Living the Journey

Welcome to Day 23 of The Challenge! Our verse to memorize is II Timothy 2:23:

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"But foolish and unlearned questions avoid,
knowing that they do gender strifes."

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The word "foolish" means absurd or dull. The word "unlearned" means stupid. The word "strifes" means fighting, controversy.  We could paraphrase it this way: "But absurd and stupid questions avoid, knowing that they do gender fighting and controversy."

Have you ever had someone ask you a question that seem absurd and stupid? Did it seem that they were trying to pick a fight? God commands us in this passage to avoid such questions, because they only cause controversy. We as Christians make it our goal to live at peace with all men, and to have one accord among the brethren.

Let’s make it our goal today to avoid questions that would hinder one accord, and let us make it our goal to edify one another daily!

~ Shannon Ehnis

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Welcome to Day 22 of The Challenge! Our verse to memorize is II Timothy 2:22:

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"Flee also youthful lusts, but follow
righteousness, faith, charity, peace with them
that call on the Lord out of a pure heart"

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In meditating on this verse the Lord reminded me that "youthful lusts" may not always be things that appear bad or negative at first. Often a lust or temptation is a good thing that Satan twists and uses for evil. It can also be a good desire or goal that has become too predominate in my life, thus taking Christ’s place in my heart.

What do I value the most in this life? Where do my thoughts go when I have "free time?" What do I have the greatest desire for? A certain material possession? Popularity? Relationship? Success in my vocation? More friends? Granted all these things are good in their place as God has given us the desires and drives for these things, however, are they taking the first place in my heart? Do I place a higher value on them than on my relationship with Jesus Christ—the One Who created me, Who gave His life for me, Who now lives for me and wants to bless my life beyond what I could ever imagine?

"Flee youthful lusts . . ." This brings to mind the idea that they are the enemy of our souls and our walk with Christ. They will steal away pieces of our heart until all of a sudden we realize that we have nothing left with which to serve Christ. "Love the Lord your God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind" (Luke 10:27). No competing affections allowed here.

Every now and then it is a good idea to re-evaluate my priorities. Is Christ still on the throne in my heart or have I let some goal, person, item, relationship take that preeminent place? "If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:1-3). We have been redeemed for greater, higher and more rewarding deeds then our small ideas of life could ever bring about. Why sacrifice the impact we could have on this world for Christ and the incredible fulfillment and joy it brings for the small pleasures of our own way?

This is just one perspective on this verse. There are many more truths and applications in simply looking up the definitions of the key words. May the Lord open your eyes and heart to the truth in His Word and the high calling that He has for your life.

~ Jessica Friesen

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Welcome to Day 21 of The Challenge! Our verse to memorize is II Timothy 2:21:

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"If a man therefore purge himself from these,
he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified,
and meet for the master’s use, and
prepared unto every good work."

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Word Meanings:

• Purge: to cleanse out, clean thoroughly, to cleanse
• Vessel: a man of quality, a chosen instrument
• Honor: a valuing by which the price is fixed, an estimation of the value of a thing
• Sanctified: to set apart for the worship and service of God
• Meet: easy to make use of, useful, usable
• Prepared: to make ready, equipped

An Expanded Translation of II Timothy 2:21

"If, therefore, a person separates himself from these, he shall be an instrument highly prized, in a state of permanent separation, useful to the master, for every good work  equipped." ~ Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek
New Testament

"Vessel of Honor"

A vessel of honor represents one who has separated himself from those that harbor corrupt thinking. A corrupt belief system will destroy the believer’s ultimate purpose. When a believer separates himself from unrighteousness he will be an instrument highly prized, useful to the Master, and equipped for great work.

Cross References for II Timothy 2:21

• II Corinthians 9:8: "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work."
• Ephesians 2:10: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
• II Timothy 6:11: "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness."
• II Timothy 2:16: "But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."
• II Timothy 3:17: "That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

~ Laurie Jalbert

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Welcome to Day 20 of The Challenge! Our verse to memorize is II Timothy 2:20:

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"But in a great house there are not only vessels
of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth;
and some to honour, and some to dishonour."

