2 Timothy 2 - 3.25.24

Scripture 

2 Timothy 2:3

Join with me in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.  Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victim’s crown except by competing according to the rules.  The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive the share of the crops.  Reflect on what I am saying for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Observation

Paul was addressing Timothy, who was his disciplee and young pastor in training.  In the chapter before this, he gives thanks for him and says he continually prays for him.  He honors his grandma and mom, from which his faith originated.  Then, he talks to Timothy about loyalty and appeals to him to remain loyal to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to preserve sound teaching and to be loyal to others. (Paul gives examples of those who have been loyal and disloyal to him in the ministry). He then gives him an illustration of suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ and to keep his focus on his commanding officer (Jesus) in order to stay strong in finishing the race.

Application

Be a good soldier for Jesus Christ.

There’s so much to unpack in this chapter, but I am going to focus on the traits of a soldier of Jesus Christ.  This is our purpose on this earth, while we await our eternal dwelling with Him! Here are the traits of a good soldier of Christ, according to Scripture:

1. They are strong in the grace of Christ. (vs. 1)

2. They must expect suffering. (vs. 3)

3. They must please their commanding officer (who is of course God). (vs. 4)

4. They compete according to the rules (obey His commands). (vs. 4)

5. They must work hard. The fruit or crops from their labor comes after hard work. (vs. 6)

6. They must endure for the sake of the elect (aka brothers and sisters in Christ). (vs. 10)

What are some areas that we can individually improve on, to be a better soldier for Jesus Christ? Is there anything in this list that is surprising to you?

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for Your Word and Your Holy Spirit who just gave me the words for this SOAP journal.  Please help me to endure as a good soldier for You, as I know that that is my purpose in this life. There is still so much work to be done on this earth for You. May I keep my focus on You and complete the mission You have given me on this earth, until You call me home. In Your name I pray, Amen.

-Michelle Gaddi

Genesis 41 - 3.22.24

Scripture:

”Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”“

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

”The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”“

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭37‬-‭40‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Observation:

The story of Joseph is one of my favorites.  I admire how he stayed true to God even when everything possible went wrong.  Now after being sold into slavery, wrongly accused, put in prison and when there was a glimmer of hope he was forgotten about. He gets an opportunity to come before Pharaoh when the cupbearer remembers he was supposed to tell him about Joseph. 

Joseph does not take any credit. He speaks in faith that God would give the interpretation of the dream.  When Joseph gives the interpretation of the dreams and a plan to put into place Pharaoh acknowledges that God’s spirit is in Joseph. He put Joseph in charge of the whole land of Egypt. 

After years of slavery and imprisonment Joseph is made second in command in Egypt. He is given a wife and has two sons. The names he gave them declares Joseph is enjoying his life.  Manasseh-“God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” And Ephraim-“God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” Joseph did not let hard times defeat him. He kept connected with God and at the perfect time God gave him the favor and put the plan Joseph dreamed in position to become a reality. 

Application:

Joseph’s trials and triumphs go with what we learned Wednesday at Worship and Small Groups. God needs to work in us before He can work through us.

Plug here that no one asked me to do: You are missing out if you have not gone yet. It is so good! I am learning so much from the video and our discussion afterwards. 

 God was working all the long in Joseph to prepare him to be second in the land in Egypt. He also developed a humble heart that shined God’s light and wisdom that was evident to others. 

I need to daily ask God to work in me and allow Him to do the necessary work. There are times it appears things are going in the opposite direction of promises and words given. But our master has the roadmap and is working all things together for good. 

Prayer:

Lord, I pray I would be like Joseph. He walked in such a way that those around him knew you were with him. May I not take any credit for you working through me and instead point others to you.  Please help me on this journey to remember that your promises are true and walk in confidence. As one of my favorite Danny Gokey songs says, “We just haven’t seen it yet.” I choose to believe your word and know nothing is impossible for you.  Thank you for all you have done and all you have yet to do. 

Amen

- Cindy Howard

1 Timothy - 03.21.24

SCRIPTURE -1 Timothy 6:17 TPT

“To all the rich of this world, I command you not to be wrapped in thoughts of pride over your prosperity, or rely on your wealth, for your riches are unreliable and nothing compared to the living God. 

Trust instead in the ONE who lavishly supplies us with all good things, fulfilling our every need.”

OBSERVATION 

Your riches are unreliable, Trust instead in God.

God pointed this scripture out to me and followed it up with the next verse.

“Command them:

to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 

In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation 

for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”

(1 Timothy 6:18-19 NIV)

Jesus spoke many times about the principle of giving. HE especially wanted us to grasp that everything we have BELONGS to God. We in fact are not owners of our finances, time, resources, or gifts. We are “managers” or “Stewards” of what God has entrusted to us. Jesus told many parables to explain this principle.

When I stand Before Jesus, I want to hear Him say that I have been Faithful with what He has entrusted to me. The biggest misconception Christians have is that when we give money away to a Church or Ministry—it’s gone. Once it leaves our hands, we believe it has no further connection to us, no further implications relevant to our lives.

But Jesus said HE keeps track of every cup of cold water we give to one of His needy. HE Promises us He will reward us in Heaven because we help the poor and needy who are unable to pay us back for what we do for them.  We are investing in eternity.

“And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”' (Matthew 10:42 NLT)

APPLICATION 

Making Spiritual Investments 

Christ invites us to Choose our Treasury. Will we invest in treasures on earth and lose them when we die? Or will we invest our treasures in Heaven, where they will be our for an eternity? It’s not that Christ rejects wealth-on the contrary-God has an investment mentality. Wealth is worth seeking. The question is, what IS True and Lasting Wealth?

Christ simply teaches us that we can trade temporal possessions we can’t keep

To Gain eternal Possessions we can’t lose!

“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, 

where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:20-21 NIV)

In the Book of Luke Jesus tells the Parable of a King who calls Ten servants together and gives them each a mina and tells them “Do Business with this until I “RETURN”.

A mina was a Greek silver Coin equal to approximately 3-months wages. When the King RETURNS, He calls the Servants and demands an accounting.

““The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ “‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’”   (Luke 19:16-17 NIV)

““The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’”   (Luke 19:18-19 NIV)

““Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. “Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’”   (Luke 19:20, 24 NIV)

One day I will stand before God and give an accounting for how I managed God’s resources. The resources include money, time, talents, AND the Gospel. And, Jesus will determine what kind of Steward I have been just as we read in the Parable in Luke.

If I have been a recipient of the Good News and I am a Christ Follower—

Then I am also a steward of the Good News and God will expect me to have a showing for how I managed that resource, along with my finances and gifts, and time.

Jesus made it very clear that we cannot serve two Masters. When Jesus became my Savior, He also became the Lord of my Life. How can I not choose to Love and Obey the God who saved me out of darkness and gave me the assurance of eternity with Him? May I hear and Obey Him freely for Everything He asks of me.

PRAYER

LORD Jesus,

Help me to remember that Heaven is a very Real place. You say we are citizens of Heaven and to set our sights on the REALITY of Heaven. That Heaven should FILL our thoughts. LORD, I Pray You would FILL My Thoughts with Heaven. May I be so Heaven Filled that I would not be bound by earth. May my heart be Filled with Your Holy Spirit and Guided by Your Presence everywhere I go.

May Your Love permeate me and motivate me to Love what you Love and who you Love and do the good works You planned for me. May I be prepared to freely Give whatever You ask of me Knowing You are my Supply and my strength. May I remember there is a Heavenly bank account that never runs dry, rusts, or can ever be destroyed. May my heart be there-where You are. In Jesus Name.

Here I am Lord, Send me.

Tina L Kudelka