“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

            The subject of shame is interwoven throughout Paul’s letter to Timothy.  Paul talks about the timidity associated with fear of shame, the need to not be ashamed of God’s Word (even though it is always going to say things which are counter-culture), and the need to live in a way that you have nothing to be ashamed of.

            The key to all of these things is “be diligent”.  Consistency of behavior leads to consistency of outcome.  Our lives become what we do repetitively.  If you wish to be someone approved by God and without shame on the judgment day – assess your habits.  Follow the effort, and you will find the workman.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 2:14-26

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:1)

            Timothy was a young man given immense responsibilities, and as Paul intimated in other places, Timothy seemed to struggle with the weight of his vocation and circumstances.  Timothy, at times, was timid and allowed his fears to keep him from seizing the moment and opportunities he was presented with.  No one likes to fail, and Timothy was no exception.

            Yet, Paul pleaded in fatherly tones with Timothy to be strong in grace.  There is a boldness that should exist for us when we realize that Jesus came preaching grace and truth (see John 1:17) and that even our failures can be woven together for the good of the gospel (see Romans 8:28).  When we come to terms with God’s desire to use us though we be fragile and flawed, we can become bold.  God will sustain us, just like He did Timothy.

            Don’t let fear stop you from serving.  Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 1:13)

Standards are important because they clarify expectations.  Food standards are why restaurants receive ratings for their hygienics and safety protocols.  Enjoy a worry-free meal out? Thank the standards.

Standards also allow us to replicate results.  Standardized testing ensures that there is equality in testing behavior – all kids can study for the same exams with a measure of confidence that the test they take will look like the one they prepared for.

Paul calls the commands of God “the standards of sound words” – they clarify God’s expectations of us, and they ensure we can have confidence in the results of following them.  There is a pattern, and it isn’t going to change.  What a blessing that God gives us standards to live by!

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 1:13-18

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me, His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God…” (2 Timothy 1:8)

            To openly confess Christ will put you in circumstances which are shame-inducing.  The pressure of the world is to not speak of religious conviction – ‘have a faith if you like, but have it quietly’ seems to be the mantra of the age.  Yet, we cannot be ashamed of Jesus; we must share the news of Him.  Confession is intrinsic to our faith.  There is no such thing as a silent faith in Jesus.

            So, we must decide.  Will I face the world and endure their attempts to shame me? Or will I face Jesus at the end of my life and be ashamed that I never spoke of Him?

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-12

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“Remind them… to be ready for every good deed…” (Titus 3:1)

            Readiness is the preparation for action.  It is the sharpening of the axe before felling the tree, the medical education done before diagnosing a patient, the exercise of the body before engaging in the competition.  Readiness is the work before the work.

            We do not just wake up and do good deeds; we do the work to become people prepared to do good deeds first.  Good deeds come from good people.  Good people choose good habits to build good character, so they are ready to see good deed opportunities.  Do the work before the work.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Titus 3:1-15

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

[I posted this last year when our reading was in this section of the New Testament… I received such an outpouring of encouragement from women that I feel compelled to share the exact same message this year as we read through Titus chapter two.  To all you women doing such honorable work in the face of a society that seeks to dishonor your service – thank you.]

“…so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.” (Titus 2:4-5)

Do we still consider these words to be honorable ones?  The image painted by the apostle Paul of the godly woman, working at home, breathing love into hearth and home is considered antiquated and vulgar by today’s standards (even misogynstic), yet the picture Paul describes is the loving home that every child and family yearns for, and statistically, the model that has been most successful.

Society has discouraged young women from being workers at home.  The Holy Spirit says we should encourage them to be workers at home.  We must decide which camp we shall join.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Titus 2:1-15

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.” (Titus 1:15)

The Jews had become so accustomed to fixation on ceremony and the avoidance of unclean foods that they missed some of the deeper lessons.  Food can never defile the soul of a man; in fact, nothing external can.  The defilement of someone must come from within.  It is only when the inner mind objectifies the opposite gender that lust is born, and it is only when the covetous heart springs up that another’s success turns into jealousy and rivalry.

Gluttony, greed, lies, and a thousand other evils spring up from the wellsprings of the human heart.  The battle isn’t without – it is within.  Once we subdue the inner man, the outer world cannot harm us, and we can find purity even in the darkest hours of our life.  Paul and Silas sang with reverence from a prison, and Herod mocked God from his palatial estate.  Give a godly soul any experience, and they can make it pure… give a villain any setting, and he can defile it.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: Titus 1:1-16

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’ – which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith.” (1 Timothy 6:20-21)

            There is a tendency in religious matters to chatter on in our arguments without guarding our hearts or guarding the faith.  When our discussions revolve around hypotheticals and philosophical theories but not a single verse is quoted, we have failed to guard what has been entrusted to us.

            False ‘knowledge’ begins with my opinion.  True knowledge begins with a verse.  Find the text and then find your worldview… not the other way around.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 1 Timothy 6:11-21

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

            A root is the life source of a tree.  It is the foundation to its growth and the source of its nutrients.  When we begin to long for money and the things which money can buy, money becomes the root of a poisonous tree that bears rotten fruit.  Money is not the problem; it is the constant pursuit of money, the coveting of money, and the lusting for it which grows the tree of evil.

            When money becomes the god we love, then our relationships, our faith, our contentment, and our clarity of mind all suffer.  When our ‘wants’ are not curbed by our faith and our appetites for more are left unchecked… grief and distress are not far behind.  We cannot follow Jesus and follow money, too.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 1 Timothy 6:1-10

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision

“The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17)

            What is this double honor Paul is referring to? A congregation’s respect, submission, and support – this is the first honor it offers to elders.  The double honor is the financial support of a wage.

This often-overlooked passage gives permission for the financial support of elders.  In America, as well as other countries, elders often serve without receiving any wage.  What a gift they offer when they do this!  However, it is good for us to remember that it is permissible to offer this “honor” to an elder.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

Today’s Reading: 1 Timothy 5:17-25

Questions to ask:

1. How is Paul feeling as he writes today’s passage? What is his mood?
2. What are the central themes in Paul’s preaching and teaching which are being emphasized, or how are the central themes in this epistle being emphasized in today’s reading?
3. How does our reading show Paul’s people skills, especially how he handles conflict?
4. What in this passage would change the lives of the believer(s) being addressed? How does it make me a better disciple?
5. How does this show the “good news” of the gospel? How can I share that with someone else?

This year, #Biblebites are following the life and writings of Paul.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2023-vision