Daily Prayer 2/6/08

I was reading studying something else tonight when this verse stood out to me....(regarding error)

1 Tim 6:3-5 If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited {and} understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.

Wow! This is Christianity in the world today! So much time is spent arguing over silly things and the persons motive is often not a pure motive. Often it is pride, conceit, or envy.

Now when you see sin in scripture, always examine your self first. I have examined myself and know that I do say strong things....do I stir up unnecessary strife? The key is the first verse....

"If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ,"

We MUST defend a pure doctrine from scripture.....it's error that is against scripture we must defend against.....we must stand up against "a different doctrine".

So please don't think I stir up trouble for the sake of causing trouble. I only ask that you let your doctrine be formed by SCRIPTURE, not me or any other person or any other church.....

Father-

Thank You for teaching us from Your Word! I feel like a young student learning so much and knowing there is SO much to learn. But I am having a blast learning about You and this life You have given us to live.

Father, if our life was stripped of everything but food and clothes and shelter, could we still be happy and still view life as "a blast"? I think if our answer is no, then we have a wrong focus. We are seeking joy in people, places, things, entertainment......there is nothing wrong with them, but we seek the things of this world thinking they will bring us joy and they will make life fun.

It's all fleeting and will only disappoint when it fails to bring the joy we thought it would bring....plus how much sin will occur as we try to attain these things?

Let Christ be our joy. Let our love for YOU be the deep seated root of all our life's joy. Then all the things this life offers can be the icing on our cake.....sweet and enjoyable, but only because we first have YOU.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for dying for our sins. We trust in Your resurrection and look forward to our resurrection through You.

Amen.