Article by Dr. Les Hollon, Pastor, Trinity Baptist Church

Sin expands one’s appetite for more sin. David’s sinful trail began by coveting his neighbor’s wife and was followed by adultery, lying, and murder. David’s unraveling did not stop until the prophet Nathan confronted and convinced him of his sins.

Repentance is the sinner’s only hope to be released from sin’s deadly cycle. Repentance begins with soulful remorse and ends with soul-filled renewal.

David’s attempt to insulate himself from guilt’s stinging indictment meant his sinful actions did not stop with sexually manipulating Bathsheba. He had to do something about Uriah, her husband.  Sin does not stop on its own power. Only God’s power is strong enough to stop sin’s destructive force. Repentance opens us to change when we personally yield our will to God’s will so our desires can be reshaped (Psalm 37:4).

David was said to be a “man after [God's] own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). On examining David’s heart, God anointed David to be king (1 Sam. 16:7).  David’s heart of faithfulness was his lead strength. At all costs the shepherd-king needed to treasure what was important to God so his heart would be focused on living and leading in God’s way.

Change was occurring within David. He felt change pulsating within.  He wanted more of something in his life, but he was not sure what that something was until he saw Bathsheba bathing.  When David went to his rooftop he was inspired by temptation, not goodness. Temptation takes what is good and turns it upside down with the deceptive message that wrong is better than right (see Isaiah 5:20). Temptation whispers for us not to trust God’s best as being the best.  When we commit to temptation, we sin by trying to remake the good into our selfish image. David risked the kingdom he had fought hard to win for God’s purposes.

When Fathers are among the constellation of heroes in our lives, God’s best plans are working. God intended for fathers to be heroes for their children. Fathers do this best by living & modeling God’s ways as the way for their children to live.  

Consequently, the pathway of heroes in general - and the high calling of Fathers in particular - is highlighted in the Scriptures.  God inspired the biblical stories to be written in light of people’s strengths & weaknesses, which means we are entrusted to learn from their successes & failures.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the lives of King Saul & his son, Jonathan, and King David & his son, Solomon.

Saul was a double-minded man because his heart was divided.  He trusted God, but didn’t trust God. He was glad to be King, but resented God for anointing him as King.  He loved Jonathan, but didn’t trust Jonathan’s love for David.  Saul cared for David, but feared David’s popularity with the people. Saul passed on his best characteristics to Jonathan, but felt inferior when Jonathan’s best surpassed his own best.  Lessons learned by Jonathan became lessons applied, which is why he became a great hero.

David was a shepherd boy who became Israel’s greatest King.  However, his self-inflicted character flaws put his children at risk.  His sons & daughters would need to learn equally from what their father did right and what he did wrong.  However, when David’s life was headed in the wrong direction, he would listen to his heart love for God, and then correct his behavior. 

When his children, like Solomon, learned this lesson for themselves, they would be applying from the best of what their father had to teach them.

Five Lessons Applied

•Faith heroes, like Fathers, are not perfect. They are flawed. They are human and need God’s grace. Their goodness stems from God’s goodness forming their character. 

•Faith heroes face their fears by living their faith. 

•Faith heroes find their power through godly character, not by wearing capes & costumes. 

•Faith heroes do for us what needs to be done but what we can’t do for ourselves. Through their efforts we are inspired to learn how to do this for ourselves the next time around, and then to do “the heroic act” for others as it had been done for us. 

•Faith heroes, consequently, don’t do what we can and need to do for ourselves but they inspire us to do our best by being our best.

Pastor Les

This article was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church.  For more information about how God works in your life, or to contact Dr. Hollon, click over to Trinity Baptist Church.

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My wife, Mary, has a blog that recently reminded me of the importance of centering myself, being still, and getting back in touch with my spirit and that which is greater than me.

And so this morning before I dive in to work, I want to be quiet and reflective.  Writing helps me to remember.

I breathe deeply from my diaphragm through my nose.  Over and over again.  And I remember.

I remember last night being clear and without humidity, and the millions of stars popping out of the sky as we sat on the deck.  And the night sounds of country living at the lake that include cicadas and tree frogs.

