Day 52 - II Timothy 3:10-13

A quick thank you not to Timothy...  Thanks so much for hanging in there with me through all of the difficult times.  You have listened, been steady and faithful, loving and patient.  Oh and by the way it will only get tougher but God will continue to rescue us.

Thought for the day:  Be thankful that God is always there to pull me through.

Day 51 - II Timothy 3:6-9

Paul warns Timothy about smooth talking men whose pervert the truth of the faith and more specifically are guilty of taking advantage of vulnerable women.  Paul is confident that the smooth talkers will not be successful and that everyone will be able to see through them.

Thought for the day:  Be careful to judge the words of men through the filter of the truth of scripture.

DAy 50 - II Timothy 3:1-5

As I read this passage of how Paul describes the approaching end time as would have sworn that it was an editorial from today's San Diego Union Tribune.  We tend to think that we have it some much more difficult, however, the things that Paul warns Timothy about or spot on for us today.  Everywhere we look the mantra of the day is, "Aren't I special and my pleasure and success needs to be the center of all".  The religion of me.

Thought for the day:  Stay true to what Christ call us to and lean on him.  Humility today.

Day 49 - II Timothy 2:22-26

This passage describes what a mature servant of God will look like and how he will act.  In summary: 1) chase faith, love and peace not juvenile things 2) Listen more talk less.

Thought for the day:  Be a good listener.

Day 48 - II Timothy 2:20-21

Paul wants Timothy to be a useful tool in Gods hands.  That can be used for anything at anytime.

Thought for the day:  Be available and ready to be used today.

Day 47 - II Timothy 2:19

A reminder from Paul:  God is sovereign, consistent and knows who belongs to him.  Now act like it.

Thought for the day: God is sovereign, consistent and knows who belongs to him.  Now act like it.

Day 46 - II Timothy 2:14-18

Paul turn his attention to the art of communication.  I love the phrase from the passage, "Words are not mere words, you know" (The Message).  To sum it up, don't gossip and nitpick, keep it simple, be truthful and don't feel the need to impress with "pious" talk.

Thought for the day:  Focus on delivering uplifting words today.

Day 45 - II Timothy 2:8-13

Paul emphasize the power of the gospel message based on the essentials of Jesus birth, life, death and resurrection.  Paul is in jail but nothing can chain the message of God.

Thought for the day:  Simple message - life, death and RESURRECTION.

Day 44 - II Timothy 2:1-7

Paul's advice to Timothy is to throw himself into the work of his ministry with special attention to teaching competent leaders who will continue to disciple others.  Realizing that there will be rough spots along the way, Timothy is encouraged to hang in there always being honest and diligent in his commitment to his ministry.

Thought for the day: I have been experiencing some rough spots myself lately.  Hang in, it will all become clear.

Day 43 - II Timothy 1:15-18

Paul expresses his thanks to those who have been supportive in his ministry.  He shares a special word of thanks to Onesiphorus who went the extra mile.

Thought for the day:  We all need those special people in our lives to love and support us and I am no exception.  My wife has been my greatest support.  I love her and thank God for her.

Day 42 - II Timothy 1:13-14

Paul instructs Timothy to continue in the work and stay true to how Paul set out the message for him.  Timothy should also take care to guard the message that has been entrusted to him.

Thought for the day:  The message is sound, precious and has been placed into my custody.  What will I do with it?

Day 41 - II Timothy 1:11-12

Paul acknowledges that his commitment to Christ and the message of salvation have resulted in many hardships but he absolutely has no regrets.  He is confident that God will see him through anything he comes up against while carrying out his ministry.

Though for the day:  Always stand my ground and God will always be there.

Day 40 - II Timothy 1:8-10

Encouraging words about our gift of salvation provided freely and completely through the work of Jesus.  When this is powered by the Father through the Holy Spirit then we should feel completely empowered to carry on with no embarrassment to speak for Christ.

Thought for the day:  Stand up for Christ and look for opportunities to share the great news.

Day 39 - II Timothy 1:5-7

Paul thinks back on the rich spiritual heritage of Timothy that was passed down to Timothy from his mother, grandmother and himself and encourages Timothy to keep the fire burning continue his rich ministry that has been fueled by those who have mentored him.

Thought for the day:  I have a rich heritage as well.  Parents (Carl and Ray), grandparents (Carlton, Lavada, Georgia) and a host of pastors and teachers who have provided a rich spiritual heritage.  I want to spend this day thanking God for the rich heritage he has blessed me with.

