Keep Your Head
Opening Prayer
Father, let me live under the grace of a mentor after Your heart and mentor those You call me to with Your heart.
Read 2 Timothy 4:1-8
[1] In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: [2] Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction. [3] For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. [4] They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. [5] But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. [6] For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What advice does Paul give Timothy?Paul is so honest with young Timothy. He basically outlines the work that Timothy is called to and tells him to get on with it. Paul says six things.First, God sees (1)–what you do is for the Lord, not anyone else. Be patient (2)–watch your attitude when you are speaking. Keep your head (5)–whatever the situation, be wise in your response. Share Jesus (5)–you have good news to share. Do it well (5)–fulfill all your responsibilities to honor the Lord. Last, keep going (5,7)–don’t give up! These six points are not just a reminder for Timothy; they are a challenge for us too. It is tempting to act as if we are living for a paycheck or the praise of others, when our work (paid or unpaid) is to honor the Lord. It can be easy to forget to share Jesus with those who don’t yet know him. Under stress, it is hard to keep our head, and when the pressures are on, we are tempted to give up. Paul knows that it is easy to begin a race but it is hard to finish well. Our actions and attitude matter.
Apply
Do you have a mentor who can lead you deeper into the things of God? Is God calling you to be a mentor?
Closing prayer
Father, help me draw my life from You, so that I may keep my head and never give up the race laid out for me.
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