believe me when i say that the love of Christ is what makes my world go round. !!! today was/is a very wonderful day for many reasons (aside from the slightly traumatic incident that occurred about midday that requires no further elaboration).

i was sharing with a friend about my new-found realization that Christ should once again reign above all of my needs, and how important it is for me to be absolutely enraptured by His love and truth, and the entirety of His Being. and he/she pointed me to 2Timothy2, that has proven to be an awe-inspiring piece of work. the depth of which i never saw till today.

i read both the NIV and the NKJV version, and have taken away different things from each one.

Amazement number 1
"Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David." - 2 Timothy 2:8

remember Christ Jesus, remember His resurrection! how apt in the light of the new lesson i am learning. remember + reflect = renewed. (:

as i read the passage again in my NKJV Believer's Bible (which is by far the best study Bible in the world!), it was just reminder after reminder after reminder.

Amazement number 2
"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." -2 Timothy 2:1

yesterday i talked to another friend of mine and i started talking about phil4:13 "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." i distinctly remember Pastor preaching on this verse once and it just stuck from that day on. we often focus on the promise of strength in this verse, but the simple truth of what he said that day just blew me away. the promise of strength is NOT the most important part of that verse. its not "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me." it is "I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me."

Christ. that is all there is.
the first verse of 2 Timothy reads:
"You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."
this is paul's exhortation to timothy to be strong, yes. but what is the source of that strength? an attribute of Christ! '...the grace that is in Christ Jesus.' now how awesome is that. i never took time to appreciate this.

Amazement number 3
"If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.." - 2 Timothy 2:12
i was struck mainly by the explanation giving in my very awesome study Bible haha

the reasons for suffering:
1. some of our sufferings fulfill the sufferings of Christ for the church (Col 1:24)
2. others have to do with the steadfastness of the Christian's witness (1 Cor 4:9, 2 Cor 4:7-10)
3. some suffering produces humility and dependence on God (2 Cor 12:7)
4. there are sufferings that are disciplinary in nature (Heb 12:5-11)

reason number 3 jumped out at me, by reason of the things i have been pondering about these past few days. humility and dependence on God. how true. i would never have gotten this far in my prayer life, in knowledge of the defense of my faith, in desire to seek Him, if my life had taken a different path. (not that im anywhere near where i shd be)

Amazement number 4
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15

be DILIGENT. oh my goodness that just sums up everything i am trying to work on this year. discipline in my prayer life, seeking, not being lazy.. everything. what a wonder it is to hold a conversation with someone who can 'rightly divide the Word of Truth'. i am sure that He would love for me to know His Word as intimately as i know Him. so bam! time to start working girl.

Amazement number 5
"Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are His', and 'let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.'" - 2 Timothy 2:19

i am stamped and chopped with the seal of the Lord. not by any merit of my own, but because of Christ. my life is meant to revolve around the worship of my Maker. when i say i am a Christian, im not shouting i am saved - im confessing i was lost, and need someone to guide my way. what should my response be? when i name His Name, i should create the largest gulf between myself and iniquity. not by legalism and a list of dos and donts (which is something i think Christians shd absolutely NOT do ie impose their beliefs on others), but by a spirit that has been chided, molded and broken by the Lord. by a spirit that has learnt what it means to willingly depart from iniquity.

Sixth and last amazement
"Vessel for honor...
pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." - 2 Timothy 2:21-22

this is not my goal.. my eyes are fixed on the Author and Finisher of my faith. but i do hope that He teaches me how to pursue all these things along the way as i seek Him. and i do hope that at the end of life's day, i will get to hear Him say 'well done, good and faithful one.' (: