A Study of 2 Timothy (From my Blog)

2 Timothy Context October 15th, 2010

It’s so sad we finished studying the book of 1 Timothy yesterday, but it’s exciting we get to move on and study Paul’s last letter he ever wrote, 2 Timothy. Before we begin our study, it’s important to first understand the context (Who? What? When? Where? Why?) behind the letter. What’s going on behind the scenes? What was the purpose of the letter? If we study a book of the Bible and don’t know the background, we can totally miss the point of what God is telling us.

You can find a Bible Dictionary or a Bible Commentary to help you study books of the Bible in a library or at Amazon.com. I recommend Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the whole Bible. In this day and age, you can also just google “2 Timothy” and find the background. Here’s a head start:

Who? Written by Paul, the missionary to the Gentiles. If you’re an American Christian who is not Jewish, then you’re a Gentile, and Paul is your spiritual great grandfather. It was written to Timothy, Paul’s most trusted disciple or pupil. Paul left Timothy behind during one of his missionary journeys to become the pastor of the church in Ephesus, one of the most significant early churches.

What? When? Paul had been arrested by Nero, an evil Roman ruler who set out to destroy Christianity. Many of the key followers of Christ were executed by Nero, who himself was killed in A.D. 68. Therefore, Paul wrote this letter sometime between A.D. 63 and A.D. 67. Paul was awaiting a trial, but it’s clear by his words at the end of the letter that he knew he was going to die. Therefore, this letter is so significant because Paul knew it would be his very last words. If you knew you were going to die, what would you want to say in your last letter?

Why? Paul’s desire was that Timothy would continue the work which Paul began. He wanted to encourage Timothy and give him clear instructions on how to do that.

Where? Paul wrote from a prison cell in Rome.

Spend time this week digging deep and learning more about this important book of the Bible, and read through it once. To learn more about studying the Bible, click on “Tips on Studying the Bible” to the left and read the handout “Water Skiing, Snorkeling and Scuba Diving.”

We will pick up our devotionals starting in the first chapter of 2 Timothy next Friday, October 22nd.

2 Timothy 1:1-2 Short Devotional by Chad October 22nd, 2010

Think back to a time when you experienced life to the full…a time when life just couldn’t be any better than that. For me, I think of a summer mission trip I took to Slovakia in Eastern Europe. Every morning, I would get up and climb out on a rooftop to spend time with the Lord. There was a beautiful river flowing by the hotel where we were staying. It was a beauty unlike anything I’ve ever seen in America or anywhere else since then. Those were very special mornings.

As I’ve grown closer to God these past few years, I’ve found that it is possible for me to experience life to the full (like that summer in Slovakia) each and every day. I’ve had 2 major knee surgeries and other trials in my life these past couple of years (I actually just injured a knee and will find out in a few days if I need another surgery), but I can still find joy each and every day in Christ. Can you hear Jesus’ voice in John 10:10? “I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.”

In the opening lines of 2 Timothy, Paul talks about this abundant life in Christ:

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus…”

Are you currently experiencing life abundantly? I find that when I’m not, there’s usually something in my life I’m not surrendering to God or some unconfessed sin in my life. Spend time confessing any sin that comes to mind and asking God to help you turn away from it. Think about any area of your life you are not surrendering to God (your time, money, unhealthy relationships, personal purity, etc.). Ask God to help you surrender every area to him. Give him the driver’s seat of your life so that you can really experience life the way it was meant to be.

2 Timothy 1:3-5 Short Devotional by Chad October 23rd, 2010

Be Thankful

One of the best things God has been teaching this past year is to be thankful. In the past, I have struggled with cynicism and being critical of other people (putting them down so I can feel better about myself), and I feel like thankfulness has become one of my most prized tools in my battle against having a critical spirit.

In these verses of 2 Timothy, Paul is thanking God for his younger buddy Timothy. These verses reminded me of some other words Paul wrote to the church in Colossians:

“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the word of Christ – the Message – have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives – words, actions, whatever – be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” (Colossians 3:15-17 from The Message)

This passage above led me to start a habit that has radically changed my life. The first thing I do in the morning as soon as I open my eyes is begin thanking God for his grace, his goodness, and for allowing me to live. I then go and spend some time with the Lord with a thankful heart. This has helped me to be less critical, and it has also helped me to be steadfast when I face trials. Last week, I tore my ACL ligament in my knee while I was helping someone move. Several years ago when I tore an ACL in my knee it took me weeks to get over the frustration I felt. This time, I was able to immediately say, “Thy will be done, Lord! If this is the trial you have for me this year, I’m ready for it. Blessed be your name.” I know this attitude is the fruit of the Lord working in my life and cultivating a thankful spirit in me.

