Few things in life stick in the craw and remain hard to swallow than the success of cheats. Most agree that winners should only win if they compete according to the rules…
READ 2 TIMOTHY 2 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
There seems to something within us that’s common – no matter what country or culture we’re from, whatever language and whatever background. Most of us would express real anger towards people who cheat to win. It’s so incredibly unfair for the rest who worked hard (those who stuck to the rules, and perhaps even came in second place), only to later discover that the one who won gold, cheated!
Even two millenniums after it was written, most would agree with what Paul wrote in his second letter to Timothy – about a soldier, the athlete, or the farmer. [v4-6] However, we then struggle with the rules laid down for what our Maker expects of those crossing the finish line after running the course of this life. If I’m to expect others to compete according to the rules, how can I sail through this life according to my own rules? So, if I’m to compete in the human race, by the Creator God’s rules, I should be strong in grace [v1]; avoid getting entangled with affairs [v4]; have a pure heart that “flees from evil desires” and pursues righteousness, faith, love and peace [v22]; I should pass on the Guidebook for Life [v2] with gentle instruction [v25]; avoiding quarrels, godless chatter, and foolish arguments [v14,16,23]; and, conduct my life as an approved worker who correctly handles the word of truth. [v15] That being so, I should expect to suffer like any good soldier [v3] – as an instrument for special purposes prepared for every good work. [v21]
Read more?… CLICK to follow “16 November – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Wanting to connect with the Author of Life? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[a]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in Heaven, how great is Your name! Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven…”
Lord, my Lord, how majestic is Your Name in all the earth! You have set Your glory in the heavens. [Psalms 8:1]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: God’s GRACE on Tanzania[b]
Your County/State & Local Leaders
Yourself: Faithfulness with your talents
Your concerns for today
Thank-you for Your promise, Lord, that I can ask and it will be given to me. If I seek, I’ll find. And if I knock, Your door will be opened to me. [Matthew 7:7]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us…”
When I’m ashamed of myself and sorry, You, Father God, will cleanse me from all the sin I’ve committed against You. You’ll forgive all my sins of rebellion against You. [Jeremiah 33:8]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one…”
I thank and praise You, God of my ancestors. You’ve given me wisdom and power. You’ve made known to me what I’ve asked of You, and You’ve made known to me hidden mysteries. [Daniel 2:23]
“ For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory for ever and ever. Amen”
When questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, Jesus spoke what was previously written in God’s Word.[c] So, the final section on this page is about memorizing the script through 10 topics. Following these will help you learn 52 portions from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Topic = Spiritual LIFE
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!” [2 Corinthians 5:17]
[a] Matthew 6:5-15
[b] http://www.operationworld.org/country/tanz/owtext.html
[c] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31