Author: Greg Teats

1 Timothy Chapter 5

In this chapter, Paul is giving his mentee (Timothy) some practical advice for guiding the church.  Upon reading through the chapter, my mind went straight to the 10 commandments.  Honor your Father and Mother.  Then it was, treat those as you wish to be treated.  Paul gets a little more specific with Timothy here, though.  He brings attention to the older man, the widows, and the elders and how we and the church should be caring and treating them.

THE OLDER MAN – Don’t rebuke the older man but treat him as if he was your father.  This is easy isn’t it?  Look around, do you see everyone else doing this??  If we aren’t, we need to start.  The world today needs to get back to showing a little more respect to one another and not just the ‘older man’.  I am sure we call all agree some of that has been lost in translation of late.  So let us listen to Paul here and work harder at treating people like family, older men and women like fathers and mothers and younger men and women like brothers and sisters.  Start on Sunday mornings at church and carrying it into the beginning of the week at work with those around you.  Continue to treat everyone with dignity, care and genuine love and not favoritism and partiality.

THE WIDOWS – In versus 3-16, Paul is talking about caring for widows and those in need like family.  He goes more into detail on what types of widows and who is someone that is really in need.  He describes that the certain care that should be given based on the relationship you have with that person.  We need to make sure that we are caring for our immediate family first and foremost if we can do so, family should not be our neighbor’s sole responsibility.  It becomes the church’s responsibility more so when someone doesn’t have anyone else to help them.  He also warns against those who are taking advantage of the system, aka those who live carelessly and are more than capable of taking care of themselves.  Basically, be generous, but also wise and fair.  Help those that truly need it, family first, and pay close attention to those who have lived faithfully and have served others when they had the chance.

THE ELDERS – When Paul talks about ‘the elders’ he is not referencing Grandma and Grandpa.  This is directed to leader in and of the church.  Those who teach and preach.  If there is a rumor being spread about an elder, don’t be the one to just continue the gossip.  But if the gossip is true and witnessed by others, then they need to be corrected publicy and held accountable.  I am not sure if this is really happening in 2025 like Paul means it here, but honestly I think it needs to make a comeback.  Interpretation and division have grown vast over time and there is some type of correcting that needs to take place to re-center many churches today.  Just because someone is an elder in the church today doesn’t necessarily mean they deserve it or should be.  Elders should be chosen without bias or favoritism and they themselves should keep these instructions moving forward.  So, support good leaders, handle conflicts fairly, and don’t let gossip or bias cloud your judgment.  Everyone’s true character eventually will show through.

As you go forward, keep in mind the integrity, responsibility and respect we should be expressing toward those in our lives.  Treat others like you want to be treated.  Take care of those in need, especially those you know who need it and can’t do it on their own.  Honor the faithful and hold leaders in the church accountable and just.  And live in a way that reflects wisdom and truth and remember, what’s done in the dark will be brought to the light.

 

Psalm 92

Has anyone ever woken up in the morning to pray or lied down at night to pray and not found at least one thing to give thanks to God??  I know, me either.  In fact, it is 1,000% the opposite.  I bet anyone of us could sit down and write a list to last all day long of everything in our lives that we could thank God for.  I mean, He has given all of us everything that we have so far achieved or received. He brought us through yesterday, gave us this day today, and God willing that we wake up tomorrow and are blessed to praise Him for all we have again until our time on Earth is done.

Psalm 92 is a reminder of this, to be thankful while also being humble.  Sing about His love in the morning and His faithfulness at night.  There will never be a shortage of reasons for any of us to never give thanks to and worship God.  The cycle will repeat every day for the rest of your life.

What we see in the second half of this passage is familiar throughout many stories and messages in the bible.  The wicked always seem to flourish momentarily but it never lasts forever.  It’s the righteous who are always the last left standing.  Verse 12, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon”.  This is God’s people, compared to those that seem to be doing great for a while but wither away, much like a weed.  Even when the tree gets older, it stays fruitful, fresh and full of life.

Verse 15, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.”

 

Psalm 85

As you read through Psalm 85, it shows two sides of God.  First, God’s anger against sin then secondly, God’s salvation that restores sinners and fills them with righteousness.  This psalm follows up after God’s people had been disciplined from what I can tell in earlier psalms, the people of Israel.  God’s anger had been directed to his people but now things seemed to be cooling off, and everyone was repenting and asking God for forgiveness.