How often do you thank God for things in your life? Just before you eat at lunch or dinner? Only when you pray with others? Spend some time today thanking God. One thing I do from time to time is write down a list of 100 things I’m thankful for as quickly as I can (it only takes a few minutes). This excercise helps remind me that I have so many things to be thankful for that I take for granted. If you have recently had a critical heart, confess your sin to God and ask him to transform you into a thankful person.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 Devotional by Chad October 24th, 2010

“And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed – keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.”

Paul reminds Timothy in these verses that as a steward of his God-given gift for preaching, teaching and evangelizing, he could not let it fall into disuse. What gifts of the Holy Spirit has God given you? Gifts of the Holy Spirit can be found in Romans 12:4-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.

2 Timothy 1:7 is one of those verses I’ve memorized and try remind myself often. The verse in the NIV translation goes like this: “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” I’d encourage you to memorize this verse if you haven’t already. The three key words are:

Power - God has given us all the resources we need for every trial and threat, and to overcome every temptation.

Love - This kind of love is not self-centered but centers on pleasing God and seeking others’ welfare before our own. Sound Mind – This is another phrase for “self-discipline” used here. It refers to a disciplined, self-controlled and properly prioritized mind.

Which of the three above do you lack the most? Do you lack the faith in God’s power to overcome your trials and temptations? Do you lack love toward God or others? Do you lack self-discipline? Are your priorities out of whack? Spend time asking the Lord to allow you to experience his spirit fully so that you will be strong in all three of these areas. Confess any sin in your life that the Lord reveals, and turn away from it. Ask him to allow you to experience more of his power, his love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:8-10 Short Devotional by Lee Davis October 25th, 2010

The Power of God

8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Today, I’m going to really focus on the power of the God. This power brings us a large number of things, I’ll just focus on the few found in this passage. God has called us to a holy life, and this is definitely not because of anything that we have done. There are so many things that we do that compromise that call to a holy life. But because of His Purpose and Grace, we have hope. We are seen as clean slates and are included in His Purpose. The most amazing thing happened because we cannot live a holy life. We were given Grace in Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality.

The fact that God would choose to make us part of His purpose is probably one of the most amazing things that any of us can hear. We know that we aren’t perfect, and no matter how hard we try, we will never be able to make ourselves perfect. We are given the Power of God, Grace, a Holy Life, Purpose, Destruction of Death, Life, and Immortality. All of these things empower and strengthen us beyond anything that we can ever expect to do on our own.

My last point is this, even after receiving all of these gifts and strengths, are you living in the gifts that God has given you? Are you dying to your imperfect, unholy self? Are you seeking His Purpose? Are you speaking and living like you have the Power of God in you? How confident are you in God’s Grace?

So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, and our Savior Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

2 Timothy 1:11-18 Short Devotional by Chad October 26th, 2010

Have you ever felt so deeply like you knew you were supposed to do something that you were willing to do whatever it took to do it? This happened to me several years ago when I was about to graduate from college. I already had my dream job offer to work for a company in Virginia, and I was about to take it when I found out about an opportunity to attend graduate school at Georgia Tech for free. After I visited the program, I felt so sure I was supposed to attend grad school that I turned my whole world upside down and declined my dream job to attend grad school.

Paul describes this kind of knowledge that he had concerning God is his second letter to Timothy (remember Paul was in prison while he was writing this letter):

“And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I’m suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” (2 Timothy 1:11-12)

Can you say like Paul that you know whom you believe? Do you really know Christ, so much that you wouldn’t deny him if someone held a gun to your head? That’s how well Paul knew Jesus, and you can feel the joy and satisfaction this relationship with God brought to Paul throughout his writings.

If you do feel like you really know God, that’s great! Continue getting to know him by spending time in his Word and praying each day. I’ve found that knowing God is not an accumulative thing but rather is a day-to-day adventure. I can feel close to him one day, and then if I stop pursuing a closer relationship with him, I can lose that intimacy.

