Paul is Concerned for the Elect (2 Tim. 2:10)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-29-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Paul is concerned for the elect

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 2:10

 

            Message of the verse:  “10 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.”

            “Therefore I endure all things for the elect.”  Paul was enduring hardship for the cause of Jesus Christ, and one of the reasons that he is doing this is for the elect.  These are those who have been chosen for salvation before the world began, that Paul has written much about.  He is going through this hardship so that “they may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.”  This is the ultimate outcome of salvation.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  This is the way that God has chosen to operate when it comes to the salvation of the lost.  Salvation has come through the suffering of Jesus Christ on the cross.  After the suffering came the glory.  There are many times when believers have to suffer for the sake of the gospel and there may be a time in my future that I may have to suffer for the cause of Christ.  This is a good example for me to follow, the things that Paul went through.  God had said of Paul that he would have to suffer much for the cause of Jesus Christ right after he was saved in Acts chapter nine.

           

The Word of God was insightful as I read and studied it today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  One was getting over to the EMH to work out today.  I want to continue to have prayer with my wife today.

 

Memory verses for the week:  1Timothy 6:9

 

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

 

God's Word is not Imprisoned (2 Tim. 2:8)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-28-02

 

My Worship Time                                               Focus: God’s Word is not Imprisoned

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 2:8

 

            Message of the verse:  “8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned.”

            After giving all of these metaphors, Paul says to Timothy, “remember Jesus Christ.”  Jesus Christ was the model of these metaphors, a faithful teacher, (v2), soldier, (v3, 4), an athlete, (v5), and a farmer, (v6).

Paul goes on to say that He was risen from the dead, which is the heart of the Christian message, proving that suffering leads to glory, and that seeming defeat leads to victory.   Paul then brings up the fact that Jesus Christ was born into the family of David, and was the rightful King of the Jews.  Paul says that this was according to “my gospel.”  He goes on in verse nine to say that because of the gospel he was suffering hardships and was even in prison.  Paul was experiencing   a similar suffering that Jesus Christ suffered; Paul was experiencing it from prison in chains.  He says that even though he was in chains and imprisoned the Word of God is not imprisoned.  “  12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”  God’s Word is alive, and it cannot be imprisoned.

                             

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I liked so much what Warren Wiersbe had to say about the sufferings of Jesus Christ, he says this proves that suffering leads to glory, and that seeming defeat leads to victory.  I know there are times in my life when I need to hear this truth, for there are times in my life when I face what to me seems like a defeat.

 

The Word of God was uplifting to me today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I need to step out on faith that I will be able to make it to Church this morning without having troubles with my IBS.  The Lord can turn even this to victory.  I want to have prayer time with Sandy this evening.

 

Memory verses for the week:  1Timothy 6:6-9

 

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.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.

 

The Metaphor of the Farmer (2 Tim. 2:6-7)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-27-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  The metaphor of the farmer

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 2:6,7

 

            Message of the verse:  “6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” 

            “5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.”

            Paul is writing to Timothy using the metaphor of a farmer as he did in the above passage of 1Cor. 3:5-9.  He use as an illustration there of a farmer and of his crops and fields.  Paul would do as the Lord Jesus Christ did while on the earth, by using things that people understood to give insight to heavenly truths. 

            The farmer has to be a hard worker if he wants to be successful, he is not on the time clock to get him to do his work, but has to do it on his on initiative in order to get the job done.  Paul goes on to say that the farmer is the first one to his share of the crop.  He is saying in this that the pastor deserves his pay from those in his congregation, and it also could mean that as the pastor or teacher studies to present a sermon or lesson, he will get more out of it and get it first because of his study. 

            In verse seven Paul uses the word “consider,” and this word in the Greek “denotes clear perception, full understanding, and careful consideration.  The form of the verb suggests a strong admonition by Paul, not mere advice, to give deep thought to what he was writing.”  Note from Macarthur study Bible.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I like what the word “consider” means in this passage, and I also understand what it means to live my life off of the time clock.  One of the things that I disliked so much about my job was the control that it had over my time.  My job controlled my life and it left little time for anything else.  I believe that the Lord has given me this gift of retirement to do things for the cause of Christ.  I need to consider things from His Word and do some of the things that He would desire me to do.

 

The Word of God was inspiring to me today. The Word was light and refreshing to me today also.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To continue to pray for the Eberts and also to continue to pray with Sandy, and to continue to pray about our trip and possible buying of the mobile home in Fla.

 

Memory verses for the week:  1Timothy 6:6-9

 

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, se shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  

 

Metaphor of the Athlete (2 Tim. 2:5)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-26-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Metaphor of the athlete

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 2:5

 

            Reference:  “5  Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.”

