TO GIVE? OR TO GET?

How do you prepare yourself?

Aug 24, 2024

Dear Reader,

Thank you for being a free subscriber to The Three Taverns.

Taverns have been an important part of human history for years. For centuries people have gathered in taverns to eat and drink, share news, keep up with the rumors of the day, discuss politics, explore big questions about God and life, and continue their alliances.

One of the first places tyrannical governments want to shut down when they are tightening the screws on a society are places like taverns and worship houses where people gather. If people gather they make plans.

The Three Taverns newsletter is named after a town by the same name. The emissary of Jesus Christ, Paul of Tarsus, stopped on his way to Rome in this town about 30 kilometers outside of the capital city. He was a prisoner under guard and had an appointment to stand before Caesar, Nero at the time, to argue his case that he was not a dangerous insurrectionist but a preacher about a heavenly King who ruled the nations.

In this town The Three Taverns other believers traveled from Rome to meet Paul and to encourage him. He was possibly on the way to his death and they came to rally around him.

This is what The Three Taverns is about, encouragement for your journey to serve God in the midst of this world.

TO GIVE? OR TO GET?

“Study to show thyself approved unto God…” is how the old KJV reads in 2 Timothy 2:15.

Do you study the scriptures? I ask because I find that most spiritually hungry people WANT to, but they don’t. Busy lives. Intimidated by the size of the book. Don’t like to read. There are tons of reasons.

But I’ve found that the more I engage with this world in its trend away from God the more I am driven to read and study this amazing document. And make no mistake, the world is no friend of God’s. The world is hell-bent on independence from God and His rule. If at any time this is not clear to me or to you it is because we are drifting away from the profound revelation of scripture.

I don't study Scripture to GIVE a message.

I study Scripture to GET the message.

Once I get the message, giving the message is simple and natural.

It is an easy trap, especially if you are in "professional" ministry, to study and create performative messages. But that does not require the power of God. And we are all in ministry, and because of this engagement with the culture and the demonic forces, it will drive us to the study of scripture.

To know God better and to be effective in the knowledge of Jesus Christ in this world, that is the call upon all of us, to study scripture to GET the message!

How to start? Pick up a Bible and flip through and you will see it is a BIG book with so many directions to go. This is a suggestion on how to start.

Read the gospels continuously. A chapter at a time in the morning, the stories are so familiar, but new light breaks in every time you read them with an open heart. Something happens when you ask God to show you new things, new ways of understanding the life of the Messiah.

Master a New Testament letter. May I make a suggestion? Take the book of Romans and read it over and over again. Read it 15 times in a row over a two or three week period. It is full of Old Testament references too so as you dig deeper into it you will become curious to go look at those references and discover their context. Romans is perhaps the most important bridge between the O.T. expectation of the Messiah to come and the N.T. discovery of the meaning of the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

The gospels are a history of Jesus, basically “here’s what happened when he was here!” The letters are the explanation of the meaning of Jesus Christ, basically “here’s what it means that God came in the person of Jesus Christ.”

Even Jesus Himself explained the meaning of the writings of Moses, the Psalms and the Prophets as documents pointing to Him. (go look at Luke 24: 25-27, 32, 44-45). These words pointed to Him! Even the great O.T. scholars of the day had completely missed the point: they studied the scriptures because they thought they had eternal life, but they refused to come to Jesus Christ Himself to receive the life! (John 5:39-40).

Follow this same path. When you read the gospels and Romans as I have suggested, turn it into conversation with God. Talk with the Holy Spirit, who is in you, about what you are reading or what is confusing. You will be amazed at what dawns on you through the day.

Lastly, go to bed with one of the Psalms. It’s prayer that the Spirit can use in your mind as you rest.

This is a good way to start and actually gain more insight and understanding than 99% of the people around you. Go for it!

TAVERN TALKS THIS TUESDAY

So many of you have mentioned how encouraging this gathering has been! I'm so thankful for our time together at The Mission Cigar & Social each Tuesday morning, 7am.

Listening to John Birdwell’s story last week, his honesty and transparency, it struck me how rare it is for men to come together and open up like this with other men. We are blessed!

THIS WEEK: John Sandella tells his story. Many of you know John from Franklin Cigar. John has personally given me the best deer jerky deer snacks I've ever tasted! He has been a good friend to many of us through the years. You will not want to miss his story.

NEXT WEEK: John Spittle talks story. John is that great guy with the tattoos and black beard that exudes cool confidence. He tours currently with Trace Adkins as his drummer and has a long history in the music business. He has talked some about his story but we will get to hear his journey to faith.

Bring your coffee, your Bible, Febreze if you go to the office after, an open mind and open heart. You can purchase a cigar as well to enjoy your first cigar of the day.

We are really grateful to Mark, Monte and Willie for opening up The Mission early each Tuesday and participating in Tavern Talks!

SHAMELESS PLUG: CAN I HELP YOU?

Doug Casey, an economist and investment teacher, writes:

"We're on the brink of a significant financial upheaval, and most people are completely unaware of the dangers ahead.
But amid this crisis lies a unique opportunity to transform your financial situation.
We are seeing the accelerating decline of the fiat currency system which will directly impact your wealth.
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But in reality, the fiat (i.e. fake) money system is unraveling. That means retirement investments based on these currencies lose massive value.

If you are not currently buying but think it’s a good idea, we are the best place to go. If you guy gold and silver already, you are paying more than you need to. We can save you 10-20% on your purchases. Drop shipped to your house or, just announced last week, vaulted in our DAP Vault system! This is a gamechanger!

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I've been able to help 13 people in the last 3 weeks. Is it your turn?

Let’s talk! Click on the image below and take 20 minutes to find out the whole story.