Scripture to Read: 2 Timothy 1:8-11
2 Timothy 1:8 starts with the word “therefore.” I learned years ago, through Precept Ministries, that anytime you see a “therefore” in the Bible, ask yourself, “What’s the ‘therefore’ there for?” God made it clear that His Holy Spirit in us gives us His power, love, and discipline. Therefore, we are never to be ashamed to testify of our Lord and Savior. He has given us His Spirit so we can testify of Him through His power, love, and discipline. We also read that we must be ready to suffer in this life for the sake of our Lord and Savior. Our suffering may mean we lose friends and even family members because they are against Christ in us. Our suffering may come through a job loss because we are unwilling to compromise by lying, stealing, cheating, or something else that dishonors our Lord. When suffering comes, we do not need to be surprised by it but ask God to glorify Himself through us as we walk through the suffering. We can overcome because He has saved us and called us with His holy calling. God’s call upon our lives, to be set free from the power and penalty of sin, was fully completed through our Lord Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Christ defeated death and gave us life everlasting through the gospel. Even though not all believers are to be preachers, all believers are called to proclaim our King. We must proclaim to everyone what they can have through a relationship with Him so their lives can be transformed like ours.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about suffering and about His calling upon your life?
2. How are you currently suffering and how are you glorifying God through the suffering?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!