From: October 23, 2023
“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NLT).
There are so many voices vying for our attention. To whom do we listen? Whose approval should we seek? The apostle Paul advised the young pastor Timothy to focus on God’s approval. He told him to be diligent to work for the Lord, studying to hear His voice and please Him above all others. This rightly required “shunning” (2 Tim. 2:16) voices that competed with or spoke contrary to God’s Word. He told Timothy to work at the study and teaching of God’s Word like a tentmaker who cuts straight the thick camel hides of his craft, rightly dividing the Scriptures. Don’t water it down. Cut it straight!
This is still good advice for today. Work hard to fulfill the calling God has on your life. Focus on it. Live for the approval of God, not the applause of man.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we desire Your approval. May You delight in us as we offer ourselves as living sacrifices to You. May You be glorified in our lives today as we seek to please You above all others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 23, 2022
CHRIST OUR STRENGTH
Paul’s second epistle to Timothy is a letter of encouragement from a father to his spiritual son. The affection Paul has for Timothy is evident, yet so is his desire to see him strengthened in the Lord. Paul had learned to depend on the grace he received from abiding in Christ to be his strength when all else failed him. As he wrote to the believers in Philippi, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). Yet, how do we call on this strength?
It has been my experience that the strength of which Paul speaks is available at the very moment when I make myself available. I have gotten up from a sickbed on a Sunday morning, taken a shower, dressed and arrived at the church weak as water. Yet, when I stepped into the pulpit a power beyond my own radiated and surged within me, enabling me to preach. If I had not shown up, I would not have experienced this power. I have found that the strengthening of Christ lies just at the point where my strength has run out. The way to tap into that power is a decision to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power” (Eph. 6:10) when your strength is gone.
If we are to experience this strength that comes from abiding in Christ, we must attempt things that are beyond us, trusting that the Lord will enable us. For God cares more for our availability than our ability. If we will show up in faith, He will show up in strength.
PRAYER: Dear Father, give us grace and strength as we face another day. Give us strength to do what you’ve called us to do. Empower us to persevere even when we feel tempted to give up. For You are our source and our sustainer. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 23, 2016
The remnant that remained in Jerusalem after its fall to Babylon came to Jeremiah asking him to pray to God concerning their plan to escape to Egypt. They begged him to pray to the Lord on their behalf, committing to do whatever the Lord instructed. Yet even as Jeremiah declared God’s response, he predicted their disobedience. Apparently, the people only wanted God’s approval for their plans. When Jeremiah told them that they would die if they went to Egypt, but live if they remained in Jerusalem, they rejected his godly counsel and left for Egypt anyway. Many people today are like this. They just want the preacher to bless the plans they have already made. They really don’t want to hear and obey the Word of the Lord.
From: October 23, 2015
This is the powerful, world-changing strategy of discipleship through the process of multiplication! Paul told Timothy to disciple others in the same way he had been discipled. We all need a Paul to mentor us. A Barnabas to walk alongside as a peer to encourage us. And a Timothy that we can invest in and disciple. Are you seeking these three powerful relationships?
From: October 23, 2014
What was the “Good News” that Paul preached? Answer: Christ crucified and raised from the dead. This is the news event that we are to proclaim. For the gospel is not good advice, it’s good news. And news is to be announced. Some will believe and some won’t. But for those who do believe and accept this good news as truth, theirs is eternal life in Christ. Many of us are news “junkies,” glued to our 24 hour news stations and internet outlets. We ask if others have seen the latest football score or weather report. Yet, do we “always remember” to proclaim the greatest good news of all?