The Daily Dose

Unchained

And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained.  2 Timothy 2:9

I love this phrase and it is such an awesome and sobering thought to consider.  The Word of God cannot be chained or locked up.  God’s Word has been released into this world and will go on forever, it cannot be stopped!  Glory to God.  It is up to me and you what we are going to do with it.  We can choose to get in line with it and share it with others, or we can choose to ignore it and never acknowledge that it is the one true standard for this world.  It really doesn’t matter in the big scheme of things how we choose, but it does matter to God.  He loves us and made every provision possible so we don’t have to be left in this dying world without hope.  The Word of God is the lifeboat to save us from this sinking ship (the world).

Even through the dark ages when the Word of God was only available to the ministers in the church, God protected and kept His Word from being destroyed or concealed.  For a while it looked like it was at risk and hidden from people, but God raised up courageous and faithful men and women who were willing to risk it all to get God’s Word to every person.  This passage reminds me of a scripture in Isaiah 40 that says: The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.  Glory to God!  I’m so thankful that God’s Word has been unchained and accessible to us even today.  Next to the blood of Jesus, it’s the greatest gift God has given to us.  

As wonderful and powerful as God’s Word is, there is an even more glorious truth.  That is the truth of the power within each one of us to release God’s Word into all our circumstances.  By speaking the Word of God over our lives and the lives of those we love, we are releasing the changing power of His word into all of life’s situations. We can line up who we are and God’s plan and will for others simply by speaking the Words that God says about us.  I’m talking about words like:  I am more than a conqueror, I have been made in the image of God, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and the greater One lives inside of me.  These words are powerful and can change the course of life that we are currently on.

Today I want to encourage you to rejoice because the Word of God cannot be chained, held down, hidden or squelched.  It is timeless and eternal.  It is protected and preserved, and it is alive and powerful!  You can believe God’s Word and live your life according to it with no fear that it will let you down.  God’s Word is the one absolute truth, and you can depend and trust every Word He said in it!  He will never go against His Word, in fact the scripture says:  God is bound by His Word, the Holy Bible. (Hebrews 6:18) You have the power and authority to speak and live by His Word and release it into all areas of your life.  Begin today to speak the truth of God’s Word and get in line with all the goodness He has planned for you!

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-14

Entangled

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.  2 Timothy 2:4

Wow!  This is quite a vivid picture and one worth considering for a minute.  Imagine being enlisted in the military, called up to active duty.  Think about how you would prepare for that.  You would have your family, friends, finances, faith and fitness in order.  You would be sure that there was nothing left undone in your civilian life.  You would have all loose ends tied up so as not to be distracted from your full-time active service to your country.  Many times when called to active duty, you are required to move out of state or even out of the country. You cannot leave any lingering responsibilities or obligations.  You must be focused on your mission and you are set apart for it by moving your life to the base where you are stationed.

Imagine now if you are serving in your active duty position, but you left your family where they were with unfinished business that you were still trying to conduct.  As you focus on your military mission being part of a unit working together on that mission, you are being distracted because you are still trying to keep up with managing your affairs back home.  This is not going to please your commanding officer.  He is going to tell you to get your head in the game or don’t come back until you can give your full attention to the job you have been enlisted to do.

Do you see a parallel in this scenario?  We have been called up to active duty by our Commanding officer, the Head of the church, the Lord Jesus!  We have a mission that we are assigned to.  However, many of us are unaware that we are on a mission and have our focus on the concerns and cares on civilian (natural) life.  We have let the distractions of activity, entertainment, pandemic and etc. become the dominate focus of our world, forgetting that this is not what pleases the One who called us.

In today’s scripture, Paul is telling Timothy to toughen up and persevere through the hard times, just like a good soldier on mission would do.  When He is on His mission, he is not looking around at what he can do to fill his time.  He is focused on the mission at hand and he is focused on carrying out the orders of the commander because they are on the same mission together.  This pleases the commander.  The more he can trust his soldiers to carry out their assignments, the more pleased he is.