I remember close friends who spent time with us over the weekend.  Time for long conversations and the sharing of dreams. Why don’t I do this more often?  This is part of what gives life meaning.

I remember the laughter of children who loved swimming in the lake and riding in the boat.  I marveled at my godsons’ kayaking abilities and his maturity, while also remembering the day he was born that seemed like yesterday.

As I drove out of the driveway from our home this morning, I slowed down two or three times to let the wild bunny rabbits get out of the way.  The sunrise was spectacular on our county road.  I laughed out loud a couple of miles later when two newborn calves were chasing one another looking like puppies bouncing as they ran awkwardly in the pasture.

I remember how thankful I am for my marriage to Mary Beatrice Sullivan.  We celebrated our sixth anniversary yesterday with friends, and then planned an upcoming getaway weekend.

I remember that Mary Sullivan has changed my life.  I was lost after my divorce in 1996, my father died in 1998, and I had eventually given up on finding a life-giving marriage after seven plus years.  But on January 29, 2003, I was swept off my feet by Mary.  I have been happy and in love with her ever since.

We married on July 4, 2004 and it is hard for me to put into words what she means to me.  Her spirit reminds me to live life fully every day.

Mary has also given me the opportunity to be a stepdad to Brendan and Kiki.  I have always wanted to be a dad and this gift is grace for me.

I remember I have so much to be thankful for.

Thank you God for being with me, even when I forget.

Today, I remember.

Malcolm

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

–Ephesians 1:16 (NIV)

Malcolm Marler is Director of Pastoral Care for UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL.  In addition to his interest in spirituality and health, he loves to identify physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of persons, then design and build programs that help meet those needs.  His warmth and humor along with his powerful message of hope and grace is his greatest strength.  Malcolm grew up in Alabama and attended Clemson University (S.C.) on a football scholarship as a defensive back where he graduated with a B.A. degree in Psychology.  He is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY with Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees.  Malcolm lives on a lake in North Alabama with the love of his life, Mary Bea Sullivan.  He has two open-hearted, loving stepchildren, Brendan and Kiki who are both freshman in college.  For more information or to contact Malcolm, please visit www.MalcolmMarler.com.

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“What happened to you?” My friend Marjorie asked.  “Last time I saw you, you were so clear.  Today, you are all over the place.”

Marjorie was right, my energy was scattered and my focus blurry.  After a week filled with too much work, too many evenings out, and not enough silence, I was reverting to old, unhealthy ways of thinking.

“It is like the real you has vacated the premises and your inner critic is holed up in your head indulging herself like a drunken rock star.”  Marjorie added.

I cackled loudly at her analogy–a well-needed release from the swamp of negativity that I had been slogging through.

What had happened to me?  I wondered. Grateful for my friend’s honest and loving comments, I used them as motivation to consider what precipitated this free-fall into worry and doubt.  Busy with travel, work, and volunteer commitments, I had pushed aside my daily centering prayer practice for over a week.  I couldn’t remember the last time I had gone that long without inviting the silence.

Instead of taking time each day communing with the Beloved, I had been conversing with the “critic.”  Oh, the critic really is a persistent, clever, and cruel companion.  When feeling healthy and balanced, I usually do a pretty good job of recognizing her and dismissing her harmful banter.  Without the foundation of my prayer practice in my daily routine, I had allowed her diatribes to dominate.  “You look old.”  “You need to work harder.”  “You should be saving more money…feeding the homeless…visiting the sick…studying more…”

Marjorie’s observation helped me notice I was giving that relentless critic free reign–she was squelching my creativity and distracting me from “all that I yearn to be.”

After further reflection I decided, if I did want to address some of the issues raised by that venomous inner critic it would be from a place of “can” and “could,” not “shame” and “should.” 

Returning to myself, I understood that the critic is not the voice of Love–hers is the voice of limitation.  I knew it was time for me to send her packing and invite the Beloved to occupy that space instead–the voice that marvels at the essence of our true nature, urges us to embrace possibility, and encourages us to offer ourselves completely as communion to one another.

