Coming to the Still Waters

Today's verses are 2 Timothy 2:14, 15, which read,   v.14 - Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. "Remind them" and who is the "them?"   The "them" are the faithful ones and others taught who Timothy has been entrusting with what he has received from Paul and who are teaching others also.  Remind them to be good active soldiers on point and integrity running athletes running for the finish line and hard-working farmers for a harvest of souls.  Remind them of Jesus who raised from the dead.  Remind them that he, Paul, is in prison because of that fact.  Remind them that what needs to be broadcasted to those that God has put around them is that if we died with Christ, we will live with Him and if we endure with Christ, we will reign with Him.  Remind them to broadcast that if we deny Christ then Christ will deny us

A good reminder for this weekend.

Today's verses are 2 Timothy 2:11-13, which read,   It is a trustworthy statement:  For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. Paul has been instructing Timothy on being strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  If he keeps about the discipleship of others as an on point active soldier and a competing for the prize athlete with integrity and a hard-working farmer looking to the harvest then his eyes will keep focused on the mission given by Christ Himself.  Always, the ultimate example that Paul gives is Jesus, the One risen from the dead, as who we are to pattern ourselves after. Now we have another trustworthy statement.  We have five of these in the Pastoral Epistles.  This is number four.  It is in the form of a short poem or song to remember for recitation or singing. "For if we died wi

Today's verses are 2 Timothy 2:8-10, which read,   Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.  For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. "Timothy, be an on point active soldier; be a prize running athlete of integrity; and be a hard-working farmer tending for a future harvest" is a summary of Paul's words to Timothy about being strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  These word pictures help us to see our proper attitudes and actions on giving the gospel message out to others. Paul now tells Timothy the greatest example to follow after.  He says to remember Jesus Christ; the One risen from the dead; and the One who was prophesied to come from the line of David.  This is

Today's verses are 2 Timothy 2:3-7, which read,   v.3, 4 - Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Paul is going to give Timothy three word pictures to help him understand what is means to not waver and be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  These three illustrations help to guide this process of discipleship that is to be happening in the church with sharing and living the Word of God with faithful men and women who will also share it with others and so on and so on and so on.  This first word picture is a soldier and he is described as a good soldier who suffers hardships for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ as Paul is doing.  A soldier is enlisted to do battle if needed.  A soldier is given a post to watch and defend.  A soldier has a mission that needs to be attended to in the midst

Today's verses are 2 Timothy 2:1, 2, which read,   v.1 - You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Paul is writing from this cold dark dungeon cell somewhere in Rome to Timothy who is his spiritual son.  Timothy has had great spiritual upbringing in his home and has been mentored by Paul.  He has watched Paul, firsthand, even from prison, hold to the faith.  Even as many desert Paul, Paul stands firm to continue to proclaim the gospel. Timothy is witness to all of this and therefore, Paul instructs him to stand firm and to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  Could this be because Timothy has drifted some?  Paul has spent a whole chapter just building a case for Timothy to not waver.  Valleys of spiritual dryness come to all Christians and we need our brothers and sisters in Christ to address our walk with the Lord.  We need to be reminded to think of the grace that has been given to us through the cross of Christ Jesus. 

Today's verses are 2 Timothy 1:15-18, which read,   v.15 - You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. Paul is in a cold dark dungeon cell in Rome and writing this letter of instruction to Timothy to stay strong in the faith.  We learn from this verse that many have left Paul and so he is not only physically all alone but also probably feeling emotionally all alone.  He has seen many come to faith in Jesus Christ but he has also seen many walk away when the fires of persecution heated up.  These two that are mentioned must have been leaders in the churches there and this must have been quite a blow to Paul.   Many are turning away from the faith in our world today.  Some very prominent ones who we could name that used to hold to Scripture do not at this time.  It is very discouraging but it is not a reason to abandon the faith even from a cold dark dungeon cell.  Even the naming of two who were

Today's verses are 2 Timothy 1:13, 14, which read,   v.13 - Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Paul has been writing to Timothy about his Christian upbringing in the home.  He mentions to Timothy about his spiritual mentor ship with him.  He reminds Timothy of the official laying on of hands of commissioning him to use his spiritual gifts for the glory of God and the common good of the church.  Paul then uses his own physical situation to encourage Timothy.  He is in a cold dark dungeon cell suffering for the sake of Christ's name but even in this dismal physical state, Paul is not ashamed of the gospel and not giving up on the gospel.  He is in prison because of being a Christian, adhering to the gospel, but that same gospel of the shed blood of Jesus is helping him presently and guarding him eternally to meet his Savior face to face someday. Paul tells Timothy to "retain the

Today's verses are 2 Timothy 1:8-12, which read,   v.8-11 - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I am was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. This might be Paul's longest run on sentence.  He is the master of the comma.  Paul is speaking to Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord because he has had a great upbringing under his mother and grandmother.  Timothy has been mentored by Paul and had confirmation of God's call on his life.  An official ordination service of the layin

Today's verses are 2 Timothy 1:3-7, which read,   v.3, 4 - I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. As we read these words of Second Timothy we need to remember where Paul is.  He is in a cold dark dungeon cell in Rome waiting for his execution.  He is giving us his last words through this letter to his dear beloved spiritual son Timothy.  He has been through great persecution and seen God do great things to keep him going unto the next town but this time is different.  Notice that his language about God has not changed and he thanks God even though this situation looks grim.  Notice also that he is not done serving in this cold dark dungeon cell for he is still praying night and day for Timothy. Paul is facing what others have faced before him.  He was at the stoning of Stephen the fi