Today I want to encourage you to “toughen up” and not be entangled/caught up in the cares and concerns of this world.  We do live here but we do not have to have the same mind set.  This is a temporary assignment and will soon be over.  I don’t want to be the one with all the excuses at the end of the mission as to why the mission failed, not to mention the many lives that were lost because my heart was some place else.  Become mission minded today and put away the distraction and cares of this life.  Begin by settling your business with the world.  Tie up any loose ends such as unhealthy relationships, debts and time wasting hobbies.  Then turn your focus to getting your assignment.  Spend time connecting with the “Commander” each day and offer your life up for service.  Begin your training and grow into your mission by spending time in the “play book” (scripture) and make your focus to be the reason you are in this world.  We are in a war here, so lets get untangled from the heaviness of life and run in the race we have been call to.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-7

Connect, Care and Grow

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  2 Timothy 2:2

In this passage, Paul is telling Timothy to teach faithful people who will continue to teach others the message that Paul is preaching.  He wants Timothy to make disciples so they can go on to spread the good news and do the work of the ministry, just as Paul is teaching him. This message is also for us today.  You can hear Paul saying even to us right now, “The things you have heard and learned from me through the witness of the scriptures, connect with others and commit to teaching them.”

So how do we do it?  How do we teach others that truly want to learn and teach about a life of faith and grace in Christ Jesus?  The first place to start is with prayer.  Ask the Lord to lead you to those who are faithful and want to learn and then teach others.  Then ask Him for a platform or place to do this.  Leading a small group or Bible study is a perfect way to connect others.  You will find in leading and studying, you are learning right along with those in your group.  Bringing others together in a group setting inspires them to want to pass the message along.  By connecting with others in groups, you can commit to faithful people who will be able to teach the things you have heard and seen from Paul’s writings and in all the scriptures.

Coming together in a group setting whether it is weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, will not only help you to connect with those in your group, you will be able to care for the spiritual need of those in your gathering.  Leading a group is the perfect opportunity to love on others and walk through life with them.  The result will be growing closer to others and closer to God.  You will set up a circle of trust and form bonds that will last for all eternity.  Your ministry will be one that will enrich and complete the empty place in your life.

Today I want to encourage you to commit to telling others the things you have learned from the scriptures and teaching of Paul and all the books in the Bible.  Pass them on through groups and other connections you make.  Become a leader to inspire others to learn and grow in their daily walk with the Lord.  This is where true fulfilment comes in all areas of your life.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-7

Be a refresher

“The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;”  2 Timothy 1:16

It’s hard to believe that there were some of Paul’s friends that were ashamed of him. Ashamed that he was in prison.  Even though he was suffering persecution for preaching the good news, some looked at his predicament with pride and judgment.  This man who had the greatest ministry of all time next to Jesus had “friends” that were embarrassed and ashamed of him.  If I think about it, I wonder how I would have felt.  I consider if I have ever had friends who were in a tough place and I withdrew from them.  I hope not, but it is still something to watch for.

Paul also speaks of a friend that refreshed him.  Onesiphorus refreshed him by visiting him often in Rome and in Ephesus.  He brought Paul encouraging words about the churches and was there to cheer him on in his ministry.  Paul gives us a hint of how this was accomplished at the beginning of this section in verse 13.  He tells Timothy to hold to a pattern or consistency of speaking sound words, or words that line up with the Word of God that Paul taught him. He says this is the way to stay in faith and love and not follow the example of those who turned away from Paul’s ministry.

We can be a refreshing to those around us still today.  Whether it is by visiting a friend or speaking words of encouragement and scripture to them.  Visiting and calling those who may be up against something or even just stuck in the ruts of daily life.  Our reaching out and connecting with them may make all the difference in what they accomplish in this life.

