2 Timothy 4 - 1.14.25

 SCRIPTURE:  2 TIMOTHY 4:1 - 5

4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

OBSERVATION

Paul is writing to Timothy to provide important instruction as a leader in the church because he knows his time to leave this earth is near. You can tell by his writings there is a great importance to what he’s writing about. According to historians and what is written in verse 6, many believe 2 Timothy is Paul’s last book written in the Bible. In verse 6, Paul specifically states “the time for my departure is near.” Here is the context of 2 Timothy 4:6 – 8:

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Realizing this was probably Paul’s last writing, it gives more importance to what he’s writing about. He wants to impart the most important topics to Timothy. Within the context of verses 1 – 5, the ones that hit home in my heart is to “be prepared in season and out of season: correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” and verse 3 which seems to really apply more today than ever:  “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine.”

APPLICATION

Paul “charges” Timothy to “preach the word” because he knows a time is coming when people would reject “sound doctrine.” Somehow it seems hard to believe that people back in Paul’s day could be just like the people today where they reject sound doctrine,  and follow teachers that suit their own desire and “say what their itching ears want to hear.” Boy it sure does sound like the people of today! It really seems like people, deep down, have not changed much since the beginning of time.

With false teachers abounding now and back in Paul’s day, he knows the only way to combat the false teaching is by being prepared in the Word, preaching the Gospel, and to “correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.” The goal was to reach people for Christ but also to guide them in their walk. Although the “correct, rebuke and encourage” might come easy after being prepared in the Word, using great patience and careful instruction might be the challenging part if the person you’re speaking with is turning to myths and listening to false teaching. During those moments, it’s important to remember that having patience and providing careful instruction is equally important as the correction, rebuke and encouragement. The first part can’t work without the second part and visa-versa.

Paul’s charge to Timothy is just as relevant today as it was when Paul wrote this book. God is so good that this scripture comes during our prayer and fasting time. Second Timothy 4 gives us the reason why our prayer and fasting time is so important to being prepared, ultimately to help those who are being misled by false teaching. When we’re strong in the Word, in our faith, in our relationship with the Lord, that’s when we can help others in various ways – not only with being misled but in strengthening their faith and walk in Christ. The bottom line is having God’s Word as an important part of our daily life. As Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” 

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you for your Word and to know what’s important as a believer. Forgive me for not always being prepared. Help me to grow in you and to always be ready, in season and out, to preach your Word, and to guide, gently correct and encourage others. It’s so important to be ready to share your Truth because there are so many who are lost and believing false doctrine. You desire all to come to your saving knowledge. Help me to be your instrument and guide me in your ways. In Jesus name! Amen

- Mary Oberg

2 Timothy 3 - 1.13.25

Scripture

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Observation

According to 2 Timothy 3:16, the Bible is God-breathed, which means it was written by human hands, but was written by inspiration of our living God and Holy Spirit. It is still relevant for today. 

There’s power in His Word. It truly is our sword when doing battle with the enemy. (Ephesians 6:17). It also feeds us, instructs us, corrects us and grows us. It is very much alive and active today and not just a history book from the past. 

Most importantly, we learn about the character of God. His Word is about the Greatest Love story ever told! Everything always points back to Jesus!

Application

Read the Bible everyday. Meditate day and night on it, like King David did. (Psalm 119:97)

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” -Hebrews‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In order to experience the transforming power of God's Word, we must read it, study it and APPLY it to our lives.

As James says in ch. 1:22-24, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”

Where can you start if you haven’t made Bible reading a daily discipline yet? Join us with our Bible reading and SOAP journal blog everyday. In order to SOAP Journal, Pray before reading the Word, asking the Holy Spirit what He wants highlighted. Then, read the passage and allow it to marinate and transform your life through the SOAP method. 

SOAP stands for: 

Scripture- What Scripture verse or section of the passage stood out to you?

Observation- What does the passage say? Give a summary of it.

Application- How can I apply it to my life? What am I going to practically do about it based on what I just read? 

Prayer- Write a prayer based on the reading and what God spoke to you through His Word. 

I encourage you all to try it. We’d love to hear what God is speaking to you in the comments. Being in God's Word is a discipline that is vital to every Believer's life. Here’s the link:

https://www.desertstreams.com/bibleandjournal

Prayer 

Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect Word. Thank You for men and women of faith who have and are dedicating their lives to read it, study it and apply it in their personal lives. I pray that if we are living a life contrary to Your Word, that You would bring us back to the Truth. I pray we would continually meditate on Your Truth instead of the lies that the enemy and the world throws at us. Thank You that Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.(Ps. 119:105). Please continue to direct our paths through Your Word. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi

1 Timothy 6 - 1.10.25

Scripture: ‭‭ ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬-‭7‬, ‭9‬, 11‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” (6-7)

“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” (9)

“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (11-12)

Observation:

Paul is giving instructions to Timothy as a mentor to set him on a course to lead and evangelize others.  The phrase “godliness with contentment is great gain” stood out to me. What a great thing to aim for.  Paul tells Timothy to flee from harmful desires and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. What a list! He uses strong verbs: pursue, fight and take hold indicating this will not be instant or easy. 

Application:

I want to aim to become more and more like God and be content with what He’s given me.  I will need to pursue, chase after, follow at a fast pace, and not loose sight of godly character. It is interesting that not endurance and gentleness are listed too.  I need to press on even when it is hard, but also be gentle with others that aren’t going at the same pace as me or those who are challenging. 

Following God may at times require a “fight.”  I will need to fight not going back to old habits, fear, temptation, distractions, and lies that creep in and try to take over my thoughts. 

I need to choose to take hold of what God has for me, my calling-eternal life. It is important to remember to live with eternity in mind. It will affect how I act now because I know the future I have. It also will guide my actions as I interact with others because I want them to have eternal life too. 

Prayer:

Father God thank you for this amazing world you have created. You give me a hope and a future. What a price was paid for the forgiveness of my sins so I could spend eternity with you. Please give me strength to continue to fight for your purpose in my life.  May I keep pursuing you in the forefront of my mind. Grant me faith, love and gentleness. I know you are my source. When rough times come help me to endure. Thank you that I can have true contentment in You. Amen

- Cindy Howard