Two padlocks

Two padlocks

by 

Terry Sturtevant

This picture reminded me of two very old padlocks on my my tool shed in that they too were very hard to use. My guess is they are ten to maybe twenty years old. They were on the sheds when we purchased the house about eighteen years ago. Yes, they very good locks!

I began to notice some trouble with them this summer. One of them would only work if I twisted the lock and manipulated the key at the same time.  The other lock didn't want to close and lock. It became bothersome because when I tried to close it... it would pop right open!

I got an idea. It was simple and inexpensive; so worth a try. I took a clean plastic (yogurt?)cup and put the locks in it and along with just enough oil to cover the locks. When I saw air bubbles on the surface of the oil I knew the oil was getting inside the very heart of the locks and coating the internal mechanisms. 

Three days passed and then I remembered the oil soaked locks. I removed them from the cup and drained off as much oil as I could. Then I placed them into another container to finish draining. The next day I dried them off and tried the keys. They were easy to turn; no resistance, no pulling, twisting or struggling at all. The locks had been almost junked, but after the oil had penetrated to the heart of their workings; they were usable again.  I saved myself about $20.

When we bathe our hearts in God's word they are softened and made usable like those two locks!  Open your heart with an application of His Word. You will change... I know, because of the locks!

Consider....

Proverbs 2

  1 My son, if you will receive my words,
and store up my commandments within you;
  2 So as to turn your ear to wisdom,
and apply your heart to understanding;
  3 Yes, if you call out for discernment,
and lift up your voice for understanding;
  4 If you seek her as silver,
and search for her as for hidden treasures:
  5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh,
and find the knowledge of God.
  6 For Yahweh gives wisdom.
Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
  7 He lays up sound wisdom for the upright.
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity;
  8 that he may guard the paths of justice,
and preserve the way of his saints.
  9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice,
equity and every good path.
  10 For wisdom will enter into your heart.
Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

Sept. 16 Psalms 74-76

Sept. 16

Psalms 74-76

Psa 74:1 God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?

Psa 74:2 Remember your congregation, which you purchased of old, which you have redeemed to be the tribe of your inheritance; Mount Zion, in which you have lived.

Psa 74:3 Lift up your feet to the perpetual ruins, all the evil that the enemy has done in the sanctuary.

Psa 74:4 Your adversaries have roared in the midst of your assembly. They have set up their standards as signs.

Psa 74:5 They behaved like men wielding axes, cutting through a thicket of trees.

Psa 74:6 Now they break all its carved work down with hatchet and hammers.

Psa 74:7 They have burned your sanctuary to the ground. They have profaned the dwelling place of your Name.

Psa 74:8 They said in their heart, "We will crush them completely." They have burned up all the places in the land where God was worshiped.

Psa 74:9 We see no miraculous signs. There is no longer any prophet, neither is there among us anyone who knows how long.

Psa 74:10 How long, God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever?

Psa 74:11 Why do you draw back your hand, even your right hand? Take it out of your pocket and consume them!

Psa 74:12 Yet God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.

Psa 74:13 You divided the sea by your strength. You broke the heads of the sea monsters in the waters.

Psa 74:14 You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces. You gave him as food to people and desert creatures.

Psa 74:15 You opened up spring and stream. You dried up mighty rivers.

Psa 74:16 The day is yours, the night is also yours. You have prepared the light and the sun.

Psa 74:17 You have set all the boundaries of the earth. You have made summer and winter.

Psa 74:18 Remember this, that the enemy has mocked you, Yahweh. Foolish people have blasphemed your name.

Psa 74:19 Don't deliver the soul of your dove to wild beasts. Don't forget the life of your poor forever.

Psa 74:20 Honor your covenant, for haunts of violence fill the dark places of the earth.

Psa 74:21 Don't let the oppressed return ashamed. Let the poor and needy praise your name.

Psa 74:22 Arise, God! Plead your own cause. Remember how the foolish man mocks you all day.

Psa 74:23 Don't forget the voice of your adversaries. The tumult of those who rise up against you ascends continually.

Psa 75:1 We give thanks to you, God. We give thanks, for your Name is near. Men tell about your wondrous works.

Psa 75:2 When I choose the appointed time, I will judge blamelessly.

Psa 75:3 The earth and all its inhabitants quake. I firmly hold its pillars. Selah.

Psa 75:4 I said to the arrogant, "Don't boast!" I said to the wicked, "Don't lift up the horn.

Psa 75:5 Don't lift up your horn on high. Don't speak with a stiff neck."

Psa 75:6 For neither from the east, nor from the west, nor yet from the south, comes exaltation.

Psa 75:7 But God is the judge. He puts down one, and lifts up another.

Psa 75:8 For in the hand of Yahweh there is a cup, full of foaming wine mixed with spices. He pours it out. Indeed the wicked of the earth drink and drink it to its very dregs.

