“Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything” (2 Timothy 2:7).

We know that Mary pondered things in her heart.  Take this as instruction by example.  Scripture should be “inwardly digested”.  The Holy Spirit will bring to mind then those things you need to know.  Let Him guide you to fill your mind with Christ so that you will have what is needed as guidance.  His grace will grow in you what is necessary to become like Christ.

Lord, You know what the road ahead will bring.  Guide me to take in all that is needed that I may grow in faith.  Bring to remembrance those things that I need to ponder.  Guide me in all goodness so that I may now and always be led by Your Spirit, seeing through the wiles of the wicked one.  Grant that I gain understanding of these things and wisdom to practice them as I walk with You in the way of salvation.

Lord Jesus, You are the One who makes salvation possible.  By Your grace, help me to ponder the rights and wrongs I encounter.  Guide me in Your goodness to see through the wickedness of this age and to make choices that are good and right.  Lead me, O Lord, to humbly walk with You.  Teach me and help me to have a willing spirit to learn all things necessary.  Amen.

“An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.  It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops” (2 Timothy 2:5-9).

Somehow or other the wicked one has convinced our culture that we all deserve whatever it is we think we deserve.  Yes, we have grace upon grace from Jesus, but this frees us to co-operate with the Holy Spirit in becoming like Christ.  Our salvation is assured, but we are not just toy soldiers who take what God is giving.  We are thinking beings who need to learn to love as we were first loved.   This is the work of sanctification.

Lord, You have laid out the ground rules.  The Ten Commandments have not changed and I still need to obey them.  Plus, I need to learn better how to love You and my neighbor.  There is plenty of work for me to do, Lord, so help me run the race of faith.  Keep me on the straight and narrow way and protect me from the lies of the wicked one so that I may win the prize of eternal life.

Lord Jesus, You have done all of the heavy lifting, but I must do my part.  Help me now and always to do what You give me to do.  Let me not think that others can do for me what You have given me to do.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life.  Coach me in how to run the race and finish the course so that I may receive the crown of salvation.  And help me, Jesus, to keep the rules of the race so that I not disqualified.  Amen.

“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him” (2 Timothy 2:3-4).

For those who have served in the military, there is no need for an explanation here.  You who have served, you know what this means.  Put it into action.  For those who have not, you are under new orders.  Your Lord, Jesus Christ, is now your commander.  There is no arguing allowed, only “Yes Sir.”  It is not like the civilian world where everyone argues.  Come then and learn what this means.

Lord, whether I have this worldly experience or not, it is still hard for me because I want to do things the way I want to do them.  Help me to learn that You alone must be in charge; I need to follow and You must lead.  This is good, right and salutary.  Help me see the good and give me strength to quell the rebellious voice in me that wants it another way.  You are the Lord and there is no other.  Lead me, Lord Jesus.

My Lord and Savior, You know all that is needed.  Guide me Lord in the way of life such that I may now and always be directed by You.  Keep me from those temptations that would lead me into any other way.  Help me see when I am tempted to disobey orders that I may be kept from it by You and learn from You obedience.  Guide me, Lord, so that it is You alone whom I follow.  Guide me now and forever in the way of obedience.  Amen.

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:1-2).

We are not called to figure everything out or teach something that is new.  We are called in the grace of Christ to live into the reality of the grace which is ours through Christ.  Come then and live the call you have been given in your baptism and know that the grace of Christ is all that is needed to walk this life of faith you have been given.  Join the cloud of witnesses and live in faith.

Lord, I have often made life more difficult than it needs to be.  Guide me in the way of the Christ-life such that I might now and always live by Your provision.  Let me not listen to the world, but to Your Word which endures forever.  Guide me in the way of truth and help me to never err by chasing after the false things which tempt me that are of this world.  Strengthen me in Your grace and hold me close to the truth You have revealed.

Lord Jesus, You have the words of everlasting life.  Guide me in the way of truth so that I might now and for the rest of my life be guided by You and You alone.  Help me join my voice with those who have gone before and be a witness of the amazing grace which is mine through faith in You.  You have entrusted me with these things.  Help me to be faithful in living out the hope and promise You give me through grace.  Amen.

“[B]ut when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me – may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus” (1 Timothy 1:17-18).

There have always been the faithful who serve the Lord diligently.  Although not heralded in this world, the Lord will reward as He wills for faithfulness.  Live life such that you live out the Gospel seeking to be faithful in what the Lord commands you.  Be one who serves the Lord faithfully wherever He places you.  We are all called to learn how to live faithfully for the Lord.

The world tempts me to go in many directions.  You call me to follow You.  The world would have me be distracted.  You call me to be focused.  The world would have me chase fame.  You call me to be content in every circumstance.  Lead me, Lord, in the better and more faithful way of truth and life.  Guide me in Your goodness to see the better portion and act according to Your will.

Lord Jesus, You know the struggle of this world.  You know what it is to have people press You to get off track and not do the Father’s will.  Lead me through all of these distractions so that I may be guided by Your Spirit to do what is right and fitting in all circumstances.  Lead me so that it does not matter whether anyone sees what I am doing,.  Help me to desire to do what is right simply because it is right.  Amen.

