Daniel 2 - A Reason to Trust the Bible

           If God is outside of time, like we believe He is, then we should expect the book He gave us, the Bible, to also have elements outside of time. It does! It is estimated that 30% of the Bible is prophecy and Daniel 2 is unique in that in approximately 600BC, Daniel gives the history of the world's empires from then on including the future coming kingdom to finish out world history.

        I like to think of time as a long train of box cars going down a track. If you are sitting at an intersection waiting for it to pass, you see one car at a time. If you are in a helicopter high above it, you see the whole train all at once from the engine to the caboose and everything in between. God is in that helicopter. He is outside of time and sees it all at once. We are in the auto watching cars go by one by one. We have seen some of the past but we can't see beyond the present. Daniel 2 sees it all because God wrote the Bible and gave this prophecy actually in a dream to Nebuchadnezzar but interpreted by Daniel.

        Of note is that the Babylonian empire, that Daniel was seeing in the present was seen by Isaiah 140 years prior to this along with the Medes and Persians 70 years later, even naming the Medo Persian king who would release the Jews from bondage, King Cyrus. The Greeks were mentioned so specifically in later chapters of Daniel that it is said when Alexander the Great came to Jerusalem to capture it, the High Priest showed Alexander where he was described in Daniel and Alexander, so impressed, left Judea alone. Micah, Jeremiah, Zechariah, and the Revelations of John all deal with this text, also. These prophecies are so specific that skeptics have believed that they were penned after the fact until the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered which authenticated their early dating.

        Someday soon, however, this statue will come crumbling down. Daniel describes a rock, which symbolizes our solid rock, Jesus, like a bowling ball headed for the pin or a meteor coming down from the sky, destroying the statue. This Rock will set up a kingdom, the Kingdom of God (which BTW I'm already a citizen of) that will last forever at His Second Coming.

         God is sovereign. These things have occurred and will occur. As Handel said in the Hallelujah Chorus

The kingdom of this world (or, The Kingdoms of this world have become...)

(Is become) the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,

King of kings, and Lord of lords,
|: King of kings, and Lord of lords, :|
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

  Aren't you glad you are following the one who controls it all?

 Aren't you glad you are on the winning side?

 Aren't you glad that book you're reading is true and can be trusted?

Thoughts From 1 Timothy - Day 20

 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith..  1Timothy 6:11,12

           As a man, and this passage starts out "man of God" so I'm safe in making it gender specific, I find my worth in making a living or pursuing money. When it gets really out of hand, I'm pursuing wealth which is the abundance of money. This passage straightens me out and tells me what I should be pursuing, or it could be titled "What defines success for the Christian man?"

     First off I would say personal holiness that pleases God (vertically) and the world notices (horizontally). At my new job in Memphis, I was amazed that before people even knew me, they would cuss in front of me and then apologize. One nurse made friendship bracelets and she gave me one that said WWJD. My only explanation is that somehow they saw Jesus in me and I count that as success.

      After righteousness (vertical) and Godliness(horizontal) comes faith. A successful man doesn't always have everything going his way, but he doesn't let it depress or discourage him because he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a God over it all, above it all, sovereign over it all, and that God loves him and is using it in his life for good.

     Third mark of a successful man is there is love in his life. He has a great marriage with a loving wife and kids who love him and vice versa. Not only that but he is known for his love for mankind specifically the downtrodden. Since I'm writing this around Christmas, the opposite of this was Ebeneezer scrooge who had everything this world had to offer but no love, making him anything but a success.

     Fourth is endurance. A successful man is disciplined. He doesn't get tired out and stop doing quiet times, have a mid-life crisis, suffer burn out, or defect from the faith. He doesn't give up on marriage, the church, etc. but endures and perseveres till the very end. As an old man, the younger ones can look to him as a stalwart of the faith and be encouraged.

     Lastly a successful man is gentle and kind. He should be approachable and have time for anybody. He should not be known as a grouchy keep off my grass kind of guy but rather one that realizes that he is in need of grace as much as the next person. Everything he owns and has accumulated, he is actually managing it for the Master.

      Are you a success. Could people say to you, "George Bailey, the richest man in town"?

Thoughts From 1 Timothy - Day 19

 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  1Timothy 6:6-10

          I recently read that the reason so many people are unhappy at work is because they chose a vocation based on how much money they would make rather than what their passion is. Many times your passion will meet your financial needs but not a whole lot of excess. This is particularly true in the case of going into the ministry like Paul and Timothy. Is our passion bringing as many people as we can to saving knowledge of Christ? If it is, then once we have our basic needs met, the remainder of our resources should go into ministries that are advancing the kingdom.

