260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 200 - 2 Timothy 4: Last Words

A person’s last words are often both remembered & recorded. Today we read the last written words of the apostle Paul. He is passing the baton of ministry to Timothy and he wants to sum up what is important. He begins by charging him to eternal thinking: “in view of his appearing and his kingdom…” Those who want to make an impact for Christ must have an eternal perspective. And here’s the main key: “Preach the Word.” Not slick sayings, not just stories, not our own ideas. Only the Word of God is living and active, your words and mine are not! Simple statement, but complex applications because God’s Word will “correct, rebuke and encourage” – and most people don’t want the first two! They’d rather have their ears tickled with sweet nothings. Worse yet, they’d rather hear myths. Timothy – don’t you go that direction! “…keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” Paul was passing the Gospel baton “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.” What comes next is what I, and all believers, would hope to say at the end of life, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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.” Kuddos Paul for a life well lived! The rest of the letter I would call “Friends & Foes” because in ministry and in life there are both those who partner with you and those who seek to derail what you are doing. Those like John Mark (an example of Paul’s forgiveness), whom Paul calls helpful, and those like Alexander whom strongly oppose! More reason why Paul is constantly saying to guard the truth! And what kept Paul going through evewrything? “…the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed…” Yep – having the LORD by his side! SO WHAT?! *What are some famous last words you have heard? What would you like your last words to be? And to whom? *All of us need at least 3 people in our lives: A Paul (those who are mentoring us), A Timothy (those whom we are mentoring) and a Barnabas (those who just plain encourage us no matter what). If you have these three, take a moment and thank God for them! If you don’t, take a moment and ask God to bring these people into your life! *How is ministry going for you? Excited? Bored? Discouraged? Do you tend to focus on the friends or the foes? Don’t let others get you down, “keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”