Scripture

Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.

Observation

Paul requests Timothy to come to him soon. Demas has abandoned the Lord because of the world. Of his close friends only Luke is still with him.

Even though Paul was alone when brought before the judge, God was with him, and He will bring him safely to His heavenly kingdom. The Lord gave him the opportunity and the strength to preach the gospel.

Application

The great assurance of the faith is that we will overcome every enemy. God will bring us through the attacks of the evil one. If we stand firm in Christ, He will carry us through to the heavenly Kingdom.

There is no fear in Christ. His perfect love drives out all fear. He has conquered death and promises that we will share in that victory.

When we are under threat to our lives we must remember that this life is not the end. There is a reward awaiting us in heaven. The worst the world can do is destroy our body. Christ will recreate our body and soul for heaven.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for this wonderful promise. I know that when I die, I will rise to be with you for ever. All glory to you forever and ever. Amen.

Scripture

And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Observation

Paul urges Timothy to preach the word of God always, whether time is favourable or not. He is to patiently rebuke and encourage his people.

A time is coming when people will not want to listen to good teaching, but will look for teachers who will give the message they want to hear. They will reject truth and prefer myths.

Paul’s life is coming to an end, poured out like a drink offering to the Lord. He has fought the good fight and run the race. The Lord will reward him with a crown of righteousness, a prize that is not just for him, but for all who look forward to His coming.

Application

We have a huge future ahead of us. In our materialistic culture we find it so hard to think of anything beyond this physical life. But there is so much more that awaits us.

There is a prize for finishing the christian race. If we persevere to the end, we will get to heaven. We will enter an eternity of life and joy in the presence of God.

What we perceive dimly and occasionally we will see completely and for ever. The presence of God, which we experience sometimes with great excitement and as a concrete reality but other times we struggle to even think about, it will become as real as the sun and the moon. The light of God will outshine the noonday sun every day.

One day we will enter into God’s welcome, “Well done good and faithful servant.” What a great joy that will be.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the assurance of eternal life and eternal happiness in your presence. Please help me to remember this coming prize even when my life is a struggle. Amen.

Scripture

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

Observation

Timothy knows Paul. He knows Paul’s faith and his purpose in life. He knows about the persecution that Paul has suffered at the hands of evil people and impostors.

Paul exhorts Timothy to be faithful in the things that he has been taught. Timothy has been taught the Scriptures since childhood, and these gave him the wisdom to receive salvation.

All scripture is inspired by God, and it is useful to teach us and correct us, as well as preparing us for every good work.

Application

All Scripture, the entire Bible, is inspired by God. The words that we read are God’s words to us. The understanding and wisdom that we gain our God’s wisdom.

The Bible is good to equip us for every good work in Christ. It shows us what is God’s message for the world. It teaches us the values and attitudes that we should carry in our everyday life.

The Bible is good for confronting our sins and destructive attitudes. It convicts us about where we have grieved God and teaches us how to repent and get back to friendship with God.

We need to read the Bible with the grace of the Holy Spirit. It is no good reading it with human reason. It is God’s Word, not just a human book, and so it must be interpreted to us by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for your special word, the Bible. Help me to read it and to receive the life-changing message it carries. Amen.

Scripture

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

Reflection

Oh how my heart aches for these people who are respectable on the outside, but their hearts are far from me. They are like cockatoos who squawk loudly, they dress in there whiter than white clothes, and devour those who are naive.

Week by week they sit in churches, not listening to the message that could set them free. They infiltrate the structures of men and demand a doctrine that will tickle fleshly ears but leads people away from me.

You, my son, are not to be like that. Preach the pure word of God. Let my spirit infuse and lead all that you say and do.

How do you pursue true religion? Read my word. Pray daily. Listen to my voice.

People who practise false religion have never heard my voice. The a’re not my sheep. If they heard my voice they would follow me and receive my power to be transformed. If they heard my voice they would love me because they are seeking me but are deceived .

Again I say to you: preach my word with truth and conviction, even courage. I will lead you in my ways, and I will direct your paths because I love you and you are special to me.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your promise to lead me in your ways. May I always be open to your Spirit. Amen.

Scripture

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

Observation

In wealthy homes, some vessels are for special occasions, while others of cheaper quality are for everyday use. If you keep your life pure, you will be ready for the Lord to use for every good work.

Paul urges Timothy to run away from anything that stimulates lusts, but instead to pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace.

