Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/search?%s=2+Timothy+4.6-8,16-18

Scripture

I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith

Observation

Paul believes the time is close to his departure from this life. He has fought the good fight and kept the faith. Now he looks forward to receiving the crown of righteousness that is waiting for him- not just for Paul but for all who await the coming of the Lord.

At his first court hearing, there was nobody with him, but the Lord gave him strength so that he was delivered from the lion’s mouth. Paul knows that the Lord will rescue him from every evil attack and bring him safely into the heavenly kingdom.

Application

As he approached the end of his life, Paul could honestly say that he had fought the fight, finished the race and kept the faith.

My calling his not the same as Paul’s. We are all running our own race.

The key is to be faithful in the stewardship of the life God has called us to,.

There may be times when I feel like I have failed or pulled up short on what I should have done. There may be times when I feel like I have done the best I possibly could to honour God,. And there are the times when my life is so ordinary that God seems to be right out of the picture.

In all of these times I must determine to stay the course and remain faithful to Christ.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me to always seek you. No matter what comes my way, may the name of Christ be praised in my life. Amen.

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3.14-4.5

Scripture

Preach the word of God. Be prepared whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

Observation

Paul encourages Timothy to hold on to what he has been taught. He has been taught the Scriptures from childhood. All Scripture is inspired by God, and is useful for teaching and correction so that God’s people are equipped for every good work.

We need to proclaim God’s word whether is is favourable or not. A time is coming (I suspect that time has always been with us) when people will not listen to sound teaching, but will look for teachers to tell them what they want to hear, rejecting the truth for myths.

Application

Scripture is the bread of life. As Paul tells Timothy, it is inspired by God.. It teaches us and equips us for every good work.

Too many christians are unfamiliar with the Bible. Very few ever read it right through. Too many fail to spend time in the word each day.

Like someone who only ever eats potato chips, we ignore a full diet and wonder why we lack stamina. The biggest reason that the church is losing ground in many Western countries these days is that many christians neglect the word of God. Instead we settle for the latest fad teaching that sounds good but carries little power.

If you want to do the works of God in this world, you need the word of God.

Prayer

Lord, please help me to establish a time for your word and for prayer in my daily schedule so that I can be equipped for the work you have for me to do. Amen.

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+2.8-15

Scripture

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, as a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Observation

Paul exhorts Timothy to remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead. Paul is in chains for this gospel, but the word of God cannot be chained.

If we die with Christ, we will rise with Him. If we endure we will reign with Him.

Timothy must do his best to present himself to God as one approved.

Application

Paul tells Timothy to do his best to present Himself to God as one approved. He needs to do the best that he can to serve Christ with the gifts and resources he has.

When we decide to follow Christ we commit ourselves to serving Him in all parts of our lives.

The specifics of what that looks like vary from person to person depending on the task to which God assigns us. There are some common factors though. The one approved by God will be someone who

• lives a life that reflects Christ’s character

• seeks to serve Christ at every opportunity

• lives in the community of faithful christians

• knows God’s word through meditation on it.

• knows the voice of the shepherd through regular communion with Him.

Prayer

Lord, show me how to be faithful in every part of my life. Amen.

Passage: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+1.1-14

Scripture

Yet I am not ashamed for I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

Observation

Paul thanks God for Timothy, being reminded of his sincere faith handed down from his grandmother and mother.

He reminds Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God that was imparted to him by the laying on of hands. The Spirit is not about timidity but about power, faith and self-discipline.

God saves us and calls us to a life of holiness. This grace was given in Christ before the beginning of time. But has only now been revealed. Christ has destroyed death and brought immortality through the gospel.

Application

Two gifts from God are given to us to equip us for eternity.

Firstly there is the gospel, the message of salvation that sets us free from sin and death and brings us into the light and eternal life.

Then there is the Holy Spirit- the spirit of power, love and self-control. It is the Holy Spirit who equips us to live our lives for Christ.

Paul tells Timothy he must fan into flame the gift that was placed in him. We do this through prayer and obedience. As we take baby steps in the life of the Spirit we become mature and live in the fullness of what Christ created us to be.

Prayer

Holy Spirit I receive as a deposit that gift you have placed in me. Help me to grow in all of yout gifts and become effective in your kingdom. Amen.