Today I want to encourage you to refresh others.  Either by visiting, meeting or calling, take time each week to purposefully encourage at least one person and make a difference in their life.  This is a good place to start in ministry.  Even if your schedule is demanding, if you make a concentrated effort to reach out and touch another life, you will not only be refreshing their world, but it will also make a difference in your world too.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Timothy 1:13-18

God is in control…of what you “give” to Him

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.  2 Timothy 1:12

In today’s verse, Paul is talking about suffering because of the calling he was appointed to.  He tells Timothy that some of his other friends were ashamed of him for being in prison.  He says, “but I’m not ashamed because I know the One I believe in and I’m totally convinced that He will keep everything I have committed to Him until the day it is complete.”  Notice that Paul is not worried, afraid or concerned that he is being detained from his mission.  Even when other Christians were talking about his imprisonment and embarrassed by his suffering, Paul believes he is where God is keeping and caring for him.  He isn’t complaining about being in prison.  This is crazy!  Paul is locked up for doing what he was called to do and it doesn’t even seem to phase him, in fact, he is persuaded that God is keeping him right in the middle of the mess.

Notice Paul doesn’t say “I’m not worried because God is in control of everything that happens in life.”  He says I know God takes care of everything that I commit to Him.  He is not a believer that God is in control of everything and whatever happens, happens because of God’s control.  He is persuaded that everything that he gives to God to handle, God will take care of it. Paul never prays to ask God to get him out of prison, He just believes God has got him wherever he is because he has put his faith in trust in God’s hands.

This is the same thing for us today.  God will get us through whatever we are going through if we simply trust Him.  By committing every situation in life to His hands, He will see us through to the other side.  Instead of praying for God to take us out of the crisis, a better prayer would be to ask for His presence all the way to the other side.  God is not the reason for our suffering and circumstances.  Things just happen.  We are in a fallen world and sometimes life happens.  The good news is that when we commit our issues to God and become fully persuaded that He will keep what we committed to Him, He will always give us the victory.

This is the reason why it is so important to get all our concerns and desires into God’s hands.  When we take things to God in prayer, it “opens the door” so to speak for Him to come into the situation and work His miracles.  Even as simple as committing each day to God in the mornings before you go out into this crazy world gives Him entrance to guide and protect.  In this way, maybe we can avoid some of “life” from happening to us.  God watches closely over His children but let’s face it sometimes we get out beyond where we should be and cannot clearly discern or “hear” His direction.  Thank goodness we can turn around at any time, look to Him and cry out for help, and He comes rushing in to save us.  

So today I want to encourage you when you notice things getting rough around you, consider the last time you spent really pressing into God giving Him “control” over all your life’s circumstances.  Hand it all over today and watch the goodness of God come rushing in and “overcome” the oppression of the enemy.

Today’s scripture reading:  2 Timothy 1:8-12

No fear

Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:6 & 7

For years I have used verse 7 as a go to when feeling fear and anxiety.  I remind myself that fear is a spirit and it doesn’t come from God.  It is a great reminder to replace fear when it comes with God’s power, love and peace (sound mind).  Today I have considered it in a whole new light within it’s context.  Let me explain.

Timothy was afraid and by the sound of things he backed down from preaching the gospel.  It sounds like he was afraid of going to prison like Paul and who could blame him?  No one wants to suffer persecution for doing what is right and true.  However, Paul tells Timothy not to be afraid or ashamed of Paul’s sufferings.  Paul tells him he is called not because of what he has done (good works) but it’s all about God’s purpose and grace which was given in Christ Jesus.  He tells Timothy to stir up the gift of God on his life.  In other words, he is telling Timothy to get excited because he is fulfilling God’s plans and purposes.

We are to do the same thing right now.  We are not to be afraid or ashamed of the gifts and call on our life, but we are to use them to accomplish God’s plan and purpose not our own.  It doesn’t matter what the outward circumstances are, what matters is that God’s mission is being done.  The problem is that we need to take our eyes off ourselves and surrender our works to the call of God on our life.  Whether at work or play, wherever we are, the reason for being there is to get the job done, not to make ourselves look good.  It starts by stirring up the gift of God on our life.  What ever your gifts are, get excited that you are using them for the kingdom of God, right where you are.  Put away the spirit of fear and put on God’s power, love and confidence.  We will probably never face the persecution like Paul and Timothy did, but we still have the responsibility to submit our gifts to His call. 