Psa 75:9 But I will declare this forever: I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

Psa 75:10 I will cut off all the horns of the wicked, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.

Psa 76:1 In Judah, God is known. His name is great in Israel.

Psa 76:2 His tabernacle is also in Salem; His dwelling place in Zion.

Psa 76:3 There he broke the flaming arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah.

Psa 76:4 Glorious are you, and excellent, more than mountains of game.

Psa 76:5 Valiant men lie plundered, they have slept their last sleep. None of the men of war can lift their hands.

Psa 76:6 At your rebuke, God of Jacob, both chariot and horse are cast into a deep sleep.

Psa 76:7 You, even you, are to be feared. Who can stand in your sight when you are angry?

Psa 76:8 You pronounced judgment from heaven. The earth feared, and was silent,

Psa 76:9 when God arose to judgment, to save all the afflicted ones of the earth. Selah.

Psa 76:10 Surely the wrath of man praises you. The survivors of your wrath are restrained.

Psa 76:11 Make vows to Yahweh your God, and fulfill them! Let all of his neighbors bring presents to him who is to be feared.

Psa 76:12 He will cut off the spirit of princes. He is feared by the kings of the earth.

Sept. 16 1 Corinthians 12

Sept. 16

1 Corinthians 12

1Co 12:1 Now concerning spiritual things, brothers, I don't want you to be ignorant.

1Co 12:2 You know that when you were heathen, you were led away to those mute idols, however you might be led.

1Co 12:3 Therefore I make known to you that no man speaking by God's Spirit says, "Jesus is accursed." No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," but by the Holy Spirit.

1Co 12:4 Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

1Co 12:5 There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord.

1Co 12:6 There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all.

1Co 12:7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all.

1Co 12:8 For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit;

1Co 12:9 to another faith, by the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, by the same Spirit;

1Co 12:10 and to another workings of miracles; and to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; and to another the interpretation of languages.

1Co 12:11 But the one and the same Spirit works all of these, distributing to each one separately as he desires.

1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.

1Co 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit.

1Co 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.

1Co 12:15 If the foot would say, "Because I'm not the hand, I'm not part of the body," it is not therefore not part of the body.

1Co 12:16 If the ear would say, "Because I'm not the eye, I'm not part of the body," it's not therefore not part of the body.

1Co 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be?

1Co 12:18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired.

1Co 12:19 If they were all one member, where would the body be?

1Co 12:20 But now they are many members, but one body.

1Co 12:21 The eye can't tell the hand, "I have no need for you," or again the head to the feet, "I have no need for you."

1Co 12:22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

1Co 12:23 Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety;

1Co 12:24 whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part,

1Co 12:25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

1Co 12:26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

1Co 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

1Co 12:28 God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages.

1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers?

1Co 12:30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?

1Co 12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY" Chapter Four by Mark Copeland

                    "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                              Chapter Four

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see the need for diligence in preaching the word of God

2) To note the satisfaction Paul had in looking back over his service 
   to Christ, and the confidence he possessed as he looked forward to
   the Judgment Day and the heavenly kingdom

SUMMARY

The final chapter begins with a charge for Timothy to preach the word
at all times.  The time was coming when people would not listen to
sound doctrine, but instead follow teachers who would tell what they
wanted to hear.  Timothy was therefore to be watchful, to endure what
afflictions might come his way, and to do the work as an evangelist as
he fulfilled his ministry (1-5).

Knowing that his own end was near, Paul expresses personal satisfaction
that he has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the 
faith.  He is confident that there is laid up for him that crown of 
righteousness which the Lord will give to all who have loved His 
appearing (6-8).

Timothy is then told to be diligent to come quickly.  Only Luke is with
Paul as he writes, for Demas has forsaken him and others have left to 
go to other places.  Requests are made, one related to getting Mark and
bringing him along, followed by a warning about Alexander the 
coppersmith.  A reference is made concerning those who forsook Paul at 
his first defense, for whom Paul prays it might not be charged against 
them.  During that time the Lord stood by Paul, and he is confident 
that the Lord would deliver him from every evil work and preserve him
for the heavenly kingdom (9-18).

Timothy is then asked to relay greetings to Paul's dear friends.  Brief
references are made to Erastus and Trophimus, followed by a plea for 
Timothy to come before winter.  Finally, Paul sends greetings from 
various brethren and closes the letter with a prayer that the Lord will
be with Timothy (19-22).