If you don’t feel like you know God, spending time with God is the only way to get to know him better. Click on the tab “Tips on Spending Time with Jesus” on the left to get direction on what that looks like. I’ve found that when I ask God to help me fall in love with him and then take steps to spend time with him, my desire to know God grows.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For anyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

2 Timothy 2:1-7 Devotional by Macey October 27th, 2010 Have you ever seen an athlete train for a major event? While they prepare and when they are competing, they have to be completely focused on their goal: to perform to the absolute best of their ability and win the competition regardless of how hard they have to work for it. This is similar to what Paul is instructing Timothy to do in these verses.

This is Paul’s last letter to Timothy before he dies. When reading this chapter, you can really sense the importance of his message. He tells Timothy to:

1. Teach others what he has learned from Paul, so that the gospel will continue to be preached.

2. Be faithful, and share in the sufferings of Jesus as needed, noting the fact that our aim as soldiers of Christ is not to please the people of the world, but to please our commanding officer. He wants him to focus on the goal ahead. Don’t become distracted by the ways of the world.

3. Seek the Lord for understanding and wisdom in everything! We cannot understand the Bible or do ministry without Jesus. At all.

Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Is this what my life looks like? Am I going so hard after Christ that I naturally share with others around me what he is doing? Is my sole purpose in life to run hard after Jesus and to point other people to him? What about you? Has your life been so impacted by Christ that you can’t help but talk about it and point other people to him?

2 Timothy 2:8-10 Devotional by Nancy October 28th, 2010

Why do you do what you do? You ever think about that. These past few weeks I have found myself asking that question many times. Why am I in college? Why am I in this major? Or why do I work here? Why do I share the gospel? Why do I choose to follow Christ? I think you get the picture.

As I was reading these verses, I felt as though Paul was answering the question, “why am I suffering?” He answers his question by remembering Christ, reminding himself that he is serving the living God. He is reminding himself that although it may appear that he is bound by chains as a criminal, God is using this for his glory and for the gospel to be spread. So, even through his sufferings others may know Christ!

Why do you do what you do? Do you do it for your own satisfaction? Do you do it because others expect you to? Or do you do it to bring glory to God? Today, as you go through out your day, think about the things you do. Think about how many of them you do for the glory of God and for others to know Christ. Ask the Lord to give you the willingness to submit your will to His and to truly bring God the glory in all that you do. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

2 Timothy 2:11-13 Short Devotional by Chad October 29th, 2010

“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 disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (2 Tim. 2:11-13 from NIV)

Did you know that when we give our lives to Christ and become his followers, we’re not just saved from eternal death (that the Bible says we deserve due to our sin in Romans 6:23)? When we become authentic Christians, we become princes and princesses in the Kingdom of God.

Isn’t that an amazing concept? It’s like a king at a trial awaiting the sentence of the murder of his one and only son. Then right before the sentence is proclaimed, the king stops the trial, walks over to the murderer, and puts his son’s crown on his head. The king pronounces, “I declare this man is innocent. From now on, he is my son and will share in my inheritance.” The king then looks at his new child with authentic love and says, “Son, I love you with an always and forever love, a never-stopping, never-ending love.”

The God of the universe has made us heirs in his eternal kingdom. That makes me excited and gives me a fresh perspective on the day! Spend some time thanking God for his grace, his unmerited favor toward us. Thank him for adopting us as his sons and daughters, making us princes and princesses. Praise him for being the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords! If there is any sin keeping you from experiencing intimacy with God right now, don’t waste any time confessing that sin to the Lord and asking him to take the throne of your life. Now is the time to experience the abundant love, joy and peace that the King has to offer.

2 Timothy 2:14-19 Short Devotional by Chad October 31st, 2010

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of God. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more ungodly.” (2 Timothy 2:15-16)

Happy Halloween everybody!! Or am I even allowed to say that? As Christians, are we allowed to celebrate Halloween and other pagan holidays? Wait a minute, Christmas really has pagan roots as well, and it’s become so commercialized. On Easter, people pretend there’s an Easter bunny hiding eggs and candy. Should I celebrate Easter since it’s become so secular?

