The apostle Paul had several advises Philemon just like he did for Timothy and Titus. Paul's advise is a good lesson on forgiveness;

"I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison."

Philemon 1:10 NLT.

Onesimus had offended his master and possibly taken advantage of his kindness and ran away from home. That could have filled Philemon with bitterness at being taken advantage of. And so Paul was asking him to forgive.

Having confirmed Onesimus genuine conversion, Paul sent him back to Philemon to restitute.

The challenge to accept Onesimus back reflects the burden to forgive when we have to.

The apostle Paul had left Titus on the island of Crete to pastor the church there. His main was; let your teaching align with with the way you live.

[1] As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching.

Titus‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

It is easy to teach and not need to hold yourself accountable. The truth is, those you are teaching are actually holding you accountable and they want to know if what you are teaching has the power to change them. That change has to begin with the one doing the teaching.

[7] And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. [8] Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.

‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:7‭-‬8‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

This was the template they received and handed over to us;

[1] In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach.

‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

Jesus did and taught. Paul was the same. He is telling Titus here to do the same. It must be the same for us. Be a person of integrity, practice what you preach.

In today's devotional, let's shared a few more of the advice Paul gives to Timothy;

[3] For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

[5] But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

People will be people. Each person will stand to give an account to God how they lived. So Paul tells him, you, keep a clear conscience.

[7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. [8] And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4:7‭-‬8‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

There nothing more beautiful, to know you have done what the Lord sent you here to do. To know you completed your race and have stayed faithful. What a testimony!

2 Timothy is usually considered the last epistle written by Paul. Paul was incarcerated for the second time, but this time, he knew he was likely going to be killed by the emperor Nero. With this in mind, Paul sends this passionate letter to Timothy to equip him with all needed when he passes.

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus."

2 Timothy 1:6‭-‬9 NLT.

Fan to flame, in other words, use your gifts.

"Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things."

2 Timothy 2:1‭-‬7 NLT.

"This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them."

2 Timothy 2:11‭-‬14 NLT.

"Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus."

2 Timothy 2:15‭-‬17 NLT.

"But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work."

2 Timothy 2:19‭-‬21 NLT.

"Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts."

2 Timothy 2:22 NLT.

These words are as relevant to us today as they were to Timothy, read them regularly and let them guide you.

"Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses." 1Tim 6:12.

There are good fights and there are bad fights. Every fight aside fighting to uphold your faith is a bad fight. Fighting for selfish ends, fighting simply so no one looks down at you is not a good fight.

Prioritize on and concentrate on the fight for your faith.

Paul also says; ''hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you."

Timothy was not just a believer, he was pastoring this church, yet Paul tells him to hold on tightly to something he should already have.

Can believers lose their faith? If you want to put it differently; can a believer lose the eternal life Christ promised us? From Paul response, if they are not careful to hold on to it, yes, they can.

Allow me share this scripture with you we discussed in today's devotional;

[16] Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

If I understood the apostle here, he is telling each one of us that we have a personal responsibility to keep a close eye, to take heed, to regularly check whether we are living the word.

Secondly, he says Timothy was to pay attention to living and teaching. Live it, then teach it. Don't be saying one thing and be living the other, that's hypocrisy.

Lastly, stay true to what is right, not just for yourself, which is important, but for the sake of the salvation of those looking and listening to you.

First Timothy along with; 2 Timothy and Titus are often referred to as pastoral epistles because they were written to guide 2 of his sons who had pastoral responsibilities over churches.

First Timothy is an encouragement to a son who was pastoring in the most difficult of circumstances and in a city where Paul himself struggled and was chased out of town through a riot. Ephesus is one of the biggest cosmopolitan cities of the time, and so the church was a mix of Gentiles and Jewish worshippers.

Paul's advise is simple;

"Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked."

1 Timothy 1:18‭-‬19 NLT.

There are many distractions in our world right now, most of us face many of them daily. The believers responsibility is to cling to, to hold on to their faith. To keep a good conscience and live a life of love that models Christ. That is our calling, that the world will see Christ in us.

Paul goes on to repeat his instruction again;

"Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses."

1 Timothy 6:12 NLT.

We walk by faith, we live by faith, stand by faith, we even speak by faith. Halleluyah! Hold on to your faith in Christ.

We conclude our study of second Thessalonians with these 2 prayers;

[5] May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

I pray the Lord will give you a complete understanding of his love for you and how to express that love in Jesus' name.

[16] Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:516 ‭NLT‬‬.

May the Lord give you peace at all times and in every situation. What is moving and shaking others will not be able to move or shake you. May you be filled with confidence that the Lord is with you. Amen.

The book of second Thessalonians was likely written a few weeks after Paul's first letter because it seems he is addressing the same issues or questions the believers had asked about, and he looking to cover whatever he missed in his first letter.

Paul again commends the believers for holding on despite the persecutions they were going through. He also wanted to give them better clarity on the likely time of Jesus' second coming and they should we be doing in the meantime. In this second letter, Paul adds 2 key events that will take place before Jesus returns;

"Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction."

2 Thessalonians 2:1‭-‬3 NLT.

He begins by saying he needed to clarify which meant they had misunderstood something in his first letter. The 2 events are; there will be a massive rebellion against everything God. Secondly, the antichrist, the man of lawlessness would reveal himself before Jesus returns. When the time for Christ's return begins to draw near, society as a whole will turn against God, every truth with foundation on the word of God will be turned upside down and rejected; the family, morality, right and wrong, the church, etc. Christians will be called names; racist, fascist and narcissist. Right will become wrong and wrong right. Do you perceive we are getting there gradually? It will become wrong to love and right to hate. Society will fight and protect the cause of those who commit sin and abuse those who call stand for the truth.

When things like these become the norm, you know the day is drawing near. When the antichrist finally reveal himself in person, Paul says;

"He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God."

2 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT.

When a figure appears in the future, a man of intrigue with exceptional talent and results, someone who even works miracles. He installs himself to be worshipped as god so that anyone who refuses is hounded and killed, you know the day of Jesus Christ's return is drawing near.

However, he cannot also be revealed until a major event takes place;

[6] And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. [7] For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way. [8] Then the man of lawlessness will be revealed, but the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by the splendor of his coming.

.‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:6‭-‬8‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

As believers, we can hold on to Paul's advise;

[15] With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

The Bible gives us specific and clear instructions on how believers are supposed to live in the end times and the apostle Paul addresses this in the conclusion of his letter to the Thessalonian church.

From what we know, there is no way to tell when the Lord Jesus Christ will return. What we are certain of is this;

[2] For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. [3] When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. [4] But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief.

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:2‭-‬4‬ ‭NLT‬‬.

That day will come unexpectedly, that much is clear and is the reason some of us believe there will be a rapture ot taking away of the church. Thieves usually don't let you know when they will strike, and labour pains sometimes, especially for the first child, can seem sodden. That day will take those not ready by surprise.

Knowing all of this, how then should we live ready so we are not surprised when that day comes. Paul says;

"For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation."

1 Thessalonians 5:5‭, ‬7‭-‬8 NLT.

One thing is certain about the way Paul is answering this questions, he seems to be telling them of how to live so that the avoid taking part in the day of the Lord, which are the events that happens after Jesus receives his church at his second coming.

My encouragement therefore will be for each one of us to live ready. Live each day as if the Lord might come like a thief.

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil."‭‭

1 Thessalonians 5:16‭-‬22 NLT.