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December 3 Daily Reading- Read the Bible in 1 Year
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NOW AVAILABLE IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES on YouTube!! YouTube has enabled automatic dubbing for my channel! This is still in experimental mode so translations may contain some errors, but I feel like God has given this event the Spiritual Gift of Tongues! Thank you, God!
Languages available for you to watch this event on YouTube are: Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Dutch, and Polish. WOW! Thank you, God for spreading the word about reading Your Word! I am still figuring out whether dubbing will be enabled on the audio version/Podcast available on YouTube Music. In the meantime, if you would like to hear today's reading in a different language head over to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IntheFamilyWayCoaching/videos
If you would like to download my FREE calendar for keeping track of your commitment to read the Bible every day, you can find that on my site, here: https://www.inthefamilywaycoaching.com/pages/read-the-bible-in-1-year
Monthly memberships to support this event can be purchased on my site, here: https://www.inthefamilywaycoaching.com/offering_packages
Today we will finish reading Paul's letter to Titus with Chapter 3: 1-5, 7-15 and begin Paul's second letter to Timothy, 2 Timothy Chapter 1:1-12, 15-17, and Chapter 2.
Today we will read about how important it is to be ready to always do God's good work that He has prepared for us to do. We need to make sure that we are not letting the ways of the world get in the way of our service to God. Bad habits, bad behaviors, and bad influences take us away from our purpose of doing good and bringing good into the world with God's spirit. We need to remember that we are fighting a spiritual battle, not a battle against people. When we get caught up in the world's ways we are caught in the devil's trap and doing HIS work! We need to try our best to live a good life and stay away from sin so that our work can help save others.
If you enjoyed today's reading and feel like God has lit YOUR light please click the LIGHT button (it looks like a thumbs up or a heart) and consider subscribing to or following my channel, if you have not done so already done so.
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Transcript
Introduction and Purpose
00:00:03
Speaker
And we're back. Today is December 3rd. My name is Robin. I'm with In the Family Way Coaching. And today, you and i we are here for our daily reading through the Day by Day Kids Bible, written by Karen Henley.
00:00:20
Speaker
I hope you are having a fantastic day. And I trust that God has been using our daily applications in your life and giving you out opportunities to practice what we have been learning.
00:00:32
Speaker
uncannily, ah this is in the evening when I am making this recording today. And although you have not heard it, i have read it already. And God was already using it today in my life.
Gossip and Good Works
00:00:47
Speaker
And I just kept thinking to myself, wow, i don't I don't feel like I normally have all these opportunities to practice this. ah this particular thing that was happening. I had to make sure I was not ah entertaining with gossip.
00:01:04
Speaker
And that's what we are going to be talking about today and how it relates to keeping us from doing our good work. So we are going to be picking up in Titus to finish that book that Paul has written as a letter to Titus. And then we are going to be reading in 2 Timothy chapters 1 and 2.
00:01:24
Speaker
But before we do that, it is time to take out our calendar. It's time to get your sticker ready or your crayon, your marker, your pencil, your pen, your crayon, whatever it is you've got going on over there. And we are going to cross off our day to today because we're going to hear the Bible today.
00:01:46
Speaker
Well, as I mentioned, we are going to be picking up in the last chapter of Titus. And across both books of both Titus and 2 Timothy, we are going to be seeing the common theme of the fact that we have purpose.
Paul's Teachings on Good Works and Division
00:02:02
Speaker
God has given us purpose. We actually touched on it yesterday in today's reading as well, because Paul has been encouraging Titus to do the good to to be sure and concentrate on doing good works that we have been created for good works.
00:02:23
Speaker
And Paul is really impressing this upon us today, both as we read the last bit of Titus and as we get into second Timothy. So let's go ahead and pick up with Titus chapter three.
00:02:40
Speaker
As we left off yesterday, at Paul told us that we wait and hope for Jesus to come again. He died to save us from our sin, and he died to make his people clean.