            Here Paul is comparing one who participates in an athletic event to a believer in Jesus Christ.  The athletic must obey the rules of his sport in order to win the prize.  A believer must understand and follow the Word of God in order to win his prize at the Bema seat of Jesus Christ.  He does not obey the rules in order to gain his salvation, that has been provided for him at the cross of Jesus Christ.  He obeys out of love to Jesus Christ for all that He has done for him in providing his salvation.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  The Christian life is a marathon and not a 100-yard dash.  I need to start out each day by getting my instructions from the Coach by reading His Play Book, and speaking to Him on what I have read and learned.  I am then to rely on Him to obey what I have been taught.  

 

The Word of God brought conviction and direction to me today!

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to pray with my wife today on things concerning our family.

 

Memory verses for the week:  1Timothy 6:6-9

 

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.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and prediction. 

Soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3-4)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-25-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Soldiers of Jesus Christ

 

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

 

            Message of the verse:  “3  Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4  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.”

            It might be good to remind myself that these letters are written to pastors as they are called the Pastoral Epistles.  However that does not mean that the material in these letters does not apply to all believers even though they are directed to pastors.  In verse three Paul uses a metaphor of the Christian life as being a soldier as he has done in other letters he wrote that are in the New Testament.  He tells Timothy that he should endure or share in the hardships as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  These hardships are the persecutions that were upon some of the Church at this time.  In verse four he reminds Timothy that he is to keep his mind on the task of being a good soldier and not have his mind on the things of the world.  He must remember who it was who enlisted him as a soldier.  I am reminded of that verse in the gospels where Jesus says that when a person is plowing he should not look back but keep his mind on his plowing. (My interruption)

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  As stated before this verse is written to pastors, but I to am in the battle and am a soldier of Jesus Christ.  It is easy to get distracted while living in the world that reaches out to everyone to make sure that they get what they deserve as stated in all the marketing that goes on in the TV commercials.  I need to remember the One who has called me to be a soldier and not be entangled with the affairs of this life so much.

 

The Word of God  was convicting to me today.   

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to make sure that Sandy and I pray together today for the things that are going on in our family lives.

 

Memory verses for the week:  1Timothy 6:6-9

 

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.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 

The Steward (2 Tim. 2:1-2)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-24-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  The steward

 

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

 

            Message of the verse:  “1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 
Paul again gives Timothy the encouragement to be strong, and this time tells him to be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus.  He had just told him about one who was strong, and he also told him about many who were weak in their faith.  He calls Timothy his son because he was Paul’s son in the faith, and had been for some time.  Now Paul again tells Timothy that he must be a good steward of the things of God that Paul has taught him.  He was to entrust these teachings that came from God to Paul and then to him to other faithful men who would in turn pass them on.  This process is to continue until the Lord returns, and it has continued to this day and is continuing even now.  I think of a verse that is somewhere in one of the Corinthian letters where Paul stated that God uses weak things to accomplish His goals.  This is kind of a loose interpretation but the point is that Jesus gathered some weak men to be around Him while on earth so that God could fill them and empower them with His Holy Spirit to accomplish His goals for the cause of Jesus Christ on earth.  These men have been strong in the grace of Jesus Christ.

      Spiritual meaning for my life today:  I am not positive of what it entails to be “strong in the grace of Christ Jesus.”  I believe that this process does take effort on my part, and for me to have success in passing on the good news I will need to be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus.

 

The Word of God was refreshing and enlighting to me today, along with instructive.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to make sure that Sandy and I have prayer time together on a continuing basis.  We really need to do this so we can pray for the things in our lives that are affecting us.  I want to pray about the possible purchase of the mobile home in Sebring Florida.

 

Memory verses for the week:  1Timothy 6:6-9

 

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.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.   

The Faithful (2 Tim. 1:16-18)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 7-23-02

 

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  The faithful

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                         Reference:  2Timothy 1:16-18

 

            Message of the verse:  “16  The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains;17  but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me--18  the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day--and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus.” 

            Paul now gives Timothy an example of faithfulness and courage from this man Onesiphorus, who Timothy knew for he was from Ephesus.  He had visited Paul while he was in prison in Rome at great trouble and risk to himself.  He wanted to serve Paul and was not ashamed of his chains.  Paul asks the Lord to have mercy on his household for the good deeds that he has done for Paul and how he refreshed him while in prison.  Paul was all alone in his dark prison cell when Onesiphorus sought him out, so it is not hard to see how refreshing his visit was to Paul.  Paul prays that on “that day” the Lord would grant mercy to Onesiphorus for his good deeds.  Paul is speaking of the Bema seat judgments or the judgment seat of Christ, which is described in 1Cor. 3:13, 2Cor 5:10, & 1Peter 1:5.

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  The acts that Onesiphorus did for Paul took much courage on his part, and it also took the leading and the listening of the Holy Spirit as he spoke to his heart.  There was great danger for him to visit Paul, for he to was a believer in Jesus Christ, the very thing that Paul would loose his life for.  I need also to listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to me and pray that he will give me the courage that he gave Onesiphorus on the day I need it.

 

The Word of God was refreshing and encouraging to me today.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to have prayer with my wife about seeking the Lord’s will about the mobile home we are looking to buy.

 

Memory verses for the week:  1Timothy 6:6-9

 

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we will take nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.