The psalmist voices how things are getting hard again.  They are praying for God to not turn his back on them and instead show them mercy and help them once more.  Basically saying, the people that love and honor you are here for you to rescue them again.

Verses 10 thru 13 paraphrased: “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.  Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.  The Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.  Righteousness will go before Him and make His footsteps a way.”

I have heard a prime example of when righteousness and peace kiss each other is when Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  When Jesus died for our sins, we are able to be declared righteous and that brings us into a relationship of peace with God.  Here, we see the reunion with righteousness and peace.  The righteousness bestowed on us and the peace that comes with that need never be separated or estranged again if our trust remains in Jesus.

Psalm 85 is a perfect prayer for anyone hoping for renewal, whether in their family, community, business, or nation.  It is about remembering God’s past faithfulness, owning our need for change, and asking Him to revive hope and blessing in our lives again.

Psalm 80

This is another Psalm written by Asaph that can be described as a prayer to God to help those who felt oppressed or that God has turned his back on them.

If you think about it, verses 1-7 are probably what many of us ask or think about in our prayers quite often.  This small, simple prayer might sum it up a bit:

‘Father, please help me.  Shine Your light on me and keep me safe through the trials that I am going through.  I know there are things that I do that don’t always make You happy, but please don’t ignore me and leave me all alone.  Life can be so difficult. Help me to not embarrass myself by my actions in front of my loved ones so that those with ill intentions can use it against me.  Please restore me and bring me closer to You.’

The rest of the Psalm is Asaph describing how previously God cleared the promise land, drove out the evil nations, and planted a vine.  This vine did very well while it was in the protection of God. But then to the fault of its own, the vine became no longer healthy.  The wall that was there before had been torn down.  Anyone or thing that wanted to do harm to this vine was allowed to do so.

This vine was a depiction of Israel.  God cleared the way for Israel to be safe, to thrive and to be protected.  Once the people of Israel rebelled, God took the walls down.  He let all nations that wanted to oppress Israel go ahead and crush them.

Asaph’s prayer was simple.  ‘God, please come back.  You’ve seen what has happened.  Your people are devastated as if a fire has burnt everything to the ground.  Please restore the vine and make it strong once more.  If you do this, we promise we won’t turn away from you again.’

Now how many times have we prayed in similar ways like this?  “God, if you do this, then I promise to do that.” We know that our intentions are good and just, He knows our intentions are good and just, but how often do we actually hold up our end of the bargain?  I certainly can’t tell you the exact date this Psalm was written by Asaph but Google says it was at least 586 B.C to 722 B.C.  And yet, here in 2025, some of us make promises to God just like they did back then.

Don’t get me wrong, as I said earlier, our intentions are good!  We just need to do a better job of not forgetting who cleared the way for us.  Who planted the vine for us.  And who keeps the walls up and protects us.  At those times when our walls start to break and the outside world starts to bust through, it is only our Creator that can truly help restore us, save us and make us shine again!

Psalm 73

In Psalm 73, Asaph describes how at first, he was envious and tempted after watching the way the wicked and arrogant live their lives in verses 1 through 14.  His jealousy was brewing.  He wasn’t seeing the instant gratification in what he knows of his own pure heart while the immoral were prospering right in front of him.  He wasn’t seeing them struggle, their bodies were healthy, and their lives looked so easy.  They spoke with such arrogance as if they themselves owned the heavens, and people around them were soaking up every drop.

Others could see this evil happening and began questioning God.  “Why is He allowing this?”  These heartless people were living carefree, getting richer and richer.  Meanwhile the righteous were suffering?!  Asaph was tempted to believe that all his time trying to live a holy life was for nothing.  Verse 13, “Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.”

Then in verses 15 through 28, Asaph brings himself back to what he knows is true and good after getting clarity from visiting the sanctuary.  When it came to decision time and whether he would opt in with the evil doers, he was wise enough to stay to true to God’s words.  He knew in his heart that these wicked people were walking a tight rope with no net underneath to catch them.  He understood that just because these individuals were ‘flourishing’ in this life, punishment awaited them in the next.

Asaph acknowledged his foolishness for initially questioning God. Verse 22, “I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.”  Also summarized in verses 27 and 28, ‘those far from You will perish, but as for me, it is good to be near You.”

We all see this every day.  People arrogantly boasting about how good they have it and how easy life is.  But if we keep listening, they are easier to spot than you would think.  It is usually those that seem to give all the glory to themselves and leave out any mention or thanks be to God.   Then you can truly see who has been feeding off the devil’s lies.