These are questions I’ve struggled with as a Christian, and I feel like there is a lot of “godless chatter” surrounding these holidays. As I’ve searched the Bible for the truth, these verses in 2 Timothy and the encouragement to “do your best to present youself to God as one approved” have helped me to find peace. As long as I’m continuing to fall in love with God and getting to know his Word, he will guide me and keep me away from things that would bring me harm or cause my relationship with him to be broken. Only my relationship with him can bring me true satisfaction.

For me, I feel like Halloween is an opportunity to build relationships with people who don’t know Jesus and to help them find satisfaction in him. However, I must also respect other believers who want to stay away from Halloween. I must avoid godless chatter by saying anything bad about believers who have different opinions than me regarding Halloween, Christmas and even Easter.

If you haven’t already, spend time in God’s word searching for truth about whether or not Halloween is bad. If Paul’s call to “present yourself to God as one approved” reveals sin in your life, confess that sin to God and ask him to change your heart. Enjoy the day by spending time with the Lord, giving him thanks for your wonderful relationship with him.

2 Timothy 2:20-21 Short Devotional by Chad November 1st, 2010

“In a well furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets – some containers to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing.” (2 Tim. 2:20-21 from The Message)

This passage really spoke to me this morning, so much that I couldn’t get past just these couple of verses. I realize that in many ways, I’m not like a crystal goblet or a silver platter in God’s Kingdom. I often look down on others and judge them. I’m often selfish and want to serve myself instead of serving others. I’m often stingy with my time and don’t take the time to pray to God and just listen for his direction.

Are you a crystal goblet or silver platter in God’s kitchen, or are you waste can or compost bucket? In what ways are you a container used to “take out the garbage?” Confess any sin this passage reveals, and spend time praying and asking the Lord to help you become a “container God can use to present every and any gift to his guests for their blessing.” What are some practical things you can do to become more of a container “to serve fine meals?” Make a commitment to do 2 or 3 things to be more Christ-centered this week. 2 Timothy 2:22-26 Short Devotional by Chad November 2nd, 2010

“Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness – faith, love, peace – joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God.” (2 Timothy 2:22 from The Message)

One of the areas in which I’ve grown the most especially during the past year and a half is prayer. I’ve been waking up in the morning and spending time with God for many years, but after that my prayer life would be spotty throughout the day. I had a habit of praying for five minutes before doing several hours worth of ministry.

Realizing that prayer throughout the day was an area in which I needed to grow, I asked the Lord to help me to grow in that area. I feel like He’s really answered my prayer! I mean I still have room to grow, but prayer is becoming more of a lifestyle. I spend less time listening to the radio in my car and more time praying. When I’m faced with any kind of decision (even a small one), my first thought is to pray about it. The result is that the Lord has increased my faith, my love for God and for people, and my life feels so much more joyful and peaceful…just like the verse says above. I realize my key way of pursuing righteousness is having a healthy prayer life throughout the day, and “infantile indulgence” becomes less tempting.

How is your prayer life? Do you feel you have an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day, or does it feel like more of a long distance relationship (where you just talk to him from time to time)? If these verses above reveal any unconfessed sin in your life, take time confessing your sin to God and asking him to change your heart. Ask God to help you grow in your prayer life, and commit yourself to having an ongoing conversation with him today. Only the God that created us can give us the faith, love and peace our souls need and desire.

2 Timothy 3:1-9 Short Devotional by Chad November 3rd, 2010

“Don’t be naive. There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.” (2 Timothy 2:1-5 from The Message)

The first time I read this passage this morning, I just read it as a warning about the last days before Jesus returns as the King. The Bible predicts that Christ will come back to rule the earth, but no one knows when that will happen. It could happen anytime, and we’re instructed to live in a way that we are always prepared for his return. However, the second time I read this passage, I realized that I fit the desciption of parts of this passage. There are times I’m self-promoting and unbending. I’ve had an ongoing struggle with cynicism. I’ve grown a lot in this area, but I can’t’ say I’m never cynical anymore. There are times I’ve made a show of religion when inside I really don’t have the best attitude. I’ve looked like I have a great attitude on the outside when the inside doesn’t match up. I can’t judge others when I look at this passage above because I still have areas in which I need to grow. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3)

Look over the list above in 2 Timothy. Which areas of sin are you struggling with? Spend time confessing your sin to God and asking him to change your heart and attitude toward this sin. Ask him to help you despise this sin the way that he does. Find someone to whom you can open up and share your struggles. Having someone else to sharpen us and hold us accountable is key in our growth process. Spend time thanking God for Jesus, who paid the ultimate price by dying on the cross for our sins.