     Why do we put all our effort into accumulating wealth rather than giving it away? The older I get, the more inheritance fights I see. Better to leave nothing. As I work part time in semi retirement, 10 days a month, 6 hours from home when my financial planner says we have enough saved to meet our needs the rest of our lives, I've got to make sure that the main reason I am here is to represent Christ to a whole new audience. If my primary focus is to make money to spend on pleasure, Paul would say, like the widow in chapter 5, I'm dead while I'm living. I'm like the dead vine or tree that stopped bearing fruit. I might as well be done here on Earth. And this is the danger of money - it gets you living for the wrong kingdom.

        Isn't it interesting this common theme in 1 Timothy - What kingdom are you living for? Are you storing up treasure on Earth or treasure in Heaven?

Thoughts From 1 Timothy - Day 18

 These are the things you are to teach and insist on. If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 1Tim. 6:3-5

     In our current environment of "likes" or "followers" or subscriptions = success or popularity or even value, it's not surprising that this has made it into pastoral ministry. Since I spend a good deal of time on Twitter, I get pretty good glimpses of this passage in 1Timothy 6 being played out.

     First of all there is the reformed group. I block every one of them. All they want to do is argue and show how intelligent they are and every system of theology other than theirs is wrong. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words.

      Then there are the prosperity name it claim it teachers who this passage is literally talking about. They think that Godliness is a means to financial gain.

       Then there are the politically right Christian activists who think Trump is God's right hand man. They also have a group of prophets that they listen to. They have conspiracy theories of Deep State and if there is anyone that stirs up strife, malicious talk and evil suspicions and constant friction, this is the group.

       Just ignore these people. Don't give them a platform or even waste your time arguing. Remember, God's servant doesn't quarrel. When you are looking for a pastor, try to find a humble one. It all starts there.

Thoughts From 1 Timothy - Day 17

 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. 1Tim. 6:1-3

        I try to put myself in the servant mindset of the first century and here are the issues or emotions that I think I would have.

   1. Inferiority - Being a servant would be very humbling. Often it was saying, "I'm broke; I'm bankrupt and need help." I would have to place myself under someone saying that they are empirically better than me. As a doctor that would be tough for me because society elevates our value. As a Christian, though, where is our inherent value found? Is it not in our adoption into children of the King? In the kingdom of God, we have as much value as the slave owner and can't be gaslit into thinking we are lesser but in order to maintain dignity we must remember that this world is the "matrix", and reality exists in the Kingdom of God.

      If you have a menial job and you feel inferior and it's affecting your self- worth, your eyes are fixed on the wrong kingdom.

   2. Lack of freedom - As a servant you cannot come and go as you please. Your decisions are not autonomous but made for you. Your only answer is "Yes sir." We live in a country, USA, that was founded on rebellion against authority and it's ingrained in all of us. This would be hard for me. I often spiritualize my decision not to be absorbed by a medical conglomerate but to remain independent, as, "I can't have anyone telling me that I can't pray with patients or share Jesus with them. I must be independent!" Actually though, how much of it deep down is that I don't want people telling me what to do; I want to be free.

        Christians are actually slaves to Christ. We have voluntarily given up our rights and freedom. In exchange He has given us immense freedom to love because He loved us first. If you find yourself in a job where you feel like you have no freedom, just remember that your real boss says that the only freedom that really matters if freedom to love.

    3. Dependent - This point intermingles with 1 and 2 but as a servant you become dependent on someone else for your next meal, your clothes, your shelter - basically all your needs. Any self-sufficiency is gone. We take pride in making it on our own and not needing help from anyone. "I'm too proud to beg!", we say. Actually in the Kingdom of God mindset we realize that we are dependent on God for our next breath and heartbeat. Our salvation depends entirely on His grace and mercy for it. If there is any spiritual mindset of self-sufficiency, then we aren't saved.

     If you feel totally helpless and dependent on your paycheck for your very next meal, just remember that your Father is taking care of you and He has "never forsaken the righteous or their seed begging for bread". "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory."

     Bottom line - if life has you feeling inferior, enslaved, totally dependent, you are focusing on the wrong world , the wrong kingdom, and the wrong boss.

