2 Timothy 3 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

2 Timothy 3:10,11

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

Paul points not only to what he taught but how he lived and the purpose (Jesus Christ and the Gospel) for which he lived that life. What a beautiful example of how our lives are supposed to reflect our beliefs. We, as the Church, have to speak and live the truth. Doing one or the other isn't an option, but both have to be working in unison to truly show the world there is something different than what they are used to.

Paul points to the fruit he produced despite the persecutions and hardships. He is telling Timothy and us that our situations and circumstances don't get to determine how we act. It's so crucial in our lives to walk out of faith. In a world of deception and falsehood, can we be living examples of the Truth, Jesus Christ? We may only get one chance to plant a seed; will it be a seed of the Spirit or the flesh? Too often, we say one thing and do another. Is our talk matching our walk? What if we could never speak a word? Would those around us still know we belonged to Christ? Could we still point them to Christ?

The world is riddled with hypocrisy; we can either add to it or be different like our King! Paul isn't calling for us to live perfect lives but rather be humbly surrendered and fully submitted to Christ. Do our lives resemble the verses above or the verse below more?

Titus 1:16- They claim to know God, but by their actions, they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for doing anything good.

God bless! I love you all, but His love is eternal! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!

 

2 Timothy 3:12

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 

 

Last night, I got a little taste of this as I was texting someone close to me and told them after I got off my monitor, we could do something, and they responded with, “It’s not as much fun since you’re sober” and a couple other hurtful things! At first, it hurt my feelings, but then after praying and thinking about it, God brought all these verses about how much of a blessing this truly is!! Even if I can’t see all the changes that God is doing in my life, the world can and it hates it!

 

The world hates that I have Jesus in my corner, and it will try anything to take that away!! I truly am a new creation in Christ, and so are you if He is your Lord and Savior!!

 

It’s all about perspective. A couple years ago, I would have agreed with this person that the “fun Stephen” is gone! But then God showed me what true fun is. Waking up each morning and having time with Creator God is fun. Knowing I’m covered by the blood of Jesus Christ is fun. Listening to and letting the Holy Spirit guide me is fun. Being forgiven and loved unconditionally is fun!! These are all things God brought to my mind last night, and it just encouraged me so much that I felt led to share them with you!! 

 

The more like Christ we become, the more the world is going to hate us!! This world has nothing fun left in it for me. My fun comes from above, and I will fight to keep it that way!!! Where does your fun come from??

 

I love you all, God bless, and Glory to God!!!!!

 

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All scripture is God-breathing and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  

 

I have a pastor friend, and she says “All means all, and that’s all all means!” LOL. It’s so true, though. This verse doesn’t say some or most, but all Scripture. Whether I like it or not, it is God- breathed!!

 

Today, as I was praying, I thanked God for His Word, the easy stuff with the hard stuff because it all comes together to show His true perfect character and genuineness in this broken world!! It’s so comforting to me to know that God gave us an instruction manual that He wrote!!

 

No matter where you are or what you’re going through, God has an answer for it! Granted, it might not be the answer you want, but what we want is not always what we truly need. Sometimes, I need a stern Father willing to correct me, and other times, I need more of the grace and mercy side! Thankfully, God knows exactly what I need and isn’t afraid to give it to me!!

 

The Bible was not written for us to argue over or to choose what we want to believe but to build us up in Jesus Christ and prepare us for the real battle against the evils of this world and prepare us to enter the next! I believe that the harder it is to accept it, the more I need it!!

 

I love you all, God bless, and Glory to God!!!!!!!!!!