"Conclusion" (2 Timothy 2:7)

 

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 1/19/2025 7:47 AM

 

My Worship Time                                                                                          Focus: “Conclusion”

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                                     Reference:  2 Timothy 2:7

 

            Message of the verse:  “Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”

 

            Today is a cold Sunday morning in North Ridgeville, Ohio and the forecast says it will get much colder over the next three days, and then it may warm up to the 20’s again, which will feel like a heat wave.  Today’s SD will be a quotation from John MacArthur’s commentary as he looks at the conclusion of what we have been looking at from 2 Timothy.

 

            “There are certain things that the spiritual Christian has to endure, such as suffering for the faith.  There are certain things he has to avoid, such as becoming entangled with the affairs of the world.  There are certain mandates he has to obey, namely, the commands of his Lord.  There are certain things he has to do, including tasks that seem mundane and ordinary.  And, just as surely, there are things he will be given to enjoy, the victory and the rewards of a dedicated, selfless, and disciplined life. Through His apostle, the Lord assures us:  ‘Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord’ (1 Cor. 15:58).

 

            ‘Consider what I say, Paul continues.  The verb noeo (consider) denotes perceiving clearly with the mind, of understanding fully, of considering carefully, of pondering and mulling over.  The form here is an imperative, indicating that Paul was giving a strong admonition, not mere advice.

 

            “The apostle was saying to Timothy, and still says to believers today:  ‘Under the Lord, think over and carefully ponder what I have been saying.  Look at your own life and ask yourself if you are a strong Christian, a spiritual Christian, a mature Christian.  Are you devoting yourself to guarding and teaching God’s Word?  Do you deny yourself and count you life as nothing in order to faithfully serve the Lord?  Do you keep a distance between yourself and the affairs of the world? Do you continually prepare yourself to serve your Master?  Do you understand self-denial and self-sacrifice?  Are you willing to pay the price that He demands?’

 

            “If you can answer yes to those questions,’ we are promised, the Lord will give you understanding in everything.  You will be led with wisdom and insight through the challenges to victory.”

 

Spiritual meaning for my life today:  These are a series of very good questions to think about and to seek the Lord if the answers to any of them is no.

 

My Steps of Faith for Today:  Trust the Lord to give me wisdom as I teach our Sunday school class for today.

1/19/2025 8:05 AM