“PAYBACK” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them." 2 Timothy 4:14-16

Paul's feelings are obviously all over the place. Like us, he struggles with personal hurts and knowing he should forgive and turn that over to the Lord. He is also feeling alone in the work and wonders where people were when he needed their support. He is real, honest, open, and transparent about what he is going through. As he sorts out and through it all, he ends with grace, saying that he believes wrongs should not be held against others. He does his best to let go. So should we. Let go and let God as the saying goes. All we can control is the grip we hold on the pain that is attached to us. We cannot restore everything or fix much of anything. But He can, if we will give it to Him.

“PERSONAL STUFF” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you because he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments." 2 Timothy 4:9-13

Have you ever read someone's diary or journal or personal letters? Life is complicated. Humans make things messy. There are almost too many relational subplots here to address. Without lots of details, here are some points to apply to our lives.

● in good relationships, doing your best is a good thing

● we should try to find positive change and closure in relationships ● people need to be able to go where they should be ● we are never completely alone, people will stick by you no matter what

“LOVE GOD’S PROMISES” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"Now 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." 2 Timothy 4:8

Some days I can't hear enough of God's promises. Not only for me, but for all of us. See, that is the lesson that I get from Paul today. Not only is he secured for the future, but he wants Timothy and everybody to realize it is true for them too. We can know it is true for us today. Our righteous Judge, Jesus will bring us home someday and we will be with Him forever. What a joyous reminder. We will see Jesus. This being the case, I will now do three things.

1.) Put the future in His hands.

“3 F’s” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7

These three f's ... fought, finished and faith surface as an illustration in our English translation of this Bible verse. Funny how we can easily presume that the Scriptures were originally written in English. They weren't, I hope you know. In the Greek, this alliteration probably doesn't even happen. But, my purpose is to help you remember a Bible verse, in English today.

"POURED OUT" Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for departure." 2 Timothy 4:6

This verse is personal for me at age 65. Within 5 years I will have been in ministry for 50 years. That is a significant golden anniversary. Dawn and I are approaching 40 years of marriage. Our children are in their 30's. I could be a great grandpa in a few years too. Wow. As I reflect on that I can relate to being poured out and an eventual ministry departure time coming. Like Paul, I must plan ahead. The drink offering was the conclusion of the sacrificial offering in the Levitical system. Paul knows he will be put to death soon, but also that he needs to wrap it up.

“EAR TICKLING” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:3b-5

Paul makes it clear that those who teach, preach or even witness must be careful not to stray from speaking the truth. Even though people can find somebody to scratch their itch or tickle their fancy, stay the course and share the Word from the Word.

“THE TIME IS HERE” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine." 2 Timothy 4:3

No need to guess when, the time is here. It has been coming for a while and is accelerating. The deterioration of the Bible being seen as the supreme authority about anything is almost completely gone from our mainstream culture. Science, media, academia and majority pop opinion are now the bulwarks of truth. Google, Snopes, Wikipedia and even Pinterest are now the authoritative sources for everything. We are one-click away from being ultimately misled in this information age. What is info anyway? It’s just data from someone's perspective. Ever wonder who and what their agenda or source is? I do. Here are a few examples of sound doctrine that people don't want to hear, or put up with, or even hear as an option.

1) Life begins at conception.

2) Premarital sex is not God's plan

“PREACH THE WORD” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in a view of His appearing and His kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-- with great patience and careful instruction." 2 Timothy 4:1-2

Preach the Word. Every mentor I have ever had has told me this. Why? Because it is foundational to the calling of pastors. It is also essential to every follower of the Lord as they share their faith in Christ. We must share the truth based on sound doctrine only found in the Bible, The Word of God. But, there is a way to share. Paul instructs us to share with power and authority, and with love and compassion. This cannot be done without correcting and rebuking and cannot be done without encouragement, patience and carefulness. Not always an easy balance without drifting into mediocrity and/or ranting. So, preparation is helpful. Taking what you are doing as serious is necessary, too.

“WISDOM COMES FROM HIS WORD” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:14-15

This is written to Timothy who has a wonderful believing mother and grandmother. Count your blessings if you were raised in a Christian home and count them again if the Bible was taught in that home, then count them again if you were part of a church when you were young that taught His Word from His Word.

“I REPEAT” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

I have quoted this verse almost as often as any, and for good reason. Here are 5 bullet point reflections I got from this today. If it is fresh…..enjoy, if not, a gentle reminder.

● All Scripture is equally true.

