Live Each Day as One Approved by God ... Unpacking the Message of 2 Timothy 2:15
- Anthony Speciale
- 3 days ago
- 11 min read
Greetings,
Live Each Day as One Approved by God
“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.” — 2 Timothy 2:15
Unpacking the Message of 2 Timothy 2:15
When Paul wrote to Timothy, he wasn’t giving advice for a moment—he was giving instruction for a lifetime. This verse speaks to identity, responsibility, spiritual discipline, and the deep honor of serving God with integrity. Paul tells Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,” and with that single phrase he calls every believer to live with intentional devotion. Approval from God is not something earned through performance but something revealed through faithfulness. It’s about a life aligned with His heart, His truth, and His mission. Paul is inviting us to consider not how we look before people but how we stand before God.
“Do your best” speaks to effort, but not striving. It’s the posture of a disciple who chooses diligence over complacency, consistency over chaos. This phrase acknowledges that spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident. It requires pursuit. God’s grace is freely given, but spiritual maturity requires intentional cooperation with that grace. Paul isn’t calling Timothy to exhaustion, but to engagement—to show up fully, willingly, and wholeheartedly before the God who has already accepted him in Christ. The effort Paul speaks of is love-driven effort, the kind that longs to honor God in every dimension of life.
Then Paul gives Timothy this identity: “a worker who does not need to be ashamed.” A worker—meaning someone committed to the task, someone faithful in their calling, someone who understands that following Jesus involves action, obedience, and stewardship. A worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed is someone who lives without hidden compromise, without divided loyalty, without hypocrisy. It doesn’t mean perfection. It means living authentically before God, without pretending, without wearing masks. Shame grows in the shadows, but approval grows in the light. A worker who stands confidently before God is someone who knows they are walking in integrity—even in weakness—because their heart is right, their motives are pure, and their pursuit is genuine.
Paul then identifies what kind of work Timothy is called to do: “one who correctly handles the word of truth.” This phrase is powerful. The word “handle” implies cutting straight, navigating clearly, or guiding properly. In other words, the Word of God must be approached with reverence, precision, humility, and care. Timothy was living in a time filled with false teachers, distorted doctrines, and philosophies that pulled people away from the gospel. Paul’s instruction is that Timothy must not only know the Word but correctly apply it, teach it, interpret it, and live it.
To correctly handle the Word means that Scripture shapes you before you try to shape anyone else with it. It means that the Bible is not a book we use—it is a truth we submit to. It forms us, corrects us, redirects us, and renews our mind. Handling the Word correctly means refusing to twist it for convenience, culture, or personal preference. It means pursuing truth even when it challenges your comfort. It means letting Scripture speak for itself, not bending it to fit our desires. A worker approved by God must not only know the Scriptures but allow the Scriptures to know him.
This verse also reminds us that spiritual formation is a daily journey. Presenting ourselves to God is not a one-time offering—it’s a continual practice. Every day we get to say, “Lord, here I am. Shape me. Use me. Teach me. Search me. Correct me.” Every day we make the choice to be a worker in God’s kingdom rather than a spectator in God’s story. Every day we decide to pick up the Word with fresh eyes and a teachable spirit. Every day we fight the temptation to handle the Word casually, carelessly, or selectively. Every day we make decisions that either align us with truth or distract us from it.
The Speciale Foundation
Maximal Productivity Accompanied By The Utmost Generosity
Worshiping Jesus ✝️ Loving People ❤️ Serving Others
The Speciale Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to serving others in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Rooted in faith and guided by His teachings, our mission is to restore hope, uphold personal dignity, and empower individuals by meeting their basic needs.
We are committed to providing essential resources, compassionate support, and practical solutions to those facing hardships.
By fostering a spirit of love, service, and community, we strive to help individuals reclaim their sense of worth and pursue lives filled with purpose and pride.
Through Christ-centered action and unwavering dedication, The Speciale Foundation seeks to be a beacon of light, transforming lives and glorifying God through every act of service.
Your one time or monthly reoccurring tax deductible donation will be
100% employed to directly serving others in the name of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - Thank You and God Bless!
NOTE: Charity founders will match your one time
and/or monthly reoccurring donations, Dollar for Dollar.
Anna, Brian and myself are excited to provide medical relief to a hard working young man who has fallen ill. At the same time he cares for his elderly, disabled parents - all while refusing to file for disability ... continuing to work through the misery he's living.
"As I got to know Tolly, I felt God put it on my heart to do what we're called to for him."
Our faithful and gracious donors have helped make ALL this possible!!!
