Listen to today’s devo!

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. (2 Tim. 3:16)

Expanded Passage: 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Paul ends this powerful chapter by reminding Timothy of the origin and purpose of Scripture. It is not man-made or outdated; it is “God-breathed.” That means every word comes from the heart of God, full of divine wisdom, power, and intention. The Bible isn’t just another religious text; it is the living Word of God, active and effective, preparing us for real-life ministry in every context.

Faith at work in Christ’s family means being equipped not only for church responsibilities but for every good work: parenting children with grace, resolving conflict with humility, leading with integrity, and serving others with compassion. God’s Word is not just for Sunday mornings; it is for daily living.

Scripture teaches us what is true, reveals where we’ve gone wrong, corrects our direction, and trains us in how to live rightly. That’s not just information, it’s transformation. Bible study isn’t meant to be academic only; it’s designed to shape our hearts and actions. It forms our character, renews our minds, deepens our love for God, and equips us to serve others with humility, grace, and wisdom.

Feeling unprepared for what lies ahead? Unsure how to respond to a challenge or opportunity? Open God’s Word. The same Spirit who inspired it now uses it to train and empower you for the good works God has already placed in your path.

Live what you’ve learned, and let Scripture transform your daily life.

Richard Young blends civil engineering excellence with decades of leadership as church treasurer and member of the LBA at CrossPoint Wesleyan Church in Bethlehem, PA

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it. (2 Tim. 3:14)

Expanded Passage: 2 Timothy 3:14-15

Paul encourages Timothy to remain grounded in what he has learned from childhood. His faith wasn’t built overnight, it was nurtured over time through the influence of his mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois (2 Tim. 1:5). They taught him the Scriptures and modeled a life of devotion and trust in God. Paul reminds Timothy that the foundation they helped lay is worth holding on to and continuing faithfully.

Today, we often chase after the newest ideas or spiritual trends, hoping they’ll offer something deeper. But often, the most powerful step is returning to what we already know to be true and choosing to live it out daily. There is deep strength in spiritual consistency. The truths that grounded us when we first believed still nourish us now.

Faith at work in Christ’s family looks like generational investment. Timothy’s story shows how faithful people can plant seeds early and tend them with love, prayer, and example. But it also reminds us that faith must be continually nurtured. A lasting walk with God doesn’t just begin well, it continues and finishes well too.

Your faith story began with someone else’s influence, but now it’s your turn to continue the legacy. Stay rooted in truth, grow deeper daily, and share your faith intentionally. Let your life inspire the next generation to follow Christ with joy, courage, and lasting purpose.

Reflect on your spiritual influences and pass that influence onward.

Richard Young blends civil engineering excellence with decades of leadership as church treasurer and member of the LBA at CrossPoint Wesleyan Church in Bethlehem, PA

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (2 Tim. 3:12)

Expanded Passage: 2 Timothy 3:10-13

I once heard a missionary say, “If you follow Jesus long enough, eventually you’ll suffer for it.” That thought stuck with me. Paul tells Timothy something similar in this passage. He points to his own life—his teaching, faith, patience, love, and especially his endurance through trials—as a pattern worth following. Paul didn’t hide the cost of discipleship. He embraced it.

Living for Christ isn’t always easy. In fact, Paul tells us plainly: “Everyone who wants to live a godly life . . . will be persecuted.” That’s not a threat, it’s a promise. But it’s also a powerful reminder that suffering doesn’t mean we’re doing something wrong. Often, it means we’re doing something right.

Faith at work in Christ’s family doesn’t shrink back from hardship. It presses forward with hope. Evil may seem to gain ground, but it won’t last. Paul assures Timothy, and us, that God delivers his people, strengthens them, and makes their witness shine brightest in the fire.

God isn’t searching for flawless people; he’s seeking those who stay faithful through trials, who keep walking with him when life gets difficult. Don’t shrink back when the pressure rises; follow Jesus with boldness and trust. It’s not perfection that inspires others, but your steady perseverance. When you stay committed in hardship, your life becomes a powerful testimony to God’s strength and grace.

As trials arise, lean into your faith.

Richard Young blends civil engineering excellence with decades of leadership as church treasurer and member of the LBA at CrossPoint Wesleyan Church in Bethlehem, PA

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. (2 Tim. 3:8)

Expanded Passage: 2 Timothy 3:8-9

In high school, I once found myself standing alone for something I believed was right. It wasn’t dramatic, just a quiet refusal to go along with what everyone else was doing. Still, it cost me. I lost the support of friends who didn’t understand. That experience taught me that standing for truth can be lonely, but it’s never wasted.

