Category Archives: Bible

Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Fighting, Mentoring, Modeling, Parenting

WRANGLING

2 TIMOTHY 2:14 

 “Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.” 

Don’t you just love that word “wrangle”? There’s just something about the picture it gives me when I see it. I can see the struggle in the word. I can envision tossing and turning. Did you know (I didn’t until I looked it up) that the Greek word here is only used one time in the New Testament?   

The word comes from two Greek words, logos, and macheo. Logos means words. But get this. Macheo means to fight or strive as in hand-to-hand combat. So, Paul is telling us to stop arguing and fighting over words. Stop quarreling. Some of us just can’t seem to help ourselves. It is time to stop it. 

APPLICATION 

The next time you hear your children quarreling go in the room and say, “Okay, you wranglers, cut it out!” I bet they look at you like a calf at a new gate. “Mom has lost her mind! What did she call us?” LOL. Then take them to this verse and explain yourself. 

Children can get very good at arguing and fighting with words. And they learn that from us, their parents or the other adults in their lives. We teach them so many bad things without even knowing it. How do you think they would respond to other people if all they ever saw was forgiveness and love? What if all they ever observed was compassion and harmony? I don’t think you would see many wranglers running around. 

Are you a wrangler or a peacemaker? Do you enjoy fighting with words? Are you really into that hand-to-hand squabble with whom everyone you disagree? Why not try focusing on the big picture. It’s not about what you think. The only thing that is important is what God says. Let Him speak for you. He can handle it without the wrangling. Because when He speaks, that settles it. 

Father, forgive me of my wranglings. Help me shut my mouth and listen. I know you gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. 

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Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, Faithfulness, Family, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture, Trust

ALWAYS FAITHFUL

2 TIMOTHY 2:13 

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.” 

Boy, isn’t that comforting? Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful. Why? Because he cannot deny Himself. The very definition of God is faithful. To turn His back on us when we lose faith would mean He ceases to be who He is. He is forever faithful. Just like us, huh? 

That’s funny. We drop our faithfulness with people. Sometimes we do that the very first time they hurt us. You’ve heard the expression, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” But Jesus tells us to forgive seventy times seven, right? Our faithfulness to the Lord should never depend on us. It should always be a reflection of His love and faithfulness towards us. And it should come out in our relationships. 

APPLICATION 

In today’s marriages, many of our children never see faithfulness. Parents divorce over almost nothing. There is no “stick-to-itness” in the marriage relationship. There is no faithfulness. So, how can the children see that lived out. Parents, our marriage relationships are a reflection of our eternal relationship with the Father. Our children need to see that. 

When all they see is mistrust and deceit, they are confused. Every relationship we exhibit before them should be showing them our faith in Jesus. After all, He is the one that makes every relationship possible. As we have faith in Him to help us live each day, we are showing them faith in action, faith in daily decisions, faith in relationships.  

Are you showing that today? Are you being faithless or faithful? He will always be faithful to you. He cannot do anything else. It’s His nature. If He lives in you, then let His faithful nature drive you. Let His faithfulness be your faithfulness. Do not deny the Father. Do not deny the Son. Do not deny the Spirit.  

O Lord, today I choose to be faithful. I bow before Your faithfulness and ask that You fill me with faith in every situation. I may not understand why, but I will follow. 

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SORRY, DON’T KNOW YOU

2 TIMOTHY 2:12 

 “If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;” 

I have become more honest as I get older. Now, I am not saying I used to lie, but I wouldn’t quite be honest sometimes. Like when someone comes up to you, calls you by name and begins this long conversation, but you have no idea who this person is. In the past I would say, “Hey bud, how are you doing?” Now I say, “Hey, I’ve forgotten your name. Forgive me.” 

Jesus knows our name, whether we accept Him or not. But He promises us reigning power or powerlessnes, based on our response to Him. Paul tells us here that if we will endure with Christ, we will reign with Him. If we turn our backs and run, He will also deny us before the Father. 

APPLICATION 

Children like to be recognized. They love hearing their name called when they see you. What they don’t like is to be ignored. Try it for a day with your kids. Go through your normal routine, but each time a child calls your name, ignore them. (If they have an emergency make an exception). 

At the end of the day explain what you did and why. Read today’s verse. Ask them how they think the Lord feels when we do that. When we deny Him before men, He will deny us before the Father. And I really want to meet the Father, don’t you? Make a point to call your child by his/her name. Their name means something, and your child should know it.  

Are you being called to serve specifically in this area – the area of name calling? It’s a gift. It is so good to see the look on the other person (adult or child) when they hear their name. God loves you and has you surrounded by His love this evening. 

I know right now You are calling out my name before the Father. One day, I will see You face to face. One day, I will meet the Father. 

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Faith, Mentoring, Modeling, Obedience, Parenting, Scripture

MEMORIZE THIS

2 TIMOTHY 2:8 

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel,”  

Why do we memorize things? To bring them back up in our minds when we need them quickly. We memorize our address, social security number, telephone numbers and all sorts of other things. Sometimes things can cause us to have trouble memorizing. And still others claim they can’t memorize at all. 

