Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

Read

2 Timothy 3:10-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Now you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and my suffering the things that happened to me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But wicked people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

Reflect

When Paul wrote that all scripture is the inspired word, he was referring to the Old Testament scriptures. Most of the New Testament had not yet been written and therefore was not the canon used as a rule for the church to live and practice.

When the New Testament was written, the gentle life and tender teachings of Jesus changed the meaning of some of the Old Testament verses. Especially the ones that cry for vengeance on their enemies, feeling that their enemies were God’s enemies.

A common phrase of Jesus was, “You have heard it said by persons in olden times, but I say unto you.” Jesus then gave gentle teachings that demonstrates love for all persons. Quoting scripture out of context has little value. Even the devil quoted scripture in tempting Jesus.

It is as though some in theological debates boast—

I have more scripture
tattooed on me than you.

I have more God
in my social media posts.

More Bible
stored in my belt.

When I want to understand a book, I look carefully at the introduction and the conclusion for they frame the message. Paul starts and ends his message to Timothy by stating, I am an apostle of Jesus and I pray that God and Jesus will be kind to all of you
(2 Timothy 1:2; 4:23).

Pray

I pray that God and Jesus will be kind to all of you

Go with God!