2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
By lawfully, we do not mean POISONING your opponent like this chess player is accused of doing: Chess Player Suspended After Allegedly Poisoning Her Rival – Chess.com.
The Olympics are currently going on and that is nothing new: https://olympics.com/ioc/ancient-olympic-games. Let us see how God is dealing with this world by that means:
-
Cheaters (Jordan Chiles) never prosper, so says CAS: Jordan Chiles has been stripped of a gymnastics bronze medal, but the USOPC says it will appeal (msn.com).
-
You think it is bad for the athletes, what about them coaches?: Athletes have to deal with pressure, stress and often disappointment – what about their coaches? (theconversation.com).
-
When your nation’s break dancer representative almost literally breaks the internet for how LAME their moves were: Olympics fans stunned as Aussie break dancer ‘Raygun’ does a ‘better’ performance at closing ceremony (msn.com) looking at you Australia.
-
When the bizarre world of hermaphrodites causes quite a row: Gender row boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting disqualified from World Championships after chromosome test: IBA | Olympics – Hindustan Times.
vv. 6-13 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
While we are talking about Israel, did you see what they have done to Palestine, this time?: Palestinian bodies buried in mass grave following Israeli transfer | Watch (msn.com) + https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/israeli-troops-launch-a-new-assault-into-gaza-s-khan-younis-as-mediators-push-for-cease-fire-talks/ar-AA1ovIdT?ocid=socialshare&pc=U531&cvid=171302436e6f4ebeb714a43bca5d8166&ei=18.
Iran, actually God did it, sent a guy: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13715687/Asif-merchant-pakistan-man-iran-assassination-donald-trump.html?ito=native_share_article-nativemenubutton.
God also sent a guy over to Taylor Swift: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/officials-say-suspects-in-foiled-plot-at-taylor-swift-shows-hoped-to-kill-as-many-people-as-possible/ar-AA1osJwQ?ocid=socialshare&pc=U531&cvid=171302436e6f4ebeb714a43bca5d8166&ei=44.
Sometimes “the guy” is a warning salvo, you know.
Like the 29 billion “hit” in one of the largest data breaches ever: https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/online-security/29-billion-hit-in-one-of-largest-data-breaches-ever-full-names-addresses-and-ssns-exposed.
However, there are also great reminders that He actual HITS: Susan Wojcicki, former YouTube CEO, has died at 56 | AP News.
GodSmack!
vv. 14-18 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
Japan knows He hits: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/japan-hit-by-7-1-quake-tsunami-waves-prompt-immediate-evacuation/ar-AA1osbvL?ocid=socialshare&pc=U531&cvid=171302436e6f4ebeb714a43bca5d8166&ei=28.
So do all those involved in watching the weather: https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/us-weather-forecast-america-braces-for-19-major-storms-as-fasten-your-seatbelts/ar-AA1osRV9?ocid=socialshare&pc=U531&cvid=171302436e6f4ebeb714a43bca5d8166&ei=84.Or those keeping an eye on the temperature: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/18-ways-extreme-heat-risks-american-lives/ss-AA1onG5n?ocid=socialshare&pc=U531&cvid=171302436e6f4ebeb714a43bca5d8166&ei=10
Or any who watched this Brazil plane fall from the sky: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/plane-crash-brazil-news-sao-paulo-latest-b2594162.html.
Or any who are watching the Democratic POTUS & VEEP race: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74j887e710o.amp#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17231215627751&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com.
Or if you are keeping an eye on those astronauts stuck at the space station: https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/nasa-considers-keeping-boeing-astronauts-space-station-february-rcna165587.
Or those who thought they understood how oxygen and oceans “work”: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/oxygen-discovery-defies-knowledge-of-the-deep-ocean/ar-BB1qqgGl?ocid=socialshare&pc=U531&cvid=171302436e6f4ebeb714a43bca5d8166&ei=73.
vv. 19-26 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.