But Paul is reminding Timothy to recall those things he had been taught about the Gospel. That word “remember” means to recall from memory without any implication it has been forgotten. In other words, Timothy knew it. He just needed to recall it.  

APPLICATION 

One of the best things we can do for our children is to help them memorize Scripture. It’s not easy sometimes, but it is so important. But in order for them to see just how important it is, you need to memorize the verses right along with them. I know so many parents who will work with their children to memorize a passage, but won’t take the time to do it themselves. 

In fact, challenge your son or daughter to a memory contest. See who can memorize the most verses in one week. Winner gets a treat of their choice. Make it fun. Make the verses relevant to what they are living right now. But memorize so they can recall these words of God when the need is there. 

Do you claim you can’t memorize verses? I bet you can recall the words to a song from twenty years ago. We memorize what we want to memorize. What better thing to plant deep in your heart and mind that the living, breathing Word of God. 

Father, help me hide Your Word in my heart. I want to be ready in season and out to share the Gospel with anyone. Let Your words grow deep and strong in my soul. 

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Advice, Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Confession, Direction, Disciplemaking, Encouragement, Family, God's Will, Mentoring, Obedience, Parenting, Rules, Scripture, Understanding

BUT I WANT TO UNDERSTAND!

2 TIMOTHY 2:7 

“Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” 

Have you ever said, “But I really want to understand what you are saying”? Someone is trying to explain something to you, but you are just not getting it. It’s happened to me and can be very frustrating.  

It can even happen when we are trying to understand God, can’t it? But look at today’s verse. Paul is telling us how to understand. The Lord will give you the understanding. That word “understanding” means to put it all together, to connect all the dots. Only God can give you that ability. God really does want you to understand Him and what He is asking of you.  

APPLICATION 

We have the responsibility as parents to make sure our children understand what we ask of them. Nothing is more frustrating for a child than to have expectations put on them without understanding why. Clear and concise instructions and rules are so important. And the fewer the rules the better. Don’t hand your kid a list of rules to follow in the house that looks like a shopping list at Christmas. 

Help them understand the reason BEHIND the rules more so than the rules. Why does God want them to obey you? Because His Word says so. Why does God want them to learn to obey rules? Because it pleases Him when we are obedient to those He has placed over us. That gives understanding. 

Are you constantly bucking the rules? Do you argue with your bosses about every little policy in the HR manual? Paul told us to “consider what I say.” That’s a command, not a suggestion. He was just talking about following the rules in the previous verses. If you want true understanding from the Lord, that’s where it starts – follow the rules. 

Lord, I admit I tend to want my way too much. I confess that as sin and ask that You lead me to Your understanding. I want to see things as You see them. 

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Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Encouragement, Faith, Labor, Obedience, Parenting, Patience

FARM LIFE

2 TIMOTHY 2:6 

“The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.”  

I didn’t grow up on a farm, but my hometown was an agricultural based economy. Farmers around my community depended on local businesses and banks to extend the credit to plant their crops each year. The local businesses and banks depended on the farmers for their business. One really couldn’t exist without the other. I’ve seen my hometown struggle without the big farms over the last few decades. 

So, when I read this verse, I understood exactly what Paul was saying. A farmer depended on his crops for three things. He had to feed his family. He had to have seed for next year. And he had to sell the crops to pay back his debt. But I also know those farmers depended on the Lord to grow their crops. They knew He was the one who provided the rain and nutrients for their success. 

APPLICATION 

How do you apply this verse to your children? Well, look at the verse again. Paul is telling us that labor precedes reward. The farmer has to plant, tend to and harvest his crops before he can enjoy the fruits of his labor. That’s a lesson worth teaching our children. So many kids expect reward before labor.  

That’s why I believe children should have chores at home. Some chores are just part of being in the family. Cleaning their room, helping with the dishes and taking out the trash do not have to be rewarded with allowance. Now, that’s your call. But going beyond the everyday stuff should be rewarded. How much is also your call. They will learn that labor comes before reward. 

Do you expect something for nothing? Do you enjoy your labor as well as the fruits of your labor? I believe it was Mark Twain who said if you love what you do for a living, you will never work a day in your life. If you labor as unto the Lord, you will love the opportunity the Lord has given you to provide for yourself and your family. Dedicate your “crops” to the Lord today. 

Lord, You are the one who blesses my labor. I will give You today my hands and feet with which I labor. Make them strong so that I can be a blessing to those who depend on me. 

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Bible, Child Raising, Child Rearing, Commands, Crowns, Encouragement, Obedience, Parenting, Victors

CROWNED

2 TIMOTHY 2:5 

“Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.”  

I have a niece named Stephanie. Her name comes from the Greek word here for “win the prize.” You could translate that phrase as “he is not crowned the victor.” By the way, Stephanie wears her crown well. She lives to please the Lord and has a great ministry with her husband who is a pastor. 

In the Greek culture, athletes were crowned with a wreath to signify they were the victor. But just like this verse said, they had to compete according to the rules. If they cheated, it didn’t count. It still doesn’t. We must compete (follow the Lord’s commands) according to the rule. 

