In the great game of baseball, victory is not determined by hits – only by runs. It is not decided by double plays or even a no-hit performance by a pitcher – only by runs.

A player may hit the ball, slide safely into third base but get no further and not score. He will be remembered as being “left stranded.” He will not be recognized for “three-quarters of a run.”

This is true of everything in life. Few people are ever recognized for how well they start. Normally they are remembered for how well they finish. We may run hard, overcome obstacles, work our way through difficult situations, but unless we accomplish our goals and “score,” we are normally forgotten unless we finish well.

There is a sad verse in Paul’s letter to Timothy. He speaks of Demas, and writes that he “has deserted me because he loves the things of life…” A former co-worker of Paul’s, he exchanged his calling from God to worldly pleasures and values. Perhaps Demas never counted the cost of serving Christ. Maybe he became weary in well doing and lost his enthusiasm. We do not know the reason, but we see the results. And here is the lesson for each of us: Rather than condemn or criticize him, let’s look for the “Demas” that may be in each of us.

Prayer: Lord, never let us lose our love for You or the life You have called us to live. May we be ever faithful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 4:10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica

As her son was about to leave home for college, his mother asked, “Robert, will you promise me one thing?”

“Yes, ma’am, I will,” he answered.

“Promise me,” she begged, “that you will read one chapter from the Bible each day.”

“I will,” he agreed.

That promise led to his coming to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Later, Robert Moffat went to Africa as a missionary where he labored for his Lord for forty-five years. He became famous as an educator, explorer, evangelist and translator of the Bible.

What better request can any mother ask of a child than to be faithful to read God’s Word. We are confronted from every direction with challenges to our faith, tempted by friends to engage in behaviors that cause self-destruction, and provided with endless opportunities that may destroy the plans God has for us.
In his letter to Timothy, Paul expressed a true sense of urgency and warning for him. He knew that people who believed in God would be misunderstood, challenged, tempted and ridiculed because of their faith. So Paul encouraged him to remain faithful to what he had been taught. Why? God’s Word is our only faithful guide.

Prayer: Father, parents have such a responsibility in raising their children. Grant them Your wisdom, always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 3:12-16  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

Rubber bands appear worthless until they are stretched. They remain quiet but ready. They come in different sizes and shapes waiting for various types of assignments. Some are thick, some are thin, some are small and some are large. All are designed for specific uses. However, a rubber band is worthless until it is stretched to its limit. Then it will hold things together, keep things orderly and bring chaos under control.

We cannot accomplish God’s purpose without stretching. When we bear one another’s burden, help someone solve a problem that is beyond their capabilities, wipe away a tear from a saddened eye, give a cup of cold water to a thirsty traveler, we are showing the kindness and grace of God.

Each day we need to stretch our minds and learn something new about our Lord, His Word, His world and His ways. If we remain as we are, we fail to grow into His likeness and the future He has for us.

We also need to stretch our bodies and bring them under God’s control. The stronger we are physically, the more we can do spiritually. An out-of-control body reflects an out-of-control life. God expects us to do the best we can with what He gives us.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to take what You have given us and stretch it to the limits of our potential. May we never be satisfied with who we are until we become who You have intended us to become in worship and service. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

Bear Bryant, the legendary football coach, was once informed that some of his players were griping and complaining about his strenuous workouts. Calling the team into their locker room he said quietly and with confidence, “Men, you can’t live soft all week and play tough on Saturday.”

Success in any athletic endeavor requires self-sacrifice and tough training routines. It conditions the athlete to endure fatigue and outlast the competition. It is often the difference between winning and losing, victory and defeat.

Paul often referred to the importance of physical training and winning. He was aware of its value. But in a letter to Timothy he established an important priority for Christians. “Physical exercise has some value,” he wrote, “but spiritual exercise is much more important for it promises a reward in both this life and the one to come.”

We spend much money on physical fitness. In fact, one major research firm in America estimated that as a nation, we spend five billion dollars annually on fitness programs and exercise equipment. Although physical health in very important we must always make spiritual health our main priority. Each day that we live we must invest some time in reading and studying His Word, in prayer and worshiping Him. God expects us to develop our “spiritual muscles” to overcome evil.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to accept our responsibility to develop our spiritual resources by allowing Your power to work with us. May our faith grow stronger each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 4:8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

A once successful football team experienced several successive losing seasons. The fans were unhappy and many stopped attending their games. So the owner decided it was time for a new coach. After a lengthy search, he located a leader whom he felt was up to the challenge – one who could inspire the players.

At the team’s first meeting he stood before the players and said, “Gentlemen, we are going back to the basics. We are going to start at the beginning.”

“This is a football,” he said forcefully – making certain that each of them knew how serious he was.

“Basics” are important for any endeavor in life. They provide the foundation for growth and expansion. They assure stability in times of distress and doubt and direction when the path seems uncertain. They enable one generation to pass on a heritage of guidance and hope to another and give structure to families and institutions.

Paul passed on a “basic” to young Timothy. He gave him a “solemn warning before God” to be faithful in his responsibilities to Christ. “Preach the Word!” he wrote. “Be persistent whether it is convenient or not. Patiently correct and encourage your people with good teaching,” he concluded.

That “warning” has never been more important than it is now. We who are His disciples must be willing to listen, hear, obey and follow His “basic” teachings.

Prayer: It is so easy, Father, to forget what matters most in life. Help us to accept and follow the “basics” of Your Word and live lives that are pleasing to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 4:1-2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Two best friends were walking home from church. It was a time for laughing and shoulder-nudging. Tim’s Mom looked on approvingly as they enjoyed each other’s company.

