“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” 2 Timothy 4:6 Paul wrote these words to Timothy in what is believed to be his last epistle. Paul knew his death was near. In this letter, one can detect an environment of spiritual conflict and opposition to

We know that one of the Bible’s common descriptions of followers of Jesus is that they are like sheep. It is well known that sheep are animals prone to fear. Not being under the care of a shepherd can quickly lead to confusion, panic and danger for a sheep. In applying the analogy back to

«Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.» Hebrews 3:12-13 Sin is deceitful. Sinful human beings have quite a track

Believer, you need to come to grips with the fact that you are a foreigner! One may protest, “Wait, I was born and raised in this country. It’s my home!” As one who has lived even in the same city my whole life, I can certainly understand that sentiment of feeling at home and familiar

Whites and blacks. Black lives matter. Ethnic prejudice. Anger. Pain. Frustration. Protests. Do these things sound familiar? Issues of race and injustice are front and center of the national conversation at this time. Discrimination on the basis of skin color is loudly condemned. A Christian perspective echoes that condemnation. But, there is something essential that

Estos tres oficios son parte del papel de Cristo como mediador entre Dios y los hombres (1 Tim. 2: 5). Hay una necesidad obvia por parte de la humanidad pecadora de estos roles de Cristo. Necesitamos la verdad porque somos necios e imprudentes (profeta); necesitamos que nuestros pecados sean quitados y que tengamos acceso a

These three offices are part of Christ’s role as Mediator between God and men (1 Tim. 2:5). There is an obvious need on the part of sinful humanity for these roles of Christ. We need truth because we are foolish and unwise (prophet); we need our sins put away and access to God because of

«Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.» Romans 12:12 This exhortation calls us to be earnest and persevering in prayer. Where will we get the inner resources to rejoice in hope and be enduring in tribulation? From the God of our salvation! Therefore, we are obliged to present that need before Him

«Regocijándose en la esperanza; paciente en la tribulación; constante en la oración». Romanos 12:12 Estas palabras en Romanos son parte de la respuesta del creyente a todo lo que Dios ha hecho por él en Cristo. Los capítulos anteriores de Romanos hablan de la profunda pecaminosidad del hombre, la abundante gracia de Dios y la

«Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.» Romans 12:12 Tribulation carries the idea of a burden, pressure, trouble, anguish. For some believers, it means heavy persecution. For others, it may mean a debilitating handicap, a stressful relationship or extremely difficult responsibilities. For all of us I would imagine, it relates in some