2 Timothy 2
When times get tough, God wants us to hold on, not let go. God wants us to stick with our calling, enduring hardships. If we endure, God will also cause us to reign with Him. We will reign with Him throughout eternity, but we can also reign in this life as well.
Apostle Paul acknowledges the sufferings of ministry to Pastor Timothy, and encouraged him to endure. The Greek word for endure is hypomeno and it means, “To remain; not recede or flee. To persevere under misfortunes and trials, holding fast to faith in Christ. To endure or bear bravely and calmly, during ill treatment.” “Hold on, Timothy! Be strengthened in God’s grace.” Paul illustrates his point of endurance to Timothy in three different ways: as a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer. Often the only difference between fulfilling our destiny and or not is endurance, showing up and continue showing up. Lives are in the balance.
Paul gives Timothy words of wisdom on making it the long haul in ministry. Here is some of his advice:
Get the right people around you – teachers, who can help teach and multiply the church.
Remove the wrong people, those who get caught up in petty controversies and idle talk.
Refuse to answer ignorant questions and waste time with ill-formed, unedifying, and stupid conversation.
Correct those in error with the aim to lead them to repentance and restoration. Be clear, but don’t burn your bridges. Perhaps they will escape the snare of the devil.
Be set apart for God’s purpose, separating yourself from the contamination of sin.
Timothy was blessed to have Paul as a spiritual father; and we are blessed to be able to share in this inspired writing!
Jeremiah 23-24
Our relationship with God is one where He fills us and completes us. His life becomes intertwined with ours; we are one. In Jeremiah 23:24 God speaks of filling heaven and earth. The Hebrew word for fill means “thoroughly saturated.” This same word is used to describe being filled with the Spirit of God (Exodus 31:3, Micah 3:8). When speaking of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, it mentions a baptism, or a full saturation of the Spirit of God. One term used is “being filled” with the Spirit. Think of it – the presence and power of the Holy Spirit permeates our whole being. If we can grab ahold of that concept, there are no limits to our faith in what God can and will do in us and through us!
In chapter 23 we also see prophecy that applies to the near future and the far future. God promises the Messiah will reign as a King, a millennial reference. He also mentions the scattering and regathering of the Jewish people, another end time reference. In verse 20, Jeremiah says, “In the latter days you will understand it perfectly.” The generation who needs to comprehend prophecy, will.
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