We all have an “inner critic” or “Gremlin” as Rick Carson calls it.  How have you silenced the voice of fear and doubt?

“Deliver me, oh Giver of Breath and Life, from the fears that best me; help me confront the inner shadows … They distract me from all that I yearn to be, and hinder the awakening of hidden gifts that I long to share with others.” 

- Psalm 140, Psalms for Praying by Nan C. Merrill

Mary Bea Sullivan is the author of Dancing Naked Under the Moon - Uncovering the Wisdom Within, a compelling story about her pilgrimage toward wholeness.  She facilitates spiritual retreats and workshops for women’s groups and faith communities.  Mary Bea lives with her husband, Malcolm Marler, and their yellow (white really) lab, Daisy, on Smith Lake in Alabama. For more information about Mary Bea Sullivan and her work, please visit www.MaryBeaSullivan.com.

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Sometimes days go by, maybe weeks or months, where there is routine and predictability in life.  There is a rhythm that feels natural and right.  We even fool ourselves into thinking we are in control of our own destiny.

And then something shifts, and we wake up and realize that our life has changed.  Sometimes it is temporary, sometimes it is for the rest of our life.

Someone we care about is sick and it means adding a daily or weekly responsibility to our routine.  We lose sleep and we try harder.  But we get more exhausted.  Additional things happen to people we care about and we do what we can to support them, but we realize we cannot do it all.

Limitations are hard to accept.  We are not in control.  We cannot do everything … though we try.

But know this deep in your heart … do what you can today, and trust that it is not your job to do everything.

If we can let go at this point, take a step back and trust, a new lesson about peace is just around the corner.

Even in the chaos, peace is possible if we will remember that we cannot fix it, and that it was not our job from the beginning.

Peace be with you.

Malcolm

… a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

What does the worker gain from his toil?

–Ecclesiastes 3:7-9 (NIV)

Malcolm Marler is Director of Pastoral Care for UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL.  In addition to his interest in spirituality and health, he loves to identify physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of persons, then design and build programs that help meet those needs.  His warmth and humor along with his powerful message of hope and grace is his greatest strength.  Malcolm grew up in Alabama and attended Clemson University (S.C.) on a football scholarship as a defensive back where he graduated with a B.A. degree in Psychology.  He is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY with Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees.  Malcolm lives on a lake in North Alabama with the love of his life, Mary Bea Sullivan.  He has two open-hearted, loving stepchildren, Brendan and Kiki who are both freshman in college.  For more information or to contact Malcolm, please visit www.MalcolmMarler.com.

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Promising to trust God’s promises changes us.

Because God’s promises then mark the pathway we travel, which is what led David to confront Goliath. He entered the Valley of Elah as an errand boy for his father.  He delivered food to his three oldest brothers who were serving in King Saul’s army against the Philistines.  David trusted God’s promise to “honor his father and mother.”

Once there he realized that Saul and his men were terrorized by the taunts of a giant named Goliath. David did not understand why his fellow countrymen were unwilling to confront the giant.  Was Goliath bigger than God?  No!  Then the giant needed to be viewed through God’s eyes, not men’s eyes.  David had such eyesight and could see Goliath for what he was and was not.  David trusted the same promise that had led to his being anointed as Israel’s future king:

“… the Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7) 

This step stone of a promise led David into King Saul’s camp.  Saul wanted to see the person who was willing to do what everyone else was unwilling to do.  Initially astonished and disbelieving in David’s abilities, the King tried to protect David by getting him to wear the king’s armor.  But the armor did not fit David’s style or body.

So David trusted God’s promise to work through him when confronting Goliath as he had when he protected his sheep against lions & bears.  David said, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine, your servant will go and fight him … The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (I Samuel 17:32, 37)

This step stone led David to walk towards Goliath, choose 5 smooth stones, load his sling shot bag, run at the giant, and say - “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty … whom you have defiled.”  Then David sailed a stone that was heard around the world. Goliath fell to the ground with a thud.  His defeat shook the earth.  And everyone saw that Goliaths could be defeated.

