“[God,] 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, 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” (2 Timothy 1:9-10)      

It is not because of our works.  It is because of God’s unmerited favor.  This simple truth does make all the difference.  But we are not to look at our transgressions and then think that we can do nothing.  God frees us from the rat-race of sin so that we can live life as He has always intended that it be lived.  Come then and live into the life God has given you in grace that you may now and always be free.

The Lord has come to you with the promise which gives hope so that you may live into the image for which you have been created.  What shall be has been revealed so that those who believe may know the purpose for which they have been created.  Come then and live into the life which is already yours through grace in the hope of Jesus Christ.  Be led by the Holy Spirit and not by the spirit of this age.

Lord Jesus, You have given the words of eternal life.  In You is all hope and an eternal future.  Come, Lord, and lead me so that, in You, I may be guided in the hope You have given me through grace.  Let Your grace so fill my heart that the spirit of this age would have no hold on me.  Guide me, Lord, in all goodness in order that I may live the Gospel throughout this life You have given me.  Amen. 

“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” (2 Timothy 1:8)

The wicked one loves to put us to shame.  Things are the way they are and you need never make excuses for your circumstances.  The Lord knows.  Live in the promise of the Lord and never be ashamed of the Gospel.  The Gospel may be foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God revealed through Christ our Savior.  Come then and live into the life which has been given you.

Thank You, Lord, for the provision You give.  Whether in a worldly prison or free to move about, I am Yours.  You have told us that living in You would bring persecution.  Help me see clearly when things come along to know that all things are in Your hands and that You will fulfill Your eternal purpose as promised.  Your power is what holds everything together.  Help me be transformed by You and live in Your power.

Power of God made visible, Jesus, my Savior, lead me this day no matter what may come my way.  Help me to see that in You alone there is all hope and an eternal future.  Lead me, O Lord, according to Your goodness and mercy so that I may walk humbly with You.  Guide me, Lord, to live into the life You give in the power which even holds all things together.  Let me be bold and unashamed of the truth of Your revelation.  Amen.

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2Timothy 1:6-7).

When you find yourself losing control, feeling weak, and hating, you know that this comes from the wickedness of this age.  God’s power and love grant self-control which will overcome these things.  Do not fall into the trap of living the way the world does, but let your heart be transformed by being renewed by the Spirit of God.  Live in His power as He prepares you for eternity.

Lord, You know how often I follow the path of the world rather than live in the power You give me by grace.  Each time the struggle comes, help me learn to trust You a little more.  Guide me, Lord, in order that I may humbly walk in Your power and with Your purpose guiding me.  Lead me to know that in You there is hope and the eternal future which grace promises.  Fan the flame of this gift You have given me so that my heart may be on fire for You.

Lord Jesus, all power and authority belong to You.  Guide me this day, Lord, in the fire of Your love so that I may live in the self-control You give.  Help me to learn how to have Your way as my default reaction and I ask You to overcome the worldliness that is in me.  Jesus, You have provided all that is needed and You have given me what I need for today.  Lead me in Your provision so that I may grow to be more like You today.  Amen.

“As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.  I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (2 Timothy 1:4-5).

We each have a lineage.  Some have been blessed with parents and grandparents who believe.  Although in this case, it may well be that Timothy had a father and grandfather who did not.  Whatever the case may be, our forebears are also used by the Lord so that we may be conformed to the image of Christ.  He will use all things to accomplish faith in us.  Give thanks and praise that the Lord is able to do this.

Lord, in the great mystery of this age, You are able to take all things and work them together for good for those who love You.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life so that I would hold fast to the gift of faith which You have given me.  Lead me to understand that in You is all hope and an eternal future.  Guide me always to give thanks for those who have helped to shape this faith which You have given me.

Lord Jesus, in You is all hope.  You have taken away the sin of the world and You have taught us to pray without ceasing.  You are the true God of all who believe.  Guide my prayers, thoughts, and deeds this day in order that I would now and always hold fast to Your goodness and mercy.  In You is all hope and the glorious future for all who believe.  Lead me, Lord, to be in You now and always.  Amen.

“I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day” (2 Timothy 1:3).

Do you live with a clear conscience?  Many do not.  It is not a matter of living perfectly.  Who in this world does?  It is a matter of walking the path the Lord has placed before you.  Do not be guided by this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind, keeping all things in the hands of Your Lord and Savior.  Be in prayer and pray for others.  Live out the faith You have been given in hope.

Lord. You have done these things and I am a witness.  Help me to better understand that You have come to lead us into eternal life.  You have taken away my sin so that I might learn to live without sin.  You have given me the gift of life that I might know true life.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life in order that I would be in constant communion with You as I lift up concerns in prayer for others.

Lord Jesus, You taught us to pray without ceasing.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of this life which You have given me.  Help me reject when the devil accuses, but also to freely accept when You correct.  In and through all things, help me today and every day to be more like You.  You have given me the word of everlasting life and in You alone is all hope and an eternal future. Amen.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:1-2).

