August 24
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2 TIMOTHY 3
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:10-17
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2 TIMOTHY 3 WHAT SCRIPTURE DOES
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The word of God is not like any other; it is alive and true
It does many things for us all and without it, we will be lost
Those who believe in God will understand it’s benefit
But those who do not believe in him will not profit from it.
Scripture is a gift to humankind but not all people think it is useful
The word of God is truth and it comes from the breath of his own mouth
God’s word is useful and its purpose is to help us navigate in this world
It tells us to conduct our lives in line with the will of the Lord.
Scripture shows us what we do wrong and corrects our actions
It teaches us to stay in the right path and avoid temptations
It is through the word of God that we can train for holiness
Without it, we will continue to be living in our sinfulness.
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REFLECTION
• How has Scripture changed and transformed you into the new nature that is in Christ Jesus?
• How is the word of God different from any ordinary word?
Author Archives: ilmaarts
2 TIMOTHY 3 THE HUMAN CONDITION IN THE LAST DAYS
August 22
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2 TIMOTHY 2
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
– 2 Timothy 2:22-26
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2 TIMOTHY 2 IN PURSUIT OF HOLINESS & FAITHFULNESS TO GOD
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
As a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, let us turn away from youthful passions
The cravings of our youth can lead to open doors to much temptations
When we are young, we can easily take for granted wisdom
We can be so busy exploring and enjoying our wrong sense of freedom.
If you are chosen by God, you are to let go of these desires
It leads to sin and when sin has grown, it can result to our demise
Let us then pursue holiness, faith, love, peace and a heart that is unspoiled
This is the only way we can cleanse ourselves from this tainted world.
Let go of foolish talk and chatters for they only generate discords
Do not engage in human debates to prove your own worth
Obey the word of the Lord and you will be able to resist evil
Stay faithful to please the One true God and Satan will flee.
A servant of the Lord is faithful and loyal to only one Master
He must not be quarrelsome but patient to declare the gospel
He must be able to endure and suffer for this leads to growth
Loving others and confronting kindly is a must for the saints.
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REFLECTION
• What are some examples of youthful passions that you can think of that the world is going through in our lives today?
2 TIMOTHY 2 GOD’S FIRM FOUNDATION
August 20
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2 TIMOTHY 2
14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. – 2 Timothy 2:14-18
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2 TIMOTHY 2 RIGHTLY HANDLE THE WORD OF TRUTH
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
The word of truth leads people to a selfless and a godly life
The word of God is life itself and is simple to understand
There is no need for Scripture to be used for selfish agenda
It is to be handled with care so that it will transform the hearers.
Let those who believe in God do their best to rightly handle the word
Any addition or subtraction from the truth is coming from this world
Avoid speculations that do not truly come from God but from humans
Opinions and philosophies that deviates from the truth cause quarrels.
Interpreting the word of God and using it out of context is just chatter
All Scripture is God breathed and alive, we must treat it with honor
To misuse it by swerving from the truth can cause others to stumble
So, let us rightly handle the word of truth so we can proclaim the gospel.
Let us devote our lives to study and apply the word of God in our lives
Hearing it but not doing is hypocrisy and will lead us to believe more lies
A true believer of God does not concern himself with his own understanding
He is someone who obeys the truth and constantly walk with the Holy Spirit.
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REFLECTION
• Should Christians be involved in debates and quarrels on certain issues or in interpreting the truth in their own ways? Why or why not?
2 TIMOTHY 1 RESSURECTION PROMISE
August 19
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2 TIMOTHY 2
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself. – 2 Timothy 2:8-13
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2 TIMOTHY 1 RESSURECTION PROMISE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Do not be discouraged when you are faced with suffering
For Jesus suffered the ultimate way so that we can stop sinning
Even though we think that we are bound with our sinfulness
The word of God will lead us all to freedom and righteousness.
So, let us bear the trials and adversities that come our way
If we suffer for the sake of Christ, we are on the right path
Even if we are persecuted and rejected, let us stay faithful
Those who believe in him are promised life eternal.
If we die with him, we will also be given life again
Let us not be afraid of death because it is actually gain
When we physically die, we can be reconciled with our Lord
We can look up to the promise of the new heaven and new earth.
Press on and endure hardships for the sake of the body of Christ
You will reap rewards in heaven and will gain the crown of life
He promised recompense to all those who suffer for him
If you endure, you will also reign over the power of sin.
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REFLECTION
• Why should we never be afraid of physical death if we are true believers?
• What did Paul mean in verse 10 when he said he will endure everything for the sake of the elect that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus?
2 TIMOTHY 2 A GOOD SOLDIER OF CHRIST
August 17
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2 TIMOTHY 1
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. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 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. – 2 Timothy 1:12-18
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2 TIMOTHY 1 FOLLOW THE PATTERN OF THE SOUND WORDS
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Let us all be thankful for the love that Christ showed to humanity
Without his sacrifice on the cross, we will all continue with our vanity
Our human nature is so bent and always wants to follow its own desires
But Christ died for our sins, so we can let go of being righteous in our own eyes.
The Lord God gave us his word so we can be guided to the right path
There is only one way to go and that is through Jesus Christ
Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from him
This is the only way you will stay righteous and overcome sin.
With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can guard the good deposit given to us
Always walk in the Spirit so we can continually win these unseen battles
We are fighting with forces that wants to chain us down in sinfulness
If we rely on God’s Spirit, we will follow the pattern of righteousness.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for believers to constantly rely on the Holy Spirit and to regularly meditate and feed on the word of God?
• How do we discern whether the patterns we are following are not from the world but from God himself?
2 TIMOTHY 1 BE BOLD FOR THE GOSPEL TO SHINE
August 16
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2 TIMOTHY 1
8 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, 9 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,10 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, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do.– 2 Timothy 1:8-12
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2 TIMOTHY 1 BE BOLD FOR THE GOSPEL TO SHINE
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
As servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to stand for truth
We need not be ashamed to proclaim the good news
Let us all stir up the spiritual gifts that we were given
It will not be of use to build up the body if it here hidden.
If you were called to wisdom, understanding and counsel
Let it be manifest as you follow your true calling
It is our responsibility to be aware and grow such gifts
Let it grow and be used for building up the body of Christ.
Do not be ashamed of your suffering, instead use it to proclaim God’s power
When we encounter trials and adversities, it builds up our character
So let us not be afraid when we feel inadequate to use our gifts
God knew what he was doing, when he equipped you with it.
Trust in the Lord especially when trials of various kinds arise
He uses these difficulties to strengthen you and grow your faith
Be bold to proclaim the gospel even if you think you are not worthy
God will equip whomever he has planned to use for his own glory.
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REFLECTION
• Why do we often become uncomfortable to proclaim the gospel or even share our burdens to each other in the body of Christ? What is the root of this?
• How can we grow in our boldness to use our gifts and proclaim the gospel?