2 Timothy 2:13 - He Cannot Deny Himself
Step 1: Pray. Select.
Today, as I sat down in my backyard to spend time with the Holy Spirit, a tiny bird who shows up every morning to sing sang at the top of its little lungs as if today was the most important performance of its life.
I thought about the bird, who knows without a doubt that he was created to do this. Believe me, he is doing it with his whole heart and soul. I smile, and the words constant and consistency came to my attention. The Holy Spirit is prompting me to take this little bird as inspiration to examine the constant nature of the LORD.
As I researched scriptures that pertained to the theme, I came across 2 Timothy 2:13. This is where I began my journey today, friends.
Step 2: Write. Read. Circle
After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out amongst the others:
2 Timothy 2:13 - If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, He remains faithful; cannot deny himself.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.
Step 3: Re-Write
With a focus on the words I circled that stood out, here is the personalized sentence that came alive in my heart.
Jennifer, He remains faithful; cannot deny himself.
If you are doing this alongside me today, add your name in front of your unique sentence so the Lord can speak directly to you.
Step 4: Visualize
I close my eyes and begin to meditate on the sentence the Holy Spirit wants me to focus on today.
My vision today is animated. It is a time lapse of the day, a glimpse of the Sun rising over the Earth. Beneath it, the animals are waking up. We go about our business, cars driving, busyness, kids in school, friends, and later in the day, friends eating and laughing, dinner at home, and then everything winding down so the world falls asleep as dark falls over the land. And in a matter of hours, everything will begin again.
A million things happen in a day, a million choices, reactions to different behaviors, feelings, birth, and death, yet the Sun still rises every day and sets every night.
The Holy Spirit is asking me to pay attention to the faithfulness of the creator of it all. No matter what we do in a day, good or bad, the Sun continues to rise and set. Why? Because he created this place for us, and one day, we will be united with him in heaven.
He shows me an example of the scripture to let me know He is faithful even if the world is not. The level of consistency he demonstrates in showing up every morning in our lives, if we let him, is unsurpassed. The key is if we let him. He is always there, ready to deliver his promises like the Sun.
He is ready to give you the abundant life He planned for you, even if we reject or deny Him or His ways. He stands there with open arms to love you as consistently as the Sun, now and through eternity. He cannot turn against who He is. He is faithful and kind. Holy Spirit really wants me to accept the fact that no matter what happens in my day, He is faithful, not because of me, but because of who He is.
I have a question for the Holy Spirit regarding the vision he has shown me, so I move to Step 5.
Step 5: Ask. Seek
The requests/questions that came to mind are:
Holy Spirit, why did you show me this vision in time-lapse? What was the meaning behind it?
Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive
Here is the answer I received:
“In time-lapse, you focus on the things of my nature, which move at my pace and work miracles. A flower comes from a seed, which you cannot see in the ground with your naked eyes, until one day it appears as if it was always there. From your perspective, you are anxious, racing against time. I do not pay attention to this thing, since time does not control me. I created it. The seed needed time to grow, so I gave it the time it needed to become what I always knew it would be, a flower. While it was hidden, a million factors were at work bringing what I spoke of to pass. I am not waiting to answer your prayers. I am faithful. I am waiting for you to believe what I say. Yes, it is just that. Stop questioning and focus on my constant nature. The Sun rises. The birds wake and chirp. You rise. Now walk in the direction I have created you to be. It is there that you glorify my name. Being the creation, I spoke you into existence to be.”
Step 7: Pray. Confirm
Heavenly Father, I come to you through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Thank you for reminding me that you are faithful; that is just who you are. Thank you for creating me to be who you created me to be. So let me walk boldly forward in confidence that you will provide and protect me as your creation, like the little bird who performs in my backyard every morning, as sure as the sunrise.
Thank you for loving me and always spending time with me, even if I sometimes question or doubt you. Thank you for your mercy.
I seal this prayer with the blood of Jesus. Amen.
If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone.
Step 8: Share. Testify
If you used the 8-Step Prayer Practice today, we would love to hear how God works in your life! You can comment below or share your miracle or testimony HERE.
Conclusion:
Friends, if we understand this principle—that the Lord is faithful because of who He is—we should find peace in His Word and His promises. I hope we all find comfort today, knowing we serve a God who continually gives, even if the world does not. Let's be grateful that despite our wavering nature, we have a constant, as shown to us through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus.
May God bless your beautiful, promise-filled day ahead. See you soon!