Reading: 2 Timothy 2
My Verse: "So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work" (2:21).
This chapter is bursting with godly wisdom - godly teaching. Lord, Your Word is indeed a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105) I am told here that I need to do that which is needed to keep from sullying myself so that I may be "fit and ready for any good work."
As a teacher I would often tell my students, "Don't handicap yourselves!" I wanted them to realize that they themselves determined the kind of life they would have. I wanted them to understand that all their decisions had long term consequences.
Trying that first cigarette could lead to a lifetime of addiction and disease. Not doing their homework could lead to poor grades, failure and a resulting poor self-image and a defeatist attitude. Not taking care of themselves, their appearance could lead to a slothful attitude in all areas of their lives. The decisions we make are important. We are to live with purposeful intent.
And that is exactly what Paul is saying here. I must shun anything not of You. I must carefully consider all my decisions. And this does not mean just activities but also what I allow myself to think. "But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels" (2:23).
I especially like the blessing imbedded in this verse. "So whoever . . . will be a vessel . . . fit and ready for any good work." That is a wonderful thought; that I may be ready to be of use to You!
Yes, thank You for this Lord. I am ever so grateful that You have kept and guided me and that You will continue to keep and guide me so that I will be "fit and ready" for Your purposes.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
My Verse: "So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work" (2:21).
This chapter is bursting with godly wisdom - godly teaching. Lord, Your Word is indeed a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105) I am told here that I need to do that which is needed to keep from sullying myself so that I may be "fit and ready for any good work."
As a teacher I would often tell my students, "Don't handicap yourselves!" I wanted them to realize that they themselves determined the kind of life they would have. I wanted them to understand that all their decisions had long term consequences.
Trying that first cigarette could lead to a lifetime of addiction and disease. Not doing their homework could lead to poor grades, failure and a resulting poor self-image and a defeatist attitude. Not taking care of themselves, their appearance could lead to a slothful attitude in all areas of their lives. The decisions we make are important. We are to live with purposeful intent.
And that is exactly what Paul is saying here. I must shun anything not of You. I must carefully consider all my decisions. And this does not mean just activities but also what I allow myself to think. "But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels" (2:23).
I especially like the blessing imbedded in this verse. "So whoever . . . will be a vessel . . . fit and ready for any good work." That is a wonderful thought; that I may be ready to be of use to You!
Yes, thank You for this Lord. I am ever so grateful that You have kept and guided me and that You will continue to keep and guide me so that I will be "fit and ready" for Your purposes.
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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