DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: 2 Timothy 4 (Focus vs. 1-8)
MEMORY VERSE
“Discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5
BACKGROUND
On a Thursday, in the church’s fellowship hall, sandwiches and watermelon slices were set out, waiting to be consumed by mourners sitting on metal folding chairs placed on stained carpet.
It was a perfectly normal funeral, except for the preacher. He was a well-known speaker who has preached to stadiums full of thousands. Now he was speaking just as enthusiastically to this weekday gathering.
Paul told his protégé Timothy, “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season… discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:2-5). All the duties.
Not only the big ones performed on large stages with bright lights. Also ordinary, weekday duties. The speeches that won’t be recorded and broadcast for generations to come. The tasks that few will see. Do those well too.
Because someone is watching. Paul told Timothy he was serving “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead” (v. 1). Your platform may be small, but your audience could not be more important.
Jesus waits expectantly for your service. Do it for Him, relying on the power of His Spirit. He will be honored as you humbly, faithfully minister to others.
Mike Wittmer
INSIGHT
While encouraging Timothy to be faithful to his ministerial calling, Paul summarized his own service for Christ and what he looked forward to after he died:
“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” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
As the apostle anticipated his departure from labor to reward (v. 6), he was conscious of what really mattered in life. Each believer in Jesus has been given different tasks to do on this earth.
With the Spirit’s help, we can strive to do them faithfully. We all long to hear the voice of Christ, our Savior, say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21).
Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
How much heart are you putting into your everyday tasks? How would God have you think about your ordinary jobs on this ordinary day?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Each believer in Jesus has been given different tasks to do on this earth. With the Spirit’s help, we can strive to do them faithfully. We all long to hear the voice of Christ, our Savior, say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!””
PR’s TAKE
God rewards faithfulness not for the flashy things we accomplish but what he has assigned us. Pr
“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:25-26
PRAYER
“Heavenly Father, may I serve You and others faithfully today.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“A CHARGE TO KEEP I HAVE”
A charge to keep I have,
A God to glorify,
A never-dying soul to save,
And fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age,
My calling to fulfill,
O may it all my pow’rs engage
To do my Master’s will!
Arm me with watchful care
As in Thy sight to live,
And now Thy servant, Lord, prepare
A strict account to give!
Help me to watch and pray,
And still on Thee rely,
O let me not my trust betray,
But press to realms on high.
