“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of because you know those from whom you learned it” 2 Timothy 3:14 In Paul’s day, people like to watch athletes run races. Athletes would train for nine months. Thousands of people would watch the runners. Paul compares our life o earth to a race. The prize at the end of the long race is the race. We don’t have to be the fastest, the quickest, or the first to complete the race. We must please God and remain faithful to the end of the race. If we finish…
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To Be A Vessel: Part 2
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2 19 Some false teachers today claim that the grace of God covers those who continue to practice sin day after day. Paul makes it clear, “everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness” 2 Timothy 2:19. To be a vessel of honor, we must turn away from wickedness and cleanse ourselves from choosing dishonorable, sinful purposes. Read 2 Timothy 2:19-22. Grace does not hide the sin we practice. Grace teaches us to say “NO” to sin and “yes” to…
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Choosing To Be A Vessel: Part 1
In a large house, there are articles of gold and silver and wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, applicable to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 Read 2 Timothy 2: 14-3:9. In Timothy’s time, what were examples of vessels of honor and dishonor? Whom did these vessels represent? The problems the false teachers are causing in the house churches of Ephesus. Paul sees a contrast between a godly leader in Timothy and the ungodly leaders. …
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Reflection Day
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 Today is Reflection Day! I love reflection day. It’s a time for me to go back and reflect on what God has spoken to me. It gives me time to pray and seek God about what he wants to change in my life. It gives me time to make a game plan of putting action to what God is telling me and asking of me. Reflection Day gives me a slower pace to grasp what God is telling me. It gives me more time to listen…
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God Is Faithful
Here is a trustworthy saying: if we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself (2 Timothy 2:11-13 Paul gives us a part of a poem or ancient hymn. These verses encourage endurance, warn against apostasy, and close on the high point of God’s faithfulness. God is faithful to fulfill His promises and His warnings. God’s faithfulness is a comfort to those who remain loyal. God’s faithfulness is a warning to those who…
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Prayer Time
Our Father in heaven, Your name is honored as holy. Your kingdom come. Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.] Let’s take some time and focus on prayer. Look up these verses and glean from them. Prayer! It’s a conversation with God. Do you struggle with praying? Is it intimidating to you to pray to God? Is there a right way to…
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Encouragement
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. 2 Timothy 2:8-9 What are the illustrations Paul uses in verses 3-10? Soldier. Paul often used illustrations about warfare and soldiers. Soldiers must endure hardship, suffering, and even death. They must remain loyal to the officer who commands them. Timothy must be willing to suffer. He must not look back but stay committed to Jesus, his Divine Commander. He must avoid defecting and looking for an easier path. Athlete. Athletes of Paul’s day endured strict discipline…
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In Hard Times: Part 3
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 2 Timothy 2:3-10 What are the ways we enable the Spirit to minister encouragement to us? Read 2 Timothy 2: 1-13 Do not try to do everything by yourself. Don’t take yourself too seriously. God’s plan is not for the pastor to do all the ministry. His plan is for believers to share the work of teaching others. The harvest is outstanding; the laborers are few. Recruit more laborers. Entrust reliable, qualified men and women to teach others. Recruit…
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In Hard Times – Part 2
“because I know whom I believed, and am convinced that he can guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:8-12 Read 2 Timothy 1 Encourage yourself through your relationship with Jesus Christ, our Savior. Paul encouraged Timothy by reminding him of his relationship with Jesus. Paul suffered and faced death because Jesus appointed him. Paul wasn’t ashamed because he knew whom he believed. Paul had head knowledge of the Father; he likewise knew and trusted Jesus Christ, the son. Paul also had a personal relationship with Christ. He had faith Christ was a faith of experience. Salvation begins with a…
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In Hard Times
I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 2 Timothy 1:3 What types of problems was Paul facing as he wrote his final letter? Read 2 Timothy 1: 1-7 Paul was set in a Roman prison awaiting martyrdom for his faith. He is writing for the last time to his son in the faith, Timothy. False teachers are wrecking the faith for believers and themselves. The other Apostles have left Paul high and dry. Paul was alone in his final days on earth. Paul was discouraged. Have…