Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him;if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

2 Timothy 2:11-13

We cannot manipulate God!

Reflection #1

Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained.

2 Timothy 2:8-9

In what way(s) have I “internalized” or “personalized” the gospel?

Reflection #2

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

2 Timothy 2:10

Do I gravitate toward an “endure everything” mentality or a “complain about everything” mentality?

Reflection #3

For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all He does.

Psalm 33:4

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

Hebrews 6:17-18

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6:19-20

How might the idea of hope and the metaphor of a firm, secure anchor to depict the spiritual condition of the Christian’s soul, encourage you greatly?

Reflection #4

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

1 Corinthians 1:8-9

No temptation (trial) has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted (tested) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted (tested), He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

For what test or trial have you been doubting God’s faithfulness?

Reflection #5

But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”

2 Corinthians 1:18

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.”

2 Corinthians 1:19

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 1:20

On a scale of 1-10, how convinced are we that every Scripture and promise communicated from God is true and trustworthy? Why does this matter?

Reflection #6

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

How can knowing the guarantee of salvation transform my present reality and response to life’s challenges?

Reflection #7