Scripture:“But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.” — 2 Timothy 4:17Devotional:At Paul’s first defense, no one came to stand by him. Everyone deserted him. That must have been deeply painful.Yet...  Read More

Scripture:“Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds.” — 2 Timothy 4:14Devotional:Paul does not minimize the harm Alexander caused. He says plainly, “...  Read More

Scripture:“Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” — 2 Timothy 4:11Devotional:Mark’s name in this passage is full of grace.Earlier in ministry, Mark had withdrawn f...  Read More

Scripture:“For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.” — 2 Timothy 4:10Devotional:Demas is one of the saddest names in Paul’s letters. He had once been count...  Read More

Scripture:“Do your best to come to me soon.” — 2 Timothy 4:9Devotional:Paul had just said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” He had spoken of the crown o...  Read More

Scripture:“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness...and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”—2 Timothy 4:8Devotional:Paul’s hope was not ultimately behi...  Read More

Scripture:“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”—2 Timothy 4:7Devotional:Paul looks back over his Christian life with three powerful statements: he fought the...  Read More

Scripture:“My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.”—Philippians 1:23Devotional:Paul describes his approaching death as a “departure.” That word gives us a picture. It can br...  Read More

Scripture:“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.”—2 Timothy 4:6Devotional:Paul knew his death was near. Yet he did not describe it with bitterne...  Read More

Scripture:“...the righteous shall live by faith.”—Romans 1:17Devotional:There is a vital difference between faith and faithfulness. Faith is trust. Faith is resting in Christ and His finished work. Fa...  Read More

Scripture“Fulfill your ministry.”—2 Timothy 4:5DevotionalPaul’s final command in this passage is simple and weighty: “Fulfill your ministry.”Timothy was to carry out completely the assignment Christ h...  Read More

Scripture“Do the work of an evangelist.”—2 Timothy 4:5DevotionalTimothy was called to guard sound doctrine and confront false teaching. Yet Paul did not want him to become so occupied with error that ...  Read More