01 June 2025

Satan's Working Against the Church (TMF:2630)

Friday, June 06, 2025

Peace to Live By: Satan's Working Against the Church (TMF:2630) - Daniel Litton
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But it also comes from warning. That also was part of Paul’s job, and with the great threat that was present, it is necessary. That’s also part of the minister’s job, whether he likes it or not. Satan has power, and he seeks to use that power against the church. And he seeks to use that power to prevent people from even believing in the message of the cross, from believing in Christ’s death and resurrection from the dead, in his payment for people’s sins. That’s Satan’s greatest victory, right, when he can do that? Unfortunately so. But really, at the end of the day, for the hearer—for the one who actually gets to hear the message, it is his or her choice. It’s one’s choice whether to believe in the Gospel message or not, whether to join in the church in having that firmness of faith in Christ.” Anyone can have it. Anyone can decide to build their house on the rock instead of the sand. That’s the beautiful thing. It’s never too late. One can start right now.

Good Order in the Church, Part 2 (TMF:2629)

Thursday, June 05, 2025

Peace to Live By: Good Order in the Church, Part 2 (TMF:2629) - Daniel Litton
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Good order among the members. That that which is being taught is actually being followed. That lives are being helped. That they are being improved. That there is a closer relationship with God among each of the members. This is what the minister wants. This is certainly what Paul, Timothy, and Epaphras wanted. And there is also that “firmness of faith” which Paul mentioned. A firmness of faith among the body of believers. Faith comes in proclaiming what is good. There’s no doubt about that; we understand that. That’s what Paul spent the majority of his time doing. But it also comes from warning, like was discussed in chapter 1, and from dispelling that which isn’t true, like was talked about today. That also was part of Paul’s job, and with the great threat that was present, and still is present, it is necessary. That’s also part of the minister’s job, whether he likes it or not. Satan has power, and he seeks to use that power against the church.

Good Order in the Church, Part 1 (TMF:2628)

Wednesday, June 04, 2025

Peace to Live By: Good Order in the Church, Part 1 (TMF:2628) - Daniel Litton
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Good order is necessary for success; that seems so obvious. Yet, people often go against order and still try to be successful. It seems so unreasonable to try that and yet people do it. They do it all the time. Yet, what Epaphras has laid out for his group of believers (remember Epaphras was the founder of the church), what he has laid out, which could have come from Paul’s ministry, for we aren’t really sure, but wherever he originally got his information, his church order information, the church seems to be headed down a good path. And Paul desires to see this. It’s what every minister of a church desire to see—good order among the members. That that which is being taught is actually being followed. That lives are being helped. That they are being improved. That there is a closer relationship with God among each of the members. This is what the minister wants. This is certainly what Paul, Timothy, and Epaphras wanted.

Paul's Prayers for the Church (TMF2627)

Tuesday, June 03, 2025

Peace to Live By: Paul's Prayers for the Church (TMF2627) - Daniel Litton
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It certainly is true that the commonness shared, that of being serious about the Christian life had caused a mutual connection that was from the heart. That's what it looks like Paul is referring to among the church. And though he had never met this group of believers, the Colossians, he loved from afar, a love that was based on that shared commonness. And as he discussed in chapter 1, he prayed for the them. What better way could there be to connect to someone, or a group of people “in spirit,” right? Especially when we believe that our prayers are having a direct impact, actually making a difference which will materialize in the physical realm. Undoubtedly, what Paul wanted to see with his eyes when he got out of prison was the tangible results of his prayers. Again, he says, “rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” This good order and firmness of faith would definitely be helped along by these prayers.

Paul's Hope for the Church (TMF:2626)

Monday, June 02, 2025

Peace to Live By: Paul's Hope for the Church (TMF:2626) - Daniel Litton
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The presence of negative thinking comes for a spirit that lacks hope—one of which doesn’t see much good happening in the future. And yet, Paul in his unfortunate circumstances, even those which were directly caused by Satan himself, still retained hope. And even though he couldn’t be with the Colossians on the physical level, yet he had them in his heart and on his mind. We are familiar with this. We are aware of what it is like to be away from a person, the family, or a group of individuals, like a church, and still wish to be with them. In fact, this was the experience when departing from the church that was afore to mentioned, the Amish-Mennonite church. After getting to know the church members more and more, and various individuals on a more personal level, it was difficult. Lots of quality time had been spent eating at their homes, spending one on one time with friends, and the like. It certainly is true that the commonness shared, that of being serious about the Christian life had caused a mutual connection that was from the heart.