Being a Faith Hero

A faith hero successfully goes with God’s call into an adventure of giving life to other people.  The call demands:

•Vision of what is to be accomplished;

•Risk of self trust in God’s empowerment of self, and;

•Means creation of new beginnings.

Through his or her spirit, the faith hero has mind and body blended into a cohesive whole.

1 Samuel 17: 47 (NIV) says “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

A Prayer for Becoming Heroes

We are Yours, O Lord.  Hold us close as You send us into the world.  Guide us through the dangers which come along the way.  Mold us through each scary scene so we may be humbly bold.  Empower our talents that we may serve Your intended purpose.  Connect our hearts to others so we may know their joys & fears.  Toughen us to be loyal and true at all times.  Sting our conscience when we are wrong.  Renew us as we repent.  Empower us to abundant living through Your Holy Spirit.  Transform us as ordinary people with extra/ordinary faith to be Your extraordinary servants - heroes in Christ, who see the joy You set before us, as we love our way through life.  Today and Forever, Amen.

Pastor Les

David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.”

But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth.  When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.  Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.  The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.”

Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic.  He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head.  David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.

      ”I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.”  So he took them off.  Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David.  He looked David over and saw that he was only a boy, ruddy and handsome, and he despised him.  He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?”  And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.  “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”

David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.  This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head.  Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.  All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”

-I Samuel 17:32-47

This article was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church.  For more information about how God works in your life, or to contact Dr. Hollon, click over to Trinity Baptist Church.

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When I was involved with Project Compassion, an end-of-life care nonprofit, I learned the healing power of sharing our stories.

Early in its inception, Project Compassion sponsored a “Talking Circle,” structured after the Native American tradition.  A small group met once a week focusing on our personal experiences with serious illness, death, and grief.

Many of the participants had never met before. Bound by our common vulnerability, sacred trust soon developed.  Listening to the stories of others, I was able to move beyond my private pain, and my heart broke open to “the pain” present in all of our lives.

Watching others bravely face their sadness, I was encouraged to deal with my own grief over the death of my dear friend, Rhonda.  When one woman explained how losing her husband had reminded her of the preciousness of her own life, I was inspired to begin to “live again.”

Such is the power of sharing our stories.  Telling our stories, and listening to others, opens us to our human connection–we all love, we all experience holy laughter, holy tears, and ultimately, we all will die. 

These truths hold for women and men, young and old, conservatives and liberals, Muslims and Christians, Caucasians and Hispanics.

Imagine the healing that could come in our politics and our pews if we simply listened devoutly to the story of those we have labeled as “Other.”

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.   

- Mark 6:34 (NIV)

Mary Bea Sullivan is the author of Dancing Naked Under the Moon - Uncovering the Wisdom Within, a compelling story about her pilgrimage toward wholeness.  She facilitates spiritual retreats and workshops for women’s groups and faith communities.  Mary Bea lives with her husband, Malcolm Marler, and their yellow (white really) lab, Daisy, on Smith Lake in Alabama. For more information about Mary Bea Sullivan and her work, please visit www.MaryBeaSullivan.com.

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While riding down the highway years ago, Ruth Graham noticed a sign beside the road: “End of construction - Thank you for your patience.”  With a smile, she said that those were the words she wanted on her gravestone.  After she passed away, her request was honored.

Today when you visit her gravesite on the grounds of the Billy Graham library, you will see that her epitaph is also connected to the Chinese character for righteousness. 

With the end in sight, we can work today to realize God’s great hopes for our lives…

As King David learned and Ruth Graham understood, our success in the holy endeavor of living is only possible through God’s gracious empowerment. There is a wise saying, “If you want to make God laugh then tell Him your plans.”  But we also recall the biblical proverb “where there is no vision the people perish.”  Consequently our only way forward is with an attitude of bold humility.

We sense the direction of God’s leadership but humbly relinquish any sense of controlling the outcome.  But only by boldly pursuing the possibilities can we discover by experience what is actually possible.  And only by trying, can we advance to a vantage point where we can see more clearly what God’s best hopes actually are for us.