Thoughts From 1 Timothy - Day 16

  The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”[Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning. I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.  1Tim.5:18-25

       A lot of people like to look back on their life and reminisce. Not me. Sure, I miss the years of our kids growing up, etc. but any part of it that looks back on me, I would just as soon not. Why? Frankly because it is embarrassing.  I thought I knew so much yet I knew so little. I thought I was wise but I was a fool. I thought I was humble yet I was so proud. There are incidents after incidents if I had to do over, I would and I look back and all I can say to myself is, "What an idiot you were."

      And yet, there I was at the formation of a fledgling church plant that in order to exist independently, had to have its quota of elders and deacons and I was ordained as an elder. This is what Paul is warning Timothy about - don't be hasty in making people elders and deacons just to fill a quota or because you need help; it's a mistake. Is a 30 year old mature enough to make decisions on hiring a pastor, building a church, settling disputes among members, dealing with alcoholic husbands, depression and burnout of pastor, budgets, hiring and firing of staff, church discipline along with talking to parents about their kids, and more? And it's not just being unprepared at that age that's the problem, it's the arrogance of youth that thinks you are or the naivety of youth not knowing that you aren't ready. I would comfort myself with the Morgan Freeman to Kevin Costner quote in Robin Hood, "there's no such thing as perfect people but there is such a thing as perfect motives."  Unfortunately, over the years I have learned that I can't even trust my motives.

       So what is Paul's teachings to pastors? 

1. You are worth every cent they are paying you because it's a tough job

2. It's better to be physically stressed than emotionally and inter-personally

3. People will come against you but God will protect you and your innocence or guilt will be clear

4. You will be held to a higher standard than anyone else. Make sure this is God's calling for your life

Thoughts From 1Timothy - Day 15

 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. Give the people these instructions, so that no one may be open to blame. Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus, they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to. So, I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.  1Timothy 5:1-13

        Having spent a few years on the Board of a Rescue Ministry, I can relate a little better to a passage like this. I remember complaining about all the rules we had for helping people like -

no walk ins, you have to call and make an appointment

we can only help people once a year and with x amount of dollars

we give vouchers instead of money

a data bank was compiled between churches at Christmas to prevent going from place to place

don't give money to a beggar because they will probably spend it on alcohol or cigarettes

           These are just a few of the rules and they would drive me crazy because I just wanted to help everyone in need. In the long run, though, helping without limitations compounds the problem. For example, requiring an appointment taught certain life skills like waking up early to make a phone call at 9AM when the phone lines opened to grab a limited spot to punctually meet with the director who wouldn't see you if you were late. All these skills are required in life to get and maintain employment. Just helping them once a year for let's say paying rent taught them that paying living expenses is a priority and the necessity of budgeting, so they don't get evicted.

        In this passage we see that Paul, like the rescue ministry, had rules specifically in the area of helping widows. Remember in Acts 6, helping widows became a huge issue in the early church necessitating the formation of the office of deacon so the elders could focus on prayer and teaching instead of using all their time for mercy ministries. When handouts and help is available, unfortunately the potential and certainty of abuse of the system comes into play. Just like people going to multiple sources for Christmas presents, then returning them to Wal-Mart and using the money on scratch offs, it appeared some widows would use the assistance to indulge themselves. Instead of using it for basic needs it was used for drunkenness, etc. and Paul is saying, "Take those people off the list." (The origin of the naughty list)

        Another stipulation was that if widows had family members in the church, the family needed to help them. Paul wasn't concerned with widows only; he was concerned with the family's sanctification as the management of money is central to Christian growth. If "Christians" weren't helping the poor in their family but using all of "their" money on themselves, they needed church discipline at worst and friendly admonishing at least.

       Since resources were limited, like the Rescue ministry, priority needed to be given to those widows who had served the body faithfully. I don't think Paul is saying, "If you have lived a bad life, you don't get help", because that would go against Jesus' example that He came to help those who were undeserving, but rather to prioritize the limited funds and then the leftovers go to the rest.

        Lastly, Paul talks about younger widows not being put on the list. Why? Because they had other options for support like getting married or getting work and giving them handouts enabled laziness. The Rescue Ministry's motto was to teach people to "fish" not just give them "fish". The goal is self-sufficiency not idleness and dependency.

      People that have the gift of mercy aren't going to do well with passages like this while people with the gift of administration are going to like this passage too much. Both gifts are necessary in the body but it helps to know when Christ says in Luke 6, "Give to all who ask", it is OK to put a few qualifiers on that yet always err on the side of mercy because that is God's default mode and it should be ours, too.