Day 38 - II Timothy 1:3-4

Paul expresses his love for Timothy, how much he misses him and how much he looks forward to their reunion.

Thought for the day:  I will pray for my parents today and look forward to a mini family reunion in April.

Day 37 - II Timothy 1:1-2

As Paul begins his second letter to Timothy he repeats his personal mission statement, "On special assignment from God".  He also starts with a challenge to Timothy to be bold with God's gifts.

Thought for the day:  Recognize, cherish and share the gifts God has given me.

Day 36 - I Timothy 6:20-21

I love the way Paul ends his letter to Timothy...
Guard the treasure you have been given with you life
Avoid showy religion
Avoid useless/excess talk

Thought for the day:  Be thankful for life in Christ and be real

Day 35 - I Timothy 6:17-19

It is unbelievable that from the beginning of time until this very moment we have failed to learn the lesson that materialism is empty.  God offers us riches beyond our wildest imagination and it costs us nothing yet provides us the opportunity to impact the world around us in extravagant ways.

Thought for the day:  Build a treasury that will last and gain a life that is truly life.

Day 34 - I Timothy 6:13-16

Paul charges Timothy to follow his instructions to the letter and not to slack off in view of what Jesus did while on earth and the fact that he may return at an time.

Thought for the day:  Live today like Christ will return before dinner.

Day 33 - I Timothy 6:11-12

The message is too run hard and fast from the pursuit of money and toward the pursuit of faith.  Seize the eternal life that is the result of faith.

Thought for the day:  Stay focused on the goal - eternity, Christ likeness.

Day 32 - I Timothy 6:9-10

As Paul continues to instruct Timothy about leadership and the potential dangers they may fall into, he elaborates on the danger of over emphasizing money.  Lust for money can take you down the wrong path and wreck your faith.

Thought for the day:  Focus on what I have in Christ not what I think I do not have materially.

Day 31 - I Timothy 6:6-8

Paul talks to Timothy about contentment and encourages him to live a simple life, one that is open and transparent before God.

Thought for the day:  I have been blessed and will be thankful today.  I have more than enough.  Be open and honest with God today.

Day 30 - I Timothy 6:2-5

Paul warns Timothy to be on the lookout for pretentious preachers, teacher and leaders who pervert the truth of God's words for there own benefit.  Their focus will be self promotion of themselves and their own ideas. 

Thought for the day:  Sound teaching and sharing of the simple truth of God's word is what He needs to make positive impact in the lives of people around me.  Share it simply.

Day 29 - I Timothy 6:1-2

Paul instructions on the behavior of the slave in the slave/master relationship does not have a direct application for us today.  However, we can use the principal that whatever controls our life is our master and how we handle and behave related to that master impacts the way a unbeliever sees us.

Thought for the day:  Make sure that those I am around today not who my real master is.

Day 28 - I Timothy 5:24-25

I ma not entirely sure what Paul was trying to communicate to Timothy but possibly a caution about rushing to quick judgement on someone.  Sometimes right and wrong are easily identified but at other times it can only be seen after a period of time.

Thought for the day:  Be careful not to rush to judgement.

Day 27 - I Timothy 5:21-23

These three verses seem a bit like Paul lost his train of thought for the moment.  However, he seems to be addressing some leadership qualities of Timothy himself.  He is instructed to be fair, cautious and circumspect when dealing with those in the church and in particular is not to be unduly influenced by his critics.

Thought for the day:  No real application jumps out at me from this.  Maybe today I will just thank God for my wife.

Day 26 - I Timothy 5:20

Sin is a struggle for all believers and if not held accountable and corrected will devastate our spiritual life.  Accountability to others is a key factor in the ability to maintain spiritual vitality and keep our lives on track.

Thought for the day:  Listen for the counsel of others who are trying to keep me on track.

Day 25 - I Timothy 5:19

Paul turns his attention again to the treatment of leaders within the community of believers and deals with unfounded accusations and gossip that can occur.  Paul knows that words can be very damaging and instructs Timothy to insure that complaints have a solid foundation and are backed up by at least two or three others.

Thought for the day:  Don't listen to idol gossip and complaining against leaders or anyone else for that matter.

Day 24 - I Timothy 5:17-18

Paul instructs on how church leaders should be taken care of.  The community of believers should do everything possible to enable them to exercise their gifts of preaching, teaching and leading.

Though for the day:  Support the church financially so that our leaders will be enabled.  Treat them as I would want to be treated in my vocation.