We know that course corrections will be required along the way.  However we prefer to endeavor a successful future by intentionally thinking about the future rather than to guarantee failure by not trusting God enough to see what is possible. 

This essential truth is conveyed through the classic conversation between David, Nathan and God about who should build the Temple, II Samuel 7. Though God told David “no” to his heart desire to be the builder, God revealed to him an even greater “yes.” Instead, God would make possible for David’s influence to be known through the ages.

In response, David humbly renewed His trust in God’s sovereign care, “For the sake of Your word and according to Your will…” 

Are you willing to live with the end in sight in order to experience God’s best for your life?  Then make the same commitments that David did:

•Desire & inquire about God’s hopes for the future (II Samuel 7: 2, 18)

•Listen for and discern God’s answers (7: 27-29)

•Commit to act on what you learn, which will then position you to see the end more clearly.

Pastor Les

He said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”

-II Samuel 7:2

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said:
       “Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

_II Samuel 7:18

This article was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church.  For more information about how God works in your life, or to contact Dr. Hollon, click over to Trinity Baptist Church.

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None of us are perfect, and neither was my father. Lewis Marler would have been the first person to tell you so.

If he was reading this blog he would say to me, “Malcolm, you’re making me sound too good.  I made lots of mistakes.  People are going to think too highly of me.”

There are not many of us who would worry about being thought of “too highly.”  But my father did.

In fact, he worried about a lot about of things.

He worried about what others thought of him. He worried if he had disappointed persons.  If he made a promise and for some reason couldn’t fulfill it, he would worry himself sick over it.

If he bought a new car, he worried that people in the church would think they were paying the pastor too much.  He turned down salary raises many years.

He worried about what he said to others, and would ruminate over it trying to determine if it was the absolute truth, and if it was a kind thing to say.

“I hope Richard Francis didn’t think I was criticizing that other pastor too much.  I shouldn’t have said what I did,” I remember him telling me one day.  Of course, when he eventually called Richard and apologized for it, his friend would laugh it off and say, “Lewis, I don’t even remember you saying anything about him.”  But my father remembered.

At times, his worry meter was on steroids.

He worried about whether or not he had told the absolute truth and nothing but the truth to a friend, colleague or parishioner.  Thank God he was never asked to testify in court.  That would have been torture for him trying to make sure every word was exactly the truth.

One April he called his tax accountant, Harry, and told him that he wasn’t sure if he had reported an honorarium for one wedding (maybe $50) on his taxes as miscellaneous income.  “Do we need to add that to my income line?” he asked.

Harry, who was more used to people calling him to see if they could get a deduction for some questionable circumstance, finally had to be clear and direct with my Dad.  “Lewis, I do not want you to call me one more time about a $25 or $50 gift you might have received,” Harry chided.  “I’ve got too many other things on my plate right now.”  Harry wasn’t used to such honesty from his clients.

In essence, my father struggled with the human condition more than many.  No one is perfect, though he wanted and strived to be.  He wanted always to do the right thing, and always wanted to say the right thing.

He gave grace or forgiveness to everyone else but parceled it to himself crumb by crumb.  Although on some occasions, he could see how ludicrous his efforts were and could laugh at himself.

I do not know where he inherited this “worry gene.” My hunch is his mother taught him to be an expert worrier.  After all, she had seven children to feed and a husband who didn’t make much money.  The Great Depression started around 1929 when my dad was 8 and lasted until through his college years.  Worry was in the air he and others breathed.

Some lessons are taught by our parents in reverse fashion.  Instead of us wanting to do something like they did, we grow up saying we want to do or be the opposite.

The reverse lesson in this story is, “Don’t worry so much.  Give yourself some grace and forgiveness.  Be gentle with yourself.  Nobody is perfect.”

We have a saying in the South for my father that fits nicely here, “Bless his heart.”  He tried hard to practice what he preached.  But we all have clay feet.

And by the way, I hope you don’t think I’m being too critical of my father in this post.  I worry about that.  My father taught me so.

Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever…

- Isak Dinesen

I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn’t need any advice from me. With God in charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about.