APPLICATION 

Rules, rules, rules! I know most kids hate them. But rules are meant to be followed, not broken. If you want your children to be victors in life, teach them now to compete according to the rules. God honors rule followers, not rule breakers. 

Now wait, it’s not about the rules. It’s about following the rule maker. He establishes rules to guide us safely, not handcuff us. That is so important to teach your kids. Rules are their safety net. Don’t touch hot things is a good rule. Don’t play in the street – another good one. God’s commands are the same. They are there to protect and guide. Teach your child to trust them – no, trust Him. 

Are you a rule breaker? You see a rule and try to figure out a way to work around it. Really? Or maybe you are such a ruler follower that you forget about the rule maker. NO! He is the reason. He wants to crown you victor! 

Father, You are the one who shows me how to run the race well. I want to be obedient, not so much for the crown, but to pleas You. I lay any crowns I receive at Your feet. 

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SOLDIER FOR CHRIST

2 TIMOTHY 2:3 

“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”  

The Greek word for “soldier” is used twenty times in the New Testament, each time referring to a Roman soldier except in today’s verse. This is the only time the word is used to describe a soldier for Christ. I think that is pretty important. Unlike other soldiers who are taught to kill and destroy the enemy, the soldier of Christ is told to “suffer hardship.” Hmmm. 

Soldiering is hard. Being a Christian soldier is no different. We are called to follow orders. Whose orders? Of our Commander and Chief, Jesus Christ. A soldier responds without questioning the orders. If He says do it, we do it. It’s that simple. 

APPLICATION 

Let me ask you something, Mom and Dad. Do you expect your children to follow your directions? Or do you let them decide how to run their own lives? If you expect obedience and they don’t respond correctly, what happens? There are consequences, right? As there should be. 

Teaching our children to follow our directions and guidance is important not just because they are under our authority. We are teaching them this principle for life. Submission to authority is key to life. Those children who do not learn this at an early age will struggle with those God places over them in authority. Soldiering is hard, remember? 

Do you have your soldier boots on? Are you ready to march wherever the Lord leads? Or are you questioning His commands? We all want to enlist in the army of Christ, but most of us don’t want to follow His commands. We will read His Word and ignore the passages we don’t like. Just obey. He will never lead you where His grace cannot cover you. 

You are my Commander in Chief. I will follow wherever You lead. I am ready to suffer with You. 

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GENERATIONS

2 TIMOTHY 2:2 

“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  

I’ve got a picture somewhere of five generations of my family. The picture includes my great grandmother Butler, my grandmother Willis, my dad, myself and my son. That’s rare today. I need to find that picture, lol. I am blessed to say that all five generations knew or know Jesus as their personal Savior. 

Today’s verse talks about generations. This verse means a lot to me. In fact, it’s my passion. Discipling other men is what drives me. It obviously was to Paul too. What you see here is Paul telling Timothy to keep passing the torch. Paul had mentored Timothy, and now he tells him to find faithful men to mentor himself who will also mentor others. Four generations of spiritual reproduction! 

APPLICATION 

Our children are the key to this generational hand off. If we do not teach our children the Word of God and instill in them the necessity to train their children, then the torch gets extinguished. The church is always only one generation away from extinction. Each successive generation must embrace and pass on their faith. 

Now I know God is bigger than us, but He still uses people to accomplish His will on earth. Don’t you want your children to be a part of His plan to reach all mankind with the Gospel? Well, it starts with you and then your children. They have to teach their children who will teach their children. Pass it along. 

Whom are you discipling or mentoring today? No one? Listen, dear brother and sister, you have to begin. God has given you the greatest gift. You must pass it on. Find someone you can invest in for eternity. There is no higher calling. 

Thank You, Lord, for sending people into my life to mentor me. Help me be as attentive to others around me who need to be mentored. 

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BE STRONG

2 TIMOTHY 2:1 

“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”  

One of the more familiar verses that uses the Greek word for “be strong” is Philippians 4:13. Do you know that verse? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Today’s verse doesn’t say the exact same thing, but it’s pretty close. Paul knows the source of strength lies with Christ. He is the only one who can strengthen us for the journey of faith. 

The Greek word here means to impart ability, to empower. The interesting thing about the word is it ends in –oo. Big deal, right? Well, it kind of is. That places the emphasis on the result of the action of this verb rather than on the action itself. Don’t you love the results? The result of Christ’s strengthening us is we have the ability to do whatever He asks us. 

APPLICATION 

Suppose your child really has been wanting that new video game. It’s one you can approve of and you love your child, so you give them the money. That gift empowers them to buy it. The result of the gift is the ability to purchase. That’s not a perfect analogy, but you get the picture. 

We want our children to understand that the power of Christ is available to us. He strengthens us so we can honor Him. He strengthens us so we can empower others. He strengthens us so we can walk this walk of faith confidently.  

Do you feel strong? If you are relying on another source of strength, you had better stop. It will not sustain you. It can’t. It’s not eternal. Only Jesus can sustain you. Only His empowering can give you exactly what you need to live each day. Be strong, my brother. Be strong, my sister. 

I thank You, Lord, for strengthening me for the journey. I want to stay tapped into Your power and might. I know You empower me for a purpose. 

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