🙏🏻 God Bless & Thank You For All Your Support 🙏🏻
Paul’s language also calls us to accountability. Presenting ourselves to God means we live for an audience of One. Not the approval of people. Not the applause of culture. Not the validation of social circles. When you know you stand before God, you can stand strong before anyone else. Workers approved by God don’t crumble under pressure because their identity isn’t rooted in human opinion. They don’t burn out from comparison because they’re not measuring themselves against another’s assignment—they’re simply being faithful to their own.
There’s also a subtle call to humility. Handling the Word correctly requires acknowledging that we don’t know everything. We don’t arrive. We don’t master Scripture; Scripture masters us. Every time we open the Bible, we open ourselves to transformation. The more you grow in the Word, the more you see how much more there is to learn. The more the Spirit reveals, the more deeply you realize your dependence on God. This humility keeps your heart soft, your motives pure, and your teaching accurate.
These words also challenge us to be aware of how easily truth can be mishandled. Throughout history—and even today—people twist scripture to justify sin, support bias, or advance agendas. This is why Paul stresses “correctly” handling the Word. Not emotionally, not culturally, not politically, not personally—correctly. That means reading Scripture in context, allowing it to interpret itself, and receiving its full counsel, not just the parts we like. A worker approved must be committed to truth, even when truth is unpopular.
The verse also inspires confidence. A worker who is approved and unashamed is bold, steady, and anchored. They don’t fear the enemy’s accusations because they know their life is rooted in Christ’s righteousness. They don’t fear misunderstanding because their conscience is clear. They don’t fear failure because they’re living transparently before God. Approval from God produces stability. Handling the Word rightly produces discernment. Living unashamed produces courage.
Ultimately, 2 Timothy 2:15 is a vision for the kind of believer God desires each one of us to become—faithful, focused, grounded, teachable, courageous, and transformed by truth. A believer who lives not for the world’s approval but for God’s smile. A believer who takes Scripture seriously because they take their calling seriously. A believer who grows daily, repents quickly, learns humbly, and walks boldly.
And the beauty of this verse is this: you don’t have to be a pastor, teacher, or theologian to live it out. You simply have to be willing. God approves the believer who keeps showing up. God strengthens the one who keeps opening His Word. God equips the one who keeps surrendering. And God will use an ordinary heart that is devoted to His truth far more than a gifted life that is disconnected from His presence.
If you present yourself to God—open, humble, surrendered—He will shape you into an unashamed worker who handles His Word with power, purpose, and precision. And your life will reflect His truth in a world desperate to see what truth really looks like.
Experience The Speciale Analysis Difference Today
Studying Market Analysis And Trading LIVE Since 2010
Elevating Others To Their Highest Potential Since 2020
A prominent verse related to generational stewardship of money is Proverbs 13:22, which states, "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children."
This verse suggests that part of being a good steward of wealth includes planning for the future and ensuring the well-being of future generations of kingdom builders.
This verse is often cited in discussions about financial planning and legacy, it's important to remember that the Bible also emphasizes the importance of giving to those in need and being content with what one has, rather than accumulating wealth for its own sake.
The focus should be on using resources wisely and for God's glory first and foremost, NOT simply leaving a large sum of generational money.
My mission is to serve followers of Christ through helping them become builders of His kingdom. Trading is NOT a get rich scheme, rather it's a skillset that when applied from the perspective of stewarding God's wealth and will first, proves to be incredibly fulfilling!
Contact me today for your FREE trading consultation: info@specialeanalysis.com
Matthew 6:19-21
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Are you a Kingdom Builder for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?
If so, I'd like to send you the MASTER PLAN of the Speciale Analysis 2-Timeframe Signature Setup 100% FREE + 3 BONUSES!
A detailed list broken down that you'll easily understand and find invaluable to your day and/or swing trading!
BONUS #1: 20+ minutes on setting up your chart to see what we look at LIVE every morning from 0800 - 1100 ET.
BONUS #2: a checklist containing 23 specific attributes of what it takes to become a consistent, disciplined and profitable trader.
BONUS #3: A one-on-one LIVE (ZOOM) consultation where I'll answer all of your questions, helping you decide if trading aligns with your mindset, personality and lifestyle.
Simply send me an email at: info@specialeanalysis.com for your FREE, No Obligation ACCESS to TRAINING CONTENT and 3 BONUSES!
Here is our 7-day journaling plan built directly from the heart of the reflection—simple, deep, and perfectly aligned with Psalm 118:24 -
“The Lord has done it this very day;let us rejoice today and be glad.”
🌅 Daily Opening Prayer – Before Journaling
“Lord, I come before You with a quiet heart.
Help me set aside every distraction, every pressure, and every expectation that isn’t from You.
