Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

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Read

2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

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Reflect

Once again, Paul is writing to Timothy shortly before death and is trying to get as much advice to him and the church as possible. It is important to note that when Paul refers to scripture, he is referring to the Old Testament as the New Testament was still being written. This helps the reader to place this scripture into context with the time it was written. Christ’s teachings were still very new.

Paul wants to warn the church of possible threats from others. It was a time that many different beliefs were being taught that did not coincide with the teachings of Christ or the Old Testament. He didn’t want the newly converted Christians to have a lot of confusion with regards to what they have been taught.

Children are often taught Bible verses in Sunday School or Mid-week programs. Why is this? It is for the purpose of having God’s Word inside one’s head. The verses will often provide comfort, peace and assurance in times of trouble and strife. Imagine instead if one’s head was filled with messages of despair and discouragement. How would one cope with tough situations in life.

Paul is telling the church (and us) to prepare your mind for times when things are not perfect. The scriptures memorized some twenty or thirty years ago can offer reassurance of a faith that is real. The scriptures will provide encouragement to not be discouraged in our daily walk in the world.

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Pray

God, provide for me those scriptures that reassure and prepare me for the world and the challenges it presents. Amen.

Go with God!