Head: Know God's Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God's Way

Read 2 Timothy 2:14-26 

Head

In 2 Timothy 2:14-26, Paul writes to Timothy, offering guidance on how to live a life that honors God. Specifically, verses 20-21 use the metaphor of a household with various containers. The idea is that each of us is like a container, meant to hold and serve something valuable, not something worthless. Imagine a dinner table with platters laid out with different recipes. Why would anyone want to eat something from a dirty platter? It just doesn’t look appealing at all, so they would probably steer clear of it right?

I enjoy cooking for my family and not tooting my own horn, but I have made some delicious meals. I like to plate the food on a platter to make it look nice. I will not serve it in a garbage can because they wouldn’t eat it! The Word of God says, “Taste and see that I am good.” The good news of what God’s son, Jesus, did on the cross is the most beautiful and sweet thing we could ever experience.

Heart

Now imagine that the Good News of Jesus is in a dish, and you are that dish. In what ways would we live and act if we wanted people to experience the goodness of the Gospel? Verses 22-26 instruct us on how to live with these characteristics of God:

• Gentleness
  
• Righteousness
  
• Love
  
• Peace
  

This shows the beauty of the cross, making those at the table want to see what’s in this lovely dish, maybe even taste it, and they may even ask for the recipe!

Hands

There are over 6 and a half billion Bibles in our world today, but even so, YOU may be the only Bible some people read.

• Does your life reflect the beauty of the Gospel? Does it show that Jesus has changed you?
  
• If not, how can you apply this to your life to show others the message of God’s love and truth?
  
• In what ways can we ensure our lives make others want to know God?
  
• How can we better represent God in our daily interactions with our peers, family, and coworkers?
  
• Ask yourself if you are engaging in conversations with gentleness.
  
• Strive to create a peaceful environment around you, whether at home, work, or school.
  

Prayer: Father God, we thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. We ask You to show us when our lives do not reflect Jesus to those around us. Help us present You with gentleness, love, and patience. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.