Menu
Bible Gateway logo
account
  • read
    Read
    the Bible
    • Reading Plans
    • Advanced Search
    • Available Versions
    • Audio Bibles
  • study
    Study
    Tools
    • Scripture Engagement
    • More Resources
  • plus
    Bible Gateway
    Plus
  • explore
    Explore
    More
    • News & Knowledge
    • Newsletters
    • Devotionals
    • Bible Gateway App
    • Bible Audio App
    • Bible Gateway Blog
  • store
    Store
    • Bibles
    • Deals
    • More
Want to receive the Verse of the Day each day?
close
Bible Study Made Simple: align commentaries and application notes with every passage. Try Bible Gateway Plus FREE.
close
account Log In/Sign Up show menu
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified) (CCB)
Version
Bible Book List Bible Book List
Font Size Font Size

◀Devotionals/Encouragement for Today - Monday, October 21, 2024
Share Print
Prev Day Prev Day
Reading Completed Reading Completed | October 21, 2024 Use the calendar to view readings from this plan. close
Next Day Next Day

Use the calendar to view readings from this devotional.

October 2024 Previous Next
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
    1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31    
Return to today's reading

Log in to read this devotional and:

  • Have reminders sent directly to your email
  • Record your reading progress
  • Pause your devotional at any time to read at your own pace
Log In

Encouragement for Today

Duration: 365 days
Untitled Document
Catherine Martinez

October 21, 2024

The Truth You Need When Life Gets Chaotic
CATHERINE MARTINEZ

Lee en español

“Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.” 2 Timothy 1:14 (NLT)

It had been a long day, and I needed sleep, but I still had to put my children to bed. My 2-year-old brought me a board book about the gospel and lifted it up to my face, her way of telling me she wanted to read.

I’m too exhausted for this, I thought. And then: If I was actually a good mom, I’d have more energy. Followed by: Have I done a single thing right today? Half the time I don’t even know what the right thing is.

“OK, we’ll read it once,” I told her.

When we reached the end of the book, she insisted we start over. Then again … and again. By the fifth read-through, I realized the simple and beautiful message wasn't just for her — it was for me too.

I’ve known and believed in Jesus since I was a little girl, but that day, I needed His Truth to confront the chaos in my life. The lies of the enemy were threatening to overtake my mind, but when I was reminded of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, I was ready to fight back.

We find a similar idea in Paul’s second letter to Timothy, his missionary assistant who became like a son to him. Paul was waiting to be put to death in a Roman prison when he wrote this letter, and he had endured much persecution, but his greatest concern was passing on his passion for the gospel.

That’s why he gave Timothy an important assignment: “Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you” (2 Timothy 1:14). In the world’s chaos and confusion, Paul didn’t want Timothy to lose sight of the One who is Truth and peace — Jesus.

Guarding the Truth starts in our own hearts: When the days get long, life gets hard and the world becomes chaotic, we need to preach the gospel to ourselves again … and again. As we do, the Holy Spirit leads and guides us, and He also empowers us to share the Good News with others.

I know I need to hear this every day, and I’m pretty sure you do too. So here’s the Truth:

Jesus loves us. He died to redeem our brokenness and make us right with God, and He rose from the grave to defeat death so all who believe in Him can have eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 3:16). By faith, we can live with confidence that one day, He will return, make all things new and wipe away our tears (Revelation 21:4-5).

Let’s ask Jesus to fill our hearts with a passion to know and proclaim this precious Truth — because it truly is Good News.

Dear God, thank You for the salvation You’ve given me through Jesus. Show me what it looks like to guard the good deposit of the gospel in my life. Give me the desire to dig deeper into Your Word so when lies come, I’m ready to fight them with Your Truth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

If you enjoyed this devotion by Catherine Martinez, she also wrote our next First 5 study guide … 1 &; 2 Timothy: The Clarity You Need When Life Feels Chaotic, Confusing and out of Control. These aren’t just words to read. The books of 1 and 2 Timothy contain wisdom-filled truths that will shape our thoughts, actions and reactions as we try to live for God in a world that often doesn’t look godly. Get Your Copy!

width

ENGAGE

To connect with Catherine, follow her on Instagram @catherinemackmartinez.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead …” (ESV).

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (ESV).

How can you guard the gospel in your own life today? In what ways has God called you to share His Truth with others? Let us know in the comments!

© 2024 by Catherine Martinez. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org

Prev Day Prev Day
Top
Next Day Next Day

About

  • About
  • News & Knowledge
  • Statement of Faith
  • Mobile App
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Newsroom
  • Support Us

Help

  • FAQs
  • Tutorials
  • Use Bible Gateway on Your Site
  • Advertise with us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Cookie notice
  • Site: Terms of use
  • Widget: Terms of use

Our Network

  • FaithGateway
  • StudyGateway
  • ChurchSource
  • HarperCollins Christian Publishing
  • Grupo Nelson
  • Editorial Vida
  • Thomas Nelson
  • WestBow Press
  • Zondervan
  • MasterLectures

Social

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Preferences

  • Versión en español
  • Preferences
Sign Up for Bible Gateway: News & Knowledge
Get weekly Bible news, info, reflections, and deals in your inbox.

By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 501 Nelson Pl, Nashville, TN 37214 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateway’s emails at any time. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com.

Preferences

  • Versión en español
  • Preferences