2 Timothy 2 Paul writes Timothy as his own life is about to come to an abrupt end under the decree of CaesarNero. Paul's main emphasis throughout this letter is simply: "Don't give up and don't give in." He wants Timothy to finish well and avoid the trap that so many fall into, including the trusted companion Demas who, "in love with this present world, has deserted me....

2 Timothy 1 I used to participate in a "ToastMasters" club. It's a club for people who want to improve their public speaking ability. One of its key tenets is "evaluate everything" -- after every opportunity anyone had to speak, even the smallest opportunities, we tried to give encouraging, constructive, meaningful advice about how they did and what they could improve. ...

1 Timothy 5 In this passage, the Holy Spirit teaches us through Pal about the roles and relationships that are good and proper in the church. These are things we should have learned growing up, but many of us missed the lesson, or weren't taught properly, or just drift from what we know is right. So, once again, God's Word provides the standard by which we can measure ...

1 Timothy 4 New International Version (NIV) 1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God creat...

1 Timothy 2 "Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness-with good works" 1 Timothy 2:9-10 Uh oh Quickly let me explain why this isn't exactly what it seems. In first century Roman culture something resembling mo...

1 Timothy 1 Paul's letter to Timothy in chapter 1 touches on a few points that needed to be addressed then as much as they do now. Through our readings this year it has stuck out to me that things have not changed much even though 1900+ years have passed. We are all sinners, imperfect, and all fall short. We struggle, get confused, can become lost and stray away from ti...

2 Corinthians 13 Paul makes a final appeal at the conclusion to this second letter to the Corinthian Church, "Examine Yourselves". The appeal follows a stern warning: "On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier, or any of the others, since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me." And later: "This is why I write these things when I am a...

2 Corinthians 11 Oh man! I don't know about you, but this chapter of scripture really speaks to me well it kind of smacks me in the face. You see, I often find myself complaining about the stupidest things. And really what on earth do we have to complain about??? Seriously, the everyday things that stress us out and cause us to be in a bad mood are usually just minor ...

2 Corinthians 10 In 2 Cor 10, Paul changes tone and topic. It will take more than one chapter to fully develop, but he clearly is expecting a difficult encounter with some of the believers in Corinth (we'll see in the next chapter that it is over a need to confront false teachers). He's appealing to them not to make it contentious but plainly wants them to know that th...

2 Corinthians 9 Paul encourages the Corinthian church about their ministry and sends brothers of the faith (Titus and two other men, referenced in 2 Cor 8:16-24). He wants the church to be ready and to demonstrate to the Macedonians that they are ready, willing and able to provide financially for the church in Jerusalem. Verse 7 is a great verse to consider right now d...