2 Timothy 3:10-13 Devotional by Chad November 4th, 2010

“You’ve been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings – suffering with me in all the grief I had to put up with in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. And you know well that God rescued me! Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they’re out there, things can only get worse.” (2 Tim. 3:10-13 from The Message)

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to visit college students in a Muslim country in Central Asia where it is illegal to be a Christian. I met a young man there who had just become a believer, and he said he had to hide his Bible from his parents because they would have him executed if they found it. Another young lady we’ll call “Annie” had become a believer a year prior to my visit. She was at the age when most women got engaged, and she constantly had young men asking her father for her hand in marriage.

Annie told me, “My father is an official in the Muslim government, and it is very important to him that I marry a Muslim man. Every time I am at home, he tells me he wants to marry a certain young Muslim man. I tell him I am a Christian, and it is very important to me that I marry a Christian man or no one at all. He then beats me until I am unconscious. However, Jesus gives me such great joy and love that I am happy to go through this suffering for him.”

In this Central Asian country, these college students have counted the cost of being a follower of Christ, and they have made the decision to follow him despite the consequences. I was amazed at the authenticity of their Christianity. They were in love with Jesus. I believe one of the reasons we struggle with hypocritical Christianity in America (I spent the first 7 years as a Christian living a hypocritical lifestyle) is that we have it so easy. We live in a free country where we are free to openly practice Christianity, and our opportunities to be persecuted and count the cost of being a follower of Christ are limited.

In what ways have you counted the cost of being a follower of Christ? Is there something in your life you need to sacrifice in order to follow Jesus? Maybe your time? This may mean you need to give up time you would use to do other things in order to put Jesus first and spend time with him or share him with others. Maybe you need to sacrifice an unhealthy relationship or bad habit? Thing about an area of your life you haven’t surrendered to God, and consider surrendering it to him today. God made us and knows what truly makes us happy, and ultimate satisfaction can only be found in Christ.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 Short Devotional by Chad November 5th, 2010

“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful in one way or another – showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

There is a fad right now on college campuses to believe in truth relativism, which is the doctrine that there are no absolute truths, that the truth is always relative to some particular frame of reference, such as a language or culture. I keep thinking this belief will go away because college professors are so sharp, especially science teachers. If there was no truth, there would be no laws of the universe such as gravity. It seems like science teachers could disprove relativism by daring a student to climb on top of a desk and fall backward without anyone to catch them. Oh well!

There are absolute truths, and the Bible reveals many of the truths about God as well as truths about how we can have a healthy relationship with him. That’s why we slowly walk through each book of the Bible on this blog….so we’ll get to know the truths about God. One example is that God loves each and every person he created. He created us to have a relationship with him, and even though we often neglect God and choose to live life on our own terms, he never gives up on us and provided a way to renew our relationship with him. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Spend time today memorizing 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and meditating on those verses. What are some truths that you are thankful for (such as truths about God or truths about the gifts he’s given you)? What are some ways you have rebelled against God? What are mistakes you have made? Spend time confessing any unconfessed sin in your life and surrendering your life to God. Ask him to continue to help you grow in your knowledge of him and your love for him and others. 2 Timothy 4:1-2 by Nancy November 6th, 2010

” 1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” – 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NIV)

When we first started this study, we learned that this book was Paul’s last letter to Timothy. Well, when you write a letter do you separate everything into chapters and verses? Well, just as we don’t do that in our letters, Paul wouldn’t have done that either. To fully understand chapter 4, let us go back and look at 2 Timothy 3:10-17. What was Paul saying? He was basically reminding Timothy about all that he had been taught, what scripture is and what it has the power to do. Once Timothy is reminded of that, Paul gives him a duty. He tells him what he is responsible of doing.

So, what does that mean for us? Well, I feel that God is not calling us to just have knowledge. Just knowing God’s word and believing that it is true is not enough. An authentic Christian does not just know God’s word. And being an authentic Christian does not stop at when we are transformed by God’s word but, he calls us to share God’s word. Now, the way God uses us to share is different, but we are all called to preach the truth of God’s word. And this word which has taught, rebuked, and encouraged our lives shall do the same for the lives of those whom we speak it to.