Paul reminds Timothy that he’s not the first to face opposition for standing with God. Just like the magicians who challenged Moses and tried to fake God’s power, these people stand against the truth. Their thinking is corrupt, and their actions show they’ve turned away from true faith. But they won’t succeed for long. Eventually, just like those magicians, everyone will see how foolish and empty their ways really are.

Faith at work in Christ’s family means standing firm even when others push back. Whether facing dissenters or false teachers, as Moses did, the goal isn’t to defeat people, but to remain faithful. God's truth has a way of revealing itself in time.

You might feel alone when standing for truth, but you are never truly alone. God honors those who hold fast to him and strengthens them with his presence. Others may abandon you, but he never will. His Spirit empowers you to remain faithful, even when the pressure mounts.

Stand for truth with grace and courage, even when you feel alone.

Richard Young blends civil engineering excellence with decades of leadership as church treasurer and member of the LBA at CrossPoint Wesleyan Church in Bethlehem, PA

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

[They are] always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. (2 Tim. 3:7)

Expanded Passage: 2 Timothy 3:6-7

Paul warns Timothy about people who are easily influenced by deceptive voices, those who “worm their way into homes” (v. 6) and take advantage of vulnerable hearts. In 2 Timothy 3:6–7, he describes individuals who are “always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” It’s a striking image of spiritual confusion. In our modern world, it feels all too familiar.

We live in an age overflowing with information. Podcasts, videos, social media posts, cable news, and articles flood our lives daily. Everyone has something to say, and many claim to tell the truth. But not all truth claims are grounded in God’s Word. Some teachings sound spiritual but are rooted in self-interest or deception. The result? A culture that is hyper-informed and spiritually undernourished.

Faith at work in Christ’s family calls us to grow in discernment. Not every voice deserves our attention, and not every opinion reflects the gospel. Spiritual maturity asks: “Does this teaching point me toward Jesus and align with Scripture?” If it doesn’t, we must be willing to turn down the noise.

God calls us to guard our minds and hearts with vigilance. His Word offers clarity in confusion, truth amid deception, and wisdom in the noise. When we stay rooted in Scripture, we gain both insight and courage to live faithfully, and as we do, we continue to grow in Christ.

Tune out deception and let God’s Word guide your thinking.

Richard Young blends civil engineering excellence with decades of leadership as church treasurer and member of the LBA at CrossPoint Wesleyan Church in Bethlehem, PA

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. (2 Tim. 3:1)

Expanded Passage: 2 Timothy 3:1-5

In a world where chaos dominates the headlines and confusion seems to grow louder every day, Paul’s words to Timothy feel especially timely. In 2 Timothy 3:1–5, the apostle paints a sobering picture of a society unraveling, marked by selfishness, greed, arrogance, rebellion, and a hollow form of godliness that denies real power. These words don’t just describe Timothy’s world, they reflect ours. It’s as if Paul is holding up a mirror to our time, showing what happens when hearts drift from God’s truth.

But Paul isn’t simply pointing out what’s wrong. He’s preparing Timothy, and us, for how to live faithfully when everything around us seems to be falling apart. The answer is not fear, withdrawal, or outrage. The answer is Scripture. God’s Word still speaks. It is still timeless, clear, and life-giving. In a world full of opinions, Scripture provides something unshakable. It anchors us when everything else is unstable.

Faith at work in Christ’s family calls for spiritual alertness. We aren’t bystanders watching the world decay. We are disciples, people rooted in the truth, shaped by the gospel, and called to live it out. Paul’s warning is not a call to despair; it’s a call to wake up, stay grounded, and live with bold, Spirit-filled faith.

Let the Word shape your response. Don’t just read it; let it read you.

Anchor your faith in God’s Word amid cultural chaos.

Richard Young blends civil engineering excellence with decades of leadership as church treasurer and member of the LBA at CrossPoint Wesleyan Church in Bethlehem, PA

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. (Ps. 119:131)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 119:129-136

The finish line is in sight. I make a final effort, wanting to finish the race and finish it strong—at the top of what speed I have left. Revving to a sprint, I come between the gates lining the final stretch. Halfway down that last section, however, I run out of air. My chest is tight and my gasping mouth open, struggling to drag in each breath. I need air!

