When the kids
were young and we were highly involved with the church, I got in to the habit
of recording my favorite Sunday football games so that I could watch them
during the week and not take time away from the family in-between the ministry
activities over the weekend. I was never
one to be upset about finding out the outcome of the game before I watched
them. In fact, I kind of liked knowing
the final score before I turned on
the VCR.
That way when
I watched the recording it was like I had “Inside Information” and observed
the game from that standpoint, looking for particular plays, both good or bad
that helped to determine the final outcome.
Added to this was the fact that I had a die-hard 49er fan for a boss at
Hewlett Packard and by the end of the day on Monday we had the game completely
diagnosed, knew what improvements were needed and were highly anticipating the
next game. So even before I actually
watched the game, I had the complete game book analysis for it!
I got the
feeling as I began a study in I Timothy this morning that young Pastor Timothy
also had and endeavored to use the “Inside Information” that his
spiritual father Paul gave to him as he attempted to minister to the needs of
the church in Ephesus. From the very
beginning of the letter it is evident that the great Apostle is sharing with
his protégé from his personal playbook, complete with play by play analysis
from his years of practical experience in the field.
I think that
one of the most important pieces of “Inside Information” that Paul gave
him is found at the very beginning of his pastoral letter in I Timothy
1:1. In his salutation Paul reminds
Timothy of his credentials by declaring that the letter is “From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior…”
and then gives him the greatest secret or “Inside Information” needed
to undergird him throughout each and every day of his life. Paul simply reminded Timothy that “Jesus Christ (is) our confidence.” (God’s
Word ©)
The King
James Version gives us a more familiar translation of that verse saying “the Lord Jesus Christ which is our hope.” But when you look up the word "hope" in the Greek you’ll notice that
it actually is talking about what we are “expecting.” So you could read it as “Jesus Christ who is our expectation.”
That
understanding speaks a clear and deep message to me. For in each and every turn that my life
takes, Jesus Christ and His Word (See John 1:1) is all the “Inside Information” that
I need to have concerning what is happening at that moment. When things happen… the answer Jesus gives me
in His Word is the outcome I am to expect!
The author of
the commentary that I am using in my study of I and II Timothy, Titus and
Philemon wrote concerning this verse that “To
a discouraged Timothy, the title “Our Hope” (or “Our Expectation”) was a real
boost.” I have to tell you that I
experienced that “boost” this morning
after helping my wife partake of her morning meal. She was having a hard time taking in the food
and although she finally ate a good amount, it was difficult for me to see the
changes that have been taking place within her system.
With patience
waning and emotional distress taking its toll, I decided that it was probably
best to just say nothing in English, but only pray in the Spirit and let the
One with the “Inside Information” do what was best for us in that moment of
need. (See Romans 8:26) At moments like
this I NEED to have the absolute peace
of mind in the FACT that Jesus is my
expectation, my hope and/or my confidence!
That “Inside Information” is part of the Word that I mentioned in a
recent blog post that sets us apart from the rest of the world!
Without the
knowledge of that “Inside Information” I don’t know how I would have made it
through these last ten years. How do you
make it through each day? Do you rely on
Jesus’ “Inside Information” or do you look to other sources to meet,
or be your expectations? Think about it…
Have a great
rest of the week, and as you do, keep asking yourself… “Who or What is my ‘Inside
Information’ source of EXPECTATIONS today?”
*”Be Faithful”
a commentary on 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon by Warren W. Wiersbe, ©1981)
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