00:02:55
Speaker
He wants his people to belong just to him, and he wants them to be ready to do good things. So there we go. There's the part where we are touching on that. and We're going to continue with that thought today.
00:03:10
Speaker
Help people remember to obey the rulers in charge. People need to be ready to do good. They should not say bad things about others.
00:03:21
Speaker
They should make peace. And they should be thoughtful. they should treat each other pet They should treat other people as the important ones.
00:03:33
Speaker
We were foolish ones, and we did not obey. We lied and we did only what felt good at the moment. We wanted bad things to happen to other people.
00:03:47
Speaker
We wanted what others had and we hated them and they hated us. But God was kind and loving to us and he saved us and he did not save us because we did the right things.
00:04:05
Speaker
No, he saved us just because of his kind love. And God saved us by making us new. It's like we were born again.
00:04:18
Speaker
He made us new with his Holy Spirit. And now we have hope. We can live forever. And I want you, Titus, to make sure that people know this.
00:04:32
Speaker
And that way, people who trust God can work at doing good.
00:04:39
Speaker
Stay away from fussing and fighting over God's laws. That doesn't do any good. now what if somebody wants to turn people against each other?
00:04:51
Speaker
Our Big Bible says to be argumentative and quarrelsome. Then tell him once to stop. And then tell him again. And if he does not listen, then stay away from him.
Paul's Letters: Encouragement and Resilience
00:05:06
Speaker
You can be sure of one thing. That kind of person's thinking is sinful. I'm going to send two of my friends to see you and then try your best to come and see me in Greece.
00:05:21
Speaker
I'm going to stay there for the winter. Do all you can to help Zenos because he is and he is the lawyer. Help Apollos too. These men are traveling and make sure that they have whatever they need.
00:05:36
Speaker
God's people have to learn to work hard doing good. And that way they will get lots of things done. And they can have what they need each day.
00:05:49
Speaker
Everybody here says to tell you hi. and say hello to God's people who love us. I pray that God's kind love will be with you all." From Paul.
00:06:04
Speaker
Did you see how many times Paul mentioned that we needed to be ready to do good?
00:06:10
Speaker
So now let's start off with 2 Timothy 1. And as we transition, Paul is no longer in Greece. Paul has left Greece and he has returned to Rome. And now Paul is in his final days where he knows that he is about to be put to death for his missionary work, teaching the world about Jesus.
00:06:37
Speaker
He is in jail at this point, and so he is writing his very last letter. After we complete the book of 2 Timothy, then we won't have any more teaching from Paul.
00:06:54
Speaker
Paul was put in jail again in Rome, and from there he wrote another lampmp letter to Timothy from jail. Dear Timothy, you are like a son to me, and I pray that God's kind love and shalom will fill you.
00:07:12
Speaker
I always remember you when I pray, night and day, and I remember how you cried. i want very much to see you, and then i will be happy.
00:07:26
Speaker
i remember your true faith, And I remember that your grandmother Lois believed and your mother Eunice believed and you believe too.
00:07:39
Speaker
That means that Timothy is a third generation believer. And this is why i want God's gift to grow stronger in you. You got this gift when I put my hands on you.
00:07:53
Speaker
Remember, we call that the laying on of hands.
00:07:58
Speaker
Now, God did not give us a shy spirit or a timid spirit. God gave us a powerful spirit. And he gave us a spirit of love.
00:08:11
Speaker
And he gave us a spirit of self-control. So do not be afraid to tell about Jesus. And do not feel bad because I am in jail for Jesus.
00:08:23
Speaker
Instead, work with me in these hard times. God gave his kind love to us before time even began.
00:08:35
Speaker
And now we see this kind love because Jesus came and Jesus got rid of death.
Staying Faithful Amid Distractions
00:08:43
Speaker
He brought us life that lasts forever.
00:08:48
Speaker
God chose me to tell this message. And he chose me to be an apostle and a teacher. And this is why i am having a hard time.
