April 12th, Sunday: 2 Timothy 1 - 2

2 Tim 1

Perhaps some of the so-called enemies that attacked Timothy are attacking you, and making you want to give up.

Beware of self-pity.

Timothy was having a hard time in Ephesus and wanted to leave.

Perhaps that caused his tears.

When you start to feel sorry for yourself, remember that others are praying for you.

And that God still honours your faith.

We'll also read about neglect.

Be careful of that in your life.

Timothy had neglected his spiritual life.

And the flame was low on the altar of his heart.

No wonder he needed to exercise himself.

Also watch out for carelessness.

Paul committed the message to Timothy and Timothy's responsibility was to guard it, and share it with others.

Again – the Spirit of God enables us to be faithful.

oct22

2 Tim 2 & 3

God's grace strengthens us and enables us to be faithful teachers and soldiers, athletes, farmers, workers, vessels and servants.

The world looks on us as evil-doers, but we are God's elect, willing to live and die for Jesus Christ.

God's grace enables us to overcome our 3 great enemies: the world, the flesh and the devil.

God's grace enables us to endure hardship.

We fight the Lord's battles, so that we do not deny the Lord.

It helps us do the work to which we were called, the work that we need not be ashamed of.

And deal with the problem of people of whom we are not afraid.

Jonathan Edwards wrote, 'Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.'