Christmas with Compassion - Day 24
Day 24 - Thursday, January 04
Read 2 Timothy 4:1-8
Highlight
We must remember that this chapter that we are reading right now contains the last recorded words of Paul. His circumstances could not be worse: he is in a jail cell under a death sentence. Tradition of the early church tells us that very soon after this letter was sent off, Paul was beheaded for his faith by Emperor Nero. Paul knew his death was imminent, which can be seen in the perfect tense of the verbs he is using. ‘Have fought,’ ‘have finished,’ and ‘have kept’ all indicate that Paul sees his ministry as having been completed. Yet with that knowledge, he celebrates two things. First, that his life was glorifying God, shown in the fact that he views his very life as an offering of worship to Him. Second, that God is faithful and true and through the free gift of grace Paul will be in His presence soon. Are our lives on a trajectory to say the same things in our final words? Do we look forward to Heaven like Paul?
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read 2 Timothy 4:1-8
Highlight
We must remember that this chapter that we are reading right now contains the last recorded words of Paul. His circumstances could not be worse: he is in a jail cell under a death sentence. Tradition of the early church tells us that very soon after this letter was sent off, Paul was beheaded for his faith by Emperor Nero. Paul knew his death was imminent, which can be seen in the perfect tense of the verbs he is using. ‘Have fought,’ ‘have finished,’ and ‘have kept’ all indicate that Paul sees his ministry as having been completed. Yet with that knowledge, he celebrates two things. First, that his life was glorifying God, shown in the fact that he views his very life as an offering of worship to Him. Second, that God is faithful and true and through the free gift of grace Paul will be in His presence soon. Are our lives on a trajectory to say the same things in our final words? Do we look forward to Heaven like Paul?
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
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