2 Timothy 3:10-17 (HCSB)Struggles in the Christian Life10 But you have followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, and endurance, 11 along with the persecutions and sufferings that came to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from them all. 12 In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ...  Read More

2 Timothy 3:1-9 (HCSB)Difficult Times Ahead3 But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lov...  Read More

Serving the SaviorPaul's second letter to encourage the young pastor Timothy was likely written around AD 64-65 during Paul's second Roman imprisonment.The apostle Paul left Timothy, his son in the faith, helpful instructions about developing his faith and leadership.Study the Word: Key Truth: Believers serve like good soldiers (2 Timothy 2:1-13). Endurance is required, as is avoiding entanglement...  Read More

1.     While we don’t know when Lois or Eunice got saved (2 Tim 1:5), we do see that Timothy was the recipient of faith generations in the making. His faith was nurtured by others – Lois and Eunice didn’t know he would go into ministry but they still encouraged his faith. Who can you nurture in their faith? How can you position yourself to help them accomplish God’s will?   2.     Today we are oft...  Read More

2 Timothy 2:14-26  (HCSB)An Approved Worker14 Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even greater...  Read More

2 Timothy 2:1-13  (HCSB)Be Strong in Grace2 You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please...  Read More

2 Timothy 1:13-18  (HCSB)Be Loyal to the Faith13 Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who lives in us, that good thing entrusted to you. 15 This you know: All those in Asia have turned away from me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of One...  Read More

2 Timothy 1:8-12 (HCSB)Not Ashamed of the Gospel 8 So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 10 This has now be...  Read More

2 Timothy 1:1-7 (HCSB)Greeting 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, for the promise of life in Christ Jesus: 2 To Timothy, my dearly loved son. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Thanksgiving 3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. 4 Remembering your tears, ...  Read More

Integrity on Display Our relationships at home and at work should give evidence of our commitment to Jesus Christ. Paul addressed those work relationships in these verses.Study the Word: Key Truth: A believer's workplace conduct should bring honor to Christ (Colossians 3:22-4:1). The employee should be fair to the employer, giving a good day's work for his or her pay. The employer should be fair t...  Read More

1.     Colossians 3:18-4:1 is the result of everything that came before it – Paul teaching a high view of Christ and of Christlikeness. Only then does Paul give specific instruction for home life and work life. Where do you fall short in those areas? Where do you succeed? Why? Do you believe that how you treat others is actually “serving the Lord”? Does that change anything? 2.     Wisdom is both ...  Read More

Colossians 4:7-18 (HCSB)Christian Greetings7 Tychicus, our dearly loved brother, faithful servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are and so that he may encourage your hearts. 9 He is with Onesimus, a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everythi...  Read More