00:09:00
Speaker
But don't feel bad about it. I know who i believe in. and I have given my life to him. I know he can take care of me.
00:09:12
Speaker
Everybody in Asia has left me. You know that. But I pray that God will be kind to Onesiphorus and his family. He has helped me.
00:09:24
Speaker
He did not forget about me because I was in jail. Instead, he looked hard for me when he was in Rome. And he found me.
00:09:36
Speaker
You also know very well how much he served in Ephesus. Remember, Ephesus is where Timothy is working and where Paul sent this letter to.
00:09:50
Speaker
Therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Jesus. Be strong in Jesus's kind love. And what you have heard from me among many witnesses, you are to entrust to faithful people who will be capable to teach others also.
00:10:14
Speaker
Keep on believing even when times get hard, and then you will be like a good soldier for Jesus. And a soldier wants to make his captain happy.
00:10:27
Speaker
So consider, Timothy, what I am saying to you, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
00:10:37
Speaker
Remember Jesus. He came back to life again. And this is the good news that I bring. It's the reason that I am having hard times.
00:10:48
Speaker
And it's why I'm tied up like someone who has done wrong. But God's word is not tied up. So I will keep on believing when times are hard.
00:11:00
Speaker
And I will do it for God's people. And then they can be saved by Jesus too. And they can also have his great power.
00:11:12
Speaker
It lasts forever. Here is a saying that you can trust, Timothy. If our old selves died with Jesus, then we will live with Jesus.
00:11:26
Speaker
And if we keep on believing when we have a hard time, then we will rule with him. If we turn away from Jesus, he will turn away from us.
00:11:38
Speaker
And if we do not keep our promises, he will still keep his. and that's because he is who he is. he will always be true to himself.
00:11:52
Speaker
So keep helping people remember these things, Timothy, and tell them not to fuss and fight about words. It doesn't do any anyone any good. It just hurts people who listen to them.
00:12:05
Speaker
So try your best to live a good life. Be a worker who does not feel bad about his work. Be a person who teaches what is right about God's Word.
00:12:18
Speaker
And stay away from busy talk that is not about God. Some people do lots of busy talking, and they just become less and less like God.
00:12:31
Speaker
And what they teach will sink into other people like a sickness. Our Big Bible actually says, like a cancer. We know how bad that is.
00:12:44
Speaker
Among those people who are doing this are Hymenaeus and Philetus. They are men who have missed the mark concerning the truth. And they are saying that the resurrection has already taken place.
00:12:56
Speaker
And they are overturning the faith of some. But nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having hit this seal.
00:13:08
Speaker
The Lord knows who are his. And let everyone who names the name of the Lord keep away from things that are not right, things that are unrighteousness.
00:13:22
Speaker
Now in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for only common use.
00:13:36
Speaker
Therefore, if anyone cleans himself from these things, that make our hearts dirty, then our master can use us and we will be ready to do good works.
00:13:51
Speaker
And that is what he has planned for us.
Positive Influences and Spiritual Focus
00:13:56
Speaker
So run away from the sins that young people want to do and instead do what is right.
00:14:03
Speaker
Do what is go for faith and love and peace. Stand firm in the foundation that God stands, having this seal. Oops, I'm sorry, I misread That's in line above it.
00:14:20
Speaker
Avoid foolishness and ignorant disputes.
00:14:26
Speaker
And instead, pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and shalom with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. The Lord's slave must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, be able to teach, and be tolerant of others.
00:14:51
Speaker
And let the servant give guidance with humility to those who are in opposition to the Lord's slave. Perhaps God may grant them a change of mind, leading them to the knowledge of truth, and then they may regain their senses and escape the devil's snare, the trap that the devil set for them, in which they had been held captive by the devil to do his will.
00:15:21
Speaker
And that is the end of our reading today.
00:15:27
Speaker
So in our reading today, Paul is contrasting doing the good work that God has made for us to do with doing the devil's work. The world wants us to keep away from doing the work that God has set for us to do.