Running in that community race, I knew what it felt like to pant, open-mouthed, longing for air. The psalmist echoed this desperate physical need, longing instead for God’s commands. While oxygen is necessary to run a physical race, God’s Word is just as necessary for our race of faith. If we cannot breathe in enough air, we cannot run. If we do not take in enough of God’s Word, we cannot pursue our race of faith effectively.

God’s Word is the life-breath of our faith. When we are gasping for hope and guidance, we must turn to the Bible, panting for God’s commands, his promises, his story, and his very character that are contained within. Without God’s Word to fuel us, we cannot finish the race of faith strong. We need to pant for it as desperately and longingly as runners panting for air as they sprint toward that finish line.

Breathe deeply of God’s Word.

Emma Dainty is a Houghton University (NY) senior who loves reading, birding, and deep conversations about books.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Keep reminding God’s people of these things. (2 Tim. 2:14)

Expanded Passage: 2 Timothy 2:14-26

Recently, I was reading Taliesin by Stephen R. Lawhead. In this novel, Taliesin, a Celtic druid and bard, has an encounter with God in a vision—not just a Celtic deity, but the God of the Christians. I was inexplicably excited by this, uplifted by the reminder of God’s presence even in my fiction reading.

It is often easy, in the mundanity of life, to forget how near and active God is in our lives. We need these unexpected glints or glimpses of God’s touch to remind us of his all-pervasive influence. Whether it is a wonderful landscape painting that reminds us of the glory God put in creation, a poem that captures the wonder of sacrificial grace, or an unexpected remark that hints at God’s ability to connect lingering ideas to point toward him—we need things like these to keep reminding us of God’s loving, caring nature.

We can spread these reminders for others too. We can spread these glints of God in so many ways—literature, music, conversation, art, acts of service. In the things we do, say, and create, we can provide a glimpse of God’s sudden presence, reminding them of his loving, living work. Whether we do this through creative endeavors, thoughtful interactions, or caring deeds, we can—and must—spread glints of God to keep reminding his people of his loving presence.

Share glints of God with those around you.

Emma Dainty is a Houghton University (NY) senior who loves reading, birding, and deep conversations about books.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance. (2 Tim. 2:25)

Expanded Passage: 2 Timothy 2:25-26

I remember sitting on a bus while behind me a friend talked to a woman sitting beside her. I cannot recall the exact details of their conversation, but I remember being amazed by my friend’s boldness as she asked questions about the woman’s spiritual beliefs, speaking humbly while still prodding her to really think about what she believed. I did not think I could ever do such a courageous thing. The thought of boldly asking about another’s faith like this was, frankly, terrifying.

One reason conversations with strangers about faith are so daunting is that we often assume (perhaps unconsciously) that we must convey all of the gospel at once in such a compelling way that our interlocuter accepts it. This assumption may be flawed. Paul told Timothy to teach unbelievers in the hope that God would lead them to the truth through repentance. The burden of unbelievers’ repentance, then, is not on us, but on God. Our job is simply to present the truth in a gentle, loving way.

In others’ salvation, much as in our own, we cannot rely on our own capabilities, but only on God’s. We must have faith in God’s ability to bring unbelievers to the truth, not on our own ability to convince them of it. Instead of being afraid our words will be ineffective, we must trust God’s ability to work through them.

Trust that God can use your words to bring others to repentance.

Emma Dainty is a Houghton University (NY) senior who loves reading, birding, and deep conversations about books.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Tim. 2:22)

Expanded Passage: 2 Timothy 2:22-24

Running is difficult for me. When I am alone, I quickly lose the will to push myself. When I run with a friend, however, her presence spurs me to keep up my pace. Instead of falling into angry recriminations about why I am torturing myself in this manner, I can focus on the enjoyment of my friend’s company and the accomplishment of keeping a steady, if hard, pace. Running with a friend pushes me to exert myself more—and to have a better attitude about it.

It is no accident that Paul urged Timothy to flee evil desires and pursue good ones with fellow believers. Alone, Timothy could tire and his determination flag. With others to spur him along in his faith journey, Timothy could keep pursuing righteousness with renewed vigor.

While it is hard to withstand the temptation to give in to despair or habitual sins, it is even harder when there is no one to hold us accountable or encourage us toward better paths. When our desire to fall into self-pity, bad habits, or old addictions becomes too strong to resist, a fellow Christian can come alongside and encourage us to keep fleeing these things and pursuing better courses. We need other believers to push us onward when the going gets hard—to help each other just keep running toward God.

Find running partners for your faith journey.

Emma Dainty is a Houghton University (NY) senior who loves reading, birding, and deep conversations about books.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.