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As I began looking at this verse, the particular word "vessel" caught my eye. So what is a vessel? The Greek word for vessel is skeuos. One of the definitions of this word in the Greek is "a man (person) of quality, or a chosen instrument." Likewise, the  main function of a human blood vessel is to carry blood towards the heart. On the cross, as Jesus was dying an excruciatingly painful death, he became a vessel for us; and by the shedding of His blood, He made a way for sinners to come to Christ.

Conversely, when a blood vessel is clotted, blood flow is prevented from getting to the heart. When we, as Christians have sin in our lives, we are preventing ourselves from urging others near to the heart of God. If we are willing to humble ourselves before God and allow Him to cleanse us from the sin in our lives, he will make us pure vessels of honour to bring souls to Him and be used for His purpose and plan, instead of our own. God has graciously given us the choice of how we live our lives—either for His honour, or for His dishonour. And in that "great house" of the body of Christ, God has called each of us to be chosen instruments of quality for Himself, as the Worker in the hearts of men. Through Christ’s strength, we can purpose in our hearts to live up to the calling we have of simply being "Channels Only" for our sacred Master.

Cross References: 1 Timothy 3:15, 2 Timothy 3:17

~ Mandy Graham

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Welcome to Day 19 of The Challenge! Our verse to memorize is II Timothy 2:19:

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"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,
having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
And let every one that nameth the name of Christ,
depart from iniquity."

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As I write this, it is a warm day outside. The birds are singing and the sky is blue. For many people it isn’t. For many the future looks gray and dim.

Tomorrow a new President of the United States will be sworn in. Today is a big day for a lot of people. Living in Mexico and being one of the few Americans around, I get asked a lot what I think about our new President. Many people feel insecure, not only about the future but about a lot of things. Uncertainty is a hard thing to deal with, but what a joyous thing it is that our comfort can be found in the fact that "the foundation of God standeth sure." You can take that to the bank! How freeing that I can base my life on that and live each day with that in mind.

Psalm 18:2 says, "The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer, my God is my Rock in Whom I take Refuge." But you have to consciously take your refuge there. Not only when the storms come but all the time! We have so many others things we tend to turn to for strength, comfort, or deliverance but I can guarantee none of that is as "sure" as having the seal of being grounded in the foundation of God. Just typing this makes me want to get up and shout!

Lately I have overheard or participated in conversations involving phrases such as, "But how will the heathen in Africa be saved?" Are Catholics going to heaven?" "Is she going to heaven since she goes there and does that?" All I have to say is, "I am glad I am not God!" I know I would misjudge and the wrong people would be going to the wrong place. But what a relief it is that God knows who are His! It is not our place to decide that. Furthermore those of us who do call Jesus Lord must take care to "depart from iniquity" and walk out a humility that says Jesus is more worthy of our praise and adoration than anything life here on earth has to offer.

With that in mind, let’s go into this week being blessed!

~ Cristina Rodriguez

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Welcome to Day 18 of The Challenge! Our verse to memorize is II Timothy 2:18:

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“Who concerning the truth have erred,
saying that the resurrection is past already;
and overthrow the faith of some.”

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Truth is a precious gift given to us by God. We must treat it as such, and so avoid the dangers that we see in this verse. Being in error concerning the truth, and having our faith overthrown, are so prevalent today!

So many of us Christian young people have a wrong perception of God: a faulty idea of what He desires of us, and an incorrect view of our purpose in this life. We have erred concerning the truth.

Others are easily swayed by any teaching they hear. Their small faith is quickly shaken when they are presented with supposed “facts” that challenge Scripture.

How can we overcome these troubles?  By knowing the truth!  “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.  We know the truth by diligently searching God’s word, comparing scripture with scripture, memorizing it, and  meditating on it. I know this sounds like being “Super Christian” but if we will try, little by little, to get in the habit of seeking after God’s truth, then we will not be swayed, and our faith will be planted on a firm and unshakable foundation!

~ Laura Oliverio

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