Description

Bring some Spirit-filled peace into your hectic schedule every weekday morning with this new Daily Devotional.
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  • March 5th - 2 Timothy 2:9-10

    March 5th - 2 Timothy 2:9-10
    Mar 5 2026
    2 Timothy 2:9-10 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. If it were possible to extinguish Christianity through violent persecution, it would have been snuffed out long ago. In the last 2,000 years, the persecution of the Church has simply accelerated its growth. Tertullian, an author in the second century AD, wrote: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” Most of us have had no experience of violent persecution, but it is important to remember that it continues to be the experience of many Christians around the world today. Every year, thousands of Christians are killed because of their faith in countries such as Afghanistan, North Korea, Somalia, Nigeria, Libya and Yemen. Paul was certain that however great the persecution, the word of God could never be chained. We find exactly the same truth in the prophecy of Isaiah. God declared: “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it” (Isaiah 55:10-11). What an encouragement these words should be for us all! It often seems as if people aren’t remotely interested in God’s word, and we can get discouraged. However, we should hold on to the truth that the word of God is “alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). The conclusion that Paul drew from this was that he was willing to suffer anything in the cause of proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. Nothing in the world could be more important or worthwhile than that. Question How much are you willing to endure as you live for God? Prayer Lord God, I thank you for the inspiration of Paul’s testimony. Help me to be willing to serve you faithfully, however tough it might be. Amen
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    4 min
  • March 4th - 2 Timothy 2:6

    March 4th - 2 Timothy 2:6
    Mar 4 2026
    2 Timothy 2:6 Hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labour. Paul was well aware of what a hard job it was to be a Christian leader. When he wrote to the Corinthians, he told them that he was pressed on every side by troubles. He knew what it was to be perplexed and hunted down and to live in constant danger of death (2 Corinthians 2:4-11). He didn’t want Timothy to have any illusions about the challenges that would face him and so, having compared his ministry to that of a soldier and an athlete, he next points to the example of a hardworking farmer. All farmers are focused on bringing in a good harvest, but they will only achieve it if they put in months of really hard work. This is a good reminder for us all because there is something in all of us which would like God’s work to be easy and straightforward. We would like everyone to be cooperative and helpful and for the work to float through with ease, but if you have ever been involved in a local church, you will know it is not like that. It is often difficult to find people to do all the work that needs to be done, and people are not necessarily as easy to work with as one would like. In addition, we are living with an ever-increasing layer of legal responsibilities. We need to have safeguarding measures in place to protect children and adults at risk and have clear responsibilities to account for our finances. All of these requirements are entirely appropriate and wise, but they are hard work. Paul’s message to us is that we shouldn’t ever be surprised that working for God is demanding. That was precisely his experience. At the same time, we shouldn’t be surprised at the incredible blessings for those who put in the hard work. Farmers are the first people to be able to enjoy their own crop and, as Christians, we have the incredible joy of being first on the scene to enjoy the blessing of seeing people’s lives changed and renewed by God. Question Do you find it hard work being involved in your church? If so, how do you cope with it? Prayer Loving God, thank you for the privilege of working for you. Help me never to be grumpy, surprised or resentful when it is hard doing what you have called me to do. Amen
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    3 min
  • March 3rd - 2 Timothy 2:5

    March 3rd - 2 Timothy 2:5
    Mar 3 2026
    2 Timothy 2:5 Athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. I wonder if you remember that agonising moment in the 2022 Commonwealth Games when England’s 4 x 400 women’s relay team was disqualified. It was all the more painful because they seemed to have won the race. They gave a confident and delighted interview straight after their success, only to learn that Jodie Williams and Victoria Ohuruogu had stepped out of lane on the second leg of the race. Their smiles of rejoicing quickly turned to tears of distress. Hard as it may be, there have to be rules in every sport. The metaphor of the soldier that we looked at yesterday was drawn from Roman life. However, the metaphor of the athlete was definitely drawn from Greek life. The Greeks had established their games at Olympia in the eighth century BC and conducted them for the next 800 years. They had elaborate rules about every part of the games, including the preparation for them. Olympic athletes had to state on oath that they had completed the necessary ten months of training before the contest. Paul wanted Timothy to be clear that running the Christian race had rules that needed to be observed. He could only serve the Lord faithfully by living a highly disciplined life. There is something in all of us that recoils at the idea of obeying rules. We like to do things our way. However, we can be sure that the rules that God gives us ensure our liberty and enable us to find true contentment and fulfilment in life. Questions What are the key rules that govern your life? Prayer Lord Jesus, give me your strength to live by the loving rules that you have laid down. Amen
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    3 min
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