Prepare

I am currently reading through 2 Timothy. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

2 Timothy 3

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Prepare. I love the way Warren Wiersbe summarizes verse 16 ... the Bible helps us know what is right, what is not right, how to get right, and how to stay right. This is why it is so important for us to be in God’s Word on a daily basis. More important than that, our knowledge must translate into action. Don’t stop studying God’s Word; but don’t stop there ... live God’s Word.

Faithful

I am currently reading through 2 Timothy. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

2 Timothy 3

14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.

15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

Faithful. The idea of remaining faithful, in marriage, has been in the news a lot lately. It, along with this passage, is an important reminder that we need to be mindful of the temptations in our life that could disrupt our relationship with God.

Canceled

Today, I invite you to reread the story Jonathan looked about last weekend as we talked about the importance of being thankful.

Luke 7

36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat.

37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume.

38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”

40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.

41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people - 500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other.

42 But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”

43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said.

44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet.

46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

47 “I tell you, her sins - and they are many - have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”

48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Canceled. I pray that I never (and you) forget the debt that has been canceled. I’m not talking about living in guilt. I’m talking about living in grace ... thankful for the fact that my debt has been canceled.

Persecution

I am currently reading through 2 Timothy. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

2 Timothy 3

10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.

11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra - but the Lord rescued me from all of it.

12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Persecution. I appreciate Paul’s honesty in this part of his letter. It is an aspect of following Jesus that isn’t always talked about; but the truth of the matter is, when you choose to accept the forgiveness offered through Jesus and live a life that honors God, you will experience challenges. Jesus described Satan as a thief whose “purpose is to steal and kill and destroy”. It doesn’t mean God has abandoned you. Paul even refers to being rescued; but it will require growth in our faith, patience, love and endurance.

Away

I am currently reading through 2 Timothy. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

2 Timothy 3

1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.

2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.

3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

Away. Paul doesn’t paint a pretty picture; but sadly, we have all interacted with people that have exhibited these behaviors. For me, the key is using this list as a guide and making sure the people I allow to influence my life (people I take advice from, people I want to emulate) don’t exhibit any of these behaviors. If they do, I need to find some new role models.