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

Scripture
Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge.

Observation
People who are rich in this world should not be proud. They shouldn’t trust their money which is so unreliable. Instead, they should put their trust in God, being rich in good works and generosity.

Timothy should guard what God has entrusted to him. He should avoid godless, foolish discussions with opponents who flaunt their so-called knowledge.

Application
What has God entrusted to me?

• a ministry of pastoral care and teaching
• a dynamic faith community
• the gospel of Jesus Christ
• true knowledge of God and His word
• spiritual gifts

We all have received these things and much more from the Lord, and therefore should guard them as a treasured gift.

The “so-called knowledge” was probably a reference to the various gnostic sects. They thought that by learning various secrets of spiritual knowledge, we could shake off the sinful physical world and ascend to higher levels of spiritual purity. While they blended together teachings from various religions, including Christianity, they were far from the true faith.

We must avoid the temptation of chasing Bible secrets and mystical formulas for our salvation. It is our relationship with Jesus that sets us free from all sin. That is all we need.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are my living King. Thank you for your unfailing love. Amen

Scripture

For at just the right time, Christ will be revealed from Heaven by the blessed and only Almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Observation

People who long to be rich fall into all kinds of temptations. Money is a root of all kinds of evil. People have wandered away from the faith because of it.

Timothy is a man of God and will run away from these evil things. He should fight the good fight for the faith. If he does this without wavering, no one will find fault with him.

At just the right time Christ will be revealed from Heaven by Almighty God. He lives in light so brilliant that no human eye can see him.

Application

Many people spend a lot of time delving into the time and manner of Christ’s return. Many books have been written claiming to have the date worked out.

Regardless of what the latest teaching tells us about this, Christ will be revealed at the right time appointed by God. We don’t have to worry about these things, but rather we should be listening for what the Holy Spirit is telling us in this moment.

All of these things, both the cosmic “big picture” events and the mundane events of our daily lives are in God’s hands. We must trust Him and look to Him as our defender and protector in uncertain times. He is the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings.

Prayer

I thank you Lord that you are in control of the world and of my life. Help me to trust you always. Amen

Scripture

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth

Observation

Slaves must respect their masters, especially if the master is also a believer.

Timothy is encouraged to teach all these things. Those who contradict Paul’s teaching quibble over the meanings of words and stir up division.

True godliness with contentment is great wealth. We came into the world with nothing and we will leave the world with nothing. If we have enough food and clothing we should be content.

Application

If you have enough to live on, you don’t need anything more. There are people who are never happy with what they have. They have to have the latest model car, the best new gadgets, up-to-date fashions, and so on. Even with all this, they still want more.

True peace comes when we are content with what we have and thankful to God who is the provider of every good thing.

Living in relationship with God and honouring Him with our lifestyle is storing up for ourselves treasures in heaven. This is the eternal source of wealth, far better than gold or silver.

To combine godliness with contentment means that we are storing up eternal wealth and not lacking anything in this life either. Our hearts are fixed on God, our eyes focused on heaven, and nothing can disturb us.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for this recipe for true riches – godliness and contentment. Amen