Fan the Flame (2 Tim. 1:6)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-13-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Fan the flame

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 1:6

 

            Message of the verse:  “6 ¶ For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”  Paul reminds Timothy when he had laid his hand on him, and at that time Timothy received the gifts from God he needed for his ministry.  Paul tells him to stir up or kindle afresh these gifts that God had given him.  This must mean that he was not using these gifts to their fullest.   These gifts were from the Holy Spirit and a person must use the gifts that He has given to a believer or he will loose this special ability. 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I have written about this before, as far as the spiritual gift of gifts that the Holy Spirit has given me to serve in the Body of Christ, and has said that I do not really know exactly what my gift is and would like to realize what it is.  I certainly do not want to loose the use of it from not using it, and maybe I am using it but do not recognize it.  At any rate this does bring a bit of fear into my life.

 

The Word of God brought conviction and reality to my life today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I do not want to have a spirit of fear today as Sandy and I go to “Erie Islands” to fellowship with our Sunday school class.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Romans 5:20,21 & 1Timtohy 6:6-8

Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

 

True Faith (2 Tim. 1:5)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-11-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  True faith

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 1:5

 

            Message of the verse:  “5  For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well.”  In the last part of verse five Paul speaks of joy he had in remembering Timothy, and that joy was because of the faith in Christ that Timothy had.  This faith in Christ first dwelt in his mother and grandmother.  They were both OT Jews who had studied the Word of God and they taught it to young Timothy.  When Paul and Barnabas went on their first missionary journey, (Acts 13:13 -14:21,) they preached the good news to Timothy’s family and because of their understanding of the Scripture they believed on Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I can see from this verse the importance of studying the Word of God and to teach it to those in my family, both my family and also my wife’s family.

 

The Word of God gave me encouragement today as I read it.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to be a help to my neighbors that live around me so that I can get to know them by showing the love of Jesus Christ that is in my heart.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Romans 5:20,21 & 1Timothy 6:6-8

 

Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Tearful Reunion (2 Tim. 1:3-4)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-10-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Tearful reunion

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 1:3, 4

 

            Message of the verse:  “3  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,4  longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy.”  I can see the genuine love that Paul has for those whom he writes his letters too, as seen in this letter.  Paul had some genuine emotions and it shows as I read this letter.  He was about to die and yet, just at the Lord Jesus Christ did before his death; he was concerned about those whom he loved, and also the ministry.  Paul says that he has a clear conscience just like his forefathers whom were believers.  He says that he continually prays for Timothy, and I am sure that his prayers for Timothy were about the things that he knew that were needed for him spiritually.  Paul says here as in other writings that he prays night and day, he always has an attitude or prayer.  Paul says that he wants to see Timothy, and this seems to me like something that Paul would want, knowing that he would soon face death.  Paul remembers Timothy’s tears, and this probably refers to their last separation from each other.  This time filled Paul with love and joy as he writes about that here.

Spiritual meaning for my life today: Paul knew Timothy very well and knew what his needs were both spiritually and also physically.  He therefore prayed for those needs in a very intelligent way as I too need to do for those whom I pray for, especially for my wife and family.

 

The Word of God brought conviction and instruction to me today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to trust the Lord to continue to show me how to pray for others and trust Him in my struggle with fear.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Romans 5:20, 21 & 1Timothy 6:6-8

Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life though Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.   

Paul's Greeting to Timothy (2 Tim. 1:1-2)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-09-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Paul’s greeting to Timothy

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 1:1,2

 

            Message of the verse:  “1 ¶ Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, 2  To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”  In some ways this greeting to Timothy is a standard greeting to one of Paul’s letters.  He identifies himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.  God is the One and the only One who has called Paul to this special position.  There are none left today.  Paul goes on to say something that I do not remember him saying in a greeting before, and that is “according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus.”  The gospel, and those who accept it will have eternal life in Christ Jesus.  In verse two Paul calls Timothy his beloved son, and he is surely speaking of their spiritual relationship, and not their physical relationship.  Timothy is the one that will continue to pass on the truths of the gospel that Paul has taught him.  He will be the next in line, although he will never have the rank of being an apostle.  Paul adds to his greeting that of grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Jesus Christ.  These are three substances that are surely needed to have a successful Christian life, and walk with the Lord.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Of all of the wisdom that Paul has poured out in these opening two verses that I would long to have in my life each and every day, grace, mercy , and peace from God the Father, & Jesus Christ my Lord would be the most attractive for to have incorporated in my life each and every day.

