Daily Devotional--4/29/10

2 Timothy 2:10

¹⁰Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Romans 8:31-39

³¹What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? ³³Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

³⁶As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." ³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

• Why should we patiently endure the troubles we encounter in life?
• In what way will God reward those who accept suffering?
• In what way does your eternal hope help you to persevere through hard times?
• What other insights to 2 Timothy 2:10 does Romans 8:31-39 bring?

Daily Devotional--4/28/10

2 Timothy 2:7-9

⁷Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

⁸Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained.

• Paul was going through an extremely difficult time (being imprisoned even) for the sake of advancing the Gospel.
• What was the reason why Paul did not lose heart during this difficult time (2:8)?
• What does Paul mean when he says "but God's word is not chained?"

Daily Devotional--4/27/10

2 Timothy 2:3-6

³Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. ⁵Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. ⁶The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

• Paul lists three analogies to show the qualities of a strong spiritual life. What are these three analogies?
• In what ways do Christians compare to these three analogies?
• Do these qualities reflect your own lifestyle? Why or why not?

Daily Devotional--4/26/10

2 Timothy 2:1-2

¹You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. ²And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

• Paul calls Timoth his son (2:1) because of the close mentoring relationship they shared through being in ministry together (see 1 Corinthians 4:17, 1 Timothy 1:2, 18).
• Why would Paul ask Timothy to entrust what he's learned to other reliable people (2:2)?
• Is there someone that you are mentoring right now? If not, spend some time in prayer asking God to bring to mind someone to whom you can mentor.

Daily Devotional--4/12/09

2 Timothy 1:1-7

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,

2To Timothy, my dear son:

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

3I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

These are some of Paul's last writings before his death. This letter was written in 66/67 AD during Nero's persecution of Christians.

• Who is Timothy?
• Who is Timothy's mother?
• Who is his grandmother?
• Were they believers?

Happy Easter!

Almost 2000 years ago, the only innocent man to ever walk the Earth arose from the grave after being betrayed by one of his closest friends, humiliated by the public, brutally beaten and executed by the Roman authorities. Now he serves as the intercessor between us and God the Father.

He died for my sins, and yours. All he asks in return is that we believe in him.

We give thanks for his sacrifice for all of us. And here are a few songs that celebrate his escape from the grave, and our salvation!

This is Love

Amazing Grace

On the Darkest Day

He Lives/He's Alive

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Tags: Easter, Amazing Grace, He Lives/He's Alive, On the Darkest Day, This is Love, Easter Songs, Jesus Christ, Faith, Christianity

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