Notice on a slight format change:

Except for July 2012, these are mostly a collection of current devotional notes.

July 2012 is a re-write of old quiet times. My second child was born Nov 11, 1987 with multiple birth defects. I've been re-reading my QT notes from that time in my life, and have included them here. They cover the time before the birth and the few years immediately after the birth. They are tagged "historical." I added new insights and labeled them: ((TODAY, dd mmm yy)).

Thursday, January 16, 2025

QT 1/16/2025 Rom 16:17-23, Find good teachers not combative ones

Romans 16:17–23 (ESV) —

17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

 

NOTE: The church is not always such a great place. There are those who cause divisions, create obstacles, and who oppose basic doctrine. The message is to avoid them, but somehow they manage to create a following of people who want their ears itched. I call these people the birds of the church. They nestle in the tree that grew out of a small seed. They are the ones who snatch the word that is sown on the path. In multiple letters to the church, Paul warns them of these people. An example is in Peter's letter:

 

2 Peter 2:1 (ESV) — 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

 

The church can be a dangerous place if you do not look out for the birds. We have some clues. Does you teacher stir division? Is you teacher always fighting against the leadership of the church? Does your leader deny that God's word is true and has the answers we need for life? Does your leader cause you to doubt more or grow stronger in faith?

 

PONDER:

  1. Check yourself: Do you cause division or contribute to unity?
  2. Does your philosophy of life question God or rely on God's truth?

 

PRAYER: Father, expose the evil that creeps into our churches and causes the sheep to doubt you and your word. Help us to grow stronger, not weaker.

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