Daily Bible Study

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Day 4 2 Timothy 4 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also who love his appearing. 9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry. 12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 13 The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou come bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: 15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. 16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. 21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greets thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. (The second epistle unto Timotheus, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians, was written from Rome, when Paul was brought before Nero the second time.) Many churches today preach a word the people want to hear and not necessarily the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. They want their ears tickled with a pleasant gospel so they feel good when they walk out of church. Paul told Timothy the day would come when ministers would preach and teach what we hear today. As Christians, it is important to open the Word of God and read it for yourself to know what God says, and what the proper gospel is. If you don’t, you have no idea what is true or false. People will sway you to believe strange doctrines. Paul also knew his time was short. Nero would soon execute him. Knowing his time was short, he gave final instructions to Timothy. When you come to the end of your life, there is little that matters and what matters is what you relay to your loved ones. Will you relay your love of Jesus Christ and your desire for your loved one’s salvation? Paul was always about the gospel. He lived and died for the gospel. It was his only hope. What is your hope? Let’s pray: Father, let me live my life devoted to You so that as the end draws near my loved ones know I belong to You and my desire is that they do too. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 21 May 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay