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Take a breath, find your place, and read deeply. Discover the joy of reading God’s word with the Immerse New Living Translation (NLT) Bible.
This daily Bible podcast will take you through the Bible in a year following the Immerse Bible Reading Experience. So grab your family and small group and go through the Bible in a year together with Immerse. Each of the 6 volumes is available online or at your favorite Christian bookstore.
Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The
Daily Bible Reading Experience.
Day 40.
Immersed in second Timothy.
Paul had sent Timothy on many
assignments over the years, most
recently to Ephesus to stop those whose
teaching was contrary to the truth.
Paul supported Timothy in his
work from a distance by writing
him letters of instruction.
Here Paul is sending him a second letter,
one that includes an urgent message.
Come as soon as you can.
Paul was in prison while writing
this letter, possibly as a result
of the opposition of Alexander the
Coppersmith, whom he warns Timothy about.
Emperor Niro is now actively persecuting
Christians and the Roman officials
who had previously protected Paul are
probably now sympathetic to his enemies.
Instead, Paul expects to be executed
in the near future because of his
faith in Jesus, considering his life
poured out as an offering to God.
So he writes to Timothy,
telling him to leave Ephesus
immediately and join him in Rome.
In this second letter, Paul weaves, in
many words, a personal charge to Timothy.
Simply coming to visit Paul in prison
would require as much courage and
resolve as Timothy's previous assignment.
In Ephesus, Paul is preparing his
young charge for the challenges he
would face under Roman persecution.
Attacks would come from all sides, and
Timothy needed to know that leaders in
particular would be called to follow
in the Lord's steps, persevering in
the face of suffering and persecution.
Some of Paul's coworkers in Rome
had been intimidated by this
opposition and had abandoned him.
He sadly reports, the first
time I was brought before the
judge, no one came with me.
Paul had to stand alone, as Jesus
himself did at his own trial.
He urges Timothy to show the same resolve
when his time comes without Paul's
presence, Timothy would need to be
steadfast in stopping those who reject
the truth and lead other believers astray.
He would need to focus on the
critical work always before him
steadily preaching the word of God.
Always prepared to defend the good
news as he originally learned it.
Paul instructs him.
Always remember that Jesus
Christ, a descendant of King
David was raised from the dead.
This is the good news I preach.
The Bible doesn't record what
happened to Paul or Timothy
after Paul wrote this letter.
Tradition says that Paul gave his
life for Jesus during Nero's reign.
Meanwhile, Timothy was no stranger
to persecution as indicated by
an imprisonment mentioned by the
author of the book of Hebrews.
I want you to know that our brother
Timothy has been released from jail.
Timothy had already proved himself ready
to suffer as Paul did, and Paul certainly
assumes in this letter that Timothy
would experience further persecution.
Paul gives him this charge.
You must remain faithful to the
things you have been taught.
You know they are true for, you know,
you can trust those who taught you.
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.
We can be thankful that this letter
was added to those holy scriptures,
and that believers today are encouraged
to walk faithfully as they wait
for the return of Christ Jesus.
The second letter to Timothy.
This letter is from Paul
chosen by the will of God to
be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
I have been sent out to tell others
about the life he has promised
through faith in Christ Jesus.
I am writing to Timothy, my dear son,
may God the Father, and Christ Jesus our
Lord, give you grace, mercy, and peace.
Timothy, I thank God for you, the God
I served with a clear conscience just
as my ancestors did night and day.
I constantly remember you in my prayers.
I long to see you again for I
remember your tears as we parted,
and I will be filled with joy
when we are together again.
I remember your genuine faith.
You share the faith that first
filled your grandmother Lois and
your mother Eunice, and I know that
same faith continues strong in you.
This is why I remind you to fan into
flames, the spiritual gift God gave
you when I laid my hands on you.
For God has not given us a spirit
of fear and timidity, but of
power, love, and self-discipline.
So never be ashamed to tell others about
our Lord and don't be ashamed of me
either, even though I'm in prison for him.
With the strength God gives
you, be ready to suffer with me.
For the sake of the good news.
For God saved us and called
us to live a holy life.
He did this not because we deserved
it, but because that was his plan
from before the beginning of time.
To show us his grace through Christ Jesus.
And now he has made all of this
plain to us by the appearing
of Christ Jesus, our savior.
He broke the power of death and
illuminated the way to life and
immortality through the good news.
And God chose me to be a preacher, an
apostle, and a teacher of this good news.
That is why I am suffering here in prison.
But I am not ashamed of it.
For I know the one in whom I trust,
and I am sure that he is able to
guard what I have entrusted to
him until the day of his return.
Hold on to the pattern
of wholesome teaching.
You learned from me a pattern
shaped by the faith and love
that you have in Christ Jesus.
Through the power of the Holy
Spirit who lives within us,
carefully guard the precious truth
that has been entrusted to you.
As you know, everyone from the
province of Asia has deserted
me, even faus and homogenous.
May the Lord show special kindness
to Ferus and all his family because
he often visited in an encouraged me.
He was never ashamed of me
because I was in chains.
When he came to Rome.
He searched everywhere until he found me.
May the Lord show him special kindness
on the day of Christ's return, and
you know very well how helpful he
was in Ephesus Timothy, my dear
son, be strong through the grace
that God gives you in Christ Jesus.
You have heard me teach things that have
been confirmed by many reliable witnesses.
Now teach these truths to other
trustworthy people who will be
able to pass them on to others.
Endure suffering along with me.
As a good soldier of Christ Jesus,
soldiers don't get tied up in
the affairs of civilian life.
For then.
They cannot please the
officer who enlisted them.
And athletes cannot win the prize
unless they follow the rules.
And hardworking farmers should be the
first to enjoy the fruit of their labor.
Think about what I am saying.
The Lord will help you
understand all these things.
Always remember that Jesus
Christ, a descendant of King
David was raised from the dead.
This is the good news I preach and because
I preach this good news, I am suffering
and have been chained like a criminal.
But the word of God cannot be chained,
so I am willing to endure anything if it
will bring salvation and eternal glory
in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.
This is a trustworthy saying.
If we die with him, we
will also live with him.
If we endure hardship,
we will reign with him.
If we deny him, he will deny us.
If we are unfaithful, he remains
faithful for, he cannot deny who he is.
Remind everyone about these things
and command them in God's presence
to stop fighting over words.
Such arguments are useless and
they can ruin those who hear them.
Work hard so you can present yourself
to God and receive his approval.
Be a good worker, one who does
not need to be ashamed and who
correctly explains the word of truth.
Avoid worthless, foolish talk that
only leads to more godless behavior.
This kind of talk spreads like cancer,
as in the case of Hamans and vitis.
They have left the path of truth
claiming that the resurrection
of the dead has already occurred.
In this way, they have turned some
people away from the faith, but God's
truth stands firm like a foundation
stone with this inscription.
The Lord knows those who are His and
all who belong to the Lord must turn
away from evil in a wealthy home.
Some utensils are made of gold and
silver, and some are made of wooden clay.
The expensive utensils are used
for special occasions and the
cheap ones are for everyday use.
If you keep yourself pure, you will be
a special utensil for honorable use.
Your life will be clean and you'll
be ready for the master to use you
For every good work run from anything
that stimulates youthful lust.
Instead, pursue righteous living,
faithfulness, love and peace.
Enjoy the companion of those who
call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Again, I say, don't get involved
in foolish, ignorant arguments
that only start fights.
A servant of the Lord must not
quarrel, but must be kind to everyone.
Be able to teach and be patient
with difficult people gently
instruct those who oppose the truth.
Perhaps God will change those people's
hearts and they will learn the truth.
Then they will come to their senses
and escape from the devil's trap,
for they have been held captive
by him to do whatever he wants.