Suddenly, Tim caught Alex off-guard – looking in the wrong direction. To his left was a huge mud-puddle. Into the mud went Alex after a two-handed push from Tim.

“Why in the world did you do that, Tim?” asked his mother.

“Well,” came his reply after a moment’s thought, “the devil tricked me!”

“How?” she wondered. After all, they were walking home from church.

“Well,” Tim said after thinking for a moment, “when the devil told me to do it, it felt so good I thought it was the Lord talking to me.”

Scripture, Paul reminds us, is not only inspired by God, but was given to us to teach us “what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right!”

Feelings come and go but they are not facts that we can safely build our lives upon. There are times when our feelings encourage us to do what is right and avoid doing what is wrong. But there are many times when our feelings and emotions are distorted by temptations and could lead us in the wrong direction. That’s why God gave us clearly defined directions to follow.

Prayer: Give us a faith, Lord, that is strong enough to take You at Your Word and follow You every day of our lives. May we accept and follow Your guidance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Charlie Brown was having a serious conversation with Lucy in one of the “Peanuts” cartoons. Said Charlie, “I’ve made a giant step forward in unraveling the mysteries of the Old Testament, Lucy!”

“What’s that?” asked Lucy, bursting with interest.

“I started reading it,” he replied.

Many people view the Bible as a collection of fables, myths or tales and unintelligent stories about a god who hides himself in deep, unfathomable messages. Some claim it is a book beyond the ability of humans to understand its truth. True, it is a book written by humans but it is not a “human book.” It is the story of God making Himself known through Himself, through words and “The Word,” and His beloved Son. It is not beyond the ability of humans to understand its contents. God Himself will make its message clear when people ask Him to speak to them through His Holy Spirit.

Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed His Person and plan of redemption and reconciliation – the Gospel Message. The authors of the God’s revelation in Scripture were inspired by His Spirit to speak on His behalf. God wanted to make Himself known because He wants us to know Him, to love Him and to trust Him.

If we want to know and understand God we need, as Charlie Brown did, to “start reading” His Word.

Prayer: You have spoken to us, Lord, through Your Word. If we seek Your truth and want to know You and please You with our lives, Your Word will show us how. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

When Albert Einstein was a child, he enjoyed playing with a compass. When the Wright Brothers were children, they spent hours with a toy rubber-band-driven helicopter trying to make it fly. Their curiosity in objects gave them a desire to learn that lasted a lifetime and benefitted the world.

Those who have studied the childhood of famous figures in history have come to an interesting conclusion: Many young children who become interested in some particular object make it a part of their life’s interest and accomplishments.

What is true about the development of children is also true about the growth of Christians. Said Paul to young Timothy, “You have been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.”

As parents we give our children many gifts. But rarely do we pause to think of the gift that these gifts will give them. God planted in all children the gift of curiosity. So when we give our children anything, we must always remember that gifts have consequences. They add “something” to a child’s life.

Paul commended the parents of Timothy for giving him the gift of God’s Word when he was a child. It made a difference in his life: “wisdom to receive salvation!”

Prayer: We pray, Heavenly Father, for insight to give our children those gifts that will lead them to Your grace, mercy and salvation that come from trusting You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Rubber bands appear worthless until they are stretched. They remain quiet but ready. They come in different sizes and shapes waiting for various types of assignments. Some are thick, some are thin, some are small and some are large. All are designed for specific uses. However, a rubber band is worthless until it is stretched to its limit. Then it will hold things together, keep things orderly and bring chaos under control.

We cannot accomplish God’s purpose without stretching. When we bear one another’s burden, help someone solve a problem that is beyond their capabilities, wipe away a tear from a saddened eye, give a cup of cold water to a thirsty traveler, we are showing the kindness and grace of God.

Each day we need to stretch our minds and learn something new about our Lord, His Word, His world and His ways. If we remain as we are, we fail to grow into His likeness and the future He has for us.

We also need to stretch our bodies and bring them under God’s control. The stronger we are physically, the more we can do spiritually. An out-of-control body reflects an out-of-control life. God expects us to do the best we can with what He gives us.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to take what You have given us and stretch it to the limits of our potential. May we never be satisfied with who we are until we become who You have intended us to become in worship and service. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 3:14-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (Read more...)

The president of a large corporation was so challenged and inspired after he read the book, Men Of God, that he called the local book store to order 375 copies for his key leaders. After explaining his request for the books, the sales associate said, “I’m sorry, but we don’t have 375 Men Of God in Chicago, why don’t you try Detroit.”

How do we recognize these so called Men Of God? Who are they and where can we find them? Paul wrote to Timothy that God gave us His inspired Word that “is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right.” Because the whole Bible contains God’s specific directions to lead and guide those who would become “men of God,” it is to be read, studied and applied to one’s life everyday. It is the standard for our conduct and will provide us with the guidance and direction we need to show the world God’s love, salvation and hope. It is the only source of instruction for what God wants us to do.

In the Bible we will discover what is true, what is right, what is just and what is required of both men and women of God. In it we will find the strength to do what He wants us to do and the truth that will give us the courage and confidence we need to be His disciples and witness His love, grace, mercy and salvation to others. Through its teaching we will find light for our paths and guidance for decisions, insight for our problems and hope when we cannot see beyond our moments of despair.

If we choose to commit ourselves to become “men and women of God,” we will find everything we need to know about the journey in His Word. And when we begin, He will be with us!

Prayer: Lord, may we strive to become men and women of God through a life of surrender and service to You and those for whom You died. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.