Tag Archives: the book of 2 Timothy

August 5
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“All Scripture is God-breathed 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. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

A while ago, I heard a podcast of a panel of bible teachers/scholars who were discussing the widespread lack today of “bible engagement” by Christians.  There seem to be many reasons — but no excuses — for why we keep the word of God at arm’s length, instead of embracing it, and becoming intimately familiar with all that it says. Paul’s letter to his protege Timothy reminds all of us of the primacy of both carefully reading and faithfully heeding scripture in the daily living of the Christian.

On this topic, Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) offered a thought worth pondering — and accepting: “Am I learning how to use my Bible?  The way to become complete for the Master’s service is to be well soaked in the Bible; some of us only exploit certain passages.  Our Lord wants to give us continuous instruction out of His word; continuous instruction turns hearers into disciples.”

It is difficult to be a faithful disciple without also knowing the heart of the Person we have chosen to follow.  Holy scripture introduces us to our Father’s heart.  – Luther

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January 17
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“As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted me — even Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me. May the Lord show him special kindness on the day of Christ’s return. And you know very well how helpful he was in Ephesus.” (2 Timothy 1:15-18, NIV)

As we can see from today’s scripture reading, even the best people have bad experiences with friends and associates.  Clearly, Paul was grieved by the many desertions of “everyone from the province of Asia” in general; and the desertion of Phygelus and Hermogenes, in particular.  However, he is cheered by the kindnesses of one person: Onesiphorus.

It is telling that Paul uses more than twice the number of words recalling the faithfulness of Onesiphorus than he does in describing the failures of Phygelus, Hermogenes, and all of the other folks in the Asia province.  Although Paul never denied the reality of the negative, he chose to spend a lot more time — and words — dwelling on the positive.  So should we.  – Luther

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October 24
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“All Scripture is God-breathed 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.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NIV)

The reading, study, memorization, and recitation of scripture gives the disciple of Jesus the equipment to do good works.

If we blunder into situations with good intentions, but bad information and no tools, is it because we have not enrolled in the academy of the Holy Spirit to be schooled in both the word of God, and in the wisdom of God?

A report published in 2009 by the University of California, San Diego says that nearly half of the average American’s day is devoted to consuming information, whether through television, telephone, radio, texting, on line searches, etc. . .  (Please click here to read the report.)

Assuming that we spend 12 hours of each day receiving information, how many hours of the 12 are spent being equipped for good works?

Minute for minute, scripture is the best information available because, while it may not teach us how to make a living, it will certainly teach us how to make a life.  – Luther

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