Today I want to encourage you to not be afraid or ashamed of the gospel or the call on your life.  Recognize that the gifts on your life are there to complete God’s plans in the world.  He plans for all of us to have a part because He wants to share his glory with us.  God could do it all by Himself, in fact, He did do all the hard work in Jesus.  Now He gives us a part of His work by sharing with and loving others.  We are in this thing together, so put on the confidence He has empowered you with and lets get the job done!

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Timothy 1:6-9

Legacy

When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5

What are you passing on to the next generation! What will your legacy be?  Are you leaving a large sum of money or setting up an organization to your memory? Maybe you’re passing down recipes and words of wisdom the future generation?  Or, maybe you have never even considered what will mark your time in this world after you are gone. It is definitely something worth thinking about and spending some time planning for.

In today’s text Paul is talking about the legacy that has been passed to Timothy from his grandmother through his mother. He says that Timothy’s grandmother and mother have passed their genuine faith to him.  What a great gift and legacy to pass on! True authentic faith.

Our faith is the most important thing and we should be making a conscience effort to ensure our children and those in the next generation are getting all the revelation from our time here.  Our children’s faith should begin where ours left off.  Their floor should be our ceiling. The next generation should be able to build on the foundation of the faith that we grew our entire life! This is how progress happens, by building on the foundation of the previous generation!  This is also how the message of the gospel has survived thousands of years, by passing from one generation to the next.

So what are you and I doing to secure this foundation for the next generation? How do we spend time cultivating and growing the awareness and consistency of this foundation?  By spending daily quiet time with God?  Listening to weekly teachings in church services?  Gathering in groups throughout the week to encourage in spur each other on?  These are all things we can be doing to grow our great faith, but in passing to the next generation, you must live the life.  Begin to teach and train your children and grandchildren today by walking in God’s word and being an example of His goodness.  No matter what stage of life you are in, you can make a purposeful endeavor to pass on your faith.

Today I want to encourage you to make a plan to impact future generations. What will you do to ensure the message of salvation passes from you to your children through their children and down the generations. As much as we love our children and grandchildren what a joy it will be to one day meet the generations before and after us who have passed their genuine faith to us! This is true legacy and what we should purposefully cultivate in our lives. We all will leave this world one-day, nobody gets out of here alive.  However we all impact our time here in different ways. Spend some time today contemplating how you are impacting the world around you and decide that you are going to pass your faith on to your future generations.

Today’s scripture reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-5

Enjoy and share

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.  1 Timothy 6:17-18

This chapter seems to be focused on wealth and riches.  I think it is safe to assume that the people in Timothy’s church were wealthy by the world’s standards because of the attention given to riches throughout the book.  In today’s scripture once again, we hear Paul telling Timothy to warn those with riches not to trust in the things their wealth can get them, but trust God because He is the One who gives them richly all things to enjoy.  He goes on to say that they should do good and be rich in good works instead, ready to give and willing to share.

The message is the same for us today.  Frist of all, we are to trust God, not our income and not our job.  Don’t be haughty or proud about the success you have.  Recognize that the blessing on your life whether it is through your job or other means is from God and Him alone.  Without God, we have no guarantee that our success will be protected and lasting.  However, if we trust God with all that we have and do, He will protect and His blessings will continue to flow.  Especially if we are using the blessings as He intends us to.  He gives us richly all things to enjoy, but He also wants us to share them.  Share them with others who have needs and others you just want to bless.  Share them with ministries and share them wherever the Lord leads you to share.  In sharing God’s blessings with others, you are doing His good works that He planned ahead of time that you would walk in.

Today I want to encourage you to first of all be thankful for the blessings in your life.  Don’t be boastful or prideful but be humbled that God has entrusted you with so much.  Next, look for opportunities to do His good works and bless others.  Lastly, enjoy the things God has blessed you with.  Whether its your home or your family, even your job.  God is taking care of you through these blessings and He plans for you to take care of His business too.  What an honor to not only receive from Him, but also be able to give back to Him through blessing others.