Our societies are filled with so many people who are completely confused about who they are, why they’re here, and the meaning of life.  They are walking off cliffs, and the only thing that will save them is the truth that flows out of the sanctuary of God.

Philippians 2

A modest or low view of one’s own importance according to Webster.

I know, I know. We all already know what humility is.  What it looks like.  How it is defined.  But how often do we sit and think about the Bible’s meaning of humility?  I don’t disagree with Google…..”A key virtue marked by an absence of pride and self-centeredness, emphasizing love and placing God and others before oneself”.

In Philippians, Paul breaks down humility very simply.  Verses 3 & 4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  Paul makes it so easy to read, but is it that easy to carry out in everyday life?  Are we all able to find humility in our everyday lives or do we very often get lost in our own self-interests and desires?

I love how life works.  Just this morning before I sat down to spend time on this chapter in Philippians, I was listening to a podcast.  The host is an avid pool player and his guest is currently the #1 pool player in the world.  The host explained how he casually played against his guest a couple of years ago and lost several times, expectedly.  But the host wasn’t mad or upset that he lost, even though he finds himself as a very good pool player.  No, instead he told the guest how humbling it made him feel.  The host knows he can beat the average pool hall player but also recognizes that the guest is an elite pro.  This pro spends way more time practicing and playing pool and there is a reason he is #1 and the host understands and accepts this.

This is just a microcosm example of everyday humility and certainly not exactly the type of humility Paul is referring to in Philippians.  Paul’s humility is that of Jesus.  One that describes not considering equality with God to be attainable, but instead being a simple servant made in human likeness.  By just humbling yourself for who and what God made you.

When I think of being humble, I think of exactly where I am sitting or standing in that very moment.  I am currently sitting in my office in my house in front of my computer.  I am humbled by everything I have in my life.  An amazing God-fearing wife, 2 amazing little girls, a roof over our heads, all the family and friends that I love and care about and that love and care about me.

But every night I put my head on my pillow, periodically throughout the day and especially church on Sundays, I am reminded of the humility through Jesus.  Verse 5, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus”.  This is not true for me 100% of the time, and thank God that’s ok.  But it is a great memento that it should be a lot closer to 100% than 0%.  A recent sermon in the last month has stuck with me in absolutely everything I do that Right or Wrong(especially wrong), I need to be more like Jesus in every which way.  If it were easy everyone would do it!  Well, none of us can be 100% like Jesus, but maybe we can at least try more, 100% of the time.

Psalm 52

Doeg the Edomite was down-right the opposite of what we know as a good person.  He was essentially an antagonist.  Has anyone ever run into one of those in your life??  The answer is probably yes, but have any of us ever run into one like Doeg?  That may be a different answer.  Doeg was extremely proud of doing wrong.  It wasn’t just mere sinning, he was boastful about it.  He highly indulged in the telling of lies way more than the truth.

Then there is the complete opposite of Doeg, and that is David.  He believes in truth over lies all day long.  He reminds us that God will always expose the lies and remove those that act in such a deceitful manner.  God always sees the truth and will bring justice.  David knows that the righteous will always see God’s justice and learn the lesson to be given.  So many times lies can lead to more money, power, and wealth, but only true trust in God is what is most real and right.

Doeg was the epitome of a bad man.  He was a true example of the bad guy in the movies who wanted no part of being good or righteous.  God always sees his type of injustice, but remember God will respond in His time.  Evil people may seem powerful for a while, but it won’t last.  Trust in God and stay rooted in His love.  Remain faithful even when evil seems to be winning.

2 Corinthians Chapter 9

In this chapter of 2 Corinthians, Paul is talking to the people at Corinth about generously giving and helping Christians in need.  He goes on that giving should start from within, not pressure or guilt.  A perfect example of this is that of a farmer.  If you plant a few seeds, you will get a small crop.  If you plant a lot of seeds, you tend to get a big harvest.  The more you give, the more blessings you will receive!

Paul’s meaning is more than just giving money.  Money is definitely something we should give and something so many people or organizations need, but they can also use our time, attention, and so much more.  Sometimes not all Christians have an abundance of one of these things, let alone all of them at once, but it is a reminder of what we should do with it when we do have it.

So often in my life I ask myself and God, “How much should I give, how much money should I donate, how much time can I spare today?”  Then the next question I ask myself, “Is that enough?  Am I being too cheap?  Should I have given more?”  But that isn’t the point here.  It isn’t dependent on the amount of these things necessarily as much as the real desire within oneself of wanting to give.

