226th Week II Timothy Chapters 3&4

Click on Title for Video Introduction 

Monday, II Timothy Chapter 3

II Timothy 3

Verse 16

Bart Strayer

Verse 16:  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

THOUGHT

Man, more and more I find myself being ever thankful for God’s Word. I have noticed that when I make ungodly decisions in my life, they seem to perpetuate additional bad decisions. When I start down a path that God may not have called me to, I find that at some point, decisions and judgments

will go against the Word of God. Without the Word of God to fall back on, what trouble would we get ourselves into?

There are times in my life that I find myself making a poor decision, and it feels good and seems right.  I cringe when I hear people say, “Well, it just felt right.”  What feels right, isn’t always so. If you don’t believe this, you are underestimating the devil’s ability to deceive you. It can “feel right”, cheat on your taxes, cheat on your spouse, or idolize a popular person. It is during these times that the Word of God AND its application become powerful moral stabilizers.  Praise God for His Word!

PRAYER

God, we thank You for Your Word. We thank You for those who have gone before us that You have used to speak to us. We thank You for those submissive saints like the apostle Paul that You used so effectively. Help us to be usable vessels like Paul. Teach us and guide us each and every day through Your Word, our prayers, and our application of the Christian life. We pray in Jesus Name. AMEN

Tuesday, II Timothy Chapter 4

II Timothy 4

Verses 7-8

Bart Strayer

Verses 7-8:  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.

THOUGHT

I will be brief. Paul had put his salvation in Jesus and had done the Lord’s work. He was confident in his life beyond death. Paul’s life was beyond just believing in Christ, it was putting Christ in his work, time, and priorities. He had ‘fought the good fight’.  How confident are you that you have given all you can for the Lord?

Someday we will answer to our actions here on earth. If you were to die right now, and the Lord asked you, “Show me how you spent your time and resources on earth to indicate that I am the most important thing in your  life.”  How would you respond?

PRAYER

God, we thank You for Your seasons. We thank You and give You praise for the work that You are doing in each of our lives. Help us to have patience in waiting for You. Help us not to get discouraged with Your timing.  Teach us to be faithful followers so that we may be vessels for You to

use. We pray in Jesus Name. AMEN

Wednesday, Timothy - personal review

Information from Life Application Bible

Paul recruited Timothy who was very eager to be his assistant.  As a result, Timothy became a son to Paul.  Timothy already had a solid Jewish training in the Scriptures from his mother and grandmother.  It did not take long for him to grow into a respected disciple of Jesus.  He did not hesitate to join Paul and Silas on their journey.  Timothy's Greek/Jewish background could have created problems.  However, Timothy's submission to the rite of Circumcision helped to avoid that potential  problem. 

Beyond the tensions created by his mixed racial background, Timothy seemed to struggle with a naturally timid character and a sensitivity to his youthfulness.  By God's grace, Paul saw great potential in Timothy.  Paul demonstrated his confidence in Timothy by entrusting him with important responsibilities.  Paul sent Timothy as his personal representative to Corinth during a particularly tense time.  Although Timothy was apparently ineffective in that difficult mission, Paul did not give up on him.   Timothy continued to travel with Paul.  

Our last pictures of Timothy come from the most personal letters in the New Testament, the books we just read, I and II Timothy.  The aging apostle Paul was near the end of his life, but his burning desire to continue his mission had not dimmed.  Paul was writing to one of his closest friends - they had traveled, suffered, cried, and laughed together.  They shared the intense joy of seeing people respond to the Good News and the agonies of seeing the gospel rejected and distorted.  Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to oversee the young church there.  He wrote to encourage Timothy and give him needed direction.  These letters have provided comfort and help to countless other "Timothys" through the years.  When you face a challenge that seems  beyond your abilities, read I and II Timothy and remember that others have shared your experience.  

Paul said this in Philippians 2:20-22.  "I have no one else like Timothy, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.  For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.  But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel."  Paul was proud of Timothy.  

Thursday, The Word of God

Paul shared in II Timothy the importance of knowing the Word of God and made some points in this letter that need to be given extra attention.  As you have realized by reading this blog, I believe that as a Christian, we must study the Bible.  It is very important for growing a relationship with God-our Father, Jesus-our Friend, and the Holy Spirit that dwells within.  Today our reading will be a reaffirmation of the verses Bart shared on Monday.  Most of this information that follows is from the Life Application Bible that focuses on verses 15-16 in II Timothy.

For Timothy the "Holy Scriptures" was the Old Testament - Genesis to Malachi.  The Old Testament is important because it points to Jesus Christ but shows the power and mightiness of our God.  Yes, He is in control.  The Bible is not a collection of stories, fables, myths, or merely human ideas about God. It does share the history, the truth, and experiences that happened in BC.   The lives of Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Jacob, Joseph, Samuel, Isaiah and more were recorded and how God related with them.  Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed His person and plan to certain believers, who wrote down His message for His people.  The writers were inspired and wrote from their own personal, historical, and cultural contexts.  Although they had their own minds, talents, language, and style, they wrote what God wanted them to write.  Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing.  Paul was such an amazing example of this as we see in the books of the New Testament and the letters he wrote.  

The whole Bible is God's inspired Word.  We need to apply it to our lives and use it as a standard to live by.  It is a source of knowledge about how we can know Jesus Christ and come to His saving grace.  God wants you to know what is true and show you how to live for Him.  We need to not just be familiar with the New Testament.  We must include the Old Testament in our reading and see how our mighty God has connected them.  Read it regularly to discover God's truth and to become confident in your life and faith.  And remember my blog will help.  We have devotions for every chapter for over two thirds of the Bible right now.  BIBLICAL SHAKERS WILL MAKE READING THE BIBLE MORE ENJOYABLE FOR YOU!!!!

Friday, Day of Your Own Quiet Meditation

Just hold your Bible, Be Still, and Let the Lord Speak to You!!