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There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.  2 Timothy 4:8 As Paul sensed his day of judgment approaching, he faced it with a reckless boldness.…
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I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.   2 Timothy 4:7 Nearly thirty years ago, as I mowed our church’s cemetery, I read a headstone with this verse on it. I did not know the man buried there so I was left to wonder if he…
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For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  2 Timothy 4:6 Perceiving that the end was near, Paul reflected on the purpose of his life. He talked about his days on earth as an offering to God. How different this is from our view…
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As for you, always be sober-minded…  2 Timothy 4:5 It would be convenient if Paul were speaking of alcohol or drugs here, but I think he was getting at something beyond literal intoxication. In the context, Paul is teaching that we need to strive for truth. To me, it seems that he is insisting on…
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Itching Ears Part Two For the time is coming when people will have… itching ears… and will turn away from listening to the truth.  2 Timothy 4:3,4 Yesterday I wrote about itching ears. I wrote that crucifying the defects of others may feed my own ego but it will not make me closer to God…
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For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth.   2 Timothy 4:3,4 At first glance at this passage I am tempted to look outward. It would be…
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I charge you…preach the word; be ready in season and out of season… 2 Timothy 4:1,2 I have disliked these verses in the past. I felt like Paul was insisting that I needed to sermonize everyone I met. I’m no preacher. My father is (though he would never use the term), and a rather excellent one I…
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All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 Have you known those who insist that God talks to them? My internal response has always been part jealousy…
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For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant… without self- control… swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness…   2 Timothy 3:2-6 It is easy for me to see the flesh nature defects in others. I read passages like this and I…
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Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone…   2 Timothy 2:23,24 I have been quite guilty of being a quarrelsome/hypercritical Christian (only long ago of course). I have (OK, I still do sometimes) accepted the deception…
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