2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
                                         
Truth I love in 2 Timothy:
Remember who you are- Heritage of faith 1:5
Fan into flames- Anointing 1:6
Trust for the unseen longings 1:12
Guard the truth 1:13
Preach the word- Be ready to preach, pray or die 4:2
Keep the faith 4:5-6
                                              
2 Timothy 2:15
Handed down to me by my Great Grandmother who wrote this reference on a birthday card to me when I was 8 years old. I held on to the card because it was beautiful and when I was a young adult I finally looked up the reference.
Study to show yourself approved by God,
There is something unmistakable about someone who studies “the word of truth” and we stand before God as we “do [our] best” and “study” the truth of God, approved, accepted, capable of 4:5 “discharging all the duties of [our] ministry” we have His “seal of approval” as we press in to know the truth of God. But we get a much deeper meaning if we look at the Greek words.
SPOUDAZO is the Greek verb “study” means to  make haste, exert oneself, endeavor, give difference, involves much more than just taking in knowledge, a word used of a workman, meaning to give diligence, endeavor or exert oneself.
PARISTEMI  is Greek for “show” it means to stand beside, to exhibit, proffer, recommend, substantiate.
a worker who does not need to be ashamed
1-The words of others may make us feel inferior,
2-our self doubt may make us feel like an incapable instrument in the hands of the Lord
3-and the devil may sew seeds of doubt in our abilities,
 but when we focus on the Lord by studying His word His truth casts out fear
1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. 
Christ saved us on a cross “scorning it's shame”. Do not be ashamed.
Learn truth and rest in it and teach it unashamed. vs. 2:11
SPOUDAZO is used again Greek for “worker” meaning to give diligence, endeavor or exert oneself.
AISCHUNO is Greek for “ashamed”
and who rightly handles the word of truth.
4:2 Preach the word. 2:24 kind to everyone able to teach.
3:16 All scripture is God breathed...teaching rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2:22 flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness.
2:6 The hard working farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Paul calls Timothy an “evangelist” in v. 4:5 as he is to teach and he must first learn the truth and let it bare fruit in his own life.
ORTHOTOMEO is Greek for “rightly handles” or “cutting straight” like ORTHO-straight and tomeo-to cut. KJV                                      
LOGON -word ALETHEIAS -of truth

The thorn in my flesh

I feel the Truth of God
welling up
within me.
I'm painfully bursting
at the seams of my soul
longing to express Truth.

My mouth opens and
Truth pours out
at times to my surprise.

God hold my heart.
It fears man.
I think I'm judged.
I fear once my mouth opens
I talk too much.
I fear the truth is too heavy,
to deep
for casual conversation.
I fear others are angry
with me.

Yet, I cant help speaking
when You well up within me.

God help me
to be obedient.

Help others
whom I might
unintentionally intimidate.
God grant that this package
(of my life and voice)
may not offend
the listener
or bring You
disgrace.

God let me disappear
and let your Word
be heard
and bare fruit
for righteousness
in Your kingdom
for Your glory.

Let me move by Your Spirit
alone
extinguish
any self motivation
(that may creep beyond my view)
and be glorified.

Let this pain
be a reminder
of my constant
reliance on you.

Father guard the doors of my mouth
that I might not sin
and that I would only speak
when You are the author
and motivator
of my words.

And God would you
make a way
for me to
teach.
I miss it so much.
In your time,
by your design.

I surrender
even my longing
to you.

So many tears...

Longing to talk about
my favorite thing.
All of life
I see
through the lens
of faith
and truth.
It is gloriously
glistening
all around
and to express this
is what I long for.

God help me.
Give me permission
to speak.

So many tears.

Show me my place.
Use me Father.

c Kim Damon 2013

Saturday

Saturday,
oh Saturday
I lay this day at your feet,
Lord.
Father,
I turn my face to you
and surrender this day
to your will.

I give you (as well)
all my fleshly desires,
all my selfish motives,
and the sinful longings
that lurk in my heart.
Cleans me
and make my path
straight.

Steer me away from the pitfalls
in this day
and walk with me.
May I make the most
of ever opportunity
and enjoy
Your nearness
today.

I don't doubt,
You have a plan for me
I fear,
I will miss it;
I fear ,
we all miss it,
more often than not,
to our loss,
to the loss of those we love,
to the loss,
of those you are seeking to save.

Father,
please don't let me
miss it.

Tears well to think of grieving
Your Spirit.
My comforter,
my consoler,
my confidant,
and companion,
my guide,
and my joy.

I'm sorry for grieving
the Spirit of God.
Please help me
(in spite of myself)
to honor
what is Honorable
and walk by Your Spirit
not in the flesh
today.

c Kim Damon 2013