-Henry Ford

Malcolm Marler is Director of Pastoral Care for UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL.  In addition to his interest in spirituality and health, he loves to identify physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of persons, then design and build programs that help meet those needs.  His warmth and humor along with his powerful message of hope and grace is his greatest strength.  Malcolm grew up in Alabama and attended Clemson University (S.C.) on a football scholarship as a defensive back where he graduated with a B.A. degree in Psychology.  He is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY with Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees.  Malcolm lives on a lake in North Alabama with the love of his life, Mary Bea Sullivan.  He has two open-hearted, loving stepchildren, Brendan and Kiki who are both freshman in college.  For more information or to contact Malcolm, please visit www.MalcolmMarler.com.

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God inspired the Bible to be written so we could live inspired lives by reading the Bible. And from this we can know how to share the good news of God’s love with others.

The Bible’s Trustworthiness.  The Bible was written over a period of 1,500 years, by more than 40 authors living on three continents, in several languages, around God’s central theme of salvation.

The Bible has been under more scrutiny than any other book, for the longest period of time, and proven itself time and again to be God’s trustworthy promise for our lives.  The authority of Scripture means the word of God reveals the ways of God so the people of God can know how to live.  Covering more subjects than any other book, except a dictionary or encyclopedia, the Bible is God’s message for our daily living.

The Bible is organized into 66 individual books, containing 1,189 chapters.  The Old Testament has 39 books with a total of 929 chapters and the New Testament has 27 books with 260 chapters.  The Bible is divided into 31,101 verses, with the Old Testament having 23,144; verses and the New Testament having 7,957 verses.  Psalm 117 is the Bible’s shortest chapter and Psalm 119 is the Bible’s longest chapter.  John 11:35, “Jesus wept” is the Bible’s shortest verse and with 68 words, Revelation 20:4 is the New Testament’s longest verse.  All of which is interesting without being life-changing.

The power for transformation comes by our being in a personal relationship with God, who then inspires us to ask, understand and apply the meaning of each verse.

By asking the following three questions, the Spirit-inspired Scriptures will inspire us to understand and apply what we read:

•How does this passage help me to know God?

•How does this passage help me to know myself?

•How does passage help me to know the world in which I live?

When we are tempted, we know that God provides an escape route, I Cor. 10:13.  When we ache to know God, we can be focused in His presence, Ps. 46:10.  When we need to know what has lasting value, we listen to Jesus’ teachings that sustain us during stormy seasons in life, Mt. 7:24-27.  So when we feel despair, remember that we can “know in whom we believe, and are persuaded that He is able to keep that which we have committed to Him…” II Tim. 1:12.

Timothy.  The life of a brave early Christian, Timothy, brings into focus how we can do this.  Timothy grew up in a multicultural family, which can enrich or confuse.  His mother was Jewish and his father, Greek.  His mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois, taught him Scripture when he was a boy; from this he was “made wise … thoroughly equipping him for every situation he would face,” II Tim. 3:15-17.

The Scriptures helped Timothy to understand himself in light of who God is.

He came into salvation during the Apostle Paul’s first missionary journey, and Paul then became Timothy’s mentor, I Tim. 1:2.  Paul taught Timothy how to study the Scriptures for life application, “Study to show yourself as a workman who does not need to be ashamed because you are discerning how to live and share the word of truth,” II Tim. 2:15.

Read the following passages to learn more how Timothy understood and shared the Scriptures as God’s good news: I & II Timothy; Acts 14:6-23; 16:1-5; 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Romans 16:21; I Cor. 4:17; 16:10; II Cor. 1:19; Phil. 2:19,22-23; I Thes. 3:2,6; Hebrews 13:23.

Pastor Les Hollon

But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the good news.

In Lystra and Derbe

In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

                But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.” Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

                Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

The Return to Antioch in Syria

                They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders^[a] for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.                           

- Acts 14:6-23 (NIV)

For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

- I Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

This article was written by Les Hollon, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church.  For more information about God and your place in His world, contact Dr. Hollon, click over to Trinity Baptist Church.

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