I am sure we have all been in line for coffee or at a restaurant and made the choice to “pay it forward”.  It feels good to do that doesn’t it??  It does to me.

One of my wife and I’s trips to Galena one Fall, we were on the way out of town and stopped at a breakfast place.  For 45 minutes we sat next to an older man and listened/watched him interact with the locals.  It seemed like he went there for the food and the comradery that he might not have had at home alone.  As we were leaving and paying our bill, I asked the waitress to put his on ours as well.  She asked us, “Are you sure?”  We said of course.  She proceeds to tell us that he recently won a million dollar scratch off ticket, and that yellow hummer outside was his!

Now, my wife and I thought that was pretty crazy, but we still insisted on paying.  Why?  It wasn’t because we thought he was poor and needed it, but he seemed like a nice man who was nice to others and enjoyed people.  And it was simply a nice thing to do, hopefully he paid it forward someday for the same reasons.

All that being said, here is what I am trying to get at…..

• Give willingly and happily, not out of guilt or pressure
• Generosity leads to abundance in life, not just money
• God will supply your needs so you can keep helping others
• We give because God first gave to us, through Jesus

Psalm 40

This Psalm is a testament of God’s faithfulness and a cry for help in a time of need. It highlights a deep relationship with God. A relationship built on trust, gratitude, and dependence.

David was waiting patiently and faithfully for God, and He heard him. David was stuck in a low, dark place emotionally and spiritually and God pulled him out and put him back on solid ground with a fresh start.

• • God is always listening to those who wait on Him and He brings change out of our struggles.

David recognizes that God doesn’t just want religious acts, He wants a heart willing to obey. David offers himself fully, ready to live out God’s will.

• • God cares more about our obedience and that the road we choose to go down aligns with the path he has set for us.  He doesn’t want the tangibles, He wants the intangibles.

David doesn’t keep God’s goodness to himself but instead tells others. He strongly speaks about God’s faithfulness, love, and truth in front of the everyone he can.

• • This is a reminder that we should all share how God has worked in our lives and encourage all those around us from our experiences.

Despite his past relief, David admits he still faces trouble from his own sins and from enemies. He begs for God’s help and protection while confirming his continued trust and dependency on Him.

• • No matter how much help we seek and receive from God, we will continue to have challenges. But that’s ok!  It is ok to keep asking God for help and relying on him.  He would have it no other way.

Never forget what God has done for you.  Continue praying and when you come to those forks in the road don’t be afraid to ask for His help when you are uncertain or scared.  Always trust in Him when new changes come.  God wants us to rely on him.  IT’S OK!  He wants us to just as much as we need to, through the good AND the bad.  Go on deepening you’re relationship with God and don’t be afraid to share with everyone else the way God has worked in your life through the good and the bad times.

1 Corinthians 13

The first thing I thought of after reading 1 Corinthians 13……who stood up and read this at my wedding??  I can’t be the only one that thought about weddings!  Second thing I thought of and went straight to spotify to play for some inspiration…..Alan Jackson – Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?  Heck, I just listened to it again.  That song in itself can be the summary of this chapter!

Paul reminds us all that without LOVE, nothing else matters.  Love is patient, love is kind.  I was told to be patient and kind as young as I can remember.  My wife still tells me that today.  We tell our kids that.  Love doesn’t envy or boast meaning don’t show off or resent other people.  Again, things and principles we were told growing up and what we continue to tell our children.  I feel like from now on I should say to my kids each day on the way out the door, “First Corinthians, chapter 13!”, but it doesn’t quite have that ring to it.

I think the word love can be abused, overused, taken advantage of.  We need that reminder of what the bible says it means and Paul does that here.  Many things like knowledge, prophecy, and spiritual gifts are temporary.  But LOVE is eternal.  Someday, when we fully understand everything and see God face-to-face, we’ll realize love was the most important thing all along.

We all certainly know what love is and what it means when it comes to our loved ones or special events like the birth of a newborn or the day we get married.  But what Paul does here is go a little deeper and reminds us about that Alan Jackson type of love that we need to show towards everyone.  It is not just about the love on the good days and people that are close to you but also the love on the not so good days and everyone else in the world.

Country music fan or not, I urge everyone to listen to that song at least once today and reflect on where and how you show your love to those around you and those far away.

Faith, Hope and Love will always matter, but LOVE is the greatest.  It is the foundation of real relationships, real growth, and real faith.