 

The Word of God was very instructive and informative to me today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To pray in faith that God would give me His grace, mercy, and peace today.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Romans 5:20,21, 1Tmothy 6:6,7 & 8

 

Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Closing Thoughts (1 Tim. 6:20-21)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-06-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Closing thoughts

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  1Timothy 6:20,21

 

            Message of the verse:  “20  O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge" --

21  which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.”  Paul tells Timothy two opposite things in this verse.  He say to guard the truth, and this truth that he is speaking about is the whole truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ that God has entrusted Paul with, and now he puts it in the hands of Timothy.  Timothy would pass it on and so on until it becomes the responsibility of the generation, which I am apart of.  I too am to pass it on, which I have done with my children. Paul also tells Timothy to stay away from false “knowledge,” which is given out by the false teachers.  It sounds good but a person can get hooked on it before he knows it and will be in trouble, as Paul writes about in verse twenty-one.  Paul says at the end of the letter, “Grace be with you.”  The ‘you’ is plural, and thus this letter was for all in Timothy’s congregation. 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  Guard the truth, and pass it on, and keep away from the lies that the false teachers are giving out are two good things for me to do each day, or at least when the opportunity takes place.

 

The Word of God was informative and instructive today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Remember to fight the good fight of not being fearful, and not being lustful.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Romans 5:20,21 & 1Timothy 6:6,7

 

Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, ad it is certain we can carry nothing out.

Sharing (1 Tim. 6:18-19)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-05-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Sharing

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  1Timothy 6:18,19

 

            Message of the verse:  “18  Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19  storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”  Paul continues to write on the responsibilities of the rich in these two verses.  Paul says that Timothy should instruct or teach them to do good, to be rich in not only material things, but also in good works.  To teach them to be generous and be ready to share with their material blessings that God has entrusted them with.  By doing this they will be storing up for themselves treasures in heaven, as Jesus spoke about.  By doing this they will be laying hold on eternal life.  Paul spoke about this in verse twelve of this chapter.  He was speaking to Timothy at that time, and Dr. Macarthur says about it, “to get a grip on the reality of the matters associated with eternal life, so that he would live and minister with a heavenly and eternal perspective.”

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I think that when I read things about money in the Scriptures that a lot of time it moves me to give to certain causes.  I must keep in mind that although this may be the right and proper thing to do, I need to pray over it and be sure that it is the Spirit of God moving me to do this, and not just me in my natural state of mind.  I need to have the mind of Christ when doing these things.

 

The Word of God was very enlightening to me today:    

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I need to trust the Lord in making financial decisions in my life.  I get too worked up over different things, and need to seek the Lord’s will for what He wants me to do.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Romans 5:20,21 & 1Timothy 6:6,7

 

Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out.

Jesus Returns at God's Appointed Time (1 Tim. 6:15)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FRO 7-02-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Jesus Returns at God's Appointed Time

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  1Timtohy 6:15

 

            Message of the verse:  “15  which He will bring about at the proper time--He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,”  Paul says that the Lord will return at the proper time, or the appointed time when God set this up in eternity past.  (Mark 13:32 & Acts 1:7)  Paul then goes into a description of the Lord Jesus Christ by saying that He is blessed and He is Sovereign, and He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  In the NKJ the word “Potentate” is used.  Dr. Macarthur says that this word is made up of a number of Greek words, and in this case means sovereign.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  As I look at the way that Paul at times just breaks out in praise to the Lord Jesus Christ as He writes about different things that pertain to Him.  It seems to me that he could not help himself but to write these things about the Lord whenever He was mentioning Him in his writings.  Paul had a great deal of love for the Lord and this is probably one of the reasons that he did this and I would pray that there would be times when I would do something similar too.

The Word of God was indeed refreshing to me today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I need to get back to the way of doing my devotions the way that I was doing them before, by writing my prayers out.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Romans 5:20,21 & 1Timothy 6:6,7

Moreover the law entered that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we can carry nothing out.