October 24, 2023
“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” (2 Timothy 2:22 NLT). Paul told Timothy that there is a time to retreat and a time to run after. As it regards “youthful lusts,” the command
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
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
October 24, 2021
RETREAT OR RUN AFTER? Paul told Timothy that there is a time to retreat and a time to run after. As it regards “youthful passions,” the command is to “flee.” Unlike the instruction to “stand firm” against the devil (Eph. 6:11), lust is not defeated by direct assault, nor resistance. It is to be avoided.
October 23, 2021
THE LIFE ON LIFE DISCIPLESHIP STRATEGY Just as Jesus discipled twelve and sent them out to make disciples, so Paul discipled Timothy to do the same. This is the powerful, world-changing strategy of life on life discipleship that Paul taught Timothy. Some have described this strategy of life on life discipleship as following five
October 24, 2020
AVOID OR ADVANCE? Paul told Timothy that there is a time to retreat and a time to advance. As it regards “youthful lusts,” the command is to “flee.” Unlike the instruction to “stand firm” against the devil (Eph. 6:11), lust is not defeated by direct assault. It is to be avoided. When an image in
October 23, 2020
WHOSE APPROVAL DO YOU SEEK? 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” in this, studying to hear God’s voice and please Him above all
October 23, 2019
WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS? What was the “Good News” that Paul preached? Answer: Jesus Christ, Son of David, 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
October 23, 2018
CHRIST OUR STRENGTH
Paul’s second letter 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 his walk. 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 many 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 we can be strong in Christ.
October 23, 2017
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” in this, studying to hear God’s 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 preaching 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 diligently to fulfill the calling God has on your life. Focus on it. Live for the approval of God, not man.