Today's full reading: 1 Timothy 4:1-22
"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." (1 Timothy 4:2 NIV)
You may not consider yourself to be a preacher, but in some way or another all Christ followers preach the gospel. You may not preach Sunday sermons for large or small congregations, but you will have opportunities on a daily basis to preach the gospel through conversations with friends, neighbors, and co-workers.
Paul's instruction to "be prepared in season and out of season" is particularly applicable to us today. I know this, if you are not prepared to speak the gospel message, you won't! If you have not been meditating on scripture then you won't see the opportunities to sow it's truth in the lives of those who desperately need it (whether they recognize their need or not). We must take time to prepare ourselves to preach the Word.
Today, as an act of worship, thank God for his life-giving, life-sustaining Word. Ask the Lord to give you spiritual eyes to see the spiritual needs of others so that you can pray for them and speak the truth (in love) to them.
Showing posts with label 2 Timothy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2 Timothy. Show all posts
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
The Godly Will Be Persecuted
Today's full reading: 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17
"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV)
The passage we are focusing on today is filled with instructions for daily living: things to do and thing not to do. But, in the midst of that Paul reminds Timothy to be mindful of the persecutions he endured on his previous missionary journey and the fact that it was the Lord who rescued him.
As we spread a passion for the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things we will must assuredly face persecution, hardship, and trouble, but take heart Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). He will rescue us, though we must reject the notion that Christ will rescue us from all harm and pain in this world and will let us live long and happy lives. That is ridiculous! Read the Bible.
I have heard it said that sometimes God chooses to deliver us from a trial (meaning he takes it away entirely), sometimes he chooses to deliver us through a trial (meaning he is in the fire with us), and sometime he chooses to deliver us by a trial (this is our ultimate deliverance where our trial takes our very life and we are delivered from this world of suffering into God's heavenly presence for all eternity.)
Today, as an act of worship, rejoice in this Lord in the midst of persecution. "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5 NIV)
"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12 NIV)
The passage we are focusing on today is filled with instructions for daily living: things to do and thing not to do. But, in the midst of that Paul reminds Timothy to be mindful of the persecutions he endured on his previous missionary journey and the fact that it was the Lord who rescued him.
As we spread a passion for the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things we will must assuredly face persecution, hardship, and trouble, but take heart Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). He will rescue us, though we must reject the notion that Christ will rescue us from all harm and pain in this world and will let us live long and happy lives. That is ridiculous! Read the Bible.
I have heard it said that sometimes God chooses to deliver us from a trial (meaning he takes it away entirely), sometimes he chooses to deliver us through a trial (meaning he is in the fire with us), and sometime he chooses to deliver us by a trial (this is our ultimate deliverance where our trial takes our very life and we are delivered from this world of suffering into God's heavenly presence for all eternity.)
Today, as an act of worship, rejoice in this Lord in the midst of persecution. "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:4-5 NIV)
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Correctly Handle the Word of Truth
Today's full reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-21
"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 truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV)
The more I reflect on the verse above the more it challenges me to study my Bible and obey its words. When it comes right down to it there is work involved in following Christ. Christ is not here in bodily form right now to disciple us to be his followers; he has left us his Word and his Holy Spirit to teach us.
Studying the Bible does not happen by osmosis, it takes time and effort and if it is going to bear the fruit of righteousness in our lives we must be obedient to the Holy Spirit when he reveals things in and about his Word that are so clearly applicable to our daily life.
Today as an act of worship, praise God for his Spirit and his Word. Commit to spend time in his word today; obey his Holy Spirit, who will guide you into all godliness and righteousness. "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 truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV)
"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 truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV)
The more I reflect on the verse above the more it challenges me to study my Bible and obey its words. When it comes right down to it there is work involved in following Christ. Christ is not here in bodily form right now to disciple us to be his followers; he has left us his Word and his Holy Spirit to teach us.
Studying the Bible does not happen by osmosis, it takes time and effort and if it is going to bear the fruit of righteousness in our lives we must be obedient to the Holy Spirit when he reveals things in and about his Word that are so clearly applicable to our daily life.
Today as an act of worship, praise God for his Spirit and his Word. Commit to spend time in his word today; obey his Holy Spirit, who will guide you into all godliness and righteousness. "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 truth." (2 Timothy 2:15 NIV)
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Persecution, Hardship, and A Spirit of Power
Today's full reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-18
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 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, who 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, but 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." (2 Timothy 1:7-10 NIV)
Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy and the church at Ephesus during his imprisonment after his fourth missionary journey. This time he was not under house arrest as before, but under the reign of Roman Emperor Nero, he was chained in a dungeon like a common criminal. It was likely his harsh imprisonment that motivated Paul to write to Timothy and the church at Ephesus one more time. He was obviously concerned for their perseverance in the face of persecution.
Imagine being a member of the church at Ephesus and hearing that Paul was imprisoned by Roman Emperor Nero (whose reputation was quickly spreading for being a ruthless persecutor of the church by torturing Christians). How would that impact the way you share your faith? Would you claim Paul as your brother and risk unjustly incriminating yourself? Would you be willing to join in Paul's suffering for the gospel? For that matter, are you willing to join in Christ's sufferings?
Today, as an act of worship, I pray you will lean on the power that Christ gives us through the presence and working of the Holy Spirit living in us. This power is necessary for us to stand firm in Christ when faced with persecution.
It is this power that he refers to in 2 Timothy 1:7 saying, "God did not give us a spirit of timidity (or fear), but a spirit of power." Recall with me the words of Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses."
"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 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, who 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, but 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." (2 Timothy 1:7-10 NIV)
Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy and the church at Ephesus during his imprisonment after his fourth missionary journey. This time he was not under house arrest as before, but under the reign of Roman Emperor Nero, he was chained in a dungeon like a common criminal. It was likely his harsh imprisonment that motivated Paul to write to Timothy and the church at Ephesus one more time. He was obviously concerned for their perseverance in the face of persecution.
Imagine being a member of the church at Ephesus and hearing that Paul was imprisoned by Roman Emperor Nero (whose reputation was quickly spreading for being a ruthless persecutor of the church by torturing Christians). How would that impact the way you share your faith? Would you claim Paul as your brother and risk unjustly incriminating yourself? Would you be willing to join in Paul's suffering for the gospel? For that matter, are you willing to join in Christ's sufferings?
Today, as an act of worship, I pray you will lean on the power that Christ gives us through the presence and working of the Holy Spirit living in us. This power is necessary for us to stand firm in Christ when faced with persecution.
It is this power that he refers to in 2 Timothy 1:7 saying, "God did not give us a spirit of timidity (or fear), but a spirit of power." Recall with me the words of Acts 1:8, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