“You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.  May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains” (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

The idea that the fellowship of the church is always good is a fable.  The wicked one wants contention and will do all he can to stir the pot; but the Lord will use all circumstances to do what He wills for the sake of those who love Him.  Through all things and in all circumstances, keep your eyes upon the Lord.  Know that in Him is life and that in this world there will be trouble.

Lord, let me not be a troublemaker, nor listen to those who would hinder the way of the Gospel.  Guide me in Your goodness to look to You and live according to Your Word.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of true life and lead me in Your goodness to hold fast to the truth You have delivered once for all.  Through all that comes, help me see through the wiles of the wicked one and stand firm for all in the truth of the Gospel.

Lord Jesus, You have given me the words of truth and life.  In You is all hope.  Yet, there are those who, for their own reasons, fight against the church and bring disharmony.  Lead me, Lord, as one of Yours to hold fast and protect the fellowship by standing up to those who would harm Your little ones.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life and grow in me Your likeness.  Amen.

“Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:13-14).

We each have been given what we have in Christ.  Do you cherish the words of everlasting life?  Do you guard them as from the Lord Himself?  Why would you not want to guard a treasure when it is yours?  The thief will come along and steal it away, but do not let Him.  Cherish what the Lord has given You and He will grow in You a wellspring of life for yourself and those around you.

Lord, You know that sometimes I am so ambivalent about these things.  I go through the motions and sometimes do not care as I should.  Kindle in me the fire of Your love and lead me in the way of everlasting life such that I cherish every word You have spoken.  You have given me the gift of the Gospel, help me to live it such that I do not despise Your word, but cherish it.

Come, Lord Jesus, and lead me in the way of true life.  Help me to see through the wiles of the wicked one and not give up my inheritance for a bowl of pottage as Esau did.  Guide me this day, Lord, to hold fast to the truth You have revealed once for all.  In the faith You have given me, lead me according to Your word to be bold, humble, loving, and faithful.  I can do all things through You who strengthens me.  Amen.

“[F]or which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me” (2 Timothy 1:11-12).

God appoints all people to the position to which He appoints them.  Make nothing of that; but know that it is God who is directing you and all who are willing to submit to Christ.  I too am convinced that nothing can get in the way of His providence, will, and way.  He who created you is more than able to guide you and guard you all the days of your life.  Continue to walk faithfully with Him.

Lord, You know that when suffering comes I want to flee.  You know that I am weak, but You are strong.  In Your strength, guide me this day to trust in Your provision and way.  Help me to see through the momentary afflictions of this age in order that I may learn how to be faithful.  Thank You, Lord, for suffering for us all so that we might stand firm through this age of suffering to join You in eternity.

Lord Jesus, You have come that we may have life and have it abundantly.  You promised that when we follow You, adversity would come and we would be blessed by that adversity.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life so that I will now and always walk humbly with You in the grace You give.  Let me never be ashamed of this Gospel You have revealed to me, but help me continue to be bold in faith.

“[God,] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:9-10)      

It is not because of our works.  It is because of God’s unmerited favor.  This simple truth does make all the difference.  But we are not to look at our transgressions and then think that we can do nothing.  God frees us from the rat-race of sin so that we can live life as He has always intended that it be lived.  Come then and live into the life God has given you in grace that you may now and always be free.

The Lord has come to you with the promise which gives hope so that you may live into the image for which you have been created.  What shall be has been revealed so that those who believe may know the purpose for which they have been created.  Come then and live into the life which is already yours through grace in the hope of Jesus Christ.  Be led by the Holy Spirit and not by the spirit of this age.

Lord Jesus, You have given the words of eternal life.  In You is all hope and an eternal future.  Come, Lord, and lead me so that, in You, I may be guided in the hope You have given me through grace.  Let Your grace so fill my heart that the spirit of this age would have no hold on me.  Guide me, Lord, in all goodness in order that I may live the Gospel throughout this life You have given me.  Amen. 

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God” (2 Timothy 1:8)

The wicked one loves to put us to shame.  Things are the way they are and you need never make excuses for your circumstances.  The Lord knows.  Live in the promise of the Lord and never be ashamed of the Gospel.  The Gospel may be foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God revealed through Christ our Savior.  Come then and live into the life which has been given you.

Thank You, Lord, for the provision You give.  Whether in a worldly prison or free to move about, I am Yours.  You have told us that living in You would bring persecution.  Help me see clearly when things come along to know that all things are in Your hands and that You will fulfill Your eternal purpose as promised.  Your power is what holds everything together.  Help me be transformed by You and live in Your power.

Power of God made visible, Jesus, my Savior, lead me this day no matter what may come my way.  Help me to see that in You alone there is all hope and an eternal future.  Lead me, O Lord, according to Your goodness and mercy so that I may walk humbly with You.  Guide me, Lord, to live into the life You give in the power which even holds all things together.  Let me be bold and unashamed of the truth of Your revelation.  Amen.