You see, we are not meant to just be poured into. I heard a speaker talk about this once. He gave the example of the sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. The sea of Galilee is the largest freshwater lake in Israel. This lake is fed by a river. The river doesn’t just feed the lake but it also flows out of the lake. The Dead Sea is fed by the same river as the sea of Galilee, but has no rivers flowing out of it due to it being the lowest elevation on Earth’s surface. So, what makes the difference between the sea of Galilee and the Dead sea? It is the constant flow of water in and out. Both lakes are fed by the same river. Both are in the same area in the world. Yet, because one has a constant flow, it can sustain life. The cannot sustain life. Just as this is true for lakes it is true for us. We must seek to have knowledge of God’s word and opportunities to share it.

What opportunities has God given you to share the gospel? What can you do to continue to be full of God’s word? How does God want you to carry out the responsability of sharing His word? Take some time to meditate on God’s word. Ask God for wisdom in answering these questions. Ask God to help you to be constantly flowing. Ask God to give you the desire to share with others what God has shared with you through his word. Ask God to give you a desire to know Him more through his word, so that you may be able to have something to share with others.

2 Timothy 4:3-8 Devotional by Chad November 7th, 2010

Coincidentally, this passage is the passage I believe the Lord used to call me into full- time college ministry several years ago. Literally within weeks of his death, Paul wrote these words to Timothy as his last words:

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

What do you want to say about yourself at the end of your life on earth? What do you want your family and friends to say about you? What do you want God to say about you? I’m so impressed with Paul and his life. He lived knowing that he wanted his Father in heaven to say at the end: “Well done, my son and faithful servant. Well done.” At the end of my life, I want to be able to say I’ve finished the race, that I’ve fought the good fight.

What changes might you need to make in your life today in order to say in the end that you fought the good fight and finished the race? None of us know how many years we have left on earth before we go to heaven. For me at the time God called me into ministry, it meant I needed to make a major change with my time. I was working for a company that required me to work 65 hours per week on average. I was spending so much time doing things which weren’t eternal, and I needed to free up my schedule so that I could do more things that lasted for eternity. If these verses reveal any unconfessed sin in your life, spend time confessing your sin and surrending your whole life to Christ.

“Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)

2 Timothy 4:9-22 Devotional by Christen November 8th, 2010

As Paul ends this second letter to Timothy, he reminds him of something very vital. The first part of this passage, Paul mentions specific people who have once stood alongside of him in the ministry, important people in his life. It then flows into two verses that are so rich with encouragement and the gospel.

“But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully though me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2 Tim. 4:17-18)

In the midst of mentioning friends who have failed Paul, he reminds Timothy of the root of who he is. The Lord. He is the source of strength and empowerment during these times, that the gospel may be preached through Paul. And not just to a couple people, but that ALL gentiles might hear. The Lord continued to empower Paul, His faithfulness was something that Paul was experiencing and sharing with Timothy. He also makes mention of the Lord’s deliverance, and continued deliverance from EVERY evil work. And he rounds it out by giving a huge shout of praise to the Lord for the Faithfulness and Deliverance he is walking in and experiencing.

Paul mentions several people in his life who have failed him, Demas or Alexander to name a couple, who in your life have you relied on, only to find out they fail you? Paul talks about being delivered from the mouth of the lion and every evil work, what things have you seen the Lord deliver you from? Are you currently in a place of doubting His faithfulness, or wondering if deliverance will ever come? What is keeping you from trusting in His faithfulness?

For me, my daily or life circumstances, feel like sometimes to much for the Lord to deliver me from. I often doubt the Lord’s faithfulness, and find myself wanting to control things, feeling to caught up in fear and thinking what if the Lord doesn’t provide or what if He doesn’t come through this time? Paul’s confidence and belief in the Lord’s faithfulness is encouraging. The picture that we get in our minds, when Paul says the Lord stood with Him, and delivered him from the mouth of a lion, it’s incredible. And the same Lord that stood and delivered Paul, is still faithful. He stands and delivers us today. Praise the Lord.

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” (Matt 6:30-33, message)