February 20, 2023
Encouragement
My beloved child, you must learn how to take authority over the enemy and never give up! Timothy was discouraged and ready to walk away from ministry because many were walking away from their walk with God. People in his church were leaving in big numbers and going back to worshipping other gods because there were many being beheaded for their faith and serving Jesus, in Ephesus. Timothy was a Pastor in Ephesus, very discouraged and ready to quit when he got a letter from his spiritual father and mentor Paul. Paul gave him specific instructions that you and I should apply to our lives today:
1. Endure difficulties and suffering like a good soldier like soldiers. (2 Timothy 2:3)
2. Work hard to please your commanding officer. (2 Timothy 2:4)
3. Follow the rules like an athlete. (2 Timothy 2:5)
4. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and hard work like a farmer. (2 Timothy 2:6)
5. Watch your words, and don’t argue with others; it leads to arguments and hurts others. (2 Timothy 2:14)
6. Work hard to receive God’s approval. (2 Timothy 2:15)
7. Keep yourself pure you will be of honorable use. (2 Timothy 2:21)
8. Run from anything that stimulates lust. (2 Timothy 2:22)
9. Be kind, patient, and gentle with others. (2 Timothy 2:24-25)
10. Do not boast or be proud but discipline yourself to have self-control.
(2 Timothy 3:2-3)
11. Persist like a farmer plowing the ground and working his field, enduring difficulties. (Proverbs 20:11, 28:19)
12. Prepare yourself mentally like an athlete and press toward the prize.
(1 Corinthians 9:27, Philippians 3:14)
Paul invited Timothy, you, and I to join him in suffering like a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3) No one serving in the military gets entangled in civilian affairs, he tries to please his commanding officer. (2 Timothy 2:4) He continued, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2:5) The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. (2 Timothy 2:6) He told Timothy, press toward the prize like a professional athlete, and be as persistent as a farmer who plows the ground working hard in the field (working in his sphere of influence) where I have called you no matter how challenging it is; then I promise you that a day will come soon when there is a complete turnaround and on that day you will be abundantly rewarded!