You should know this Timothy.
That in the last days there will be
very difficult times for people will
love only themselves and their money.
They will be boastful and proud,
scoffing at God, disobedient to
their parents and ungrateful.
They will consider nothing sacred.
They will be unloving and unforgiving.
They will slander others
and have no self-control.
They will be cruel and hate.
What is good.
They will betray their friends, be
reckless, be puffed up with pride
and love, pleasure rather than God.
They will act religious, but they will
reject the power that can make them godly.
Stay away from people like that.
They are the kind who work their
way into people's homes and win the
confidence of vulnerable women who
are burdened with the guilt of sin
and controlled by various desires.
Such women are forever following
new teachings, but they are never
able to understand the truth.
These teachers opposed the truth
just as Janice and Jamber has opposed
Moses, they have depraved minds
and a counterfeit faith, but they
won't get away with this for long.
Someday everyone will recognize what fools
they are, just as with Janice and Jam.
But you, Timothy, certainly
know what I teach and how I live
and what my purpose in life is.
You know, my faith, my patience,
my love, and my endurance.
You know, how much persecution
and suffering I have endured.
You know all about how I was persecuted
in Antioch, Iconium, and ra, but
the Lord rescued me from all of it.
Yes, and everyone who wants to
live a godly life in Christ, Jesus
will suffer persecution, but evil
people and imposters will flourish.
They will deceive others and
will themselves be deceived.
But you must remain faithful to
the things you have been taught.
You know they are true for, you know,
you can trust those who taught you.
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.
All scripture is inspired by God
and is useful to teach us what
is true and to make us realize
what is wrong in our lives.
It corrects us when we are wrong
and teaches us to do what is right.
God uses it to prepare and equip
his people to do every good work.
I solemnly urge you in the presence
of God and Christ Jesus, who will
someday judge the living and the
dead when he comes to set up his
kingdom, preach the word of God.
Be prepared whether the
time is favorable or not.
Patiently correct.
Rebuke and encourage your
people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when
people will no longer listen to
sound and wholesome teaching.
They will follow their own desires and
will look for teachers who will tell them
whatever their itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth
and chase after myths.
But you should keep a clear
mind in every situation.
Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord.
Work at telling others the good
news and fully carry out the
ministry God has given you.
As for me, my life has already been
poured out as an offering to God.
The time of my death is near.
I have fought the good fight.
I have finished the race, and I have
remained faithful, and now the prize
awaits me the crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge
will give me on the day of his return.
And the prize is not just for
me, but for all who eagerly
look forward to his appearing.
Timothy, please come as soon as you can.
Demas has deserted me because
he loves the things of this life
and has gone to Thessalonica.
Crescents has gone to Galatia,
and Titus has gone to Dalmatia.
Only Luke is with me.
Bring Mark with you when you come for
he will be helpful to me in my ministry.
I sent cuss to Ephesus.
When you come, be sure to bring the coat.
I left with Carpus at Troas.
Also bring my books and
especially my papers.
Alexander the Coppersmith did
me much harm, but the Lord will
judge him for what he has done.
Be careful of him for, he fought
against everything we said.
The first time I was brought before
the judge, no one came with me.
Everyone abandoned me.
May it not be counted against them,
but the Lord stood with me and gave
me strength so that I might preach
the good news in its entirety for
all the Gentiles to hear, and he
rescued me from certain death.
Yes.
And the Lord will deliver me from
every evil attack and will bring me
safely into his heavenly kingdom.
All glory to God forever and ever.
Amen.
Give my greetings to Priscilla
and Aquila and those living
in the household of Ferus.
Restas stayed at Corinth and I
left TRO MOUs sick at my elitist.
Do your best to get here before winter.
Buis sends you greetings.
And so do Putins, Linus, Claudia,
and all the brothers and sisters.
May the Lord be with your spirit and
may his grace be with all of you.
This concludes today's
Immer reading experience.
Thank you for joining us.