2 Timothy 3

There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches, people are going to be self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, stuck-up, profane, contemptuous of parents, crude, coarse, dog-eat-dog, unbending, slanderers, impulsively wild, savage, cynical, treacherous, ruthless, bloated windbags, addicted to lust, and allergic to God. 

Oh my goodness.  This is a perfect description for our society today!  That is frightening.  But, it's important to remember there are a lot of good people out there too.  People who put others first.  
I feel like Abraham bartering with God to not destroy our society.  "If you find 100 good people......."  hahaha

tp

2 timothy 2

If we die with him, we’ll live with him;
If we stick it out with him, we’ll rule with him;
If we turn our backs on him, he’ll turn his back on us;
If we give up on him, he does not give up—
    for there’s no way he can be false to himself.

This one doesn't need much explanation.  It feels like Paul sees these lines almost like the 10 commandments.  He talks about carving them in stone and repeating them to the church over and over.  It's a great message.  We, as people, only stick with things that benefit us.  So, to say we need to stick it out with God no matter our position or condition....that's huge.  And, to know that Paul was in prison when he wrote it, it gives him certain credibility.

have a great weekend!

tp

2 Timothy 1

12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

Paul wrote this from jail shortly before he died.  He apparently knew what was coming an yet kept his faith to the very end.  Because His faith was so strong--he knew with complete certainty, he says he is convinced of Jesus power over death.  With that knowledge he can face anything, we all should be able to face any challenge without fear.

Also sometimes I think I shy away from faith discussions not because I lack faith but I'm fearful that going to quickly down that road with someone might actually scare them away.  But really that is silly thinking an wasting opportunities.  No cause for shame, just truth.  Share it.

Before I started reading this today I thought, why a second book.  So I googled.  Found this very short write-up that I really liked

http://www.insight.org/resources/bible/the-pauline-epistles/second-timothy

knut

1 Timothy 6

7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 

I heard a sermon from Derrick Moore about 25 years ago....he was the back up running back for the Lions, behind Barry Sanders.  What he said stuck with me all this time.  He said there are only 2 things that matter in this world.  The word of God and the souls of man.  In other words, all the other stuff is pointless.  It just fills the voids and emptiness of a broken world.


17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

This verse is a good reminder that financial stability doesn't translate into anything other than being safe for now.  The future is uncertain.

tp

1 Timothy 5

24 The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.

Not really sure why this verse caught my attention.  I think it speaks to something different than the world view.  What it says to me is that some sin is very obvious, some people's issues really don't show up for a while....and by the way, we ALL have issues/sins.  But, the same goes for those who are doing the right things.  Some are obvious, and others will be evident in the long term.

2 messages.
1.  Don't judge others, their goodness/badness may not be as evident as you think.
2.  Whatever you are doing, or how you are living....it will eventually catch you.

tp

1 Timothy 4

4 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

This is one I think about a lot.  I do think God has blessed me with some gifts that could help further his work.  Right now.....I'm not using them.  Kim and I were both REALLY involved at the church for a long time.  Then, I got sorta burned out.  I need to step back in, in a meaningful way.  Do something that I feel God has prepared for me.  Not just because my kids need a small group leader.  

peace.
tp

1 Timothy 3

2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

This description makes me think I could never be an "over-seer."  But, I understand what he's saying.  If you are to be a leader in the church, you need to be of certain character.  This is a list of things that can split/kill churches.  I didn't grab a ton from this chapter, other than as a leader in the church I need to conduct myself as such.  Others are watching and I need to set the example as well as be the calming influence.

tp

1 Timothy 2

WHOA!
I'm not touching this one.

I went back to our last time reading this chapter.
Here's what was written:

I don't really wanna touch this one!
YIKES!

too funny

I think the underlying message here is that we should be conducting ourselves in a way that is healthy for us, and will glorify God and not ourselves.  Paul seems to take a pretty hard line stance on women here.  It's interesting how we talks about Eve.  The funny thing about saying she was the one deceived is that Adam was standing right beside her, and he said nothing.....hmmmm.

1 Timothy 1

Couple things today.

19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 

Who would know better what it means to be "shipwrecked" than Paul.  His experience of being smashed against the rocks of Malta.  I can say the word "shipwreck," but he knows what it smells, sounds, feels like.

The other thing that hits me here, is how I tend to forget Paul/Saul's past, while I'm reading through these letters.  I think of Paul a little bit like a super-hero.  He seems so on point, so un-self-centered, so bold, so intelligent.  This chapter reminds me of where he came from.  He started out exactly the opposite of the list of attributes I describe him with. God can do unbelievable things.

tp

2 Thessalonians 3

“The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”

I don't remember reading this the last time through.  I don't remember there being such a clear connection between work and reward.  The thought of idleness, or busi-bodiness........its funny.  But, I agree with it.  I often talk to the boys about trying to do something productive every day.  Its easy to not be productive for me.  I am a pre-crastinator.  Which means.....I plan on putting things off.  If I can push it to tomorrow.....that's my nature.

This is a renewing of the challenge for me to be productive.  And, more importantly, being productive within God's perspective not just my own.

tp

2 Thessalonians 2

9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie.

No great take today.  Just an admission of being scared by this line.  I don't need to be presented with an attractive lie.  I'm not that smart.  These kind of statements make me feel a little unsettled.
I guess we make sure we are grounded in what the good book says, and we should be fine.

tp

2 Thessalonians 1

9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might 

This is a terrifying thought really.  To think of dying as a non-believer or still being alive when Jesus returns and not believing.  That instant when a person recognizes they were wrong and will be blocked from Heaven and stuck in hell for eternity.

When I was a kid, I use to worry (my worrying started at a young age!)  about this and fear that maybe I didn't really believe because I had doubts and that I might end in hell.  I don't think about it today, but maybe I should because maybe it would help me be more vigilant in sharing my faith with people I care for that may not know Jesus.  

knut 

1 Thessalonians 5

14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 

No big takeaways today, just lots of good and simple instructions of how we can live.  References to armor of God again like in Ephesians, helmet of salvation.

This verse is a simple instruction of how we should represent by treating others.  Feels like common sense really, but easier said then done especially being patient.

knut