Bible Chapter: II Timothy 1

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
     This is Paul’s last letter.  He is in prison and suffering for the cause of the Gospel.  He wrote to Timothy to encourage him to remain faithful to the calling on his life.  He encouraged Timothy to keep the power of God in his life burning brightly.  God has not given a spirit of fear or timidity, but of power.  Don’t be ashamed to testify of who God is and what He has done.  God has saved and called to a holy life, so live it.
    Paul was suffering, but it was for Jesus. He was not ashamed for he knew WHOM HE BELIEVED.  This is very important.  He knew Jesus.  He knew that Jesus was able to keep him.  This was vital for him to remember.  It was all about and for Jesus.  Jesus suffered and died for the world.  He rose from the grave.  Some day Jesus will bring the final victory.
    Because of the victory coming, because Jesus is Lord, Paul urged Timothy to hold fast to the pattern of sound doctrine he had learned.  The teachings Jesus gave will never change.  There must never be any compromise on doctrine.  Any spiritual experiences we have must match with sound teaching or they are wrong.  Nothing can overtake sound Biblical teaching.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Paul was really on his last legs.  He knew the Roman emperor was doing all he could to stop Christianity from spreading.  Most of the people who had been with Paul had deserted him.  He expected death to come soon.  Yet he wrote to encourage Timothy to be faithful, remember his heritage, remember the teachings he had received, and stick with it.  Don’t give up or compromise.  He encouraged him to stand for the Lord and not be ashamed.  This is good advice for all.  It is easy to see challenges in life and wonder if we can make it.  Paul put the emphasis on who Jesus IS.  Jesus is able to keep us through anything that comes along.  Even when the world turns against a person, Jesus is able to carry us through.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I can encourage believers to stick with all they know of Jesus.  It seems that the first thing that comes to mind when things get really tough is to simply run.  I quit.  Jesus isn’t here for us only when things are going well.  He is here for the hard times as well.