00:15:44
Speaker
And when we do things like busy body chatter, when we are, let's see, what all does Paul list here? When we argue about words, the big word for that is arguing semantics.
00:15:59
Speaker
When we are arguing details over this and that, In this case, they were talking about arguing about the law and other things like that.
00:16:11
Speaker
And they were not things that could do any good. They were just wasting time and drawing people away from one another. We are meant to be one. We are not meant to be divided.
00:16:23
Speaker
So these men, in in their example, they were causing division by claiming that the resurrection had already come. And it was causing people to lose their faith.
00:16:34
Speaker
But Paul reminds us that God knows the people who belong to him. He knows. So we don't need to be fearful about that. But we need to be careful because bad influences, bad behaviors, and let's see.
00:16:58
Speaker
Bad habits. There we go. I couldn't think of my other word there. They take us away from our purpose. Our purpose of being made for good works.
00:17:10
Speaker
Our purpose is to do good and to bring good into the world. We need to be prepared to do lots of good. Remember that the Holy Spirit lives in us. This is God's Spirit.
00:17:25
Speaker
God is good. God is kind. God is loving. And so we are to bring, through that Holy Spirit, good from God into the world. And when we become distracted with things like let's see, talking to other people about gossip and saying bad things about people and just anything that can be negative and takes us away from the work that we're supposed to be doing, then Paul tells us that that's actually being set and caught in the devil's trap.
00:18:04
Speaker
And then we are doing his work, his will, rather than the purpose for the good works that God has set out for us to do. So we need to try our best to live a good life and to be a worker who does not feel bad about the work.
00:18:21
Speaker
Be a person who teaches what is right about God's word and stay away from busy talk that is not about God. We don't want to be trapped in that trap that the devil sets for us.
00:18:35
Speaker
Instead, we want to be able to teach and be kind to everybody.
00:18:43
Speaker
And that way we can be leading people to the knowledge of the truth that Paul talks about. And then we are to also deal with humility in the people who are giving us a difficult time.
00:18:57
Speaker
in hopes that God may change them, may grant them a change of mind so that they may be led into the knowledge of the truth. And then they also may escape the tre the trap that the devil has set for them.
00:19:14
Speaker
And they are doing his will and they will be released from it to do the good work that they are meant to do. So by keeping to our good works, then we are able to help other people as well.
00:19:28
Speaker
And of course, remember, the goal is to help save people, to tell people the good works or the good news rather, and that they have purpose to also do good work. God has set out good work for us to do.
00:19:42
Speaker
and it's it goes beyond just being work that God has set for us to do. It's our very purpose. And when we are not doing that purpose and instead are trapped by the world's ways, Paul tells us that we are caught in the devil's trap doing his work.
Metaphors of Spiritual Warfare
00:20:01
Speaker
So remember, we are not fighting a battle against people, but against spiritual forces. And Paul is reminding us of that here without saying so explicitly.
00:20:12
Speaker
He is giving us the example of what is going on. And so we need to remember our big picture. that we are not fighting a battle that is physical.
00:20:23
Speaker
We are fighting against a spiritual battle, spiritual forces. And so we need to do the good work that God has made for us to do because that will make us a good soldier for Jesus. We are fighting the good fight.
00:20:39
Speaker
We need to be making our captain happy. And Jesus is like our captain. So Paul tells us that when somebody is has been enlisted, that he doesn't make his interest the world interest in order to please the one who enlisted him.
00:21:05
Speaker
Let's see, that was in chapter one, I believe. Let's see here.
00:21:14
Speaker
Paul tells us in chapter two, actually, that in, let's see, verse 4, no one serving as a soldier entangles himself in the activities of everyday life and so that he might please the one who enlisted him.
00:21:34
Speaker
And so then we would be making our captain happy when we are keeping our attention focused on the good work rather than on everything that is going on around us in the world.
