NOT JUST FOR SCOUTS

READING: 2 TIMOTHY 2:1-7

Verse 3: “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

Here are a couple of thoughts about what the verse above seems to imply. One is that a quality exists which makes soldiers able to endure hardship. Another implication is that this same quality can also help people to be faithful Christians. One quality that could contribute to both is preparedness. Being prepared for hardship increases a person’s ability to endure when it is encountered. Armies give a high priority to training so that soldiers will be prepared for the intense hardships associated with combat. Using the military analogy in this verse, Paul is preparing Timothy for hardships that were certain and predictable. Given the continuing nature of the opposition that exists against Christianity and Christian men and women, this advice about hardship is not for Timothy only. It is for all who serve the Lord! Therefore, so that we like Timothy will be able to fight the good fight, we too should seek and receive the quality of preparedness. May each of us be “...a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21). That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How can you grow in preparedness?

2. How much preparedness do we need?

SUCCESSFUL

READING: LUKE 14:25-33

Verse 33: “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

In this verse the Lord Jesus sets an exceptionally high standard of expectation. However, it is a standard that 11 of the 12 disciples met. They did indeed faithfully forsake all they had. Here are three confirmations of that. Luke 5:11 says that James and John forsook all and followed Him. Luke 5:25 tells us that Matthew left all, rose up and followed Him. Matthew 4:20 states that Peter and Andrew immediately left their nets and followed Him. There were no contracts, no negotiations and no conditions. They simply stopped their lives and followed Him. They were with the Lord through sermons, teachings, healings, deliverances, prayers, dangers, triumphs, discomforts, miracles and confrontations. They left nothing undone! By their sacrifice and commitment, those disciples provide us with the ultimate model of giving all. In these days as we live our lives before the Lord, may we come to be worthy of their admirable example. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What can you do at this time in your life to emulate the disciples?

2. If you could speak to one of these faithful men, what would want to ask?

IT’S HERE TO STAY

READING: 2 TIMOTHY 2:8-13

Verse 9: “for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.”

The Lord our God is immutable, unassailable and eternal. He cannot be out smarted or manipulated. He is invincible, supreme and beyond challenge. These very same qualities are also true of the word of God. His word is an expression of Himself, therefore it also can’t be overruled, diminished or retarded. The Apostle Paul fully understood this truth about the gospel, and his life and ministry reflected it. Therefore, as he wrote above, he suffered even to the point of chains. Then, it is important to note that he added the following statement, “but the word of God is not chained.” Such is the power of the Word. History demonstrates that the gospel cannot be restrained. Enemies of the word of the Lord have struck against His messengers, but have failed to dim the light or deplete the power of His message. Just as Isaiah wrote, so it is. “But the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8) That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What current efforts to chain the word of God do you see in the world today?

2. What is the primary effect of the word of the Lord in your life?

WALK PROPERLY

READING: ROMANS 13:8-14

Verse 13: “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.”

The Bible cautions very strongly against drunkenness. New Testament scriptures list drunkenness side by side with other sins which many would consider to be much more damaging. Even the first record of drunkenness in the Bible illustrates the level of consequences it produces. Genesis 9 describes the incident where the drunkenness of Noah caused a compromising situation for his sons. The result was that one of his sons was cursed. Furthermore, it does seem that a curse has continued to accompany this abusive behavior as it has occurred. This curse is alcoholism and the devastation that alcoholism produces. Drunkenness is such a threat to mankind that it has produced a fearsome biblical warning. God’s word promises that drunkards will not inherit the Kingdom of God. In addition to that, it is a blessing that we are provided more than only this severe warning. It is a blessing that Romans 13:13 also offers a victory producing alternative to drunkenness. Those who choose to turn to this verse will have the threat of condemnation removed and will have the goodness of the Lord fulfilled. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. What seems to you to be the most serious result of alcoholism today?

2. What would result if Romans 13:13 were to be honored?

BIRTH PAINS

READING: PSALM 71:1-8

Verse 6: “By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall continually be of you.”

In the Book of Ecclesiastes we are informed that there is a time to be born. The Bible is making the point that God has predetermined and established the times of our births. In some situations, however, life becomes extremely difficult for people. On some of those occasions there are those who are heard to express regret that they were born. When these are Christians, the truth of God is needed for encouragement. In that regard, Psalmists have provided words and thoughts to inspire us. For example, Psalm 71:6 does so as a prayer of praise to the Lord, and one which specifically addresses our births. It declares, “By You I have been upheld from my birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall continually be of you.” In everything that happens from our births which are by His approval, completely through our eternal lives, we are treasured by our great and mighty God. He never fails in His promise to uphold us. That is good reason to be encouraged and give Him praise for our lives even in times of challenge. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. How much and well do we understand the Lord’s purposes for our lives?

2. What do you think of the psalmist’s confession that God took him out of his mother’s womb?

MY WAY

READING: 2 TIMOTHY 2:1-7

Verse 5: “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”

In addition to what was offered in yesterday’s reading regarding this same verse, here is another thought. This verse also exposes an attitude that is present in the world today. Many, just because their hearts are set on something, assume they deserve whatever it is that they want. There is a strong and deceived notion of entitlement that is firmly entrenched among them. Rules or standards that oppose what these people want, are rejected. If something is contrary to their desires, their expectation is that it will be changed to favor them, overlooked or disregarded. When these people are insistent enough, at times they succeed in gaining concessions. These gains are temporal and worldly, and reinforce an attitude of disregard for order that is spiritually dangerous. This is an attitude that defies the spiritual reality established by Paul in this verse. If heavenly rewards are to beobtained, that must come through respect and adherence to the rules that are provided for that purpose. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. In what other ways is competing in athletics an effective metaphor for Christian living?

2. What scripture can you identify that refutes attitudes of entitlement?

DON’T BE DISQUALIFIED 

READING: 2 TIMOTHY 2:1-7

Verse 5: “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”

There are many these days who are deceived in their beliefs that they have been received into God’s Kingdom. These are people who, based on their preferences, have established their own definitions for what it takes to be accepted into the Kingdom of the Lord. They are also people who are in need of the counsel provided by today’s verse. Godly order demands that rules preside over personal preferences or perceptions. Here is an illustration. Everyone who wants to become a college student must conform to the rules for admission to the school. People can walk around on campus carrying books, and maybe even sit in some classes. They may look exactly like enrolled students. However, unless they have been acknowledged as such by the college, they won’t be students. They won’t receive a student’s privileges or rewards. In a like manner, those who claim Christianity based on their own definitions and preferences are not Christians. They have not respected the rules that permit them that stature. They will not receive the Christian’s privileges or rewards. But here is the good news. All who do accept, receive and follow gospel standards are welcome participants. Theywill be full recipients of the goodness of the Lord. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. In our society today, what promotes the belief that people can make their own rules?

2. Is it hard to follow Kingdom rules?