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Timothy 6:17-21

 Fight the good fight

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”  1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight!  Let’s talk about “fight” for a minute.  What is the meaning of “fight” in this passage?  A fight is a confrontation of some kind, so what kind of confrontation is the apostle Paul speaking of here?  Is he talking about being ready to strike at others that oppose the message of salvation he is preaching?  Is he referring to being at odds with brothers and sisters in the Lord who have different views?  Is he talking about struggling with God to get Him to move in his behalf?  No!  To fight the good fight of faith is taking ahold of God’s Word as a weapon and fighting against your spiritual enemy and his lies.  We fight the good fight of faith against depression, oppression, lack of desire to move forward in life, discouragement, fatigue, and the temptation to give up.  We firmly stand on the solid ground of Jesus our foundation and fight to stay there!

Now the question is, how?  How do we fight the good fight of faith?  2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (physical) but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds (spiritual), by casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (and His word), and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”  This passage clearly points the battle or fight to our thought life. I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep control of your thoughts.  You are the only one who can do it.  You must monitor continually and the only way to change a thought pattern is to speak out against it, to speak in a different direction than where your thoughts are going.  This is easy to demonstrate.  Start counting to 10 in your thoughts. When you get about half way there, speak or read something out loud.  Your thoughts will stop and pay attention to what your mouth is saying.  Now you understand why it is so important to speak the Word of God over yourself and your circumstances.  Words are our greatest weapon against the enemy if they are used correctly.  Romans 10:17 says that faith (in God) comes (or increases) by hearing and hearing the Word of God.  In order to hear it you have to speak it.

Today I want to encourage you to take inventory of your thought life.  Begin to recognize thoughts that are leading you down a destructive path.  For thoughts of discouragement or depression, speak scriptures like Psalms 43:5 that says, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”  When you feel tired or unmotivated, speak a verse like Isaiah 40:31 that says, “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.”  Search the Word for the scripture that you find most fitting to combat the thoughts you struggle with.  When I am struggling with oppressive thoughts, I like to just thank God for all the wonderful things He has done in my life, the things He is doing right now, and the things He is going to do.  You can change your thought direction simply by speaking words, God’s Words! 

 Today’s scripture reading: 1 Timothy 6:11-16

What are you seeking?

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”  1 Timothy 6:10

You’ve probably heard this scripture quoted before.  You’ve probably even heard it misquoted before either in the church or in the secular world.  It has been misquoted to say, “money is the root of all evil.”  However, that’s not what it says at all.  It says loving money is the root of all evil.  That in itself is a pretty serious quote.  I mean money is an essential in life and necessary for existence.  Without it, we cannot buy food, we cannot buy clothes, and we cannot buy a place to live.  So how can it be the root of all evil?

The context of this scripture gives us insight into what the verse is actually saying.  It seems that there were people in the church that thought godliness was a means of gaining wealth.  Paul contrasts this idea with the truth of “godliness + contentment = true great gain.”  Other translations actually say great wealth.  Paul says if we have food and clothes, we can be content. 

Now we know that money in itself is not evil.  It is an object and cannot force or persuade anyone in any direction.  Money takes on the personality of its owner.  Money can be used for good and is needed to ensure kingdom of heaven progress, so to have wealth or money is not evil and can and should be used for many godly purposes.

In contrast, this scripture says the pursuit of money over God is where all evil come from. It is the desire for wealth, power and fame that brings a person to run after money. Selfish ambition is the root of loving money. Money is deceptive and even Judas who walked everyday with Jesus and served in His ministry was let away by his love of money.

The solution?  It’s to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness then He adds the things to you that you need to accomplish your mission in life. (Matthew 6:33) Rather than being money minded, the safer place to be is mission minded. Keep your heart and thoughts fixed on God and His mission for your life. Let that be the security that keeps you from growing the evil root of loving money.

Today I want to encourage you to think about what you are seeking in life.  Is it wealth and riches?  Is it the security that the idea of riches brings or are you seeking God’s kingdom first in all things and all areas in life?  If you do identify any root of evil that the enemy has tried to plant in your heart through a preoccupation of money, pull it out today and surrender all that you have over to the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus.  When you seek His kingdom and righteousness first, you will have everything you need to complete all that He has called you to do.  He will take better care of you than you ever could on your own.

Today’s scripture reading:  1 Timothy 6:9-10