“You Know Better” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings, what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured." 2 Timothy 3:10-11

We should all know better. You know how? Just like Timothy should. Time for bullet points.

● By teaching, study His Word. ● By the Christian way of life, live it.

“YOU WILL BE PERSECUTED” Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." 2 Timothy 3:12-13

will face persecution. Regrettably, probably why many downplay their faith. We tend to avoid conflict, not fitting in, swimming upstream, not going with the flow. We ignore the signs of societal degradation and moral decay. Like the frog in the kettle we are willing to get slowly cooked before we admit it is too hot. Incremental change is tolerable until we realize we are way off course. We need to resist sooner, speak up louder and not accommodate everything blindly and so willingly. A lot of little hurts combined end up being a big pain. Sin is a slow killer individual, and even more sinister corporately. Jesus and His followers are mocked and scorned, teased and held in low regard. This reality will intensify and not subside. The lies of unbelief will become the accepted norm and belief will become rarer. But.... we must keep the faith, be the light, hold up the banner of truth and press on. He is our guide and He is our hope and salvation. Regardless of what is said or done to us, His truth remains. He is the only Savior of the world.

“I Pray You Enough” Devotion by Council Member Charlotte Adams

I don’t remember the origin of this piece that I became aware of, probably over ten years ago, but I have kept it on my desk and shared it a number of times with people that I thought just needed to hear that someone was praying for them. I have decided to add some Scripture verses to it, and now share it with you. If it speaks to your heart, keep it handy, and maybe even pass it on to someone that comes to mind who you know needs this “ministering” thought at just this very time.

I PRAY YOU ENOUGH . . .

I PRAY YOU ENOUGH sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
Proverbs 15:13 - A happy heart makes the face cheerful.I PRAY YOU ENOUGH rain to appreciate the sun even more.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I PRAY YOU ENOUGH happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
Romans 8:26 - In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

"CLEAR FOLLY" Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins, and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth--men of depraved minds, who, as far as faith are concerned, are rejected. But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone." 2 Timothy 3:6-9

This is another whole passage that needs to be shared on one devotional. "They" refers to those who have a form of godliness, but deny its power. Or, they are all talk, slick seducers, preying on those who are at risk and weak. Moses dealt with them, as is mentioned here, and we still deal with them today. Opportunists, snake oil salesmen, prosperity preachers, get rich quick schemers, magic potent vendors, and hot air specialists. You know the type. Guilt trip or tickle your fancy, they are shallow and misleading.

"TERRIBLE" Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them" 2 Timothy 3:1-5

This is a longer passage than usual but the content has to stay together for the purpose of impact. I am not an "end of the world doomsayers", but this description of the reality and capacity for the depravity of people is so indicting that it stands on its own and does not need much commentary. We, at best, are greatly compromised and on a very slippery slope. These words of warning should convict us deeply. We must return wholeheartedly to Jesus, who should be our first love. Lord, forgive us for how true this is of not only the world, but ourselves.

"OPPOSITION" Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and especially escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:25-26

Opposition will always come to any of us who share the truth, even when done tactfully and with love. This passage has some bullet points that can help us understand why people resist and how we should share. Hope you find this insightful.

● Gently instruct

● Be hopeful

● God is in charge of change

"CHOSEN PEOPLE" Devotion by Council Member Hank Botts

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9

All of us, at some point in our lives, will be faced with rejection. Perhaps it’s that dream job we desired or that prestigious college we wanted to get into. Maybe it’s that guy or gal we fell for who didn’t return our affections. Maybe one of our parents left the situation when we were just a child, and that made us feel rejected. Whatever the cause, it is an awful feeling. Sometimes, we even end up blaming ourselves for the rejection, believing that we are not good enough or that we don’t measure up, or if we could have just done something differently, things would have gone our way.

"KIND TO EVERYONE" Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"The Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful." 2 Timothy 2:24

Lots of lessons here.
First, let me remind us that we are all His servants. We are all not to quarrel, and all to be kind to everyone. We may not all teach, but more of us should be able. Of course we all should not be resentful.

"QUARRELS" Devotion by Pastor Fred Snider

"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." 2 Timothy 2:23

As I begin to write this devotional today, I realize that I need to hear what I am about to say. Particularly in this contentious season of politics, I know I need to be very selective about how many issues I weigh in on. In the matters of faith, and biblical principle yes, matters of personal opinion, not so much. It is a divisive and polarizing time and we should all be careful of being politicized over issues outside the essential doctrines of our faith and practice. When we do take a stand we do not need to be argumentative about it. In the family of God we must protect our unity, above getting everyone to agree with us about everything.