own property here in this land and will buy and sell houses and vineyards and fields.’”
Jeremiah’s Prayer 16 Then after I had given the papers to Baruch, I prayed to the Lord:
17 “O Sovereign Lord! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! 18 You show unfailing love to thousands, but you also bring the consequences of one generation’s sin upon the next. You are the great and powerful God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 19 You have all wisdom and do great and mighty miracles. You see the conduct of all people, and you give them what they deserve. 20 You performed miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt—things still remembered to this day! And you have continued to do great miracles in Israel and all around the world. You have made your name famous to this day. 21 “You brought Israel out of Egypt with mighty signs and wonders, with a strong hand and powerful arm, and with overwhelming terror. 22 You gave the people of Israel this land that you had promised their ancestors long before—a land flowing with milk and honey. 23 Our ancestors came and conquered it and lived in it, but they refused to obey you or follow your word. They have not done anything you commanded. That is why you have sent this terrible disaster upon them. 24 “See how the siege ramps have been built against the city walls! Through war, famine, and disease, the city will be handed over to the Babylonians, who will conquer it. Everything has happened just as you said. 25 And yet, O Sovereign Lord, you have told me to buy the field—paying good money for it before these witnesses—even though the city will soon be handed over to the Babylonians.”
A Prediction of Jerusalem’s Fall
26 Then this message came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 27 “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me? 28 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: I will hand this city over to the Babylonians and to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and he will capture it. 29 The Babylonians outside the walls will come in and set fire to the city. They will burn down all these houses where the people provoked my anger by burning incense to Baal on the rooftops and by pouring out liquid offerings to other gods. 30 Israel and Judah have done nothing but wrong since their earliest days. They have infuriated me with all their evil deeds,” says the Lord. 31 “From the time this city was built until now, it has done nothing but anger me, so I am determined to get rid of it.
32 “The sins of Israel and Judah—the sins of the people of Jerusalem, the kings, the officials, the priests, and the prophets—have stirred up my anger. 33 My people have turned their backs on me and have refused to return. Even though I diligently taught them, they would not receive instruction or obey. 34 They have set up their abominable idols right in my own Temple, defiling it. 35 They have built pagan shrines to Baal in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molech. I have never commanded such a horrible deed; it never even crossed my mind to command such a thing. What an incredible evil, causing Judah to sin so greatly!
A Promise of Restoration
36 “Now I want to say something more about this city. You have been saying, ‘It will fall to the king of Babylon through war, famine, and disease.’ But this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 37 I will certainly bring my people back again from all the countries where I will scatter them in my fury. I will bring them back to this very city and let them live in peace and safety. 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants. 40 And I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. 41 I will find joy doing good for them and will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.
42 “This is what the Lord says: Just as I have brought all these calamities on them, so I will do all the good I have promised them. 43 Fields will again be bought and sold in this land about which you now say, ‘It has been ravaged by the Babylonians, a desolate land where people and animals have all disappeared.’ 44 Yes, fields will once again be bought and sold—deeds signed and sealed and witnessed—in the land of Benjamin and here in Jerusalem, in the towns of Judah and in the hill country, in the foothills of Judah[e] and in the Negev, too. For someday I will restore prosperity to them. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
1 Timothy 3
Leaders in the Church 1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder,[a] he desires an honorable position.” 2 So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.[b] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker[c] or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
6 An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.[d] 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, their wives[e] must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
The Truths of Our Faith 14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith[f]:
Christ[g] was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit.[h] He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.
Leaders in the Church 1 This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder,[a] he desires an honorable position.” 2 So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife.[b] He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker[c] or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
6 An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.[d] 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money. 9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience. 10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
11 In the same way, their wives[e] must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well. 13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
The Truths of Our Faith 14 I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, 15 so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
16 Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith[f]:
Christ[g] was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit.[h] He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.
Friday, October 17, 2008
1 Timothy 2
Instructions about Worship 1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.
8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
9 And I want women to be modest in their appearance.[a] They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. 10 For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.
Instructions about Worship 1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.
8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
9 And I want women to be modest in their appearance.[a] They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. 10 For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
1 Timothy 1
Greetings from Paul 1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.
2 I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Warnings against False Teachings 3 When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. 4 Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations,[a] which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.[b]
5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. 7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
8 We know that the law is good when used correctly. 9 For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. 10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders,[c] liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching 11 that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.
Paul’s Gratitude for God’s Mercy 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
Timothy’s Responsibility 18 Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. 19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 20 Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.
Greetings from Paul 1 This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, appointed by the command of God our Savior and Christ Jesus, who gives us hope.
2 I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.
May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Warnings against False Teachings 3 When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. 4 Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations,[a] which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.[b]
5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. 7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
8 We know that the law is good when used correctly. 9 For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. 10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders,[c] liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching 11 that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.
Paul’s Gratitude for God’s Mercy 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, 13 even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. 14 Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
Timothy’s Responsibility 18 Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. 19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 20 Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
2 Thessalonians 3
Paul’s Request for Prayer 1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters,[a] we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. 2 Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.[b] 4 And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. 5 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
An Exhortation to Proper Living 6 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers[c] who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received[d] from us. 7 For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. 8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. 10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”
11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.[e]
Paul’s Final Greetings 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
17 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul. I do this in all my letters to prove they are from me.
18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Paul’s Request for Prayer 1 Finally, dear brothers and sisters,[a] we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. 2 Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. 3 But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.[b] 4 And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. 5 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
An Exhortation to Proper Living 6 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we give you this command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Stay away from all believers[c] who live idle lives and don’t follow the tradition they received[d] from us. 7 For you know that you ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. 8 We never accepted food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We certainly had the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow. 10 Even while we were with you, we gave you this command: “Those unwilling to work will not get to eat.”
11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.
14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.[e]
Paul’s Final Greetings 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
17 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul. I do this in all my letters to prove they are from me.
18 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Monday, October 13, 2008
2 Thessalonians 1
Greetings from Paul 1 This letter is from Paul, Silas,[a] and Timothy.
We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 May God our Father[b] and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Encouragement during Persecution 3 Dear brothers and sisters,[c] we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. 4 We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. 5 And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. 6 In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.
7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 10 When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.
11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.[d]
Greetings from Paul 1 This letter is from Paul, Silas,[a] and Timothy.
We are writing to the church in Thessalonica, to you who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 May God our Father[b] and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Encouragement during Persecution 3 Dear brothers and sisters,[c] we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing. 4 We proudly tell God’s other churches about your endurance and faithfulness in all the persecutions and hardships you are suffering. 5 And God will use this persecution to show his justice and to make you worthy of his Kingdom, for which you are suffering. 6 In his justice he will pay back those who persecute you.
7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 10 When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.
11 So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. 12 Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.[d]
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