ALIVE TODAY

A research study by Arizona Christian University found that only 37 percent of American pastors hold to a biblical worldview. Many do not hold biblical beliefs on issues such as salvation and human sexuality. For example, "at least a third of senior pastors in the United States believe one can earn a place in Heaven by simply being a good person." A similar number see reincarnation as a real possibility.

These pastors were found to spend little time in God's Word. If we want to hold to sound doctrine, we must know the Bible. In today's reading, the apostle Paul gave his friend and colleague Timothy, pastoring in Ephesus, a serious charge to "Preach the word" (vv. 1–2). God the Father and God the Son are called as witnesses to this charge. Timothy is to use the Word to correct, rebuke, and encourage. He should always be prepared "with great patience and careful instruction."

Great patience is required because most people don't really want sound doctrine (vv. 3–4). Sometimes they won't even tolerate it. Instead, they prefer to have their ears tickled. They follow false teachers who say what they want to hear (see 1 Kings 22:1 28). They turn away from the truth and toward lies and deceptions. Because of sin and Satan, people don't naturally love truth. Even believers must cultivate love of truth as a godly habit.

In the middle of this, we are to keep our heads (v. 5). This means we must stay awake, alert, calm, cool-headed, sober, clear-headed, and vigilant. Instead of being pushed or influenced in the wrong direction or seeking to please people or cater to their feelings, we're to stand our ground on the Word and sound doctrine. Even if we endure hardship, which is inevitable, we're to continue ministering and remain faithful.

>> There is a lot of so-called Christian teaching readily available for us today. This calls for biblical discernment. Be sure to compare what you're watching and hearing with Scripture so you can tell if it is truly from God.

 Unsubscribe? Click HereHaving trouble viewing this email? Click Here  The Secret Of Our Identity A daily devotion for July 15th From your friends at RayStedman.org  Read: John 14:15-20   I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18   

Here Jesus tells us the secret of our identity as believers. The most fundamental fact of our life as Christians is there: Jesus says that He is not going to leave His disciples desolate or as orphans. These men are frightened. They know that He is going away. They remember the intimations He has given that it will be by violence, by being taken and beaten and ultimately crucified. And they are fearful--not only for Him but for themselves. But now He reassures them: I'm not going to leave you orphans; I'm not going to abandon you. I will come to you.

He is not talking here about His second coming. His reference to that is in verse 3 where He has said that He will come again and take them to Himself. At his second coming, John tells us, Every eye will see him (Revelation 1:7). But here is a way of coming that the world will not see, but in which the disciples will not only see Him but live by Him: Because I live, you will live also. That is more than merely a reference to His resurrection and the promise of our resurrection some day. It is really a reference to His coming by the Spirit, the result of which will be you in Me, and I in you. And that is to be the secret of our lives, as His relationship with the Father was the secret of His life.

I find Christians all over this country who do not understand this truth about their new life in Christ. The truth from which they get their identity is this fact: Jesus is in them and lives in them. It is to this fact that they should return whenever there are pressures and problems and demands made upon them, because it is from this fact that the secret of life will flow to them.

The day of the Spirit began on the Day of Pentecost, when suddenly the Spirit of God was poured out upon these believers, and they became changed people. And that day is still with us. It began over two thousand years ago, and it hasn't ended yet. In fact, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood up and bracketed its extremes--the events that would mark the beginning and the end of the day of the Spirit. It begins with the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, as prophesied by the prophet Joel. Peter quotes that prophecy. He says, This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel (Acts 2:16), this pouring out of the Spirit upon people. And it ends, he says, when, The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord (Acts 2:20).

Lord, what a privilege to live in this new day when the Spirit has been poured out and even makes His home in me! Teach me to reckon on this profound reality today.

 Related Message For more on this portion of Scripture, read the message: That Other Helper or listen to the audio by clicking: Listen to Ray Devotions for July  Want to Subscribe / Subscribe to this Daily Devotion by Email Daily Devotion © 2006 by Ray Stedman Ministries.