Today's verses are 2 Timothy 1:1, 2 which read,   Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, to Timothy, my beloved son:  Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. This is the second letter written by Paul to Timothy.  It is also Paul's last letter before his martyrdom around A.D. 67.  Paul is back in jail and it is very different from the first time about 5 or 6 years earlier. Some of the differences between this imprisonment and the last is the first was brought on by accusations from the Jews and this one is generated by Nero's persecutions of the Christians.  The first had decent living conditions with a house arrest but this one was a cold, dark dungeon.  The first one, his friends could visit him but this one he is alone with Luke, the doctor, attending him.  The first one had more freedom of the message of Christ reaching out but this one was very restrictive t

Today's verses are 1 Timothy 6:20, 21, which read,   O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"--which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith.  Grace be with you. Paul ends his letter to Timothy with another warning about the false teachers and their wares.  Sometimes we think we need to know all about them and their teachings but Paul directs Timothy to guard what has been deposited with him.  He instructs him to guard the gospel message.  If he was to have knowledge of what the false teachers were proclaiming for the purpose to refute, he is refuting it with a much greater knowledge of what the gospel is.  To point out a fraud is to know the real thing so well that the fraud sticks out like a sore thumb. It is a danger to study all the world's cults when we don't know what we believe so firmly.  It is like we are still i

Today's verses are 1 Timothy 6:17-19, which read,   v.17 - Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Paul is wrapping up this letter to Timothy and he gives some more instruction to the rich of this world which must have been a problem in the church in Ephesus.  It is very easy to relate this to America as we put tremendous value on money and possessions. Note that they are rich in this present world and that distinction is given.  There is no rich or poor in heaven.  This condition is only here and only for this time.  This condition brings about a couple problems or traps:  being conceited and fixing hope on the riches rather than God.  To be conceited is to have an exalted opinion of yourself, that you are above others because of your riches.  To fix hope is to put all your eggs into one basket but Paul points out that t

Today's verses are 1 Timothy 6:11-16, which read,   v.11, 12 - But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Paul gives Timothy another "but" statement.  It is to be compared with someone who has a love and longing for money and possessions rather than a love and longing for more of God.  The Christian is instructed to flee, run in the other direction, from these things.  On his bucket list is righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.  This is not an easy way to live.  It actually is a fight to go against your sinful nature and hold on to the confession that you made to Christ in the face of Satan who is trying to tear that confession down.  It is a fight but it is possible because God made a way

Today's verses are 1 Timothy 6:6-10, which read,   v.6-8 - But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. The word "but" signals a comparison.  Yesterday we covered that Paul instructed Timothy about those who were teaching another gospel, rejecting the words of the Bible and of Jesus and not living a life of godliness patterned after them.  A list of actions that come from that kind of life was given and one was the hypocrisy to live a life that looks holy but isn't for the purpose of some personal gain or agenda.  Now Paul gives Timothy the flip side from that kind of life with the "but" statement . A truly godly life is a means of great gain when contentment is married with it.  Contentment is a word that describes that person as satisfied and suffic

Today's verses are 1 Timothy 6:3-5, which read,   If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. We will deal with this long sentence that focuses on the negative side of this dialogue between Paul and Timothy.  Timothy is receiving instruction from Paul on leading the church in Ephesus in regards to the leadership structure and actions of Christians with one another and the world.  These instructions and measures are given to protect the church and keep it on the path according to Jesus' instruction given to the Apostles.  Let's take th

Today's verses are 1 Timothy 6:1, 2, which read,   v.1 - All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. We have spoken of this before but the slavery mentioned in the Bible is not the same as the cruel slavery of our own history.  Slavery was someone serving another, under their authority, for a debt to be repaid.  Food, clothing, and housing were provided and many slaves received benefits of education provided by the family they were in submission to. The yoke was an instrument to harness the power of the oxen to help them work more efficiently.  These people who Paul is speaking about to Timothy are Christians who are within the church but also in this position of being in submission to another, under this yoke, to help them pay their debt and move forward through this experience that they are yoked to.  This arrangement can be used to look at o

Today's verses are 1 Timothy 5:24, 25, which read,   v.24 - The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgement; for others, their sins follow after. Paul is finishing up his conversation with Timothy over the topic of elders or overseers.  He has told Timothy that this selection is very important and not to be hasty about it.  Because of some men's open sins, they will disqualify themselves because it is evident that they should not fill this office.  Others have sins that are hidden but will become evident after a time because God will reveal those sins to protect His family. Is my sin evident or is it hidden?  Which is better?  If it is evident then anyone can point it out to me and the need to confess it and then repent of it to receive the forgiveness of God.  If it is hidden then someone has to get close enough to me to see it when the crowd is not looking to point it out.  It goes un-confessed and therefore I have an unrepentant and

Today's verse is 1 Timothy 5:23, which reads,   No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. Just one verse today and it is one that needs some background information but it also has some lasting application to today.  The water of some other nations is a problem, even for today.  There are some countries that you are warned not to drink the water because it is polluted and contains more than what your body knows what to do with.  Sometimes it has resulted in a trip to an exotic place only to see the four walls of the bathroom.  In those countries that don't have "clean" water, other liquids help counter those effects.  Wine is fermented and it has the quality of a disinfectant to kill some of those unwanted "bad guys" who have come in with the water.  Paul tells Timothy to take a little wine with his water so that he would not get frequent illnesses and complete the t

Today's verses are 1 Timothy 5:17-22, which read,   v.17, 18 - The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.  For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages." Paul gives Timothy some instruction now on the treatment of the overseers who are also called elders and pastors in the Scriptures.  There are some who deserve "double honor" or more than the others in respect and provisions to continue to do what?  They preach and they teach and they work hard at it.  The definition for "work hard" means to the point of fatigue or exhaustion so it is truly working hard at preaching and teaching the flock of God. These are compared to in Scripture as an ox on the threshing floor and a laborer.  You don't want the ox to stop working during the threshing and you don't want the