00:21:47
Speaker
There are a lot of ways we can be distracted with the world. Things that are just busy things. We can certainly find enough ways to keep us busy, can't we? I don't know about you, but I always have a list of 10 million things to do. And we need to make sure that we are seeking God first.
00:22:05
Speaker
Especially since we are meant to do his work, his purpose, not the world's purpose with the world's work. So I hope that you are encouraged by that.
00:22:17
Speaker
And one more thing I wanted to mention is that we have already read this before this year, but Paul is reminding Timothy. Timothy was apparently a a rather shy man.
00:22:27
Speaker
And so god is our timidth the Paul is reminding him that God did not give Timothy or any of us a shy or timid spirit.
00:22:39
Speaker
God gave us a powerful spirit. He gave us a spirit of love and a spirit of self-control. So we should not be afraid to use that spirit to tell other people about Jesus.
00:22:57
Speaker
you have been given a spirit of power, a spirit of love. And not although not specifically mentioned here, you have been given a sound mind.
00:23:09
Speaker
That means that you can think about your choices, that you can make the right choices to stay focused on the good works and the purpose for which God has created you to do.
00:23:22
Speaker
So I hope you're encouraged by that. You have a powerful spirit. You don't need to be shy or timid. I love that.
Closing Prayer and Encouragement
00:23:31
Speaker
That was one of my favorite things today.
00:23:34
Speaker
Well, I wanted to pray for us to- today. I'm going to pray what Paul asked for in verse 7 here of chapter 2. And I pray that you will consider everything that Paul is saying.
00:23:50
Speaker
For the Lord will give you understanding in everything. I pray that as you are listening and hearing the Bible this year, that you will consider, you will think about everything that you are hearing, that the Lord may bless you and give you understanding in everything that you are hearing and learning about this year.
00:24:16
Speaker
Well, thank you so much for joining me for today's daily reading here on December 3rd. I hope that you will be hungry and join me again tomorrow for tomorrow's daily reading.
00:24:27
Speaker
We are going to be completing the book of 2 Timothy tomorrow. And also our last bit from Paul. So it'll be a little bit of a sad time, but at least it is for me. But look how fast we are really moving through these little books in the new covenant we're reading now. We are almost to the end.
00:24:48
Speaker
Keep making that race. Keep running that race. Keep... your your eye focused on that goal of finishing strong this year. And no matter when you started this event with me, stay strong.
00:25:00
Speaker
You can make it all the way to the end of the year and complete all of the rest of the Bible from whatever point you began. It's not too late to join. So if you are new, don't be discouraged. And if you are thinking that you would like to share this with somebody, but you're thinking, oh, it's too late in the year, it is never too late to head into the race. we are We have plenty of room for more people in this marathon. ah Make room, make room.
00:25:30
Speaker
So if you would like to please click your light button, I would appreciate that because you are helping me to spread the word about reading God's word. This is ah towards the end of the year. So while people may be completing, we may be completing the Bible and people may be thinking, oh, this is just the end of it. Don't forget, January 1st is right around the corner.
00:25:53
Speaker
And that's when they can be encouraged, including yourself, if you have not been with me for most of the year, to start over and read chapter one, Genesis 1, 1, and start over with January first And then you will have your goal already in mind that you can then read here, listen through the entire year next year.
00:26:15
Speaker
it will be there. And if you are interested in using the calendar, i will have a new calendar uploaded every year to every month of next year. And as many years as until I can't do this anymore. ah And it's not a necessary thing. I just want to keep that calendar up so that I am talking about it. So that way I do have it handy for you to use in case you would like to check cross, rather cross off your days.
00:26:43
Speaker
So have a fantastic rest of your day, whatever day you are getting around to listening or watching today's reading. And I hope that you will join me again for tomorrow on December 4th as we pick up and continue in our reading.
00:26:55
Speaker
Until I see you again, i hope you have a blessed day and plenty of opportunity to practice what you are hearing about. Until then, see you next time.