Conversations with Ray Martinez

Paul felt it necessary to stir Timothy up and guard him against the possibility of unchristian dereliction of duty as to bold confession of Christ. we shouldn’t be ashamed because He has equipped us, and in fact, he instructs us not to be ashamed, but to share in sufferings. God gave Timothy  (and us) everything needed to accomplish the job.  He empowers us before He ever expects from us.  He gives before he demands.We receive His competence before we receive His commands. God will never ask you to do something that He hasn’t already equipped you with…you have the tools, use them!

Paul was keenly interested in the life and ministry of Timothy, and he wanted to make sure that Timothy used the gift he was given effectively, for the glory of God.  It’s not that Paul thought Timothy’s faith was weak or dying out, but that he wanted Timothy to experience the fullness of God’s gift. The gifts we receive from the Lord through the filling of the Holy Spirit are not given to us fully developed but need to be strengthened and matured through use.  God wants us to do His good works through the gift(s) He gave us. A man does not become a Christian by doing these good works, but rather he does these good works because he is a Christian.

What does Paul mean when he says that he wants us “to understand what really matters?  He also says that he runs with purpose in every step.  Otherwise, his preaching may disqualify him.  He compares this to the athlete that is in training…be useful and purposeful, otherwise you can’t win the race. Why?  so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ’s return. Paul notes that we must destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. I like what someone wrote on twitter:  Only God can turn a MESS into a MESSage, a TEST into a TESTimony, a TRIal into a TRIumph, a VICTim into a VICTory. GOD is GOOD!  Resource:  JFB commentary on the bible, Alexander MacClaren bible commentary, NLT study bible

In this passage, Paul has a special place in his heart for the people.  Do you have a special place for others? We know God has a special favor for us…he has a fondness, and a thoughtful place in his majesticness for each one of us. Compassion requires caring for others by sharing and doing special favors for others…be a blessing to them. When you are blessed, bless others. If you are not being blessed, bless others anyway and you will be blessed.

I had the opportunity to interview Dylan, from Las Vegas, NM, about his quest to find the right college for him.  Little do we know, this really is a journey for many students who trying to find the right fit.  Dylan shares his ideas, struggles, and thoughtful concepts on how to find away to get on the right path to higher education.

This is one of many family stories of my cousins and I growing up.  This particular story was with his brothers on a mini-bike in Cheyenne, WY, on a unlicensed mini-bike and the police saw them.  The chase was on!  Short stories to laugh about.

If you ever had trouble completing a big project such as painting a house, writing a novel, or earning a diploma, the thought of the Heavenly Father beginning a good work in you and completing it is an awesome one. Reflect on the commitment it takes to go through the ups and downs of completing the work. You have accepted Jesus as your Savior. Now, the Father is determined to accomplish His will in and through you. When you received Jesus as your Savior, He gave you the gift of the Spirit who works in you to produce godly character. Let’s Think about what good work He is doing in us! What God began, let us continue. God can get us through this if we learn to love like He loved us. It’s hard to love someone when you’re judging them. And it is hard to judge someone if you love them; that’s your barometer.

Uncle Reuben passed away on May 2, 2021, but not without leaving a legacy of success, humor, and family traditions. I'm sharing my personal perspective of my Uncle Reuben and what he left us to remember and learn from.  I think all of us will have some takeaways in this special podcast edition.  We salute you, Uncle Reuben for serving your Country during the Korean War, serving  your family, and holding onto family tradition.

There is a difference between the two books of God (God’s volume of self-revelations…verse 7 introduces us to Volume Two of God’s revelation—“the law of the Lord.”  Both volumes glorify God and inspire the worship of thoughtful persons. His Word reveals Him as the One who enters into covenant relationship with His people. God’s work reveal His knowledge and power but His Word reveals His love and grace. Scientific truth may stimulate our intellect but spiritual truth convicts our heart and conscience! Public hate as we are seeing today, is not the way of God. Jesus set the example by even washing Judas’ feet with the other disciples, knowing that Judas was his enemy…that’s how you love your enemy.  In my experience, it's easier to "Agape" someone you dislike (or who dislikes you) when you pray for them. Because when you pray for them, God often opens your heart to seeing people the way that God sees them, rather than the way you see them. Your friends will not point out your faults, but your enemies will. Your enemies will help you see what needs to be changed in your life while your friends will overlook your faults.

Resource:

1.  Timothy Keller, an American pastor.  He’s a theologian, and Christian apologist.  He’s the chairman and co-founder of Redeemer City to City, which trains pastor for service in around the world.

2.  Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the whole bible.

3.  Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary

4.  NLT study bible notes

5.  Openbible.info

6.  Doug Fields, youth pastor at Mariner Church, Irvine, CA, service on 122321 9:30am service

7.  William MacDonald bible commentary

We are discussing the "cause" that God wants us to pursue.  I'll break it down to the Passion, Pursuit, and Purpose of God's cause. Ultimately, nothing can stop God’s cause.  Herod, Bar-Jesus both tried but failed miserably. But here are a couple of people that were called to the "cause"; "...the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”  We are all called to carry out the work of God and to do it in the image of Jesus. Whatever we do for God must come from a place of overflowing love, worship, and surrender.  Rather than making decisions to please ourselves, we make decisions that will please the Lord.