Salvation According to His Purpose (2 Tim. 1:9)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-16-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Salvation According to His Purpose

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 1:9

 

            Message of the verse:  “9  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.”  What a wonderful verse this is, as it is packed full of brilliant truths.  All believers are called with a “holy calling.”  The calling that Paul is speaking of here is God’s “effectual call of the elect to salvation.”  This is not a general call to sinners.  Paul goes on to say that this is not according to our works, but according to His own propose and grace.  The work of salvation and the calling of sinners to this salvation is all done by God, and is of God’s grace, not any work that a person can do.  (See Eph. 2:8,9.) “ Grace is also the basis for God’s sustaining work in believers.”  (See Phil. 1:6, & Jude 24,25.)  Paul says all of this was possible because we are in Christ Jesus.  He is the one who mad salvation possible for us by His work on the cross.  Paul says that all of this was done “according to His purpose.”  God dose all things according to His purpose, and I am thankful that He has included me in salvation, for that too was of the purpose of God.  Sanctification in my life is also done according to the purpose of God.  Paul ends the verse by saying all of this was settled in eternity past, “before time began.”  (See John 17:24.)

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  As I think of the phrase in this verse, “according to His purpose,” I cannot help but think that my life and the things that have happened, and will happen, happen because it is for the purpose of God.  I know that I am only one believer and that there is a big world out their and that it too has all things done to it by for the purpose of God.  Now I know that faith has a major part in this process as far as me accepting this truth, for I would not choose some of the thing that have happened to me to happen, however as I look at it through the eyes of faith I can say that they were done according to the purpose of God.  I can also be assured that the purposes of God are for my ultimate good. I know it doe not always seem so, but God make NO mistakes, it is impossible for Him to do so.

The Word of God enlightened me today, and it fulfilled a need in my heart.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  Even though I had a problem yesterday in controlling my bowels, I must determine that God has a purpose in all of this, and will work this out for my good.  (Romans 8:28.)

 

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 through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

 

 

 

Do Not be Ashamed (2 Tim. 1:8)

Spiritual Diary for 7-15-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus: Do Not be Ashamed

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 1:8

 

            Message of the verse:  “8  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.”  Suffering is something that no one wants to go through, or looks forward too, yet there have been countless believers who have suffered many terrible thing for the Gospel.  What is it that makes them go through this suffering for Jesus Christ?  Paul says at the end of this verse that he wants Timothy to join him in suffering, “according to the power of God.”  I remember reading a book about Coorie Ten Boon and if I remember the story right she too was worried about not being able to hold up under suffering and her father told ask her something like “when do you need the ticket to ride on the train?  And she said that when she boarded the train she would need the ticked.”  God will give grace to those who are suffering when they need it and one must believe in faith that He will do that.    In the first part of the verse Paul tell Timothy not to be ashamed of the Lord or of him a prisoner because of the Lord.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  God gives me the grace that I need to do what He wants me to do each day, and like the manna that he gave the children of Israel in the wilderness it is always the right amount, and I can’t get the grace I need tomorrow today.

 

The Word of God has brought encouragement to me today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to have faith in the Lord that He will give me grace for each day that I live for that day and not worry about tomorrow, for like Jesus says it will not help to worry about tomorrow.

 

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 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.

 

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.