Open my mind to understand Your Word and open my heart to receive Your truth.
Shape me today into a worker approved by You—faithful, honest, humble, and hungry for wisdom.
Let Your Spirit guide my thoughts as I write, reflect, and seek to grow.
I present myself to You now.
Speak, Lord… I am listening.”
Day 1 — Presenting Myself to God
Focus on what it means to “present yourself to God.” Reflect on how often you consciously come before Him—not just in prayer, but in posture, intention, and daily decisions. Consider whether you live more aware of God’s presence or more aware of people’s opinions. Explore how your life might shift if your first instinct each day was to stand before God with openness and honesty. Write about the resistance or distractions that have kept you from this practice and what a renewed posture of daily surrender could look like.
Day 2 — Doing My Best Without Striving
Reflect on the difference between godly effort and exhausting striving. Where are you trying too hard in your own strength? Where have you not been giving God your best? Journal about areas where grace and effort need to work together in your life. Allow God to show you the places where you’ve equated perfection with approval, and write about how you can practice consistent, love-driven effort instead of performance-based pressure.
Day 3 — Becoming a Worker, Not a Spectator
Consider what it means to be a “worker” in God’s kingdom. Where are you actively involved in what God is doing versus where you might be passive, hesitant, or disengaged? Journal about your God-given assignments—big or small—and how you feel called to show up. Write about where God may be inviting you into deeper service, obedience, or faithfulness, and how you can take a step forward this week.
Day 4 — Living Unashamed Before God
Reflect on the phrase “a worker who does not need to be ashamed.” What areas of your life feel misaligned, hidden, or weighed down by guilt or secrecy? Where is God inviting you into greater transparency, integrity, or repentance? Journal honestly about where shame has tried to cling to you and how living in the light of God’s acceptance changes your confidence. Explore what a life free from shame-driven patterns might look like.
Day 5 — Handling the Word with Reverence
Spend today journaling about your relationship with Scripture. Do you approach God’s Word casually, hurriedly, or selectively? Or with hunger, humility, and expectation? Write about what it means for you to “correctly handle the word of truth”—in how you read it, interpret it, and apply it. Ask God to reveal any ways you’ve twisted, ignored, or misunderstood Scripture, and journal about how you desire to grow in biblical depth and understanding.
Day 6 — Letting Scripture Shape You First
Today, reflect on how easy it is to use Scripture to speak to others more than letting it speak to you. Journal about how God has used His Word recently to challenge or transform you personally. Consider areas where you need to slow down, reflect deeper, or practice obedience to what you’re reading. Write about how allowing Scripture to shape you first leads to greater credibility, humility, and spiritual power.
Day 7 — Living for the Audience of One
Close the week by journaling about who your true audience is. Where are you still pulled by the need for approval, praise, or validation from people? Write about how choosing to live for God’s approval alone brings peace, clarity, and stability. Reflect on how a life anchored in God’s truth, God’s standards, and God’s affirmation equips you to live boldly and unashamed. End today’s entry by writing a personal commitment for the kind of “worker approved by God” you desire to become.
🌄 Daily Closing Prayer – After Journaling
“Father, thank You for meeting me in this time of reflection.
Seal in my heart the truth You’ve shown me today.
Strengthen me to walk it out with courage, integrity, and joy.
Help me handle Your Word faithfully and live in a way that honors You.
May everything I think, say, and do reflect the work You are doing in me.
I entrust this day, this growth, and my whole life into Your hands.
Amen.”
Closing thoughts as we pray for those reading or hearing this verse today...
Dear Beloved in Christ,
Live Each Day as One Approved by God
There is a beautiful call in Scripture that reminds us of both our purpose and our privilege as followers of Jesus Christ. Paul writes:
“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.” — 2 Timothy 2:15
This isn’t a call to perfection—it’s a call to devotion.
A call to live with intention. A call to pursue God with a sincere heart and to handle His Word with love, honor, and integrity.
God is not looking for flawless servants; He’s looking for faithful ones. He delights in those who seek Him, who hunger for truth, and who strive to live in a way that reflects His character.
Today, let this verse inspire you to walk confidently—knowing that the Holy Spirit is shaping you, teaching you, and strengthening you to become a worker unashamed.
Every step you take in obedience draws you deeper into God’s approval, not man’s.
Keep growing. Keep studying. Keep presenting your life to Him.
He is pleased with your pursuit.
In Christ’s love 🙏🏻
Be Relentless In Pursuit Of The Will
Which God Has Set Upon Your Life,
❤️ Anthony and Anna Speciale
If we can pray for you, simply respond to the email you received or you can email us directly at: TheSpecialeFoundation@gmail.com
Comments