OUTLINE

I. EXHORTATION TO PREACH THE WORD (1-5)

   A. A SOLEMN CHARGE (1-2)
      1. Before God and the Lord Jesus Christ (1)
         a. Who will judge the living and the dead
         b. At His appearing and His kingdom
      2. To preach the word! (2)
         a. Be ready in season and out of season
         b. Convince, rebuke, exhort
         c. With all longsuffering and teaching

   B. THE REASON FOR THIS CHARGE (3-4)
      1. The time is coming when people will not endure sound doctrine
         (3)
         a. According to their own desires they will heap up for 
            themselves teachers
         b. For they will have itching ears
      2. They will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned
         aside to fables (4)

   C. RELATED EXHORTATIONS (5)
      1. Be watchful in all things
      2. Endure afflictions
      3. Do the work of an evangelist
      4. Fulfill your ministry

II. EXHORTATION TO COME QUICKLY (6-18)

   A. HIS TIME IS COMING TO AN END (6-8)
      1. Already being poured out like a drink offering, his departure
         is at hand (6)
      2. Expressions of his faithfulness (7)
         a. He has fought the good fight
         b. He has finished the race
         c. He has kept the faith
      3. His confidence concerning the future (8)
         a. A crown of righteousness is laid up for him
         b. Which will be given by the Lord, the righteous Judge
            1) Given to him on that Day (of judgment)
            2) Given to all who have loved His appearing

   B. A PLEA TO COME QUICKLY (9-16)
      1. For Demas has forsaken him, having loved this present world
         (9-10a)
      2. Crescens and Titus have left, having gone to various places
         (10b)
      3. Only Luke is with him (11a)
      4. Bring Mark, for he is useful to Paul for ministry (11b)
      5. Tychicus has been sent to Ephesus (12)
      6. Bring the cloak and the books, especially the parchments (13)
      7. A warning against Alexander the coppersmith (14-15)
      8. He was forsaken at his first defense, but prays it will not be
         charged against them (16)

   C. THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE LORD (17-18)
      1. The Lord stood with him and strengthened him (17)
         a. So that the message was preached fully by him to the 
            Gentiles
         b. And he was delivered out of the mouth of the lion
      2. The Lord will deliver and preserve him (18)
         a. Deliver him from every evil work
         b. Preserve him for His heavenly kingdom
         -- For which glory belongs to the Lord!

III. CONCLUDING REMARKS (19-22)

   A. MISCELLANEOUS GREETINGS AND FINAL INSTRUCTIONS (19-21)
      1. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus (19)
      2. Erastus stayed in Corinth, Trophimus was left sick in Miletus
         (20)
      3. Timothy is to do his best to come before winter (21a)
      4. Greetings from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the 
         brethren (21b)

   B. BENEDICTION (22)
      1. The Lord Jesus Christ be with his spirit
      2. Grace be with him. Amen.

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Exhortation to preach the word (1-5)
   - Exhortation to come quickly (6-18)
   - Concluding remarks (19-22)

2) When will Jesus judge the living and the dead? (1)
   - At His appearing and His kingdom

3) How was Timothy to carry out the charge to preach the word? (2)
   - Be ready at all times
   - Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching

4) What would some people not endure?  What will they do instead? (3)
   - Sound doctrine
   - According to their own desires they will heap up for themselves
     teachers

5) What will they turn away from?  What will they be turned aside to?
   (4)
   - The truth
   - Fables

6) What four-fold exhortation is given to Timothy in view of such 
   things to come? (5)
   - Be watchful in all things
   - Endure afflictions
   - Do the work of an evangelist
   - Fulfill his ministry

7) What did Paul know was drawing near? (6)
   - The time of his departure

8) What three phrases does Paul use to describe his life as a 
   Christian? (7)
   - I have fought the good fight
   - I have finished the race
   - I have kept the faith

9) What did Paul expect to receive from the Lord?  Who else would 
   receive it? (8)
   - The crown of righteousness
   - All who have loved His appearing

10) What does Paul ask of Timothy? (9)
   - Come to him quickly

11) Who had forsaken Paul, and why? (10)
   - Demas, because he loved this present world

12) Who alone was with Paul when he wrote this epistle? (11)
   - Luke

13) Why did Paul want Timothy to get Mark and bring him with him? (11)
   - He was useful to Paul for service

14) What else did Paul want Timothy to bring? (13)
   - A cloak left at Troas, some books and parchments

15) Of whom did Paul warn Timothy to beware? (14-15)
   - Alexander the coppersmith

16) What did Paul desire for those who had forsook him at his first
    defense? (16)
   - That it not be charged against them

17) Who stood with Paul during his first defense and strengthened him?
    (17)
   - The Lord

18) What two things was Paul confident the Lord would do for him? (18)
   - Deliver him from every evil work
   - Preserve him for His heavenly kingdom

19) Who did Paul want Timothy to greet for him? (19)
   - Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus

20) When did Paul want Timothy to come? (21)
   - Before winter

21) Who sent greetings to Timothy by way of Paul? (21)
   - Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brethren

22) What did Paul pray for in behalf of Timothy as he closed this 
    letter? (22)
   - The Lord Jesus Christ be with his spirit
   - Grace be with him