2 Timothy

Joyful Expectation {2 Timothy 4}

12:30 AM

Friday, October 6 th 2017 -

We close the second letter to Timothy with Paul’s final instructions. Paul sat in his cold,
damp prison cell and he knew deep inside these were his last days of ministry. This
exhortation to Timothy is with great determination: “I charge you…” - Now it is your turn
Timothy, you must carry the torch! - These same words are for us, too! What is keeping us
from doing so?

“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to
judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:  2  preach
the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right
and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity
seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether
welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn
[those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual
maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching.” (4:1-2 AMP)




Preach the word! As Christians we are not only to know the word of God and keep it to
ourselves, but to share it… to preach it! We must always be ready to give testimony and
be ready in season and out of season. We should be ready always. We should preach it
when it is easy and preach it when it is difficult.

When Paul first encouraged Timothy saying: “Let no one look down on [you because
of] your youth, but be an example and set a pattern for the believers in
speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in [moral] purity.” (1 Tim. 4.12) He
was telling Him that it was not his experience in life what would bring forth
good fruits in his ministry, but his testimony (his example). I believe these
words are also true for us. We might not be mature Christians and might not
know much of the Word by heart, but if His Holy Spirit is in us, we will be
useful instruments at His service. But ultimately it is His Work, by the Power of
His Holy Spirit! I have seen this in my husband’s life: almost on a daily basis
he is encouraging people to seek God, to surrender their lives and plans to Him
and praying for them. He is just an ordinary man, but he loves God and wants
to serve Him. We shouldn’t be afraid (2 Tim.1:7) to tell others what our Father
has done in our lives through our Savior Jesus Christ!

In the next verses, Paul tells Timothy that he needed to keep focused on the Word of God
because man, by his natural instinct, does not want God's revelation. So people would
rather hear what they want to hear - something to scratch their itching ears. (4:3-4)
Paul also warns Timothy that t even though, there are plenty of wonderful blessings in
serving God, but there are also afflictions to be endured. (4:5, John 16:33)



Paul knew his life in this world would soon end, that he would soon be with Jesus and he
awaited this event in joyful expectation! Finally he would be free from all his hardship!

 “ For I am already being  [a] poured out as a drink offering, and the time of  [b] my
departure [from this world] is at hand and I will soon go free.”

(A drink offering is first presented in Genesis 35:14, where Jacob poured out a drink
offering before the Lord as a sacrifice. In the Mosaic Law, drink offerings could be a part of
sacrifice to the Lord (Exodus 29:40-41 and Leviticus 23:13). Blueletterbilble.org)

Paul was about to be condemned and executed by an earthly court, but he was also going
to be rewarded in heaven by his Lord. (4:7-8, 18) And this promise is for us: also to all
who have loved and are looking forward to Jesus’ return. Yes, this promise is for us, if we
will set our focus on heaven and on Jesus, who walked the earth and now reigns in heaven
and is waiting to receive us! Yes, “To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Blessings my sisters!
Mari

2 timothy 3

Difficult Times {2 Timothy 3}

12:30 AM



All you have to do is turn on the news and it is overwhelming how much hate, violence, and selfish greed abounds.  If you work in a job involving customer service, you will also find an abundance of demanding, rude, and self entitled people who thrive on making enough of a scene to get what they want.  When I think back to how society was in my early childhood years and compare it to today, I would definitely have to say that it makes for more difficult times. The more godless or self centered a society becomes the more that society begins to implode ( collapse inward upon itself).  

Paul gives warning that as society abandons the truths and values of God, times will get more difficult for all.
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (1-5)

Well, we can't avoid such people all together, but we can make wise choices about who we surround ourselves with in our groups of intimate friends and companions. Instead of letting the world influence and change us, we should hope to influence and change the world.  As God gets pushed to the sidelines of modern culture, we have a responsibility to be light in a world growing ever darker.

Have you known persecution?  Paul says to expect it if you are a follower of Christ "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.."  but as he continues, he also shows us that sinners suffer a self inflicted persecution. 
"...while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”  Satan's specialty is deception and it is a downward spiral of destruction because it leaves a person empty and cut off from the love of God.  No matter how much we may suffer because we follow Christ, , it is the deceived of this world who suffer the greatest loss of all. 

Paul encourages us in v 14 "continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed".  He ends this chapter with some of my favorite verses for they speak of life and mystery and the awesome gift we have because we can read the sacred Word of God.  
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (16-17)

The world chooses to be deceived.  We can choose to know truth.  The world chooses to self destruct.  We can choose to be equipped by God and made complete. 
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