Timothy must not get involved in foolish arguments. He should gently instruct those who oppose the truth. perhaps such people will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap.

Application

We are not to be passive about temptation. The fact is that we are all subject to the devil’s seductions. We all have our weaknesses that satan can exploit against us.

Paul urges Timothy to be aware of these things in his own heart and flee from those situations likely to cause him to stumble.

The active side of this is that we should pursue positive things – righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Rather than being in those places that vex our soul, we must actively seek out the values that the Lord wants to grow in us.

Rather than seek the friendship of sinners, we should pursue fellowship with believers who will stimulate spiritual growth. This is not to live in a christian bubble, untouched by unbelievers. No, it is a direction to ensure that our hearts are being influenced by people who are walking in the Lord.

Prayer

Lord, please show me how to order my life according to your priorities. Please direct my path every day. Amen

Scripture

Because I preached this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal.

Observation

The Good News is that Jesus Christ was crucified and raised from the dead. Because Paul preaches this Good News, he is chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.

If we died with Christ, we will rise with Him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him. if we are unfaithful, He remains faithful.

Timothy should work hard to present himself before God as a faithful worker. We should avoid foolish talk that leads to godless behaviour. Hymenaeus and Philetus have turned some people away from faith by teaching that the resurrection of the dead has already happened.

Application

The word of God cannot be chained.

Gods word is powerful and mighty. Nobody can restrain it. Tyrants and governments try, and the more they squash the truth the more it grows.

Jesus said that if His disciple stopped praising Him, then the rocks themselves would sing his praises.

Nothing can stop the gospel from being spoken, heard, and accepted .

Some people say that we live in a post-christian society. I say that we’re in a pre-christian society. Many people have rejected the truth, but they will see that Jesus is the only answer to their personal problems and those of the nation.

The word of God, energised by the Spirit of God, is about to be released in the land in a way we have never yet seen.

Prayer

Lord, your word cannot be chained. Make it effective and powerful in all who hear it. Amen

Scripture
For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time – to show us his grace through Christ jesus.

Observation
Don’t be ashamed to tell others about the Lord. Timothy needs to be ready to suffer for the sake of the Good News. God saved us to live a holy life and He planned this before the beginning of time.

Paul is suffering in prison because of his preaching. He is not ashamed because he knows the one he trusts.

Everyone from the province of Asia has deserted Paul. Onesiphorous, on the other hand, has been kind to Paul. He often visited Paul and encouraged him.

Application
God saved us from before time began. That was his eternal plan. Christ was killed before the foundation of the world.

Before he created anything, God had a plan for people. He foresaw that we would rebel against Him, but he also planned for our salvation.

God has called us to leave a holy life. We who are saved have a responsibility to live as God’s treasured people. Salvation is not the end in itself, but the establishment of a people dedicated to him is the goal.

All of this is God’s great grace. We never deserved to be saved. He saved us because of His great love.

Now, we respond to that love by serving Him and living for Him .

Prayer
Thank you Jesus for saving me. I commit myself to serving you and living a holy life to your glory. Amen

Scripture

This is why I remind you to fan into flame the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

Observation

Paul was chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ. His mission is to tell others about the life that comes through faith in Christ.

He thanks God for Timothy, praying for him night and day. He longs to see him again and will be overjoyed when they are reunited.

Timothy shares the faith of his mother and grandmother. Now he needs to fan into flame the gift God gave him when Paul laid hands on him. God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love and self control.

Application

All followers of Jesus have a deposit of the Holy Spirit. When we are filled or baptised with the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Holy Spirit flow out of us and into other people.

Paul reminds us here that we must fan into flame the spiritual gift that we have received. The christian life is a partnership with God, and there is always something that we must do to receive the fullness of Gods promises.

There are several ways that we can fan into flame the spiritual gifts that we experience.

Firstly, we must use the means of grace to care for our own spiritual life. We must devote ourselves to prayer, reading the scripture, worship, and so on.

Secondly, we must submit ourselves to spiritual authority – our church and pastor, an apostle or other accountability person.

Thirdly, we must use the gifts. Spiritual gifts are like physical muscles. They grow best when they are used. People benefit from practising their gifts in small groups before standing in front of a crowd. Individual ministry is also a great way to fan these gifts into flame.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Please help me to use your gifts effectively and to the glory of Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. Amen