Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 56 – 2 Timothy 2:3-7 – Endure Hardship – Growing As Disciples
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 2 Timothy 2:3-7 (NIV)
Reflect
That is exactly what I will do. What will you do? I will reflect on what you are saying to me. I will take your word deeply into my heart and mind and life. I will let your word guard and guide me. I will allow your word to teach and train me. I want your word to continually be on my heart, in my mind and on my lips. I want your word to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I want to think and speak and act according to your word. That will be very good.
What is my word saying to you? You want me to be fully devoted to loving, following and serving you. I am like a soldier in the military. You want me to be prepared and ready for the battles of life. You want me to follow and obey your commands. You want me to put into practice what you have been teaching to know and training me to do. Yes, I do. You don’t want me to allow my life to become entangled in civil affairs. Why is that? You want me to be focused and ready to go and do your will. That’s true. I am also like an athlete. How so? You want me to run the race that you have set before me. You want all aspects of my life to contribute to my running well. What will that require of you? I must enter into your training. I must put into practice everything you have taught me. I must keep on moving forward with you. My heart and mind and life must remain focused on you so that I will be able to run well and finish strong. That is also true. I am also like a hardworking farmer. How so? I will be planting seeds. I will do doing what is necessary to bear an abundance of fruit for you and your kingdom. I will be working in your field so that I can help bear a rich harvest for you. As I bear fruit for you, I will be storing up treasures in heaven. Yes, you will. Be a like soldier and an athlete and a hardworking farmer for me. Yes Lord, I will. It will be my joy and pleasure to love, follow and serve you in these ways. That will be very good.
Lord, I will endure hardship as your good soldier. I will follow whatever commands you give to me. I am living my life to please you. I want to go wherever you guide me to do whatever you ask of me. I want to bear abundant fruit for your kingdom and glory. Amen
Key Question… How are you, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, avoiding being entangled in civilian affairs?
Living It Out… Endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to endure hardship.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you have endured hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you endure hardship like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
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