All of this is according to the promise of life that is in Jesus Christ, our Lord.  The promise is above all things.  The promise is of life.  How often do we just see it as so much religion, or a Sunday thing?  Jesus, God in the flesh, has given Himself to us so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Come into the hope and promise He gives that You in order that you may know the truth of the faith which is yours.

Lord Jesus, too often I fall into the trap of the world and do not see things as they truly are.  Lead me deeper into the truth of the promise You have given me.  Guide me according to Your goodness to see that in You alone is hope.  You alone can give me the peace that this world cannot, for all authority belongs to You.  Guide me in faith Lord Jesus, for You know all that is needed and when and where it can be applied.

Lord Jesus, my Lord and God, lead me this day in the way of salvation.  Help me to cling to the promise You give so that I would now and forever abide in You, my Rock and Redeemer.  Help me through the struggles I will have this day so that I never let go of the promise You give.  Guide me to live by Your promises first and then all else that comes my way.  Help me to always hope in You beyond any mundane circumstances.  Amen.

“O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,” for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.   Grace be with you” (1 Timothy 6:20-21).

The teaching of “higher knowledge” continues to this day.  Inquiring minds want to know.  You have been called into the true faith and although you hunger for knowledge, it is righteousness that we should long for.  Seek first the Kingdom of God and then all else that is needed will be added.  Do not chase after the vain things of this world but be transformed by the truth of the revelation of the Lord.

Lord, You have made the Good Confession and have revealed the truth of salvation.  There are those in this world who chase after knowledge.  Is it not the chasing of knowledge that got us into this sin mess?  Help me, Lord, not to be intentionally ignorant, but neither to seek anyone other than You, for You have given us the words of everlasting life.  You are the Word who has come in the flesh.

Lord Jesus, You have spoken the word of truth and initiated me into Your body through the gift of the baptism You gave me.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may now and always abide humbly in You.  Guide me to live into this life of faith You have given me.  Lead me to understand more fully each day the truth You have revealed in faith.  Thank You Jesus for the life I have in You.  Amen.

“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:18-19).

It does not matter who you are or what you have, these principles are true for all of us.  Even a child can do good works and share.  These things teach us that what we call our own does not belong to us.  All that we have is a gift that comes from the Father.  As He has gifted you, share those gifts with others that they may gain from what you have, and you will have treasure in heaven.

Lord, You know all that I need.  You have provided by not only giving to me, but also through those whose paths have crossed mine.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I may now and always be guided by You.  You know both what I sinfully cling to and the good that I have been offered and refused; change my mind, Lord.  Help me cling to what is needed according to Your word.

Lord Jesus, You have demonstrated a temperate life.  You showed balance and did not worry about what the morrow would bring.  Help me learn from Your example to be content in all things.  Guide me in Your goodness to see through the temptations of this world and to live for those things which are eternal.  Guide me, Lord, now and always by the wealth of Your grace and mercy.  Amen.

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:12).

There is no sin in having wealth, but those who settle on their wealth as something of overwhelming importance are in trouble.  Too many are comfortable in this life and take that to mean that they need not be uncomfortable in their spiritual life.  We all are in need of what only Christ can accomplish for us.  It is God who provides all that is needed.  Come to Him and have true life and be content in what He gives.

Lord, the world tugs at me and what it says – and so many believe – becomes the basis of my thinking.  Help me, O Lord, to know that in You alone is all hope, truth, and fulfilment.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that what You have to offer is the true and lasting wealth.  Help me to hear Your voice above the noise of this world.  Lead me in all goodness to see through this present age and hold out for what is eternal.

Lord Jesus, You said that it is hard for a rich man to enter into heaven. Help me not cling to any wealth I have in this age, only seeing these as things for what is needed.  Help me to see that You are the true wealth.  You have given in abundance and in You is all hope and an eternal future.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I may be rich in You now and forever.  Amen.

“[H]e who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16).

Who is Jesus?  Many ignore Him as a nothing.  Read this again.  The greatest of all has come to you humbly.  How do you treat Him?  Let the Holy Spirit search your soul and then answer the question.  We all need what only He can give, and this is no small matter.  Do not hesitate to humbly accept what He alone can and does offer.  Come to the Lord and live into the life that He offers you.

Lord, forgive me for the many times when I treated you as a stained-glass figure.  You are the One in whom all things have their being.  I am unable to comprehend the magnificence and glory of Your presence.   Guide me now and always so that I may learn to honor You as I should.  Grant that I would have a heart that is eternally grateful for Your goodness and mercy now and always.

Lord Jesus, You have come so humbly, yet You alone are worthy of all honor and praise.  Guide me now and always Lord so that I would live in the gift of this relationship You have given me.  Guide me to have a right attitude in order that I would hold fast to Your mercy and grace and live in heart, mind, and soul the truth of who You are.  To You be all honor and glory forever and ever, Amen.