14 day plan

Safe Shelter

Day 13 of 14

NIV

2 Timothy 4:18

18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Reflection: Perseverance

How often when watching a movie, do you wince when someone is taken to a ‘safehouse’? Something tells you it’s just not going to be safe! Its whereabouts will be leaked. Or the guards will be bad guys. Inevitably, the enemy will find you out.  

Our safe-refuge in the one who’s battled Evil, roots us beyond the safehouse; beyond the clutches of the Evil One. Christ Jesus conquered death and hell and welcomes us into his eternal presence. That’s what the apostle Paul is expressing here in a burst of enthusiasm: ‘Come hell or high water—death itself, my safe-keeping is in the Lord Jesus.’ (Author’s paraphrase of 2 Thessalonians 3:3) 

Prayer:

Let’s affirm this truth with the apostle:  

Come anxiety, fatigue, confusion, seduction, provocation, persecution, even death, my safe-keeping is in you, Lord Jesus. Because you are faithful, I can stake my fragile trust in you. Keep me safely persevering. Bring me and the myriads of your trusting loved ones into your heavenly kingdom. 

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

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2
3
4
5
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7
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10
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12
13
14

2 Timothy 4:1-22

1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Personal Remarks

9Do your best to come to me quickly, 10for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. 11Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. 12I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 13When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.

14Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

16At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

19Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

20Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21Do your best to get here before winter.

Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.

22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.